Sherwin Williams – Color Forecast 2016

While there is no single color from Sherwin Williams for 2016 (at least not yet), they have opted to step outside of the box and produce a fun and whimsical approach to this year’s Sherwin Williams color forecast. With four palettes to choose from, there’s sure to be a color that catches your eye. See the full gallery here and check back soon for more color updates.

Benjamin Moore – Color of the Year 2016

The Benjamin Moore Color of the Year for 2016 is Simply White. While white may seem a strange choice for “Color of the Year”, when paired with a pop of color, natural wood, or in a clean and modern space with bold furniture choices, it can set the perfect backdrop for your room to shine. See the full gallery here and be sure to check back soon for more “Color of the Year” updates.

Another Award-Winning Project for 2015

Once again, our career craftsmen completed a project that not only exceeded everyone’s expectations (the builder, the interior designer, and the homeowners), but earned us a national award for interior residential painting as well. Given the size of the house,  this was no small feat. This award-winning project included painting both the interior and exterior of one of the largest private residences constructed in Lower Merion Township in the past few years. Visit our Awards Page to read the full story, and to see the full gallery of images of this magnificent home.

The Best Paint For Your Bathroom

Whether you plan to do it yourself or hire a professional painter, here’s our tip on choosing the best paint for your bathroom. Go with a top of the line product designed specifically for bathrooms. While it may be a bit more expensive than the average gallon of paint, keep in mind that you’ll most likely only need one gallon, and choosing a paint that is designed to withstand moisture and humidity will actually save you money in the long run.

We recommend Benjamin Moore Aura Bath & Spa. Available in all of their colors, this water-based, mildew resistant paint can be wiped down and will still look fresh over time. If you’re looking to create a calming effect in your bathroom, you may like Glacier Blue, or if you like to change out your accessories frequently, a neutral shade like Wickham Gray may be a better choice. Whatever color you choose, just remember that the right product and the right application will make all the difference.

 

 

 

One of our Favorite “Whites”

If you walk into your local paint store and tell them you want to paint your trim white, they’ll ask you what shade of white. And when they direct you to the wall with all of the color samples, you’ll be amazed to discover how many variations of white there are. Suddenly, what seemed like a simple task just turned into a major decision.

Our goal at John Neill Painting is to make your entire project as smooth and seamless as possible, which includes help from our color experts in choosing the right colors for your space. Over the years, we have developed our own color palette full of classic colors, and one of our favorite whites for trim is Benjamin Moore White Dove. On the more creamy side, White Dove adds the perfect finishing touch to both warm and cool wall colors and is also a great choice when refinishing kitchen cabinets. Want to know what other colors are popular at the moment? Visit our Color Trends page to learn more.

 

 

Painting the “White Picket Fence”

Painting the white picket fence is a must to keep your property looking its best and John Neill Painting & Decorating is the best quality paint company serving Philadelphia and The Main Line. The white picket fence has become an iconic image for life in the suburbs in America, but just like any other wooden surface that’s exposed to the elements, it too needs regular maintenance to stay looking it’s best. A thorough pressure cleaning will remove all of the build up, and a little prep work before applying a fresh coat of white paint will ensure the durability of the final outcome. On this particular fence in Devon, PA, we used an oil-based primer followed by two coats of solid stain. We suggest inspecting all exterior wooden surfaces every year for wear and tear to avoid costly repairs, which is often the result of leaving things unattended. Here’s to living the American dream, white picket fence and all.

 

 

 

Historic Restoration in Society Hill Philadelphia

In this historic restoration in Society Hill, this week we had the privilege of painting all of the ironwork at the historic Powel House in preparation for their 250th Anniversary Celebration. The flagship home of the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks, this 18th century Georgian home is one of the finest examples of the architecture of the time, and also played a major part in the more recent reconstruction of Society Hill. If you’ll be in the city this weekend and are looking for something to do, consider attending their Garden Party to see this Historic Landmark up close in all it’s glory.

