The Art of Downsizing – Keep the Interest and Elegance

Thanks to an increase in new construction in the residential market, downsizing isn’t what it used to be. Whether you’re looking to stay in a single home within a community, move into a townhouse and maintain multi-level living on a smaller scale, or would love one floor living and amenities in your building, there are more options that ever when looking for the perfect forever home.
And while many of the new construction options have a feeling of “sameness” to them, there are some simple ways to personalize your new space and create that true feeling of home. Here are a few examples of how to make your new space feel just as luxurious as your current home.
Add Architectural Details
From crown moulding, wainscoting, or contrasting finishes to soften the space, there are a wide array of options to add detail to any space in your home.

Add Visual Interest
While gray is still the most common choice for wall color, painted ceilings and wallpaper are becoming more popular as well. From more modernized grasscloths to geometrical patterns and colors, there are endless options to add personality to your home.

APC Top Job Award 2016 – Philadelphia

APC Top Job Award Philadelphia 2016 goes to John Neill Painting & Decorating!
We were honored to be selected as one of the top painting companies in the country as a part of American Painting Contractor Magazine’s 2016 Top Job Awards. While this was not a small project by any means, it was a highly rewarding one, which allowed our craftsmen to utilize a wide variety of skills including; faux finishing, decorative painting, and hand varnishing. Read the full story on the APC Website, and remember, no job is too big or too small for our career craftsmen.

Meet Our Painting Craftsmen

At John Neill Painting & Decorating, we don’t hire painters looking for a job, we hire painting Craftsmen looking for a career. Our Foremen have been with us for an average of fifteen years and all have over twenty years of experience in the painting industry. Many are husbands and fathers, and some are even grandfathers too.
As a family owned business serving Philadelphia & the Main Line, we know the joy that comes from being able to provide for your family while doing something you love, and are thrilled that in building our business, we made this possible for our employees as well.
Maintaining our focus on family has also helped us to deliver the professional service with a personal touch that we have become known for throughout the Main Line and surrounding Philadelphia area.
When was the last time you had a pleasant experience with a contractor working in your home? If you can’t remember, maybe now would be a good time to introduce yourself to the John Neill Painting Experience, and join our list of satisfied customers.
“Your men did a fantastic job and we hardly knew they were here. No loud music, no cigarette butts outside the back door, no messes left behind (all of these have happened with other painting contractors). They were unfailingly polite and pleasant. We will definitely recommend your company and call you again for future projects.” – Julie Schroeder, Wynnewood Pa

Interior Painting at the Jersey Shore

Before Jonas hit last weekend, one of our crews was in Longport finishing up the interior of a new residential home on the beach. While we can’t share photos of the project, here is a photo of the view from the back deck. And as we’re all still recovering from digging ourselves out of up to 2 feet of snow, I’m sure you’re dreaming of the beach as well.
Do you have a house at the Jersey shore that could use some freshening up? In addition to serving the Main Line and surrounding Philadelphia area, we are fully licensed and insured in New Jersey as well. Winter is the perfect time for interior painting, so when the warm weather does return, your house will be all ready for you to relax and enjoy the spring and summer seasons. Here’s to Punxsutawney Phil not seeing his shadow next week and an early start to spring.
 

Another Award-Winning Project for 2015

Once again, our career craftsmen completed a project that not only exceeded everyone’s expectations (the builder, the interior designer, and the homeowners), but earned us a national award for interior residential painting as well. Given the size of the house,  this was no small feat. This award-winning project included painting both the interior and exterior of one of the largest private residences constructed in Lower Merion Township in the past few years. Visit our Awards Page to read the full story, and to see the full gallery of images of this magnificent home.

Painting the “White Picket Fence”

Painting the white picket fence is a must to keep your property looking its best and John Neill Painting & Decorating is the best quality paint company serving Philadelphia and The Main Line. The white picket fence has become an iconic image for life in the suburbs in America, but just like any other wooden surface that’s exposed to the elements, it too needs regular maintenance to stay looking it’s best. A thorough pressure cleaning will remove all of the build up, and a little prep work before applying a fresh coat of white paint will ensure the durability of the final outcome. On this particular fence in Devon, PA, we used an oil-based primer followed by two coats of solid stain. We suggest inspecting all exterior wooden surfaces every year for wear and tear to avoid costly repairs, which is often the result of leaving things unattended. Here’s to living the American dream, white picket fence and all.



 
 
 

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.

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.

 

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!