PNP Craftsman have used some pretty fine paints over the years. But, one in particular stands out: Farrow & Ball. In case home and business owners on the UWS of Manhattan are unfamiliar with the paint company, Farrow & Ball colors are special and impossible to exactly duplicate in other paints.

So what makes Farrow & Ball colors so special and impossible to duplicate? I'll explain. 

The Paint

First of all, Farrow & Ball is made in England. Now, just because something is made across the pond, doesn't always translate to high quality. But, in this case, it's true. And here is why.

Farrow & Ball is known for its “age-old” paint manufacturing methods and fine ingredients. Founded by Richard Ball and John Farrow, two paint pioneers, in Dorset, England, the company was ahead of its time. All of the artisanal, back-to-basics approach that many small businesses are opting for these days, Farrow & Ball was doing before World War II. In other words, this company was into making things with the finest ingredients and techniques before it became a throw-back, vintage trend.

We've applied the paint on a number of UWS homes, and can speak to its incredibly dynamic color and the way the paint flows beautifully off the brush or out of a sprayer. 

Another upside to Farrow & Ball is that their line of oil paints are being replaced by eco-friendly waterborne Alkyds. All of the company's paints already contain low or minimal VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) content. They are also water-based, which renders the paints low-odor and quick-drying. All of this is great for families and Mother Nature. 

Farrow & Ball In-Action on the UWS

One of our recent UWS home painting projects features work with Farrow & Ball paint colors. The before and after transition was remarkable. For this job, we used floor paint on the trim because it offered the best match for the satin trim paint New Yorkers expect to find.

The home also had a full skim coat with flanking on the new plaster crown. Skim coating is a single coat of muddy plaster compound used to smooth or repair drywall. It's commonly used on Upper West Side and Upper East side homes; which, despite the character and elegance, still need to have their walls maintained.

To check out a recent job with Farrow & Barrow, head over to PNP Craftsman's Facebook page.

Those familiar with Fine Paints of Europe's Hollandlac line will surely have noted its fade-resistant color depth and brilliant surface appearance. For people far less informed about the oil-based Hollandlac paints, note that White is a great color option, as are the thousands of other available colors.

Why White?

When it comes to residential interiors, particularly lofts, White is often overlooked. It has a bit of an undeserved though understandable reputation for plainness or lack of vibrancy. The truth is that Hollandlac White can look amazing. White can be elegant and timeless or classic and modern. And, if desired, it can even create a very attractive minimal aesthetic, depending on the interior architectural flourishes of the space.

Doubly so with Fine Paints of Europe's Hollandlac Brilliant and Satin white paints.

PNP has used it on everything from kitchen cabinets and doors to stair risers and wood furniture. Hollandlac Brilliant imparts a shimmering white finish, while Satin is a bit more subdued but no less handsome. And if you accent that brilliant white finish with a bit of color, whether it be on wood floors, furniture or textile, it will only look that much more impressive.

The point is this: White needn't be plain. It can look special and classy. So don't dismiss White as a color option, especially with Hollandlac paint. These paints flow out of the brush incredibly well, leaving a fine, classic brush stroke in their wake. If you happen to have to repaint a wall that was formerly a dark color, two coats of Hollandlac can off the coverage you need.

Color Options

If White isn't your thing, Fine Paints of Europe has some of the most extensive color collections of any paint manufacturer. The Hollandlac color palette includes 10,000 FPE colors, 3,000 Pantone colors and, as Fine Paints of Europe notes, “an unlimited number of custom-tinted colors.”

Fine Paints of Europe even has special color collections. One, their Color Our World collection, ranges from calm and sexy colors to energetic and safer colors. The Guggenheim Color collection comprises 150 classic paint colors inspired by “much-loved paintings in the museum's permanent collection of modern art and Gallery Colors, 50 hues favored by generations of Guggenheim Museum curators, artists, and designers—including Frank Lloyd Wright himself!”

Color Evangelist Susan Sarget even has four collections, The Comfort of Color, Colorscapes, The Brights and The Lights. All look great.

