Freebies

So to assist you in making the decision to chose paint colors, Valspar is offering free paint samples....click on the pretty picture below to launch the site.  And then call Pearl Painting to assist with your transformation.  Thanks to the "You Paid More than Me" blog for this deal!

"Q" 

Color Pallet

What do you think of this color pallet?  

This is one a client found on line today and IMMEDIATELY called Pearl Painting to assist them with using it in a teen bedroom.  I have to admire the combination, it's not too "kiddie" and it's calming.  And teenagers need a calm space, don't they?  So the idea is that the room will have the pink shade as the main wall color, bright white trim, the far right color (dusky blue) will be painted on a wood dresser, and the remaining colors will be used in the textiles in the room.  I like this combination, I think it can last in a teenagers room for years.  What do you guys think??

"Q"

Paint & Wallpaper

In my nightly internet troll research, I decided to search for some images of wallpaper panel inserts so I can share a project Pearl Painting recently completed.  Remember the killer closet we did with the glamorous beaded wallpaper?  Well as the client didn't want her closet photos on a blog, I searched on line to find more examples - so voila!  

The examples here are a good representation of the type of treatment that particular client wanted.  What do you think of it?  By using a complementing but contrasting paint color on the panels and trim, you can really highlight the subtle wallpaper choices, or actually highlight a more vibrant paper choice. 

By using a grass cloth paper (for example) you can add a lot of texture to a room, which in turn adds warmth.  By complementing it with a similarly toned paint, you instantly create depth to a space. It's foolproof!

I personally like the geometrical shape on the panels in the first photo, but you can keep the atrocious driftwood branch light fixture. (What the hell were they thinking??)

"Q"

 

                                     

Daylight Savings Time

So as a reminder to those of you me who didn't alter their clocks, it's time to do it again.  I was saved by the automatic update function on my cell phone.  This is the ONLY function makes the usual outrageous cell phone bill tolerable - for today only.


Anyway, yesterday we started Daylight Saving Time.  Time to "Spring forward" setting all of our clocks ahead one hour.  As a reminder - it's almost SPRING!  So time to check the batteries in your home's Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide detectors, and do your cleaning and organization.  Spring cleaning, in my line of work, always leads to redecorating.  Fresh season, fresh house :)


Time for new ultra glam wall paper?  Call us!  Time for new low VOC paint?  Call us!  Time to give your home  business a springtime facelift?  Call us!

"Q"

Please Help

      

By now, everyone knows of the 8.5 level earthquake that hit Japan this morning.  

I've been glued to CNN and other on line news outlets, just aghast at the sheer destruction an earthquake, the aftershocks, and the resulting tsunami can bring.

As San Franciscans, we are all well aware of the chance of this happening (again) to us (where were YOU in 1989?).  With this in mind, Pearl Painting would like to offer some outlets to donate to recovery efforts in Japan.  Please reach out to help by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999 for a $10 donation.  

 

For those of you who would rather use an alternate vehicle to offer assistance, please click on any of the links offered below, courtesy of the Huffington Post.

"Q" 

To contribute to earthquake relief, text 'JAPAN' or 'QUAKE' to 80888 to make a $10 donation or visit SalvationArmyUSA.org.

Save the Children  is currently organizing efforts and donations to its Children's Emergency Fund will support outreach.

International Medical Corps is responding to the health needs of the disaster's displaced victims. 

The Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund was launched through the GlobalGiving.org site for relief organizations helping victims.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is sending two three-person teams to the Iwate and Miyagi prefectures in Japan. To learn more about their efforts or make a donation, visit Doctorswithoutborders.org.

Along with an appeal for monetary donations, Operation USA has also announced efforts to collect bulk corporate donations of health care supplies. If you are interested in donating bulk medical items, please visit OpUSA.org.

For any who have loved ones abroad, Google has a tsunami alert posted on their front page, they've launched the Person Finder to help connect people that may have been displaced due to the disaster. Google has also launched a crisis response page filled with local resources and emergency information.

More on 414 Mason

So I have a video of the interior of 414 Mason, sorry there isn't sound but at least you get to see the shell space as we started the rehab job.  In your head, please "play" something sublime as an accompaniment.  Anything by Brian Ferry should work well.

