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:
Meridian Blue 761
Palace White 956
 
 
 
 

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.

We’re All About Color

If you haven’t caught on yet, we LOVE color and we’re all about color! And when it comes to your home, changing your paint colors is the quickest way to set a new tone or create a new mood. If you’re thinking about updating an interior room or maybe changing the color of your front door, here are the fall color trends as well as a sneak peek at what you can expect in the spring.

Sign Painting in Philadelphia & The Main Line

While we are best known for our craftsmanship when it comes to painting the interior and exteriors of homes, there isn’t anything we’ve come across yet in 39 years of business that we couldn’t paint (our most unique project was a totem pole). At John Neill Painting & Decorating, we also do sign painting in Philadelphia and the Main Line as well as the surrounding area. Also, if your sign needs restoration, we can take care of that too!
One of our more recent requests was to paint signs for several local developments. This type of work falls into our restoration category, and our craftsman love the opportunity to utilize their skills to bring beautiful, but weathered signs back to life. If you have something out of the ordinary that needs painting, we’re ready and waiting.

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.

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.

 

Five Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Painting Contractor

Hiring a contractor can often be a stressful and unsettling endeavor. With nearly 40 years in business, we’ve taken the guesswork out of the equation and provided you with the key questions to ask before making your final decision. Finding a company you are truly comfortable with can make all the difference in a stressful vs. a successful experience. Here are 5 questions to ask BEFORE hiring a painting contractor that can help you save money and make sure the job is done right!
What products will they use?
Not all paint is created equal, and generally speaking, you get what you pay for. Be sure to ask about the products that will be used for your job. These play a key role in both the aesthetic appeal and the durability of the completed project, and if you want the best results possible you may need to be willing to spend a little more on the products.
What preparation will be done?
 The key to a durable and long lasting paint job lies in the preparation before the finish coat is applied. Be sure to ask about all of the preparation that will be completed prior to applying the final coat of paint.

Who will be performing the work?
 There are painters, and then there are craftsman. Be sure to ask about the people who will be sent to your home to complete the work; how long they have been with the company, their skill level and product knowledge, and how available they will be to answer any questions that may arise along the way. Remember, they will most likely be in or around your house for at least a week, so you will want to choose a company you feel comfortable working with.
What is their reputation like?
Check to see how long they have been in business and what type of reputation they have established. A well-established painting contractor should be willing and able to provide you with references and testimonials upon request, and you should not be shy about asking for them.
And the last of the five questions to ask before hiring a painting contractor is…
What type of warranties do they offer?
Many customers do not realize that they are warranties on home services such as painting. Any reputable painting contractor should offer one, and be sure to ask about the details and read the fine print. If the initial price of the work to be completed seems high, look at the warranty offer and evaluate the overall long-term cost of when you will have to repaint again. You may actually find that spending the extra money up front will be in your favor over the long run.
See our Painting Services page to see how John Neill Painting & Decorating can help you in Philadelphia and the Main Line!

Perfect Painting Weather

We hope you’re enjoying the beautiful start to fall as much as we are, and just wanted to remind you that this is perfect painting weather. Fall is always a good time to take a walk around your home to see if you’re in need of a pressure cleaning, carpentry repairs, or any painting before the start of the winter season. Routine maintenance is the key to protecting your biggest investment – your home.

For more, see our Painting Services to see how John Neill Painting & Decorating can serve you in the greater Philadelphia area and The Main Line.