There's really something for everyone with the Fine Paints of Europe line.

The short story is this: a wallpaper subcontractor we had used before wound up working for the general contractor (GC) running this project. The GC wanted him to do the whole job but he did not have the insurance and did not want to find the decorative finishing people. He referred the job to me and I made him an offer of full time employment. He is still with my company today.

The Architect/Designer was from Massachusetts, the site super was from Maine and lived in the city during the week.  

read the article: Robin Cook Article Featured in NY Post

Don Fahrbach

One of the distinguishing features of a truly exquisite paint job is using premium materials. At PNP Craftsmen, we work with some of the finest paints available, and one of our favorites is Farrow & Ball. We recently used Farrow & Ball paint products in this Brooklyn townhome, creating a look that is one-of-a-kind.

Farrow & Ball is a long-standing company that has been crafting premium paints in Dorset, England since before World War 2. When other companies changed over to acrylic paints with largely plastic content, this company continued using their traditional formula, delivering beautiful products with wonderfully true colors and resilient finishes. Aficionados of Farrow & Ball paint remain faithful to the brand because of the traditional colors that are hard to match in other brands.

When we painted this spectacular Brooklyn townhome, we used only the best products. The owners chose Farrow & Ball paints for several areas in their home, creating a masterpiece. The setup for this painting job involved careful preparation of all surfaces, to get them clean and smooth for painting. Of course, we were also careful to painstakingly cover all non-painted surfaces to ensure there were no drips or splatters. The results were tremendous!

In addition to the surfaces we painted with Farrow & Ball paints, we also painted the aluminum window frames on their French doors, skim-coated the ceiling in a sitting room and used Scuffmaster metallic paint on several walls. You can visit our photo gallery for this project on Facebook.

For delightful custom painting from a meticulous, experienced painting contractor, call PNP Craftsmen. We deliver the utmost in quality and service to our New York and Long Island customers.

Many residential homes in the NYC area have to deal with exposed water or heat pipes. We recently had a customer who wanted to make sure those ugly pipes disappeared as best as possible. Our craftsmen painters went to work to accomplish the task. See the before, during and after photos below.

If you have a painting or faux finish project and live in Manhattan area, Upper West or Upper East Side or parts of Long Island, contact PNP Craftsman for a free consultation. 

At PNP Craftsmen, we always enjoy variety and originality in our work. It is high-end custom jobs like this one on the upper-east side that keep residential painting interesting. We used Milk Paint to restore the floor in this Upper East Side Condo and make it shine again with a classic charm.

Milk Paint is one of the oldest known forms of decorations, and it has been found in ancient cave dwellings and Egyptian pyramids. It was the main painting product across the world until the development of tightly-sealing metal cans in the late 1800’s, when oil-based paints took over. Now, however, as homeowners are insisting on safer, more natural products, milk paint has grown again in popularity.

Created from whole milk, mixed with lime, clay and pigments, Milk Paint is thoroughly safe and natural. It has no harmful VOC’s, lead or other toxins. Additionally, it creates a beautiful, velvety finish with classic, rich colors. It comes in a variety of colors and formulas, for use on porous and non-porous surfaces.

A growing number of New York City residents are concerned about using natural products, both for health and environmental reasons.   That made milk paint an ideal product for use on this floor in the city’s upper-east side.  First we prepared the surface by cleaning it thoroughly and sanding it to remove all the previous coatings, then we applied the lighter base color and used tape to recreate the checkered pattern. Next, we added the darker paint and finally a protective coat of waterborne polyurethane, and the floor looks as good as new!

PNP Craftsmen is a quality painting contractor, we work regularly on the Upper East Side and in other neighborhoods in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island. Call us with any questions you have about eco-friendly painting, including Milk Paint and other green products.

For more pictures of this project click:  Milk Paint Album

From high schools to hotels, from gas stations to office buildings to retail stores, all kinds of New York structures need their bathroom partitions painted from time to time. Painting contractors agree that the best method for painting bathroom partitions is electrostatic spray painting.

How Does Electrostatic Painting Work?

