Canadians will discover premium quality paint in 494 new designer colours to refresh their homes this spring

TORONTO, May 9, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadian Tire announced today that it is expanding its paint offerings with the launch of the new and exclusive Origins™ by Benjamin Moore®, now available in stores across Canada. Canadians now have access to high-quality interior and exterior paints available in an easy to navigate palette of 494 exclusive designer colours curated by the colour experts at Benjamin Moore, a recognized industry leader. In addition, Canadian Tire stores offers a colour matching service to help everyone get the perfect shade for any decorating project.

"A growing number of Canadians are tackling do-it-yourself jobs like painting as a budget-friendly way to update the look of their home, but it can sometimes be daunting to find the right products or that perfect colour to get the job done at the right price," says John Jobin, Vice-President, Merchandising at Canadian Tire. "Origins™ by Benjamin Moore®, exclusive to Canadian Tire, is an affordable, high-quality paint Canadians can use to easily refresh their homes this season. The Origins™ by Benjamin Moore® interior paint selection features built-in primer eliminating the need for a separate primer on most surfaces allowing customers to complete the job quicker and more efficiently. Combined with our existing assortment of paint and extensive range of accessories, Canadian Tire is the one-stop destination for the paint needs of all Canadians."

A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and cost effective ways to change or update the look of a room. Jodi Gilmour, realtor, décor expert and Host of HGTV's For Rent, agrees: "Homeowners who want to change the look of their homes can feel overwhelmed by the volume of colour options and the desire to stay on trend while trying to create a look they will enjoy for years to come," says Gilmour. "Whether it's wowing family and friends or impressing potential buyers, homeowners can find the right paint colour at Canadian Tire that will set the tone and make their homes look new again."

Canadian Tire offers these tips and ideas to help Canadians love their homes this spring:

• Identify how you want to feel. Colour impacts your mood and can set the tone of a room. Decide whether you want to feel relaxed or energetic, creative or peaceful in the space, before you shop for paint colours.
• Learn to love whites. White is a great colour to use when you want to create a clean slate or add some energy and freshness to a room. If you want to warm up a room, use a creamy, soft white colour, such as Alabaster Shell (OR-40) or Spun Sugar Glaze (OR-288).
• Make a great first impression. The entrance way or vestibule is the first thing you see when entering a home. Whether it's a visit from the in-laws or a potential buyer, wow them with a warm and welcoming colour.
• Play with colour. Go outside of your comfort zone and brighten up your home with the season's hottest colours. Spice up your room by using tangerines, warm oranges and corals on the walls.
• Paint outside the lines. Re-painting your trim, which is typically prone to marks and scratches, will make your whole house feel new again. Look up! Adding a colour, like Ice Floe (OR-394), to your ceiling can actually make a room feel taller.

The complete Origins™ by Benjamin Moore® line includes a selection of premium interior and exterior paints that are available in a variety of finishes.

• Origins™ by Benjamin Moore®, Premium Interior: Starting at $39.99, this easy to apply paint has a built-in primer, which offers great coverage and a washable finish suitable for a wide variety of interior surfaces.
• Origins™ by Benjamin Moore®, Ultimate Interior: Starting at $44.99, in addition to a built-in primer, this paint features Microlinx™ technology which provides enhanced durability to withstand repeated washing and superior stain release.
• Origins™ by Benjamin Moore®, Ultimate Exterior: Starting at $48.99, this premium quality exterior paint is 100% acrylic latex and designed for all-weather to offer resistance against the harshest elements.

For more information about Origins™ by Benjamin Moore®, please visit www.canadiantire.ca or a local Canadian Tire store.

ABOUT CANADIAN TIRE
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX: CTC, CTC.a) is one of Canada's most-shopped general retailers and the country's largest sporting goods retailer, with more than 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets from coast-to-coast.  Our primary retail business categories - Automotive, Living, Fixing, Playing, Sports and Apparel - are supported and strengthened by our Financial Services division, which offers such products and services as Canadian Tire Home Services, credit cards, retail deposits, in-store financing, product warranties, and insurance.  Nearly 68,000 people are employed across the Canadian Tire enterprise, which was founded in 1922 and remains one of Canada's most recognized and trusted brands.

ABOUT BENJAMIN MOORE
Benjamin Moore & Co., a Berkshire Hathaway company, was founded in 1883 and established its Canadian operations in 1906. It is one of North America's leading manufacturers of premium quality residential, commercial and industrial maintenance coatings. Benjamin Moore has been a longstanding steward of the environment with a relentless commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices plus the ongoing development of the most eco-responsible formulations possible.