Creating an Optimal Workspace – Part I

We focus much of our attention on updating your home, but many of us actually spend the majority of the daylight hours in an office. Whether you’re in a high rise in the heart of the city or in a home office with a view, there are a few key things to consider in creating an optimal workspace.

Part I – Let There Be Light

Lighting is at the top of the list for creating a space that is truly conducive to productivity. Natural light is always the best option, but if you have to rely on artificial lighting as your primary source of light, try to stay away from fluorescent lighting if possible. The new LED lighting mimics natural light much more successfully, and is much more energy efficient as well. If the lighting in your office is completely out of your control, try bringing in a floor lamp that shines up and boost the light in your space. The 4 pm slump is much easier to avoid if you have good light throughout the course of the day.

 

 

Creating An Optimal Workspace Part II

Creating An Optimal Workspace Part III

2014 Colors Hit the Home Marketplace

The 2014 color trends have finally hit the furniture industry, and at a much more rapid pace this year. Seems we can’t wait to get ourselves as well as our spaces decked out in these bold and fabulous colors. What fun accessories do you plan to add to your home this spring?

“High Point, the largest and most important furniture and home accessories market in the US, is always a stage for contrasts. The town of High Point, NC is a sleepy (if cultural) enclave that finds itself the unlikely focus of the furniture and home furnishings sector at this biannual market.

This year, we were again impressed by the impact of fashion-driven color themes. The so-called trickle-down effect – that is, the movement of any given color or style from the fashion world to less style-driven businesses – used to take a tentative 18 to 24 months to have an impact.

That time scale is now unquestionably a thing of the past. Today, trends don’t trickle down, they gush out. High Point Market has done an admirable job of detecting the new and the next from fashion markets and selectively translating them to their best possible use in furniture and furnishings. The result: a market that was more energizing than ever for its of-the-moment representation of trend-right color.

Color Made Easy

Whether you’re in need of a little inspiration to update the colors in your home, or just like flipping through magazines full of beautiful  interiors, you’ll be happy to know that Color Made Easy is back for the second year. From Color 101 to Tips from the Pros,  the full gamut of colors are explored and explained. Pick up a copy of Color Made Easy at your local newsstand or in the supermarket and get ready to welcome all of the wonderful colors of spring.

Philadelphia Magazine – Amazing Spaces

We are proud to share the news that two of our projects have been featured in the March issue of Philadelphia Magazine. Look for “The Conservatory” and “The Historic Showstopper” as you scroll through the Amazing Spaces gallery, or pick up a copy today to see the photos in their full glory.

Philadelphia Magazine – Amazing Spaces

Lets Talk Sheen

Since the release of the 2014 Color Forecast, we’ve spent a good deal of time focusing on color. Now we’d like to talk about the second step to choosing paint – the sheen of paint (also referred to as “finish”). Depending on the room and the look you are aiming to achieve, the sheen of the paint can have a significant impact on the final outcome. Below we’ve outlined the top four sheens for you, and as always, if you have a question, just give us a call or use our contact form.

 

Flat – no sheen, good for use in low traffic areas, most often used on ceilings and bedroom walls.

Matte – subtle sheen, good for use in busy areas, most often used in hallways, family rooms and kid’s bedrooms.

Eggshell – soft sheen – more “washable” than flat or matte finishes, most often used in kitchens and bathrooms.

Satin or Semi-Gloss – noticeable sheen – can withstand repeated cleaning, most often used on trim, doors and cabinetry.

2014 Color of the Year

The Pantone official 2014 color of the year is Radiant Orchid. A fresh and invigorating shade, this mix of purple and fuchsia combines the energy of red with the calmness of blue. Radiant Orchid works well with more neutral tones to add that little pop of color. Look to see it popping up in the fashion world this spring and then moving into home accessories.

 

Exterior Painting in Philadelphia Before Planting

Do your exterior painting in Philadelphia BEFORE you do your landscaping this spring with John Neill Painting & Decorating! Now that spring weather is finally here (sort of), do you have landscaping on your to do list? If so, it would be a good idea to get your pressure cleaning, exterior carpentry, or exterior painting taken care of first. While we do take great care to protect your plants, getting your maintenance work done before they go in saves us all time and potential worry over newly planted flowers and shrubs. Here’s to a beautiful spring and the prettiest yard on the block.

 

2013 U.S. Open at Merion

The Merion Golf Club will be hosting the 2013 US Open in June, and when it came time to prepare for this prestigious event, they turned to John Neill Painting & Decorating. After a thorough pressure cleaning, we painted the exterior of the Clubhouse, the barn and courtyard walls. We also painted the interior of the Men’s Locker Room, interior hallways and stairs.

Do you have a special event planned at your home this spring or summer?

Is your home in top condition and ready to welcome family and friends?

If not, give us a call today to set up an estimate and save your space on our schedule.

 

Happy Spring Cleaning!

With the official arrival of spring (as least according to the calendar), the annual spring cleaning frenzy will not be far behind. Have you started your spring cleaning list yet? One thing you’ll want to be sure to include this year is a pressure cleaning for the exterior of your home. We recommend pressure cleaning your house every 2-3 years for several reasons (see below), and more detailed information of the benefits of pressure cleaning can be found on the Pressure Cleaning Page of our website. As always, if you have any questions or would like to schedule an estimate, just give us a call.

By pressure cleaning your home you will:

–       Remove acid rain residue, which can accelerate the deterioration of paint.

–       Remove any dirt or pollution film that may have adhered to your home.

–       Remove any contaminants that may have begun to grow on your home (mildew & algae).

–       Freshen up the appearance of your home.

–       Prolong the life of your paint job.

Other areas that can also benefit from pressure cleaning include; decks, patios, walkways, driveways, and pool surrounds.

Spring is Just Around the Corner

Since Spring is just around the corner (hopefully), now would be a good time to take a walk around your home and see if you are in need of any exterior maintenance. This could include pressure cleaning, carpentry repairs, painting, or stucco and masonry repairs. Visit our Exterior Painting page to download your free Exterior Maintenance Checklist, and then give us a call to save your space on our spring schedule.

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