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interior painting,University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

The Attitude of a Room

Different colors evoke different emotions. Light blues and greens are known to be calming, and tend to help soothe and relax. High energy colors like bright yellows and purples can add a level of excitement and fun to an otherwise bland environment. When people get angry they say that they are “seeing red,” but red is really a color of strength and conviction. When painting the rooms in your home, there are hundreds of different color combinations that can be used to bring atmosphere to any room. Each room has its own identity, and with the help of the creative and inspired experts at University Painters, you can choose the right color to breathe life and positive energy into each room of your home.

The bathroom is often the smallest room in the house, but plays one of the largest roles in our day. When you wake up in the morning, it is not uncommon to go straight from the bed to the bathroom, and vice versa at bed time. It is where you get ready to face the day, and the room should bring a calm and peaceful, yet lively energy to your day. Pastels can bring a Zen-like atmosphere to any bathroom. If your bathroom connects to a bedroom, consider warm colors that flow naturally into the color of the bedroom. Strong and contrasting colors can also give the illusion of space to a smaller bathroom.

The living room is your entertainment space. It’s where you and your family will relax and watch a movie, and it’s also the room where you will invite your friends for game night. Neutral colors are not only inviting, but can blend naturally into the colors of adjoining rooms. That makes them perfect for living rooms, which are often wide open spaces in the home. Do not be afraid of the multiple different options that are available in the spectrum of shades of white. A nice accent wall can stand out and give the room a little pop.

When it comes to the bedroom there are multiple things to consider. Start with how you want the room to feel; do you want it to have its own built-in energy, or be calm? Your bed sheets can also provide inspiration for the color scheme of the entire room, not just the bed. When painting your bedroom, consider giving the room a little extra character by coloring the ceiling. After walking through a house full of white ceilings, some unexpected color on the ceiling of your bedroom can really boost the room’s idiosyncrasy.

Each room in your home has its own personality that is chosen by you. The beautiful thing is, you can choose and change this personality over and over again. So every time you are ready to give a room a little facelift, let the experts at University Painters be your guides. For more information, to schedule an appointment, or request a quote, please visit universitypainters.com.

Blog, Creative, Paint Colors
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painting,University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Welcome to The Rock

There is something about a stone wall. They are beautiful, and can add a peaceful and calming effect to any room. What is not peaceful and calming is the bill that is associated with a stone or marble wall. There is a way to give your room that same rustic appeal without putting a dent in your bank account. A faux finish is a decorative painting technique that replicates the appearance of marble, stone, or wood, and the skilled professionals at University Painters are experts in this technique.

There are many other looks that can be created through faux finishing techniques other than wood and marble finishes. Sponging is one of the more popular and easiest options. This effect is best achieved by creating a paint mixture, then using a sponge to layer the paint over a pre-primed wall. Color washing can give a room a weathered look, and is also known as a “broken finish.” This look is produced by using a rag or towel to apply a translucent glaze over a bold base coat. Using long, light brush strokes will help produce a calm, light texture. Once you have primed the wall, and applied your base coat, take the rag and dip it in your glaze paint. Then apply it using light, circular strokes.

The stone and marble looks are a little more difficult to produce. After you have selected your color, apply it to a pre-primed wall in a base coat. Then take a flat or stain paint that is lighter in color than your base coat and apply a layer to the wall. Then with a rag or cloth, apply a darker shade of your base coat. You can use your creativity here to help produce a marbled or stone look that is perfect for lightening up any room, especially around a fireplace.

There are a number of different looks that can be achieved through the art of faux finishing and they are easier to describe than to perfect. The trained painters at the Angie’s List Award Winning University Painters, are masters of these techniques and are ready to help provide your home with the perfect finishing touch. For more information or to set up an appointment for a quote, visit universitypainters.com.

Blog, Creative
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professional painters,University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Lead Based Paints and what you should know

As with any interior paint, you want to know that the paint that is on your walls is the best paint for your walls. As far back as 1978 and even before that, the Federal Government realized the dangers of lead-based paint. In 1978 the Federal Government put a ban on the sale of lead-based paints to consumers. Unfortunately, even today there are still older homes with lead-based paint on their interior walls.

