New York City -- Sherwin-Williams marketing executives pulled out all the superlatives and top-drawer adjectives to describe the company’s latest entry in a crowded paint field.

The Emerald Interior and Exterior line of paints, introduced today during a reception at Rockefeller Center, will be a high-end entrant in the mid-$60 per can range. 

The Lancaster Paint Las Vegas Buying Show opened its doors, marking a collaboration with the National Hardware Show to allow buyers to browse and buy the paint and sundries category in one place.

The two-day Lancaster event at the Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, next door to the Las Vegas Convention Center, opened Wednesday with some 100 exhibits.

A product linked to the Environmental Protection Agency’s lead paint rule has been approved for use on drywall and plaster.

The 3M LeadCheck Swabs, in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP), are now recognized by the EPA for use on drywall and plaster.

The swaps are designed to turn red in the presence of lead and were the first commercially available lead test kit recognized by the EPA for use on painted wood and metal. 

According to an article in The Leader of Traverse City, Mich., McLean’s Hardware of Kalkaska, Mich., will officially emerge from a major renovation this weekend. 

The remodeling of the 45-year-old hardware store and rental center included new floors, new counters, paint, exterior signage and a rearrangement of shelving, fixtures and merchandise.

Valspar Paint has announced a replacement guarantee for Lowe’s customers who buy a gallon of paint and are simply dissatisfied with the color. From now until Oct. 8, 2012, Valspar is offering a free replacement color to anyone who does not “absolutely love” their first color choice. The Love Your Color Guarantee applies only to purchases of Valspar Signature Colors Interior Paint at Lowe's, and will be issued through a rebate for up to two gallons of a replacement Valspar paint color.

Paint Sundries Solutions, Inc (PSS) has partnered with Lumbermens Merchandising Corp. (LMC), a leading forest products and building materials buying group.

PSS is a full-service distributor of brand name paint-related products headquartered in Kirkland, Wash., with distribution centers in Seattle, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Dallas. 

In the central and western United States, PSS will offer premium products along with market expertise, according to the press release announcing the move. 

Dunn-Edwards, the Southwest manufacturer of premium paint, received a Real Estate and Development (RED) Award from the Arizona Commercial Real Estate (AZRE) for Best Industrial Project for its new 336,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility.

The 7th Annual RED Awards recognize the most notable commercial real estate projects of 2011 and the construction teams involved. AZRE held an open call for nominations and a record 116 projects were submitted by architects, contractors, developers and brokerage firms in Arizona. 

According to an article in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, the owner of Westboro (Mass.) Paint & Decorating is preparing to launch a harder side.

The owner of the paint store, Doug Curving, is renovating the site of the former Village Lumber, also in Westboro, which will eventually become Village Hardware & Supply. The new store will sell hardware, fasteners, keys, plumbing and electrical supplies, among other hardline home improvement merchandise, the article said.

PPG Porter Paints has launched the Nashville Color Collection, a new palette of 75 colors representing the shades of the Nashville landscapes. The palette combines the neutral colors in traditional bungalows with the bold shades of the area's modern communities.

Every color has a story, including the musically inspired "Opry Gold" and "Glutch Green," inspired by the Glutch neighborhood, which is the first LEED-certified southern community.

A five-year plan to expand from 4% to 8% of the overall paint market in the United States is in the very early innings. Big boxes alone have 65% of the DIY paint market, according to Ace’s tally. “We want to put Ace on the map for the driving decision,” said Janet Davidson, marketing supervisor for Ace paint. “We think we have a good story to tell.”

A new bill that would modify the EPA’s lead paint rule has been introduced into the Senate, promising regulatory relief to professional painters and remodelers. S.2148, the "Lead Exposure Reduction Amendments of 2012," was introduced on March 1 by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), the ranking member on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

The Home Depot and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia extended their agreement to offer Martha Stewart Living branded products in The Home Depot's 2,000-plus stores through March 2016.

The agreement also calls for an expansion of products offered. 

The Martha Stewart Living line, launched in January 2010, is available in categories such as interior and project paint, outdoor furniture, kitchen cabinetry, carpeting and bath vanities.  The new agreement will include these categories plus a new craft furniture line as well as a broader array of holiday merchandise.