(ARA) - If your patio furniture, barbecue grill or favorite outdoor planter were left outside this winter, they probably took a beating. But, think twice before you relegate your favorite lounge chair or lawn ornament to the landfill. It's easy to transform them and make them look better than new. All you need is a little imagination and a few cans of spray paint.
"Replacing outdoor furniture can be expensive and in many cases, unnecessary," says Rust-Oleum home improvement expert and PaintIdeas.com blogger, Angie Stinner. "It's easy to transform worn, damaged outdoor furniture and accessories with a little spray paint. And, with a variety of popular colors and on-trend finishes from which to choose, you can upcycle the things you already own and make them look better than new."
Here are a few tips from PaintIdeas.com:
Create "designer" furniture. Designer patio sets, lawn chairs and other outdoor furniture can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars. But, it's easy and inexpensive to give the furniture you already own a facelift that mimics the look of trendy designer furniture with a few coats of spray paint.
Create a durable designer look that sparkles in the sun with a textured black paint with flecks of silver. The texture adds depth, elegance and unmatched protection to any project. Or, create a rich oil-rubbed bronze finish, while protecting your furniture from the elements with Rust-Oleum Universal spray paint. Choose an unexpected color, like Painter's Touch 2X Satin Eden. You also can transform garage sale bargains, flea market finds, or used furniture you find on sites like CraigsList or Freecycle with spray paint to get a designer look without the designer price tag.
Revive an old barbecue grill. If your grill was buried under three feet of snow, it could probably use a little TLC. Why not revive it with a spray paint specifically formulated for high heat applications, like grills? For example, Rust-Oleum High Heat Ultra resists heat up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit so it's great for grills, fire pits and wood burning stoves. Plus, it's available in traditional black, as well as stylish colors and finishes, like brown and aged copper so your barbecue grill will look better than new.
Accessories can get a second life too. No need to toss planters, lawn ornaments or other outdoor accessories because their finish has been weather damaged. Spray paint can give them a second life. Try spray painting planters with Rust-Oleum Stops Rust for a rooftop garden or patio in a variety of vegetable colors - Sunrise Red for tomatoes, Hunter Green for lettuce or green peppers, different shades of green for herbs. Or use Universal Brown Hammered to give worn statuary a rustic, modern look. The possibilities to add a splash of color - or a little sophistication - to a patio, rooftop or backyard are endless.
For more inspiration, project ideas - or to share a project you've done - visit PaintIdeas.com. Or, find Paint Ideas on Facebook at Facebook.com/Paintideas.
Are you or someone you know considering buying or selling real estate? Call on the Grove Team for all of your real estate needs. Reach us at the office, (817) 337-0000 or find us online, www.groveteam.com.
(ARA) - For years, the conversation about strengthening your home's value has revolved around interior projects. However, by keeping the focus inside, you might be ignoring one of the most effective ways to bring your property value up: the garden. When discussing home value, "garden" means more than just flower beds. It includes your lawn, gathering spaces on your property, paths and walkways, in addition to the trees, shrubs and flowers that decorate the space. 