An electrostatic paint sprayer gives each particle of paint a negative electrical charge. The like-charged molecules push away from each other, which makes the paint spread evenly as it is applied. Additionally, the metal item that is being painted is given a positive charge, so that it attracts the paint. The new coating of paint clings evenly to all parts of a metal object—even the back and undersides.

There are many significant advantages to using electrostatic painting on bathroom partitions here in New York:

• The new coat of paint is smooth and fresh, just like a factory finish; it looks like a brand new partition.
• Electrostatic painting creates very little overspray, so there is little waste and no mess.
• We can match the colors of your current bathroom partitions, or we can match any other color you want to change them to.
• Electrostatic painting is one of the most cost-effective ways to paint your bathroom partitions.
• Rust, pitting and graffiti can be removed and covered, making your partition look new again.
• With our New York crews available to do electrostatic painting at night, your bathroom partitions can often be painted without any disruption to your normal business.

PNP Craftsmen performs electrostatic painting in New York and Long Island. We paint:

• Bathroom partitions
• Medical and exercise equipment
• Office furniture
• Stairways & railings
• Lockers
• Storefronts
• Structural steel
• Metal doors
• Metal windows
• Radiator/convector covers
• and much more

If your business is located in or near New York City, call us for a free estimate for electrostatic painting.

Skim coating, while simple in theory, is one of the most exacting and difficult tasks that we perform as a painting contractor. This was especially true in this Brooklyn townhouse, where we skim coated the ceiling!

When a wall has imperfections or damage that cannot be repaired well by fixing just that spot, skim coating is the answer. The process involves spreading a new layer of plaster compound on the surface and smoothing it carefully, then sanding it off. To achieve a truly flawless finish, the person doing the skim coating must be patient, skilled and extremely careful.

On this project, a main-floor townhouse in Brooklyn, a wall had been removed, leaving an ugly gash across the ceiling where it had been. This obviously needed thorough repair. There are also a number of “trimless” light fixtures, which are mounted directly in the ceiling with no encircling ring. These require special care and skill to work around when skim coating and painting a ceiling. Finally, notice the light washing in from the windows and from the bookcase lights—any imperfections on this ceiling will be clearly highlighted.

PNP Craftsmen employs skilled painters, and they did a fantastic job with this Brooklyn dwelling. Their skim coating was perfect, and they finished the ceiling off with a high-quality paint from Farrow and Ball. The results: spectacular!

For skim coating services or other interior painting questions, feel free to contact PNP Craftsmen. Our office staff are professional and helpful, and our painters are reliable and careful. We serve Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, Manhattan and Long Island.

Thousands of buildings here in New York City rely on structural steel for their main strength and support. While it is often hidden, many architects choose not to hide, but to display the structural steel as another visual element in the design. In these cases, the structural steel is decorative as well as functional. This is definitely the case in a penthouse that we painted recently in Central Park West.

Part of the protection of buildings with structural steel is intumescent painting. This fire-retardant product looks just like a normal paint, but when it is exposed to fire, it produces special reactions that protect the steel underneath. First, intumescent paints expand to many times their original thickness, producing a thick layer of char. Additionally, the coating emanates hydrates when heated. These two factors allow steel beams to withstand several hours of intense heat without suffering any loss of structural strength.

In this trendy New York penthouse, we used intumescent paint from Albi. This product has a durable, attractive finish for interior structural steel. Because it is water-based, it has less odor than other products, and can be used in inhabited structures. Now protected with intumescent paint, the residents of this penthouse enjoy the safety and simple beauty of exposed structural steel. The photo below is the view from the window pictured above!

Intumescent paints are often used on fire escapes, fire doors, plumbing, venting, lath and plaster ceilings, timber framing and warehouse-style ceilings.

PNP Craftsmen, serving New York City and Long Island, provides commercial and industrial painting for a wide range of customers. Our services include electrostatic painting, faux finishing, staining, skim coating and, of course, fire-retardant intumescent coatings.

