I Am Woman-See Me Paint

Thinking of spending the day with your favorite group of girlfriends? At one time that may have meant cruising the local mall, looking for great deals. Today, it generally involves a trip to a home improvement store, followed by hours of painting, wallpapering or gardening.

Women of today are more likely to pick up a paintbrush than a shopping bag, according to a national survey by a major home supply retailer. Thirty-seven percent of women said they would rather spend their weekend leisure time doing home improvement projects, than in a shopping mall (28 percent) or cooking in the kitchen (25 percent).

Many factors are spurring this trend, including the strong economy and more profitable careers, which mean increased income to fund home improvement projects. And, according to the U.S. Census Bureau more than 57% of single women today own their own homes, which causes them to become more involved in home improvement purchases.

According to this study, 54 percent of women and 51 percent of men say they are currently in the process of planning a home improvement project. Taking on a new project requires anyone to deal with three basic challenges: money, time and know-how. This study found that 53 percent of women said that lack of knowledge and skills keeps them for doing certain home improvement projects. When women do need help, almost 75 percent of women consult "dad," other family members, or friends. "Do-it-yourself" Websites are prolific, providing many women with the resources they need to get the job done. Magazines, books and consultations with staff of home supply stores are also good resources. Home supply stores are responding to the increased interest in home improvement by offering do-it-yourself clinics that instruct home owners in d�cor topics from hanging wallpaper to planting vegetable gardens.

Check your local home supply store for the help you need to fix that leaky pipe or strip that wallpaper with the velvet flowers from 1970-chances are one of your girlfriends already knows how to do it!

Source: PR Newswire