Choosing Color-Before and After

The internet is a wonderful thing, where else could you find articles like this to help you choose paint colors? There are sites to help you decide "what color am I" and "what are the most popular color trends" and on and on. There is so much information now that the average homeowner can easily be overwhelmed!

That was the case when I met a recent homeowner on an estimate. She had a lovely home with tasteful decorations and furnishings. She also had a whole basketful of color swatches and no idea which walls to put the color on. She had the home custom built several years ago and could not decide on colors then, and the whole home was still the original builders white.

So we sat down at the kitchen table and looked at color samples and talked about options. The first decision we had to make was what would be the main color, after looking at several samples of beige, we agreed on Kilim Beige. Now for the colors! We had a general idea of which palettes she preferred, based on her personal preferences and the colors of the carpets and furniture. 

On many projects, we can pick up a "Color to Go" sample from our favorite paint store, Sherwin Williams. These are less than $10 and allow you to paint a small swatch on a wall to see it in different lighting during the day. We did do a few of those, but we still had decisions to make as to which wall would be the best for an accent wall, as this house had many angled walls and arches.

Back to the internet we went! By using an online Color Visualizer, I was able to upload photos and add any color to any wall with the click of the mouse! I was able to create several options and email them to the customer, she was able to look at them at her convenience and make suggestions or approvals. We still applied some color samples to the wall for the final color approval, as computer and monitor differences may vary, and this allowed us to fine tune the colors to match existing fabrics in the home.  We also used Sample Boards to create several Faux Finish options for approval.

It was a lot of fun to work with a homeowner on choosing the colors, when we started, she was overwhelmed by the wide variety of choices, by the the end of the project, she was making color suggestions and confident of her choices. Because of her input and the use of technology, I think she made some great decisions!

Here are are a few pictures of the pictures we used, and the final product, which included 13 different colors! 

If you would like to see a room in your home digitally colored, send me a photo and a few color suggestions and I'll "color" for you! If you like it, let's talk about how we can make color a reality in your home! 

See and download the full gallery on posterous

 

Paint our Red Rocks Green!

Southern Utah Home Builders Association is working hard to promote Green Building Practices in Southern Utah. They have created the Southwest green Building Council and are trying raise money and awareness. Won't you please take a minute and vote!

More info here!

Thanks!

 

A brush with.... John Howell

Meet John Howell! John started painting by his father's side as soon as he was able to hold a brush! John says,

"When I was a kid I painted with him and grew to love painting. My dad was a guy that loved to see a job done right - the first time, every time."

John has carried on the family tradition and has run a successful painting business in the Portland and Vancouver areas since 1993. Contact him at John Howell Construction. John has mastered many aspects of the trades and can help any homeowner protect and beautify their home.

In his free time, John likes to network and offer advice to other painters at a poplar online forum, Painttalk. There John is known for his quick wit and cryptic responses! He is always willing to share his knowledge of paint products and procedures. He is always interested in seeing what others are up to and is a valued online friend! Great to "know" you John!

 

How to choose a Painting Contractor!

Some people spend more time doing research to choose television than they do to choose a contractor!

In the small town of Cedar City, like many Southern Utah towns, most of our work comes from referrals. Our satisfied customers are always happy to give out our name out to friends and family, and we appreciate that!

Southern Utah is also a desirable place to retire or build a second home, so we often get calls from people who have no local connections and found us by Googling "Utah Painters". Many of the people we meet are from the "big city" and have often been let down by unscrupulous contractors in the past. They are often surprised by the small town honesty and friendliness they encounter in our area. But I still encourage all homeowners to follow some basic steps when hiring a contractor.

1. Ask for referrals from family friends and neighbors. More than likely, you've been a guest at a home that's been recently painted by a professional contractor. If your first reaction to that paint job was favorable, be sure to ask the homeowner which contractor they used. 

If you don't have a referral from someone you know, there are plenty of contractors that regularly advertise in your local newspaper, flyers, or online at sites such as Facebook. Check your local paint store like Sherwin Williams and ask the manager for the name of a good painter.

It's generally a good idea to get an estimate for your project from 2-3 different contractors. You can set multiple appointments with prospective contractors for a particular day, or spread them out over the course of a few days in the same week. Generally, initial estimates are free.

2. Before you meet with a contractor, write down the details of the project you have in mind as well as a projected budget. Some things you can check before they come.

Are they licensed with the State?  Click here to the State Licensing Board to look up any contractor.

Are they insured? They will have to show you a copy of their Liability Insurance.

Are the employees covered under Workers Compensation? Click here to verify. If a worker is hurt on your property, you could be liable for medical bills!

What type of experience do they and/or their employees have? They should be able to show you samples of their work.

While price is always a factor, having skilled workers and a reputable company that has been in business for a minimum of 2-3 years should be high ranking factors as well in your final selection.

3. Was your home built before 1978? If so, your contractor must be EPA Certified. Click here for more info on Lead Paint.

4. When you meet, both decision makers should be available. As you and the contractor are take a look at your painting project, ask what type of preparation work they do. Painting is 90% preparation and 10% painting!

Ask for recommendations from the contractor for types of materials you can consider for your project. If you are wanting to do a more eco-friendly painting project, be sure to ask if the materials the contractor uses are low-VOC or zero-VOC paints, primers, etc. 

A well-versed and experienced professional contractor will know the latest trends in color, materials and techniques and can make suggestions that will best fit your particular project.

The Painting Contractor should provide you with a detailed, written scope of work outlining all the work proposed, a price and proof of qualifications. Some may also provide references from other customers, if not, don't be afraid to ask! On larger projects, some contractors may prefer to complete the proposal at their home or office and present it to you later, in person, or by fax/email. Some projects are simple enough that a contractor can complete the proposal on the spot and may have a contract ready as well.

5. Gather your notes as well as the contractors' estimates and compare experience, price, etc. It's important to compare "apples to apples", some contractors may use a cheaper paint or skip important prep.If you feel you're ready to make a final selection from the contractors you've interviewed, great! You're ready to contact them to begin the project. If you're still unsure, or don't feel like you've found what you are looking for, you may want to consider calling another contractor for an additional estimate.

Interior Paint Makeover

This homeowner wanted a fresher, brighter interior before the long cold Utah winter sets in! We finished the mudroom and gave the interior a bright coat of paint!

 

 

Before and After Painting in Cedar City, Utah

See what a difference a professional painter can make to your home!

Call Rob at RC Painting to see what a difference we can make!

 

Exterior Painting in Southern Utah

Many of the homes in the Southern Utah area are stucco with rock trim. This is a great option for our desert climate. There is very little wood trim to maintain on most houses. The stucco still requires some care though, we will talk about how to keep your home looking clean and fresh next week, so check back!

Stucco homes still need to be inspected every year, look for small cracks, efflorescence and flaking paint. These should be addressed and repaired by a professional painter. Often, a yearly check can prevent later problems. If your home is already showing signs of failure, it may be time to call in a professional for a proper prep and repaint.

If your stucco is failing, fading, or you are ready to update the look of your home, call RC Painting today to solve all your Stucco problems!

Look what a simple color change did for this home!