A painted wall is the foundation of any beautiful interior wall. But just like with any other piece of art, it craves character. This can be anything from marbleizing your interior walls to adding a metallic finish on your paint.

PNP Craftsmen provides these services to give your home the glow and finish you always wanted without the hassle of trying it "DIY style.' The company specializes in faux and decorative painting services that won't go unnoticed when visitors come to call. PNP offers the following decorative painting services:
·      Color wash
·      Strie
·      Glazing
·      Marbleizing
·      Faux bois (wood graining)
·      Murals
·      Venetian plaster
·      Faux leather
·      Metallic finish

All these services are completed by a trained and talented staff who ensure quality work when hired for a job. They implement special techniques and tools that create an illusion of real materials such as leather, marble and Venetian plaster.

Interior walls are an important step to creating a beautiful home reflecting both your taste and your lifestyle. And decorative painting is icing on the cake. These techniques give homeowners just the right touch of sophistication and modernity they desire.

If you're interested in giving your walls a bit of bling, call PNP for a free estimate now. PNP offers decorative painting services to New York City and Nassau County.

PNP Craftsmen Paints for Esperanza House

At PNP Craftsmen, we are committed to making the world a more beautiful place. Usually, we do that by painting homes and businesses for our clients in New York and New Jersey. This year, however, we began a new tradition that will bring new beauty into the lives of those who couldn’t normally afford it. The program, called Paint it Forward, was inspired by A. Allbright Painting in California.

This year’s recipient was Esperanza House, a temporary residence and treatment facility for homeless men with substance abuse problems. This excellent program, located on 107th Street in the heart of the Bronx, provides training and counseling in a wide variety of practical and social skills, and helps connect them to the education and work that will change their lives.

PNP Craftsmen partnered with some community volunteers to stain the deck of the Esperanza house. The deck was very plain and dirty looking when we arrived, but we cleaned and stained it a beautiful red, adding life and brightness to the exterior environment. Now residents enjoying the outdoors have a rejuvenated space to inhabit, as they seek to rejuvenate their lives!

We want to thank our painters and volunteers who came out to make this event a fun and productive day. Also, we extend our gratitude to Sherwin-Williams Paint, who donated the materials for the event. As we look forward to another community service project next year, we welcome your input and suggestions for deserving recipients.

PNP Craftsmen provides interior and exterior painting services in the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan and the rest of New York City.

As we paint older and historic homes and apartments in New York, one of the features that often poses difficulties is the windows. This classy apartment in Brooklyn, NY has many aluminum windows and a set of aluminum French doors, which we had the pleasure of restoring.

The first step, of course, is always to clean the surface. With aluminum, there wasn’t a rust issue, but pollen, dirt and air pollutants needed to be cleaned off. Peeling paint needed to be scraped, and then the glass and the surrounding surfaces had to be protected from overspray.

In order to paint these doors and windows while maintaining a clean, professional look, we needed a quality product that adheres to aluminum surfaces. We were also looking for a paint that is good for interior and exterior use. The perfect solution for this project is Bond-Plex, from Sherwin-Williams. As a water-based acrylic paint, it dries more quickly and has less odor than oil-based products. As an added bonus, Bond-Plex is self-priming, which saves several hours of labor, even on a small project.

Using Bond-Plex, we were able to spray on a thin but durable coating, giving the windows and doors a crisp, tidy finish. Notice the frames and cross-pieces on these windows: clean paint lines and fine spraying contribute to a sharp, attractive finish!

PNP Craftsmen is a quality painting contractor, serving Brooklyn, as well as all of New York City and New Jersey. With extensive knowledge of the best products for each kind of job, we are sure to complete each painting project with excellent, lasting results. If you have aluminum windows or siding that need painting, call PNP Craftsmen and we’ll put Bond-Plex to work for you!

Spray painting means much more than graffiti art on abandoned buildings and displays for middle-school science projects. Spray painting provides valuable and professional-looking touches to commercial business all around New York City and Nassau County.

Every reputable business requires a level of excellence both in their own field of work and the appearance and safety of their facility. PNP understands that importance, which is why they strive to meet the painting needs of commercial businesses with a variety of specialty spray painting techniques that will comply with any commercial necessity.