So you can see the scope of the project, and how the place was SCREAMING for a little color.  One of the suites we're painting is a chiropractors office, and man, does it need a plastic surgeon.  Yeah?  You  get it??  Seriously, the face lift the space needs is really patching, moving a wall or two and adding some much needed depth with vibrant colors. We all know older medical offices, that have the "industrial" feel.  A bit of color makes the place so much more appealing, doesn't it?  Anyway, check out the video below and I will post more pictures soon!

"Q"

414 Mason

So here are a few snaps of some accent walls we recently painted in the city.  We rehabbed a building in the city, the famous 414 Mason Street.  There is a history with this building, as all of you locals will know, but for those of you who are not familiar with the city of San Francisco, it's a quirky building, that houses the SF Comedy College, The Alcove theater and the French Club.  Scintillating details of the building to follow, but in the meantime, here are a few snaps.  More to come soon!

"Q"

 

                                          

  

You Tube treasure

So you all know I troll the internet to steal for inspiration and design ideas.  Tonight I came across this short but comprehensive video on how to choose the ideal paint color for your home.  It's short and sweet and I think it's a good starting point for those of you thinking about updating the colors in your home.  Enjoy!
                                                                           "Q"

Bling wallpaper - totally glam

So I just papered a walk in closet in North Beach, that I'm told is a "woman's dream closet".  I don't know what makes a dream closet for a woman, but I imagine it is just a big space...and yeah, this was a generous size, with a large window, and the layout was an "L" shape that separated the shoe area and the clothes area.  Oh, I just realized WHY it's a "dream closet"...I get it now.

Anyway, this is the paper we used and while it is DEFINITELY high end and - as my client referred to it as GLAM - it was also damn expensive.  The paper is actually embellished with glass beads so any light is reflected and it's all glittery.  It's actually a striking effect, and in this particular space, it is an elegant design element to add to the lushness of the closet area.  But to my sensibilities, it had to be for $325 a roll.  Yep, you read right, I had sticker shock, but the client had to have it, and I aim to please...We used it only in the panels of each door on the closet system - and there were lots of them - so it wasn't overkill, just a nice element to the space.

The vendor is Maya Romanoff and the actual paper was ordered at the San Francisco Design Center (on Henry Adams Street).  It arrived pretty quickly after ordering it, and we put it up within 3 days as well.

Glass beaded wall paper is a bit more difficult to cut, and if you get a patterned paper, lining it up can be a bit more arduous, but other than that, it installs pretty much as any paper would.  But man, what a difference when it's completed...

This picture is actually from their website, because my client didn't want pictures of her dressing area on a blog and  I (of course!) respect that.  But I had to give my lovely blog readers a taste of the actual paper we used.  So check out Maya Romanoff products, they even offer a mother of pearl paper that can actually be applied on curves, so those of you in industrial lofts with beams and posts all over your living space, have I got a bad-ass product for you.

"Q"

Paint & Paper

For some reason, we have had a barrage of requests for accent walls to be painted and - get this folks - WALLPAPERED! 

Yes ladies and gentlemen, in the effort to diversify we have started to offer wall papering services, and I have to say, it's added a facet of creativity to our pallet. These design "trends" come along every few decades or so, and we are in the middle of the wallpaper revival so Pearl Painting is on board.  We've recently done a few accent walls in Kelly Moore paints - the chocolate mousse suite of colors was a choice that was as decadent on as described.  Pictures to follow - PROMISE.

In the meantime, we have recently used Graham Brown wallpaper on a home in Russian Hill.  The quality of this paper is significant, and the owner was pleased with the resulting effect the damask paper brought to her upstairs hallway.

You can see that it's a bit subdued, understated, calm and elegant (like myself) and the overall effect was one that updated this somewhat dark hallway.

While these types of papers can be pricey (this damask was $85 a roll) they do cover 32sq ft of area.  You can of course find less expensive options in the big box stores, but if you are looking for a better choice let me suggest the following brands that offer not only quality but multiple choice for any project:


1.  Graham & Brown
2.  Farrow & Ball
3.  Brunschweig & Fils
4.  Osborne & Little

It's not compulsory to have a double barreled company name to sell quality wallpaper, but it apparently helps.

"Q"

Good karma

I'm a firm believer that what goes around, comes around.  I'm convinced that karma exists and is all around us, so in an effort to cultivate good karma, I am passing along this badass deal.

Behr paint brushes (which are fine products) are on sale at Home Depot for a WHOPPING 75% off.  No typo folks, 75%.  All you have to do if put in this code when you are checking out: BEHR75 
So in the spirit of karma, anyone out there who has a killer deal - contribute to your karma and share!