The Federal Government believed that there were many ways that humans could be exposed to lead-based paints. It was believed that the exposure could be airborne, or through food, drinking water, soil and of course dust from peeling paint. But what were some of the reasons behind the ban being ordered? Here are a few ways that humans were being affected that set the ban in motion:

Depending on the amounts of exposure, it ranged from learning disabilities, severe behavioral problems to brain and nervous system impairments. Whether it was from toddlers ingesting the paint to pregnant women being exposed to the lead-based paint, the threat was real for mental and physical disabilities. Pregnant women were believed to give birth to children with disabilities if exposed.

In recent years, many precautions have been put in place to protect the consumers from exposure. Starting with sales of lead-based paint being discontinued to painting contractors having to take classes and become certified to work on older homes, the government is stepping up to assure consumer safety.

If you have any concerns about your home and would like some answers from a qualified professional, please feel free to contact us at University Painters.

Blog, News
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interior painting, University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

The Art of Cutting In

So it’s about that time. The interior of your house hasn’t had a new coat of paint since 1976, and it has been put off long enough. You’ve gone through the color wheel, the paint has been picked out, you have your brushes, rollers and all the necessary tools. It’s time to start painting. It sounds easy enough. You just put the paint on the roller and get it on the wall. But first. . .. the tricky part. This is when it comes to the edges. What should you do here? You could pull out the masking tape, or you could cut in by hand. These are the tough decisions you have to make in order to get that paint job perfect, and these are the types of decisions and techniques that the skilled professionals at the Angie’s List Award Winning University Painters specialize in.

Cutting in is a technique that requires skill and patience. It involves using a brush to put a layer of paint around the corners and edges of the area being painted. It truly is an art. When cutting in, it is difficult to get the paint to dry the exact same shade as the paint that is being rolled on. One thing I have learned is that it is important to pick the right brush. A high quality brush doesn’t have to be expensive; you just have to know what you’re looking for. A firm, angled brush, 2-3 inches in width is perfect. But once you have the brush, then what?

If you look online you will find a laundry list of articles about the proper way to cut in when painting. Some say put on one thick coat, some say two coats with the first being a light coat, some say to let it dry, others say leave it wet. You can spend more time looking at videos and reading up on the process than it would take you to do the actual painting. This is such an unnecessary headache. The trained craftsman at University Painters have perfected this technique, and are ready to provide the perfect paint job for you. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit universitypainters.com.

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interior painting, University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

The Prep is Half the Fun

When you decide to take on the job of painting the walls of any room in your house, it is important to make sure that you have covered all the bases. You need to select the color, pick the paint, and get your tools ready, but do not forget about the prep work. Making sure that you have properly prepared the area that you are going to paint is 80% of the job, and if you do not get that part right, the paint job itself will never turn out the way you envisioned. The highly skilled and well trained professionals at University Painters know the importance of the prep work that comes with any task, and will properly prepare your area before applying the most spectacular paint job that you have ever seen.
Naturally, you want to make sure that you have moved the furniture and protected the floor and anything you do not want to paint. You have to remove all wall hangings, and electrical outlet plates from the wall. Now the walls are ready to be cleaned. That’s right; you have to clean the walls before you paint them. Grease and stains can show right through the paint, so it is important to make sure that you take soap and water and give those walls a good scrubbing. Do not forget to rinse and give them plenty of time to dry.
It is also wise to sand the walls before you start painting. There could be bubbles in the old paint job or bumps in the dry wall, and if you want your new paint job to really freshen up the room, you want to start with a smooth surface. Drips and accidents happen, so make sure to tape up all the baseboards and molding. It is also important to put a coat of primer on the wall before applying the paint.
There is a lot more to painting a wall than just painting the wall; the award-winning and talented staff at University Painters knows this all too well. If you want a truly jaw-dropping fresh look for any room in your house, it is important to have the job done correctly, and if it is done by University Painters, you can rest assured that not only the paint job will be perfect, but any necessary preparation work will be done properly. For more information or to set up an appointment or request a quote, go to universitypainters.com.