PNP provides services like fireproof painting and electrostatic painting that not only leaves each surface with a polished and professional look, but also fulfills all building codes requirements.

Here are two of PNP's specialty spray painting services available for commercial business:

Electrostatic painting- a spray paint technique that employs statically charged paint to surfaces with opposite charges for a more complete and efficient finish on commercial work pieces. This technique is used for most surfaces but most commonly used for metal surfaces such as metal furniture, machinery and metal cabinets. 

Intumescent coatings- a fire retardant that helps avoid sufficient fire damage and can potentially help save lives when a fire disaster occurs. While the coating gives customers a decorative and polished look, it also produces char, which insulates the objects underneath and prevents heat transfer when a fire occurs.

PNP takes both of these services seriously and makes sure each job is completed with the utmost excellence. Intumescent coatings are required by law and PNP will help make sure your business meets the safety codes regulated by your city.

PNP Craftsmen goes above and beyond just exterior painting. They ensure both quality and superiority over any other paint contractor in the area. PNP offers other spray painting services such as Scuffmaster and staining and finishing cabinets and millwork.

Be sure to contact PNP online for a free estimate or by phone at (212) 279-3668 for any of your exterior painting and spray-painting needs. PNP strives to provide the best quality painting for any commercial business. Go ahead, kiss those nasty spray cans goodbye and call the professionals today!

The front of your house is the first impression of you, your family or your company. It also says a lot about your taste and personality. PNP specializes in exterior painting for a variety of properties such as houses, apartment homes and commercial businesses. By contracting PNP Craftsmen as your New York painting company, you are ensuring a coat of beauty and professionalism that stands above any other exterior painting job.

PNP prides themselves on exceptional customer service as well as the most best finished project on the market. Services for exterior house painting includes painting wood, vinyl and aluminum siding; painting brick, stucco and masonry; painting trim, shutters and eaves; caulking; replacing rotten wood; painting wood and metal railings; wood refinishing for decks and gazebos; pressure washing for siding, drives and walkways; mildew removal; and color consultations.

PNP's large variety of services will accommodate any paint problem. In addition, the company is dedicated to customizing the project according to the customers' needs with exceptional professionalism. The crew at PNP treats every project as their first priority by embodying great customer service, communication, responsiveness and, above all, craftsmanship. The company doesn't cut any corners, and prepares all surfaces of the job carefully and efficiently for a great finished project customers will rave about.

With every exterior painting service, PNP includes their two-year guarantee on materials and workmanship. This guarantee lets customers rest assure that their exterior painting and other services are developed with exceptional quality.

PNP is proudly accredited by the PDCA and BBB and fully licensed and insured in the state of New York. They are also certified as a lead-safe company by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. They serve the areas of Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Westchester, Nassau County and Suffolk County.

Be sure your home or business can represent you the best way possible. Schedule an estimate online or call 212-279-3668 today.

PNP Craftsmen provides high quality commercial and house painting and interior painting services for New York City and Long Island, N.Y. while still conscious of customers' budget, standards and schedule. PNP delivers the highest level of painting and paint design to their New York customers by working with them on the best way to paint the customer's home, apartment and/or commercial building.

PNP will provide color consolation and matching services for interior painting to make sure the client is getting the exact color desired. In addition, PNP can also work with the clients' interior designers to make the most out of your space. The company provides services for both commercial and house painting, including apartments, single-family homes and other residential properties in New York City and Long Island.

As a gift to their customers, PNP will provide a free and detailed estimate based on the needs of the office or house painting to determine the budget of the project. These are written proposals with price guarantees for prospective clients. PNP can also bid off plans for qualifying customers. PNP's expertise is in brownstones and high-rise buildings. Although these services require insurance, PNP will work with your building's management to receive the proper documentation necessary to begin the job. Their proposals include $1,000,000/$2,000,000 liability coverage, workers compensation and disability insurance.

