Historic Restoration Archives - John Neill Painting

Sign Restoration and Painting Services by John Neill Painting serving the greater Philadelphia area and The Main Line

Sign Restoration and Painting in West Chester, Pa.

When you think of John Neill Painting, you probably think about painting the interior or exterior of your home, but did you know that we can paint just about anything? From mailboxes to outdoor furniture, and even a totem pole, our team of artists and craftsmen have the skills and expertise to handle specialty projects as well. Most recently, it was sign restoration and painting at Cannon Hill, a twenty-two acre farm in Chester County.
Our carpenter discovered the original sign in the garage while completing repairs on the exterior of the house. He mentioned to the West Chester, Pa. homeowner that our team could replicate the sign that had fallen from it’s post long ago (the original was beyond repair). Using the original as a template, a new sign was fabricated and passed along to one of our craftsman for painting and hand lettering. Once complete, the sign was returned to its original location at the entrance to the property, much to the delight of the homeowner.

Society Hill Exterior After Shutter Repair and Painting

Shutter Repairs and Painting in Society Hill Philadelphia

When we received the call to restore the exterior of this lovely Society Hill home to it’s true beauty and splendor, we knew it was a project our craftsmen would take great pride in completing. We began by removing all of the shutters from the front of the house to be repaired and painted in our shop. Next we pressure cleaned the exterior of the home before addressing additional carpentry repairs to the trim and stucco, and finally painting both the stucco and the trim.

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.

A Trip To Falling Waters

Our “farewell to summer” vacation a few weeks ago included a trip to Falling Waters, PA in Western Pennsylvania. While it is a bit off the beaten path (nestled in the mountains about 90 minutes from Pittsburgh), it was well worth the drive. Arguably one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous projects, the one hour tour gives you an insight into his thought process in designing and constructing the home down to the very last detail.
Photographs are not permitted within the residence itself, but the technology used (and well ahead of it’s time) allowed for an open floor plan and a minimum number of interior walls. In fitting with his style, the materials and colors used also reflect the surroundings and engage the senses with stunning views and the quiet whir of the waterfall underfoot.
Because our family business revolves around painting, I couldn’t help but spend a few minutes in the small museum on site. The colors Wright selected for both the interior and exterior of the home were considered very carefully and compliment the setting perfectly. They also happen to coincide nicely with the 2014 Fall Color Trends, as we too begin to turn our focus away from technology and back to nature. Be sure to check back next week for the full 2014 Fall Color Report.

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

Historic Restoration of the John Ross House in Society Hill, PA (Philadelphia)

Historic Restoration in Old City Philadelphia

We recently completed a historic restoration of the exterior of the John Ross House at Headhouse Square. While a brick building does not require painting, the trim and shutters of this 3-story office building were in desperate need of repair and painting. 12 dormers, 50 windows, 6 original doors, 5 original entryways, and 3 original shop fronts were scraped, sanded, reglazed and painted on the building. A total of 96 shutters, which were not on the building at the start of the project due to their state of disrepair, were transported to our shop where they were repaired, cleaned, sanded, primed and painted before being reinstalled on the building.

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.