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interior painting, University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Interior Molding Ideas for Your Home

Adding moldings to any home not only adds character to the room but also adds elegance. When choosing molding around your windows, ceiling and doors, use a painting company such as University Painters who is capable of carpentry work, as well as painting. There are different styles of moldings and trim to help enhance your home. Trim can be added if you want a clean, simple look around windows and doors, but you will want it to flow well with the moldings that you are adding. Here are a few of the different molding types.

Crown Moldings: Crown moldings cover a large family of moldings that are available in many styles and designs that are used to create visual eye appeal for ceilings. They can be simple or elaborate, depending on the desired look. Some of the types available are Cove, Colonial, Classic Dentil, or solid, covering the transition between the ceiling and the wall. This type of molding will help add a decorative appearance as well as enhance the room’s appearance.

Chair Rail Moldings: Chair rail molding is a trim that is used on a wall to display a decorative look by drawing your eye away from the continuous pattern. It is attached horizontally and is typically between 2” to 3” wide and placed on average 32” to 36” from the floor, depending on the ceiling height. In earlier days it was believed to be designed with hooks to hold chairs, hence the name chair rail.

Casing: This type of molding is used to cover the space between windows or doors and the walls to help keep the area insulated. This molding type is generally known as trim. It is normally less wide than a base trim/molding and not as thick.

A lot of thought should be put into the types of molding used in your home, whether you are planning to do it yourself or plan to use a professional company like University Painters. Do your home work and be knowledgeable of what the result is you are trying to achieve.

Feel free to contact us at University Painters for advice or a free quote.




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interior painting, University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Pre-qualifying the professional interior painter

So you’ve decided to use a professional painter to do your interior paint job – now comes the important part – choosing a reliable firm. There are many painters out there that claim to be professionals but knowing their qualifications and insurance coverage will help save you time, money and headaches in the end.

One of the first things to do is go to your state’s business search website to see if they are registered with the state for interior painting and not just as a handyman.  Another way is to look at online Yelp reviews and the Better Business Bureau in the originating town of the business. Be aware that if you ask the business for customer references, if the business is not reputable in the first place, they may try using friends and family as references.  Always verify a business through several sources.

One of the reasons you need to check their insurance is to be sure they are current with their general liability and workmen’s compensation coverage. I know this does not seem like something that might affect you, but it definitely could. If they are not current on their workmen’s compensation coverage and someone gets hurt on the job on your property, it could be the responsibility of your homeowner’s insurance to cover their medical bills. As for the general liability, if there is damage to your home or personal belongings during the painting process you want to be sure there is enough current coverage in place, otherwise you will be out the cost of the damages.

One other thing is to ensure that all workers in your home have had background checks performed; you need to know who will be in your home around your personal belongings and family members. This should be a prerequisite to you hiring a company. When all is said and done, you want to know that the work will be done in a timely manner with the least risk and intrusion into your life. University Painters is fully insured with $2,000,000 of General Liability Insurance and are Fully Compliant with all Worker’s Compensation requirements. The University Painters Estimator will provide proof of their insurance at the time of the estimate. Contact us at University Painters to learn more about our quality, dependable, insured painting services.

Blog, Paint Colors
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professioanl painting, University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Painting Older Homes

Whether you have just purchased an older home or are updating one, there are some things to consider when beginning your painting project. Older homes quite often have peeling, yellowing paint and possibly lead paint with many blemishes that will need to be removed. You may also be dealing with wallpaper that is old and peeling that needs to be stripped before you refinish the walls and apply new paint. If you are concerned about the lead-based paint being an issue, you can go to Lowes or Home Depot and purchase a test kit.  You can of course hire a professional painting team that will be equipped for a project of this undertaking. While you are there be sure to bring a list of the items you will need for the project; there is nothing worse than starting a project and having to stop and go to the store in mid-process.