"Q"

Use everything

So I stumbled upon a light fixture that speaks to me.  It reached out from my laptop and grabbed my neck, squeezing just enough to make me think "Why didn't I come up with that?"  But this blog isn't about self flagellation, it's about sharing painting ideas and showing before & after views.

So until I'm fully "over" this kicking myself stage, I give you the most OBVIOUS idea for re-purposing a paint can.  And please believe me, I have a few "spare" ones hanging around.  Not sure if this is enough to spur me into action, but I thought I'd mention it.



Thanks to the folks at the Style At Home Blog (here) for a simple and frankly AWESOME idea.

"Q"

Shameless re-posting

As part of my ongoing quest to be the Da Vinci of the residential and commercial painting world, I do a fierce amount of "internet trolling".

While I recognize that sounds a little questionable, it is actually in the name of progress.  As previously confessed, I read a lot of blogs and websites devoted to interior decor and color trends.  One in particular is www.casasugar.com.  Casa Sugar has religiously given me ideas, suggestions and inspiration.  I check the website at least 4 times a week, it's that good, and the list of resources it references has proven to be invaluable on a number of occasions.

This latest post has offered another treasure trove of stimulation.
                                                        
Again, that just sounds WRONG, but it is meant in the strictest sense of the word.  One of my favorite parts of any paint project is to play around with complementing and contrasting colors and these examples knock me out.  Seriously, I get all giddy when I hit the perfect color combo for a project.  I will absolutely use these combos in a future project.  So I encourage you to check the Casa Sugar post - here.

"Q"

Misnomers

Ok so I have been painting a play room, a rather large space in a pre-school in the city.  Just by the building use, you know it's a energetic, lively place, requiring a similar color.  Well they have a wonderful color, but this is yet another example of how paint names mean absolutely nothing are unhelpful and misleading.  Ladies and gentlemen, I present what Pantone considers "red"".

Someone please agree with me, this is no more red than it is black.  Why do marketing managers ALLOW this??  The color I have in my bathroom is Behr "Suede Leather".  Does that name mean anything to you at all?  Me either.  The color is actually a dusty plumb, but you'd never know it by the title given by the folks at Behr, who also must be moonlighting at Pantone.  But regardless, the pre-school is coming along swimmingly, the color is perfect in relation to a well placed large window and the kiddies will be happy with the room update this Monday morning.

"Q"

2011 Pearl Painting Resolutions

Dear loyal and uber attractive blog readers - I know this is late.  I am well aware of my lax postings, but I blame the holidays.  In fact, for every time I am late with future postings, I'm blaming the holidays for those as well.  Ok now that's sorted...It's time for the list of resolutions that my colleagues @ Pearl have made for 2011.  Please trust me when I tell you that this list has been heavily edited for a Rated G family friendly posting.

Resolutions for 2011 from the Pearl Painting crew

1.  From Quincy:  I will take more photos of our projects that we are working on for this blog.

2.  From Paul:  Per popular request, I will stop playing "The Best of Ricky Martin" on projects. 

3.  From Ann:  I will pester Quincy to take more photos of projects for the blog.

4.  From Javier:  I will stop pretending I am "out of range" when Quincy calls.

5.  From Derek:  I will learn to love faux paint treatments.

6.  From Christine:  I will stop prank calling Ann.

7.  From Terri:  I will stop prompting Christine to prank call Ann.

8.  From Tommy:  I will stop letting the paint brushes dry out.

9.  From Jose:  I will stop teaching Derek "colorful words" in Spanish.

10.  From George:  I will stop painting smiley faces on the backside of Tommy's overalls.

So those are some of the resolutions I've collected from some of the Pearl Painting crew...I predict of the 10 listed, maybe 2 will actually be implemented.  Not that I don't have faith in my colleagues, it's just that I actually know them.

So next post will be about an actual project. 

"Q"

Happy 2011!!

It's 2010 still,  but only for a few more hours...time to start the resolution list.   Do you have anything special you've resolved to accomplish?  I'm leaning towards learning to be ambidextrous.  Started practicing today by trying to sign my name at the bank with my non-dominant hand.   I think the teller thought I was having a stroke.

On that happy note, wishing all of you lovely, beautiful, virile and uber-attractive blog readers, the very best in 2011 - have a Happy and Safe New Years Eve!!!

"Q"

Happy Christmas, Self-Portrait

I have put a lot of thought into what little treat I could give our loyal blog readers for the holidays.  Sending all of your a BMW proved to be a bit more difficult than you would imagine, but the thought was there.  

