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.


 
 

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.

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.

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!

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.