When Deema Lopez isn't busy juggling a full-time job in politics, being a mom of two, or spending time with her husband, she's updating her newly purchased Los Angeles home, and documenting the process on her hilariously witty Instagram account. As the self-proclaimed “Queen of DIY Almosts,” Deema keeps it real, sharing the highs, lows and messiness of her DIY adventures with nearly thirty thousand followers. “I mess up A LOT, and I love to share my mistakes so others don’t make them,” she says.

Deema added a moody, chic vibe to her living room by painting her walls in Blackest.

It’s her warm, relatable, and often amusing personality that makes her account a favorite to follow (we secretly want to be her BFF!) and the fact that it’s also chock full of inspiration is the reason people stick around. In the process of transforming her family’s “new” 1950's beach cottage into a place the family can call home, she’s tackled most of the work DIY style, including painting the entire house from top to bottom. “I’ve been on a painting spree in my new home. Not a weekend goes by when I’m not painting,” she says. Needless to say she’s learned many lessons along the way and is here to inspire you with a few tips to help you paint a home you love!

1. Buying paint online is the best time-saving hack.

Being able to save time is super important to me. I’m a mom of two young kids, and I work full time. I don’t have time to be running around buying paint and supplies. If there’s a way to make the experience easier, I’m totally taking it. Minus actually hiring painters, I found that Clare was the easiest, least stressful way to do it.

Deema's bedroom nook before (left) and after (right).

2. Sometimes getting crafty produces the best results.

One of my favorite paint DIYs is my bedroom nook. I always get questions about the “wallpaper” but it’s hand-painted! I created the broken arrows pattern using an old dish sponge and my leftover “Blackest” paint from Clare! I added two thrifted art pieces to create a mini gallery wall and voila! It was super easy and I love the view so much! 

Before & After: Deema gave an old bench new life with a fresh coat of Blackest.

3. Don’t skimp on quality paint supplies.

Some of my biggest mistakes were not using the right supplies--whether it was the wrong tape or brush. I LOVE the roller covers from Clare! I accidentally let mine dry out overnight and had to use a random one laying around the house to complete the project. The finish was not nearly as smooth as the one from Clare!

4. Avoid overloading your roller with too much paint!

I’ve made so many mistakes in the past of using too much paint and having it drip—resulting in me having to sand afterwards and repaint.

Deema updated the wainscoting in her hallway using Seize the Gray.