And then I thought, "Q, you should share more of YOURSELF with your blog readers, it's what they crave."  So in the spirit of the season, I thought I'd share a "seasonal self-portrait".  Volia!

And for the holiday season, I will be a bit "quiet" on the blogging front for a little while.  

So from the Pearl Painting Family, to yours, wishing you the very merriest of holidays.

"Q"

Silver Bells, con't in Nob Hill

So as promised, here are some new photos of the high rise apartment building in Nob Hill.  In addition to the unusual ceiling treatment, the client chose a turquoise shade to contrast with the black trim. 

a

The treatment on the doors have a gloss effect and it compliments the color scheme really well.  It is sharp, clean, industrial and changes the feel of the space entirely.    That's me below, in all my glory painting the kitchen...check out my superior balancing ability.

See what I mean about the gloss on the black trim?  The shiny effect really bounces off the blue well and adds a depth to the trim that it didn't have before.  

And another view of the ceiling beams, playing off the blue walls and the black doors.  I think this color combination is unusual, and therefore, pretty damn cool.

 What do you think?  Does it float your boat?
Would you be brave enough to put silver on your own ceilings?

"Q"

Silver beams (not bells..)

We have been busy working on a home this past month, in the Mission.  And I have a new favorite product...ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce - ta da!! silver 10101 by Chromatome and it's pretty freakin' sweet.  

So the client needed the ceiling to draw they eye up, to help the room feel taller.  Typically folks go for shades of white, possibly sky blue or shades similar.  Because the room can handle it, and with the contrasting trim work in a black lacquer/piano finish on doors, the room looks amazing.   Silver beams?  How inspired is that??
More photos to follow, promise!

"Q"

Color of the year

Pantone Inc. is the world-renowned authority on colour and provider of colour systems.  Every year they identify the "color of the year" and for 2011 - the color is Honeysuckle.  


Last year it was turquoise, which I think is kind of blah, but then again I'm not a "blue person".


Now honeysuckle is a hue I could get behind.  I think it's lush and luxe and has a warmth to it that I find soothing. And soothing things are required at this hectic time of year.  When I see this hue I think that it would be good in a bright room, like a breakfast nook with lots of natural light.  Very energetic as well as decadent, in my humble opinion.

According to Pantone   "In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.” 


So what do you think of it?  Does it put any wind up your skirt?

"Q"

What I found this morning...Organic Garden

So I was trolling on line and found a great article about trendy paint colors I think you should view.  House Beautiful has a posting up showing some beautiful and not at all common paint colors.

Current Pearl Painting  Favorite is Organic Garden...isn't is a great base color?   I think it's versatile and would make a good base color for almost any kind of room.  It can contrast with white or any shade of brown, which is a hot decorator color at the moment.

And one thing about Pearl Painting, we're bang on trend.

"Q"

Blogs I read & a cool Google trick for you

I read a lot on line, to steal ideas get inspiration and examples of paint techniques and trends for Pearl Painting projects.  I have several websites and blog sites bookmarked and use my Google reader to get the updates.  And I have a little trick to share with you, to create a bookmark for you that allows you to read all the blogs in your Google Reader by actually visiting their web pages, but literally with one click from one blog to the next.  

Question:  How awesome am I?  

Answer:  Very.

1. In your GMail inbox, go to the "Settings" tab on the upper right hand side
2. Click "Reader Settings"
3. Go to the "Goodies" tab
4. Scroll down to the "Put Reader In A Bookmark" option.  See that little link that says "Next"?  Click and drag and drop that into your bookmarks folder.  Now you should have a new bookmark that says "NEXT".

So now, all you have to do is click it, and it takes you to the first blog in your Google Reader that has a new post. Click again, and it takes you to the next blog. It's just as fast as reading blogs in your Reader, but you get the experience of actually visiting their webpages, which of course is easier to view.  

And in the spirit of the season, I will share some blogs I read pretty faithfully.  Feel free to indulge.