PNP not only provides an outstanding painting service, but they also include all of their materials in their proposals to their clients. PNP is conscious of their customer's needs and will stay up-to-date on the latest materials for a great finished product their clients will love.

One stressful element of painting houses is making sure they can stick to their promised completion date, as well as open communication during the project. PNP prides themselves on making these two elements a top priority while on the job. The company ensures timely completion of the project as first estimated, as well as constantly communicating to the customer to make sure they are happy with their services.

PNP Craftsmen "guarantees all workmanship and materials for up to two years." They are dedicated to giving New York City and Long Island the best house painting and interior painting service in the area, and they available for consultations and questions about all your painting needs. Call (212) 279-3668 or visit the home page of their website for more information.

Ever wanted a wall that looked alive and inviting?  Well, wait no more because these qualities can be exhibited through color washing.  Color washing is a faux painting technique that is used to create a vision of color layers.  It provides a diverse range of styles and gives an excellent sense of overlapping brush strokes.

Color washing is ideal for almost any interior environment, whether it be a living room or a kitchen.  It can assist on covering imperfection on walls or even cover up damaged walls.  Once the color washes are applied onto these walls, the entire room will transform into a more warm and soothing environment. 

Choosing to paint a wall through color washing is a great choice, especially when you want great looking colors on your wall!  With the color washing technique, we can easily create any color style the customer requests.  Brighter colors are often a popular choice for color washing.  The results produced create a lively feel for the room once painted on. 

For more information regarding color washing and styles of color washing, feel free to contact us with questions or requests.  We offer a free consultation to everyone seeking to start a new project, so don't miss out!

Springtime doesn’t just mean a lot of blooming flowers and spring-cleaning. It can also mean a new paint job to give your home a fresh new look. And we’re not just seeing great color trends on fashion models but also on interior walls. So if you are looking to redecorate your home this season, here are some great wallpaper and paint trends to consider:

1. Pastels

Pastels aren’t just for springtime or baby rooms. This beautiful trend can be great colors for painting the rooms for your home. To avoid the colors looking too childish, be sure to put a smidge of gray in them to give the color a much more mature hue. HGTV Designer Sabrina Soto suggested in a recent issue of Better Homes and Gardens, to pair the light and airy colors with dark and bold accents to make a statement.

2. Earth Tones

Just like all those animal prints and stunning neutrals are in style, so are earth tones for wallpaper and paint. Everything from grass greens, browns, tropical blues and sunny yellows are great colors to give your interior walls some outdoor attitude. If the bright, bold colors scare you, use the browns and neutrals on your walls and use the bright colors as accents.  Need a tip to get your started? Use a throw rug or vase that you absolutely love to help chose your colors for painting and you’ll have your redecorated office or living room in no time.

3. Metallics

The thought might scare you, but using metallic matte finishing or wallpaper can actually turn your interior walls into a stunning Victorian or Hollywood glam room if used the right way. Neutral hues such as silvers and grays can create bold statements in your room as well as wallpaper designs. Just be sure not to go overboard. Just remember the simple rule: less is more — you don’t want to overwhelm the interior walls.

4. Deep grays

Just like with neutrals, deep grays are great colors for painting you walls with. These hues are both simple, rich and go great with any color scheme you choose.  Want to add a little more character to your shade of gray? Mix bold colors such as dark plums or navies with gray. This combination will add just the right amount of warmth to your interior walls.

5. The Basics

The basics never go out of style. Whites and beiges are great colors for painting multi-purpose rooms. Homeowners, you can never go wrong using by neutral colors on their interiors walls. They are compatible with any mood or season. Basics are always a safe choice for those wary of bold colors on their walls. Plus, you never have to worry if the wall will match the great piece of artwork you just have to buy, because nine times out of ten, it will.

These are just a bundle of great trends popular this year. With a huge range to choose from, you will be sure to have great walls in no time. From chalky pastels to bold metallics, these great colors of paint and wallpaper will have your rooms speaking volumes — both in character and in style. For more advice or to schedule a free consultation, contact PNP Craftsmen today.

