Hey y’all!

Want to avoid getting stuck with an apple-green living room when it’s out of style next year—even though everybody’s going crazy for yellow-greens today?

Then don’t do what everyone else is doing.

Once everybody starts painting their homes the same color, the trend is already on its way out. Look at what's next, not what's now, when choosing paint colors for your home.

A good rule of thumb: Whenever a color is spiking, it means it’s got nowhere to go but down.

It’s a bad idea to paint a house or even one room the hottest “right now” color because that color is going to be out of style within a couple of years.

Instead of choosing a paint color that’s “in” right now, choose something that’s just emerging in popularity. That way, your color will endure for years before becoming outdated.

Think about it this way: If you had to choose a single jacket to wear for the next 10 years, would you choose something funky and “right now,” or would you go with something more classic? Same thing with paint.

Don’t look at paint colors and ask: What’s “now?” Ask: What’s “next.”

A hint: Color forecasters say yellow-based colors are on their way out. What’s cutting-edge are blue-based colors, like muted browns, greens and grays.

’Til next time, pass yourself a good dose of joie de vivre!

Next blog: Wednesday

Topic: Rosie’s biggest painting faux pas

Hey, y’all! My name is Rosie, and today I’m starting my home-improvement blog.

Anyone who lives in our beautiful state has bragging rights to everlasting sunshine and nearly endless summers. We also know that our dry, hot weather presents us with some unique challenges as homeowners.

Here's a shot of my son and co-host, Romey (left), and me doing the the Rosie on the House Show on the radio.

I have a goal to help my Arizona friends and neighbors help themselves when it comes to living comfortably in homes that they love. I hail from Louisiana, but I’ve been an Arizonian since I moved here as a teenager. I’ve worked in the home improvement industry since 1972, and in 1989, I started hosting a radio talk show so I could help more people turn their houses, cabins and condos into their own private castles.

My radio show, called Rosie on the House like my blog, is on KNST every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

Starting today, this blog will appear regularly on Tucson Citizen.com. In my blog, I’ll write about all kinds of home improvement solutions, with a focus on the ones that present special challenges to us because of our unique climate.

I’ll spend the rest of this week blogging about easy, inexpensive ways you can create a simple home theater for your family to enjoy while y’all are cooped up inside because it’s too hot to go outside. That’s also the topic of my show this Saturday.

In the coming weeks, look for tips about painting and other home improvements. Plus, I’d like to write about the home improvement issues that are on your mind. So post your questions and comments here for me so I can get to know you!

’Til next time, pass yourself a good dose of joie de vivre!

Next blog: Tuesday

Topic: Practical, affordable home theaters