Once the walls have been prepped for painting the next step is choosing a color palette you would like for your home.  When making this decision try to accompany the actual style of the home itself. Is it more earth tones or is it more rustic? What was the style of homes from that period? A lot of older homes used wainscoting which protected the lower part of walls from scuffing and dirt marks.  If you want to modernize the home, then use the colors that suit your taste and are trending currently. Whether your goal is to restore a historic home back to its original beauty or just make necessary repairs, there will be a lot of work involved but the reward should be well worth it.

Please feel free to contact us at University Painters for tips or a free estimate. We may be able to help you save money and headaches in the long run. e 7 Co

Blog, Creative, Maintenance, Paint Colors
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interior painting, home painters,paints
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

When to Repaint Your Home’s Interior

For many people, painting is a thankless chore. It is a lot of work and all too often the amateur painter does not realize the magnitude of the undertaking. People tend to think repainting your home’s exterior is a do-it-yourselfer weekend job. Unfortunately, that is how it usually looks in the end – just a bit unprofessional. Now this is not to take away from the intent of the painter and their earnest desire to be involved in their home’s upkeep. Most times however, it’s best to put your trust in the hands of professionals!

Having said all that, the interior of your home is subject to the wear and tear of daily life just as your home’s exterior is to the elements. Everything from sprays, smoke, kitchen odors and pet odors can cling to your walls and cause them to look faded and worn. If you live there everyday, you may even have a tendency not to notice the way a room begins to look faded and worn.

One hint would be to schedule a time each year (perhaps even every six months), when you walk the interior and exterior of your home looking for necessary repairs and upgrades. This should be a habit whether you intend to put your home on the market or continue to live there for years to come.

As you do your room by room inspection, look at the interior as if you are seeing it for the first time – like through the eyes of a stranger. Do the colors seem faded? Are there areas within rooms that appear to have a fresher presentation than others? For example, in the bathroom the paint may appear faded or peeling nearer the steamy shower or tub than in other areas.

Also, consider how often the room is used. Do you entertain frequently in the kitchen or family room but hardly use the guest bathroom? Prioritize areas that get the most traffic, but remember, your bedrooms are sanctuaries and a fresh coat of paint can make them more warm and welcoming as well.

Finally, get an estimate for the cost of painting your home’s interior room by room and in its entirety. Sometimes, it’s best to redo the interior all at once, giving your entire house an updated feel to be enjoyed by the whole family.
Whatever your painting needs, contact the professionals at University Painters. We treat your home like it’s our own.

Blog, Creative, Design, Maintenance, News, Paint Colors
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house painting. painters, painting services
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Why Hire A Professional For A Painting Job

Some people think that painting a house does not necessitate hiring a professional. While it is possible to paint your house on your own, entrusting this job to a professional has many benefits that can save you time and money.

Quality Work

House painting service providers like University Painters can provide you with experienced painters who are trained in their job and have many years of experience working in the industry. This translates to a painting project that will be of the highest quality. You are ensured that each stroke from their brush can boost the beauty and appeal of your house.

Painting Job Gets Done On Time

Experienced painters are very fast and are able to finish their jobs on time. This means that you do not have to wait long before your house looks fresh again with its new coat of paint. This is particularly beneficial if you need to have your house painted quickly.

No Stress

Hiring professional painters can save you from stress, as they are trained to handle all situations that inexperienced do-it-yourselfers may not expect to happen. You won’t have to worry about the small details if you hire a painting service contractor.

Reduced Maintenance

Painting jobs that are done by a quality house painting contractor tend to last a long time, which means that your maintenance costs are reduced. This can help save money and time.

Warranties

Most professional painting service providers give you a warranty when they paint your house. The warranty lasts for several years, during which time the contractor will paint your house again if the paint wears poorly or there are any related problems that the painter is responsible for.

Free Estimate

Before hiring a painting contractor, the service provider must give you a free estimate that will itemize the costs that you may expect to incur. In some instances, contractors can help you cut corners but still allow you to get the results that you want.

Fair Price

Quality painting done by a professional often comes at a fair price so you do not have to worry about compromising your budget.

University Painters has been providing painting services to homes and commercial buildings for over three decades. Contact us now to get a free estimate of a painting job

Design, Maintenance, Paint Colors
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