If you're looking to redecorate a room with a luxury feel, then you've come to the right place. At PNP Craftsmen, we are always on the lookout for high quality products.  One of our promoted products this year is Sherwin Williams Cashmere Interior Paint.  

Cashmere Paint by Sherwin Williams is perfect for repainting any room in your home. Whether you want to decorate your bedroom or dining room, the Cashmere paint will definitely produce excellent results.  The Cashmere paint applies easily to walls, leaving very little mess and splatters.  It is non-sticky and levels very smoothly, resulting in a clean look and no unslightly marks.  What this produces is a silky and rich look on your walls.  The Cashmere paint offers great durability and beauty in any room.  

This high quality paint comes in three different finishes.  There is a flat finish, which inhibits a non reflective appearance.  This results in a much more smoother look and helps in hiding surface imperfections.  The low lustre finish creates a subtle and smooth sheen, which is very durable and easy to clean.  The Cashmere also comes in a medium lustre, which is ideal for trims and doors because of it's higher gloss quality.  Each finish comes in over 1,500 colors, allowing full customization and design!

At PNP Craftsmen, we are currently offering a FREE PAINT UPGRADE to Sherwin Williams Cashmere Paint for those in Long Island who schedule between now and 3/31/2012.  Now is the perfect time to schedule your painting project! Don't wait too long because this offer won't be around forever! Give us a call and schedule today!

Often times, customers and homeowners ask us questions regarding their old cabinets in their homes. The reason for this issue is because cabinets simply get old and age as time progresses. They become worn out and require attention. The typical solution one would think of is to replace the cabinet, which would be quite costly and requires a tremdous amount of work. Today, we are going to discuss an excellent alternative for fixing these cabinets.

A highly recommended solution would be to repaint or refinish the cabinets. This excellent alternative is ideal for any cabinet in the kitchen. By repainting a cabinet, one can save a tremendous amount of money as compared to replacing a cabinet. Maintaince will also be a breeze, for future repainting will most likely only require one coat of paint.   

Before repainting or refinishing a cabinet, be sure to clean the surface first. Note that sanding may be required to remove the glossy surface off the cabinet. 

After repainting, you can add additional touches to the cabinet by adding new handles or hinges. Choosing handles or hinges that match the new paint will give the cabinet a unique and stylish look. The new look of the cabinets will enhance the overall look of your kitchen, giving it an updated and modern look.  

Once that is completed, a primer will be added and two good coats of finish paint will be applied. Usually, oil-based paints is the choice for the top-coat of the cabinet because of its durability and smoothness. However, low violatile organic compounds (VOC) paints are often used for environmental reasons. An example of a top coat paint is Insl-x Cabinet Coat, made by Insl-X.

For more information regarding repainting or refinishing the cabinets in your home, feel free to contact us at 212-279-3668.

Accent walls are a great design that you can do to your walls. An accent wall design is where one wall of a room is a different color compared to the other walls in that same room. Accent walls allow the creation of bold colors to your walls.

Accent walls can create a unique design for your home. Good accent wall paint colors to use for your wall are bold colors. By using bold colors, the walls will stand out much more. An accent wall design is great for any bedroom, especially a child’s bedroom because it looks really nice to the eye. When you enter a room, the accent wall is what sticks out to the person entering the room and is usually the first thing that the person entering the room sees.

An accent wall design is a classic design that looks great in all houses. Accent wall designs are great, especially if you have a room with only plain white walls. For more information regarding accent walls and designs, feel free to contact us. Here at PNP Craftsmen, our customers are our number one priority.  We guarantee excellent customer satisfication and high quality results.  We offer professional services in painting, skim coating, wallpaper hanging, plaster repair, and decorative painting.  Contact us today for a free consultation for your new residential or commercial makeover!

Stripping and refinishing your old steam radiators can really clean up a space and eliminate a source of paint chips that can be hazardous.

Fall is almost here and it will be the last chance this year to strip or restore your old peeling steam radiators before next summer.  Once the heat comes on, it is not practical to work on them on site or remove them because the shut off valves often do not work as well as you would allowing leaks.