 

How to Choose a Professional Painting Contractor

Do you know how to choose a professional painting contractor? When choosing your contractor, it is important to keep in mind that choosing the painting company with the lowest bid is not always in your best interest. Quality matters. So, you’ll want to note how much attention your potential paint contractor pays to the details of the job. Here are some great tips to help you know how to choose a professional painting contractor.

• Determine the areas of your home that need to be painted, paying particular attention to details such as trim, doors, etc.
• Choose your colors; this may determine the number of coats of paint needed, which can then affect the overall cost.
• Ask family, friends, etc. who they recommend and/or research local painting contractors.
• Schedule an appointment for an estimate (ask if it will be free or if there is a charge).
• Note the Estimator’s arrival time and overall cleanliness of his vehicle. This is a crucial indicator in what can be expected from the company you choose.
• Go over the specifics of all areas and details of your home that you want included in the estimate. On all estimates you schedule, be sure to include the same specifications, i.e. – number of coats of paint, prep work, etc. to ensure a clear comparison.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the Estimator.
• Ask for references.
• Visit their website to see samples of their work.

Once you have received your estimate

• Make sure the final estimate is clear and includes all the work you requested.
• Ask how long the project will take.
• Ask what you have to do to prepare beforehand.
• Ask about the payment schedule.
• Ask about when the project can be scheduled.
• Ask about warranties.
• Ask about particular products they might recommend for your project.
• Ask about the prep work that is performed before the actual painting is done. The key to a long-lasting and beautiful paint job is in the preparation.
• Determine your comfort level with each company you met with; keep in mind that they will be in or around your house for at least one week.

Remember, if your goal is to receive a top quality paint job that will endure, choose the company that meets all your criteria, and not necessarily the one with the lowest bid.

At John Neill Painting and Decorating, we serve the greater Philadelphia area and The Main Line. If you are in need of quality painting, look no further and give John Neill Painting a call at (610) 664-5555.

New House, New Paint Colors?

Choosing paint colors for your new house can be a daunting task. We often hear stories like this:

I recently purchased a new home, and now I have the fun task of picking out paint colors for the entire house (it’s all white, and I can’t stand white walls). While this is not a job that I normally struggle with, I’m torn between choosing all new colors or reusing some colors that I love from my current house. What’s a girl to do??

After much debate, I have decided to go with a combination of new and old. My current dining room is a red that I absolutely love, and I will be reusing this color in my new kitchen. My current living room is a warm yellow, and I will be choosing a similar, but more neutral and deeper shade for my new living room and dining room area. And for a change of pace, I’ve selected a bold and vibrant blue for one accent wall in the refinished basement.

While it’s not always easy to step out of our comfort zones, if you have a space that could use a new look and feel, why not try something a little different this time? And be sure to check back in a few weeks for the before and after pictures of the transformations of several spaces.

 

Kitchen Color Palette:
Walls – Benjamin Moore Crimson 1299
Cabinetry – Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17
New Backsplash – Subway Tile
Existing Counter Tops – Granite
New Flooring – Cork in an Espresso Finish

Basement Colors:

 

 

 

 

The Importance of Color in the Workplace

What is the importance of color in the workplace? We focus a good deal on color (we are a painting company after all), but it really is one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make when setting the backdrop for your home or office space. We recently purchased an office (which happens to be a converted three-story brick home), and took great care when choosing colors for each individual office.

Today we will take a closer look at one office transformation. The initial space was a two-tone purple with a glossy finish that was overly stimulating on the senses. After careful consideration of the natural light as well as the newly installed LED lighting, we selected a light and airy gray that sets a very calm tone in the space. Now, upon entry, the subconscious reaction is to exhale and relax (as opposed to holding your breath in shock when entering the purple space).

Do you have a space in your home or office that doesn’t truly reflect the tone you were hoping to set? A change of color may be all it takes to go from drab to fabulous.

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