The Coolest Thing About John Neill Painting

We usually don’t “talk shop” at our weekly family dinner, but last week my father had missed a few days due to a cold. When we sat down to eat, he asked me how everything was at the office and if there was anything he needed to be brought up to speed about. I gave him a brief update and then my younger brother chimed in. He said that he has always found it really cool that if you call John Neill Painting Customer Service you actually get to speak to John Neill (and often meet him in person as well).

37 years later and John’s still going strong. While we have delayed the ringer in his office so he doesn’t answer every single phone call himself, he is still here everyday hard at work. When asked once in an interview what his favorite part of the job was, there was no hesitation in his answer. He truly loves being able to work with our customers directly in updating and maintaining their homes.

In the day and age of automated telephone answering systems, big box stores, small companies being bought out by big companies, and corporate mergers everywhere, it’s nice to know that there are still small business owners out there who like keep things personal. Give us a call and see for yourself.

Preparing for the U.S. Open

When preparing for the US Open at the Merion Golf Club in 2013, they turned to John Neill Painting & Decorating for all their painting needs!

For all of the golf lovers out there, you probably already know that the Merion Golf Club will be hosting the prestigious U.S. Open in 2013. In preparation for the big event, the club  turned to us for all of their painting needs.

If you have a special event of your own coming up this spring or summer, now is the best time to take care of any painting or decorating updates you want to have completed. Planning ahead and taking care of the bigger “to do’s” first will leave you with more time and less stress to take care of all the other details.

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day is Always March 29th.

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day celebrates small business owners. These individuals spend countless hours nurturing and growing their young enterprises. The workload demands, and lack of a hired staff, often translates into long and late hours, and many missed family and personal events. But, all in all, they love what they do. After all, they are their own boss.

New businesses have always been a vital, yet not fully appreciated, part of the U.S. economy. On they retail side, they bring different and unique products to the marketplace. They provide stellar and personal service support. When you call, you are more likely to get a real, live person. And unlike big national chains, they know their products. They are outstanding performers in niche markets. In manufacturing, they create many new concepts and ideas, making them creators of new products.

Celebrate National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day by showing your support…. shop their stores today, and everyday.

Thank you to all of our customers who have helped build our business into what it is today!

What’s Your Design Philosophy?

During a recent trip to Phoenix, Az for a painting convention, I chose to use my few free hours on Sunday afternoon to visit Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s final residence. I knew a bit about him upon my arrival, but was astounded by the details of his life and career as recounted by an architectural student/guide on my 90-minute tour. After five years in the painting and decorating industry I walked away with a whole new outlook on design. What’s your design philosophy?

First and foremost – you don’t have to be a designer to have a philosophy on design. Frank Lloyd Wright believed that everyone’s home should be a reflection of you as an individual – a “mini museum” if you will. He also believed that form and function can and should co-exist, using nature as his proof that this is an achievable goal. Lastly, he always emphasized the use of natural light, for there is nothing more flattering and believed it should be taken advantage of to the fullest.

So how does this translate into the world of painting and decorating? Well, without a clear vision as to what inspires you, it can be difficult to create a living space that is inspiring. We often do this subconsciously, but if you truly take the time to figure out what you love most and find a way to incorporate it into your everyday life, every time you walk into your bedroom, family room, kitchen, etc, you will do so with a smile (or a sigh of relief as you finally crawl into bed at the end of the day).

So where do you begin? If you have a piece of artwork or a collection you would like to display, you can start there, but choosing a paint color is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make when trying to establish your tone. It can be used as a subtle backdrop for everything else you plan to fill the space with, as an accent to define a specific area you would like the focus to fall upon, or the color/finish can be the focal point in itself. Whatever the case may be, keep in mind the natural light in the space, and how it changes throughout the day. Use a light color to brighten up a space with minimal natural lighting, or a deeper shade to absorb excess light.

The key is to be patient with the process, taking the time to really determine how you want to feel in each room in your home. Then, choose what’s right for you, keep it simple and make it beautiful. Til next time . . .

See John Neill Painting Services.

John Neill Painting Service Areas: Philadelphia, The Main Line, Center City Philadelphia, Bala Cynwyd, Gladwyne, Narberth, Penn Valley, Merion, Wynnewood, Ardmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Villanova, Wayne, Devon, Berwyn, Paoli, Malvern, Chester Springs, Newtown Square, West Chester, Blue Bell, Gwynedd, Jenkintown, Rydal, Meadowbrook, and Chestnut Hill.

2012 Color of the Year

The Pantone 2012 Color of the Year is Tangerine Tango.

Tangerine Tango

Growing steadily in popularity over the past few years, a sophisticated reddish-orange has finally taken it’s place in the spotlight.

The 2012 Color Forecast also contains some lovely neutrals that will help set the backdrop for versatile rooms that can be refreshed by simply updating your accessories each season.

To see the full Color Forecast, visit our Color Trends page.

Trevor’s Place – Fall 2011

The beginning of Trevor’s Place in Philadelphia started on a cold December night in 1983, 11-year-old Trevor Ferrell saw a TV newscast about people living on the streets. Those images stirred a compassion deep within Trevor and he pleaded with his parents to take him to downtown Philadelphia so he could give his blanket and pillow to the first homeless person he met. In ensuing weeks, with the help of family, classmates and neighbors, Trevor made nightly trips into Philadelphia to distribute food, clothing and blankets to the needy. Through hundreds of generous citizens and businesses, this little “campaign” soon grew into places to stay and an entire array of services.

