Painting your house involves choosing a paint color and type (latex or alkyd), estimating how much paint you will need, obtaining supplies, and prep work and painting. You will need to decide upon paint colors for the siding of the house, the trim, and the accents such as shutters and doors. Many paint manufacturers offer pre-selected color-coordinated paint schemes that are available where you buy paint. Pick a paint color combination that blends with other houses in the neighborhood and expresses your unique personality without lowering your resale value. Painting your house purple, for example, may not be the best idea. It is also not a good idea to paint your house to look exactly like the house next door.

Choose a trim color that is the same color as the siding or compliments the siding.

Paint retailers can help you estimate how much paint you will need. In general, figure out how many square feet you have to cover and consult the paint manufacturer's spread rate to determine how much paint you will need.

Tool and equipment needed to paint your house may include but is not limited to: brushes, caulk, ladders, paint, painting pads, paint sprayers, rags, rollers, sandpaper, stirring sticks, and thinner.

Paint will last longer if applied to a clean house. Prepare the surface by pressure washing the house to remove dirt and mildew. If mildew persists, treat with a mix of equal parts chlorine bleach and water. Then remove any peeling paint, caulk joints, and patch cracks and holes. Apply paint according to the manufacturer's spread rate per gallon.

Finally, follow the rules of interior painting to ensure a good result: paint into wet edges, remove tape from windows promptly, buy good paint, and clean your tools properly.

How To Stain Wood

1. Choose the color you want. For oak and other woods with a nice grain, choose a stain that will let the wood grain show through. Other, lesser grades of wood will look better with more coverage.

2. Purchase your supplies and lay them where you can reach them.

3. Lightly sand the wood and wipe clean.

4. Prepare soft woods like pine for staining by applying wood conditioner.

5. Put the stain in a container or paint tray.

6. Dip sponge or cloth into the stain. Make sure the stain does not drip on the wood.

7. Wipe wood with cloth or sponge in the direction of the grain.

8. Wipe with a dry cloth.

9. Repeat if you want to darken the color.

10. When dry, coat and protect finish with polyurethane, tung oil, or wax.

(source: http://www.learnthat.com)