Jenny,  http://www.myfavoriteandmybest.com/

Shannon Darby, www.pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com

Grant K. Gibson, www.grantkgibson.blogspot.com

Jennifer Jones, www.nicheinteriors.com/blog

Claudia Juestel, www.adeenidesigngroup.com/blog

Nick Olsen, www.nickolsenstyle.blogspot.com

Erika Powell, blog.urbangrace.com

Vicente Wolf, www.vicentewolfblog.com

Scot Meacham Wood, tartanscot.blogspot.com

"Q"

Happy Thanksgiving

Well it's that time of year, where we give thanks for all we have.  Traditionally that entails overindulging in football, turkey and desserts. Have you ever eaten a Turducken?  It is the most ridiculous thing, poultry overload...a duck shoved into a chicken then shoved into a turkey.  Who decides that shoving one bird into another bird into another bird and cooking it, thinks it's a great idea?  I'm an unabashed carnivore but this idea alone disturbs me.

So I won't keep you from cranberry sauce and gravy covered deliciousness...

Happy turkey day!!
"Q"

Products we use & abuse all day long

So we have some equipment that we use on every job, no matter the project.  They've been positively beaten on job sites, as my fellow Pearl Painters are not exactly the most graceful and gentle crew.  So when you see your ladder being THROWN into the back of a truck, you best be assured that said ladder can take the indignity.  And so - I would recommend the following 2 brands of equipment:


We always use Purdy brushes and Werner ladders.  Indulge me, and allow me to expound...Ok Purdy brushes -  and it's PURDY not purty, like the tongue in cheek way of saying pretty... These brushes and rollers are pure value for money.  The brushes are made of Syntox, from which I imagine is their own made up word for "not natural".  They give all the benefits of natural Ox-Hair, but last five times longer. They have solid round tapered filaments which are 20% softer than Ox-Hair, are shed-resistant, and provide an ultra smooth finish and longer lasting brush. And that helps when you are cleaning them, since the bristles don't come off in your hand.

And more importantly, "Syntox" brushes can be used with both water and solvent based clear finishes.  This is a help when you are loading up a truck and don't want to mess around with finding specialty brushes based on the paint composition, polyurethanes, varnishes & stains.  Purdy brushes are value for money and if you take care of them, rinse them out after each use, and with normal maintenance, there is no reason why these brushes won't last you years.

The ladders we use (and fling into the back of plenty of trucks) are all Werner brand ladders.  Either fiberglass, wooden or aluminum, you can't go wrong. I use a telescoping ladder on almost all outdoor products and have never had an issue with this brand of ladder.  The glorious thing about this  ladder is that in all the years I've used it, I've never had an issue with any of the moving parts.  I have an equalizer base on one specific ladder that I've put through paces for at least a decade.  And we load these babies up, they have ropes, and buckets hanging off them, and the occasional Pearl Painting crew member who may currently not be on Weight Watchers - they have never buckled or given up on us.  5 out of 5 Quinsy Stars on this product.

"Q"

Local resources we recommend

We all have our favorite vendors and resources for materials and equipment.  You have "that place" that always has your items in stock, can take special orders without having an attitude about it, employ competent people who actually want to help you, and is in your neighborhood.  It's a plus when the shop is a family run business, or a local place that has been in operation for years and have managed to fend off the big box stores.  

Pearl Painting has a soft spot for these tried & true establishments, and would like to mention 3 of our Fav Vendors and humbly request you give them some customer lovin':


COLE HARDWARE:  (2254 Polk St, San Francisco, CA - (415) 674-8913)
This is a locally-owned hardware store gives us that warm and fuzzy feeling, mainly because of the badass popcorn maker that fills the store with "eau de cinema".  But Cole also has a core staff that are owner/operators who have been in business for decades.  They carry pretty much everything, and have storefronts all over the city, although I favor the Polk Street address.  Gotta love Russian Hill...


G&R PAINT COMPANY, Inc.  (1238 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA - (415) 292-7982)
On Sutter Street, this location serves both painting contractors and non- professionals.  We like and use this company often, because they have a large offering of paint products and a building with enough natural light to get a true and accurate view of the paint colors you chose for your product.  In addition, their staff have years of experience and have a deep understanding of the products they sell. 

CALIFORNIA PAINT COMPANY  (1833 Egbert Ave, San Francisco CA -(415) 467-9483)
On Egbert Avenue, this company is the home for Benjamin Moore Paints.  They also have damn good service with paint delivered to your door.  So on the nights you wake up in a panic that you haven't ordered the primer and the color for your boudoir, then you can crank up the old broadband and order on line and get back to counting sheep.  Or whatever it is you count.


So those are the top 3 local vendors that we frequent, for all of the above reasons.   In a future post I will let you know the actual products we beat the hell out of use.  Nighty night!!

"Q"