The dream and compassion of one small boy has taken on a life of its own and become an integral part of the vital services offered to the estimated 24,000 homeless of Philadelphia. Since its humble beginnings, the Campaign has grown in its approach and sophistication to how best enable the homeless to regain self-sufficiency.

With the spirit of Thanksgiving in the air, we were honored to be included in revitalizing Trevor’s Place, a shelter for women and children in downtown Philadelphia, in conjunction with Benjamin Moore and the PDCA (Painting and Decorating Contractors of America). Over the course of three days, we painted common spaces throughout the shelter including the entry and halls, offices, and common rooms.

A fresh and vibrant color palate was selected by Benjamin Moore, who also supplied the paint.

“We had a great three days. Everything we set out to accomplish is cleaned up and completed on time! We had over thirty painters on the job and some carpenters. I believe the folks at Trevor’s Place really appreciated the fact that we enhanced the look of their facility and addressed some of the pressing needs to make their facility look better. I wanted to thank everyone involved who participated. I want to especially thank John and David Neill for making things go smooth and especially for the guys who gave up their weekend to volunteer their own time for a good cause.”

Thanks,
Joe Feeney
Commercial Sales Representative
Benjamin Moore

See what John Neill Painting & Decorating can do for you! Visit our Painting Services page.

Narberth Boys Basketball League– Summer 2011

We are proud to be a sponsor of one of the most well-known and longest running summer leagues in the Main Line area, the Narberth Boys Basketball League. This season, my youngest son, Sulaiman Neill, is the head coach of the John Neill Painting Junior League team, and we are all looking forward to an exciting season ahead. If you’re in the area and a fan of basketball, please come join us in the stands. If not, be sure to check back to see how our season is playing out. Hopefully we’ll see you at the Championship Game. – John Neill

Narberth League Basketball Website

John Neill Painting Services

Sprucing Up For A Sale

Are you thinking of putting your house on the market this spring? If so, there are a few things you should be aware of if you’d like to get the maximum value possible for your home. Because of the real estate crash that accompanied the crash in the economy, buyers now have the upper hand, but getting your home ready for sale doesn’t have to be a hassle with John Neill Painting & Decorating serving the Main Line and the greater Philadelphia area.

As mentioned in a recent article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, little details that were often overlooked in the past are now being scrutinizing by the buyers. Staging has almost become a necessity when getting your home ready for sale, and exterior maintenance and interior paint touch ups can make or break a deal. Updated kitchens and bathrooms still rank high on the list as well, so be sure to consult with a reputable real estate agent about recommended updates if you’re aiming for a quick sale.

Fun At The Old House Fair

Our first vendor showcase at The Old House Fair was a great success. Stationed between the “Save a Tree” booth and “Philadelphia Soapstone” (who had a gorgeous kitchen counter on display), we had lots of visitors. Thanks to the handful of customers who came by to say hi, and to everyone else that stopped and asked an array of painting questions. You kept us on our toes.

To recap:

–       Almost all kitchen cabinets can be refinished to create a whole new look and feel in your space.

–       We can take care of drywall and plaster repairs as a result of water damage before we prepare and paint your walls (just be sure the roof has been properly repaired first).

–       Exterior painting can be a bit expensive, but can be broken down into smaller sections if needed, and a high quality exterior paint job will last for years, saving you time and money in the long run.

–       If you happen to own a Victorian Home and want to restore it to it’s original splendor, we can help you choose appropriate historic colors.

–       If you live in the Philadelphia area and have not visited the Ebeneer Maxwell Mansion, it is well worth the trip.

John Neill Painting service area includes The Main Line, Philadelphia, Center City Philadelphia, Bala Cynwyd, Gladwyne, Narberth, Penn Valley, Merion, Wynnewood, Ardmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Villanova, Wayne, Devon, Berwyn, Paoli, Malvern, Chester Springs, Newtown Square, West Chester, Blue Bell, Gwynedd, Jenkintown, Rydal, Meadowbrook, and Chestnut Hill. For more, see our Painting Services page.

Radnor A Better Chance House – Fall 2010

Radnor A Better Chance is one of many community schools in the National A Better Chance program, which identifies and recruits academically talented and motivated students of color from disadvantaged school districts and places them in outstanding public, independent and private high schools across the United States. Radnor A Better Chance students live in a group home setting, attend Radnor High School and are in an advanced college prep curriculum.

This fall, we donated our time and services to paint the exterior of the 100-year old Victorian home in which the students reside in the center of Wayne. After a thorough pressure cleaning, we spent a Saturday in October repainting all of the trim white, the corbels and front door a beautiful, rustic red called “Copper Mine” by Benjamin Moore and the porch floor a rich brown.

“On behalf of the board, students and staff of Radnor A Better Chance, I would like to thank you for your generosity (once again). Your staff returned to our ABC house to repaint the porch floor and it looks amazing. It is the kindness of business owners like you that keep our organization afloat after 39 years in Radnor. Our sincere thanks. “
– Melissa Schorr, Board President

“Radnor A Better Chance would like to thank you and your staff for spending your Saturday preparing and painting the ABC house. Being a non profit this was not something we could budget for at this time. The house looks wonderful. You have made a difference to our scholars and staff who call this their home away from home. “
– Florence Hubert, Board President

“Your crew did a wonderful job on the house. As a member of the Radnor ABC Board, I am grateful for your community spirit and a great painting job!” 
– Pam Blittersdorf

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