Interior Decorating
      "If you want to achieve a durable and long lasting paint job, you have to start
      with the right preparation, using quality material and paint"
Serlio Araujo
      Preparation:

Cover floor and furniture with drop cloths or canvas.

Wash greasy and dirty surfaces.

Sand glossy surfaces with fine sand paper to a dull finish to insure proper adhesion.

Patch nail holes, cracks and any other surface imperfections.

Remove any peeling and flaking paint, sanding the edges to a smooth surface (feathering the edges).

Painting:

Spot prime patched areas.  Fully prime walls after stripping wallpaper or if the damaged area is more than 50% of the wall section.

Caulk all gaps between walls and trim (crown moulding, chair rail, windows and door frames, baseboards, etc.).

Paint ceiling, walls and trim.  Preferable in this order.

Always cut in with a brush before rolling the finish.  Cut refers to painting the edges of the area you are going to paint.  For example near a light fixture or at the baseboard, even the corners where the walls meet need to be cut.

We usually paint ceilings with a flat latex finish, walls with an eggshell finish and the trim with a satin or semi-gloss finish.

The disposal of cans and mineral spirits should comply with your local laws and regulations.