Paul has a wealth of knowledge from years of experience in the paint industry across several areas including product development, product testing, sales, field application and acceptance, and training.  He has great ability to share his insights in a way that relates to everyday common uses and practices.

If you’ve been thinking how you might successfully complete that next paint project or what types of primers, paints and tools are best or even is it too early to start thinking about painting outside, then tune into the program on Saturday, February 12 at 11:30 am ET at Lifestyle Talk Radio!

Indeed, prints & patterns have been popping up in the unlikeliest of places. On window as viny adhesives, for a cheep & cheerful alternative to blinds or curtains; as gadget “tattoos” for easy recognition; even as refrigerator faceplates for those who will wish to add interest to their kitchen décor. And if that wasn’t enough, there are even exterior wall motifs that can be used simply as decoration, privacy screens, or even as trellis-work. So where exactly does this new pattern-obsession stem from? Does it evolve from the surge of glamorous wallpaper trends? Can it be linked to the continuous exploration of customization? Or perhaps it belongs to the art-driven trends of baroque, rococo, & art nouveau, in which ornamentation lies at the heart of each design? We suspect the true answer is all of the above. History has shown a trend never evolves purely on it’s own without influence from outside sources, but rather it morphs from a collection of influences. Schtickers, a brand of artsy and spirited decals intended for ipods and laptops – could be considered an transition from the bejeweled PDA craze (set into motion by celebritantes like Paris Hilton), combined with a need for distinguishing your portables from those of others.

Choose from a fun variety of Lapschticks and Podschtickers. At Electrolux, decorative fridge faceplates reference both the evolving baroque trend and the current trends in wallpaper, a shift that the company clearly understood could help differentiate their brand from the competition. The same can be said for the wallpapered ipod nano case and the beautiful Nokia phone decorated in a Cath Kidston signature print. Likewise, UK-based designer Susan Bradley’s outdoor wallpaper seems to be inspired from those same trends. Yet the progression of some trends is sometimes simply a matter of both evolving form and necessary function. Patterned wall panels and vinyl adhesive wall stickers, for example, have their roots in the renewed popularity for wallpapers. However, as wallpaper can be a tricky and timely endeavor, many decorators are opting for placementdecoration. Our favorites include B+N panels Helsinki and Versailles, and Skugg Flora adhesives by Unsold Form. No matter how the demand for prints & patterns has evolved, it’s clear the trend has yet to run it’s course. As a special tribute to pattern, we at Voice of Color have designed our own versions, one for each of our new emerging themes: Bloom, Blue Notes, Helios, and Space. Simply click on any pattern to download. Print on adhesive paper, cut out, and apply to any adhesive-ready surface. You can use the remaining paper as a stencil – just trace to the desired surface and paint!

SOLAR LAMPION:
Not just great to look at, pretty impressive too. The Solar Lampion sucks up light rays through the day and gives them off at night using the small solar cells that make up the design. At Voice of Color, we also love it because it fits in perfectly with our trend letter Shaping Up. Damian O’Sullivan www.damianosullivan.com

JERRY KOTT GLASSWARE:

These stunning bottles by Jerry Kott are created by slicing, frosting and fusing pieces of various wine bottles together. The result is purely sleek, and sophisticated. Jerry Kott www.jerrykott.com

MATERIOUS BONE LAMP:
Not only do these Bone Lamps by Materious create an interesting display of light & shadows, they are also environmentally friendly. You’d never expect they were designed from recycled sewer pipes!  Materious www.materious.com

SOPHIA STORAGE:

San Francisco furniture design company Ohio Design has had a loyal following of fans ever since they began experimenting with prints & phototransfers. This particular side table is made of renewable FSC certified woods, and is printed to look like a log pile. Ohio Design www.ohiodesign.com

EL FLUTTER:
Intended as nighlights for children, these butterflies are favorites with adults too. Made of electoluminsescent fabric, the butterlfies – designed by John Wischhusen & Soner Ozenc – emit a soft, calming glow. www.sonerozenc.com

BAMBOO SLIDE:
For condo owners everywhere, the Bamboo Slide is a the one kitchen piece you shouldn’t live without. Made to fit in compact spaces, the Slide expands so that you not only get extra counter space, but a wine rack, a cutting board, and even some extra storage. Sustainablitiy is a bonus. Brave Space www.bravespacedesign.com

FLOWER DRUM:

While there is a little bit of design-community debate over whether Heath Nash’s rebirth of milk jugs into beautiful pendant lighting is really eco-friendly, we can’t deny that we’re in favor of anything that keeps those containers away from landfills. Especially when they’re made to look as beautiful as this. Health Nash www.incapetown.com

CREASE:
Aptly named, the Crease magazine holder by Blue Marmalade is created out of one simple piece of plastic (we love that there’s no manufacturing of extra little pieces) and folded into the final shape. Unfold for easy shipping or storage. Blue Marmalade www.bluemarmalade.co.uk

WALL FLATS:
Created by Inhabit founders Jennifer & Mike Tuttle, these paper wall flats are not only a stunning and easy way to update a room, they are also made from 100% bamboo pulp! Inhabit www.inhabit.com

THE FOLD:
Of all of the things we’ve seen done with bamboo over the past few years, The Fold is on our list of favorites for it’s solid minimal design. But then again, practically everything from Project Import Export is stunning. Project Import Export www.projectimportexport.com

VASO MEDERA:
When the Droog collective comes out with something new, the whole design world takes notice. This simple vase gets our praise for doing not one good deed but two. The plastic insets are recycled from plastic cleaning products, and the wooden outsides are made in Brazilian slums, as part of an attempt to stimulate the local economy. Droog Design www.droogdesign.nl

MINI TEMPOS:
We all love the look of bamboo anything, but these little serving dishes from Ekobo really stand out in a crowd. We especially love the tropical hue coatings. What’s even better is Ekobo’s commitment to sustainability and “social equity”. Check out their Ethical Chart on line. ekobo www.ekobo.org

COW GLASSES:
Similar to the Jerry Kott bottles, these glasses are made from a variety of recycled glass pieces. The abstract “cow spots” appear in various shades, overlapping and adding surface interest. btc elements www.btcelements.com

SIDE TABLE:
While we admit that it’s the trend du jour to mix various woods together, the guys at Scrapile (as their name would suggest) earn a few extra points for making sure all of their materials are either resalvage or recycled. Scrapile www.scrapile.com

E-ROPE:
The witty invention of 3 Pratt Institute students, E-ropes can be used on their own or joined together to accommodate more plugs. While it doesn’t seem to be in production yet, it gets our green vote for it’s power saving abilities. When straight, power flows freely. When at a 90 degree angle, the power is cut. Now you can keep things like cell phone chargers plugged in without wasting energy.