In most cases, it will be best to remove the radiators and have them stripped off site anyway.  If you do, there will be less chance that extensive lead protection is required and the radiators can get a spray finish as well all with minimal disruption of your home.  

If you are having your floors refinished, the floor refinisher can do a more throrough job if the radiators are out of the way and as always, if you combine your radiator stripping with other painting projects the overall cost will be lower.

These days, most people are going for a solid color sprayed finish to match the trim or walls of their home, however there are other options, including clear, simulated oil finishes or period finishes such as Bronzing or Polychroming. 

Off site is another reason to use a reputable full service painting company. The above Radiators were stripped and refinished by Tony at Color Your World Painting, a Painting and Decorating Contractor of America (PDCA) member on Long Island. 

If you are in New York City and are interested in stripping and refinishing your steam radiators , give us a call at 212-279-3668, or visit Find A Painter to find a PDCA member painter near you.

How can you make your interior home stairway look nice, classic, and contemporary? A great solution is to add color to the stairway by painting it. Adding color to the interior stairway in your home is an excellent way to making your stairway look nice and elegant.

Painting a staircase is a great alternative to putting carpet on your stairs or just leaving it with the wooden look. By adding color to the stairway by painting, it creates a classic yet contemporary look to your interior home. Just by using simple lines and uncomplicated shapes, you can create a classic and contemporary feel to the interior stairways in your home.

When you paint your interior stairway, please keep in mind that lighter colors will show shoe marks more easily than a darker color. Furthermore, make sure you paint your stairway in accordance to the walls. Be sure to contact us if you have questions with choosing the right colors for your stairway. 

At PNP Craftsmen, our customers are always our number one priority. We always ensure excellent customer satisfaction and high quality results!  Call us today to schedule a free consultation!

When deciding on how to design a kitchen, there are many things one should keep in mind.  Kitchens are usually filled with cabinets and different appliances.  This leaves wall space as an important factor when designing your kitchen.

In order to create the perfect matching kitchen, it is important to take wall space into consideration. Small amounts of wall space have a huge impact on the overall design on a kitchen.  Keep in mind that when you are matching and choosing a color for your kitchen, colors sometimes look different in different lighting conditions during different times of the day. So, keep the lighting conditions in consideration when matching and choosing a color. 

If your kitchen size is small, refrain from choosing colors that are dark or deep such as dark red or purple, because that will just make your kitchen look even smaller than it already is. Instead, try matching and choosing colors that are bright for smaller kitchens such as light shades of blue, green, or even yellow. If your kitchen is large, try refraining from using too much contrast in color. Remember to always use paint samples before actually painting to make sure the color you chose matches with the rest of your kitchen. To learn an easy method to matching colors, check out our Find the Perfect Matching Color for Your Home article.

Have more questions regarding your kitchen design? Contact us today and we will gladly answer your questions!  PNP Craftsmen is a full service painting contractor located in New York City and Long Island.  We offer professional services in painting, skim coating, plaster repair, and decorative painting.  Call us today to schedule a free consultation for your projects and get that kitchen you’ve always wanted!

Painting the ceiling of a room is an excellent way to improve the look of any interior.  By painting a ceiling, you can change the overall feel of any room in your home. 

Now what does painting ceilings actually do in terms of enhancing the room. Well, take the example of a large room. Large rooms which have a tall ceiling with furnishing occupying most of the floor can possibly make the room feel unbalanced. A solution to this unbalance can be to paint the ceiling with a deep and rich color which balances out the large open space.

Furthermore, small rooms or rooms with a low ceiling should have the ceiling painted with as little contrast between the interior walls and ceiling as possible because if you minimize the contrast between the interior walls and the ceiling, the room would feel much larger than it really is. 

So the next time you decide to paint a room, be sure to consider the ceiling!  The ceiling of a room is often a blank canvas for you to express yourself with your creative mind. Be sure to contact us regarding painting your walls and ceiling! PNP Craftsmen always ensures quality results and excellent customer satisfaction. 

The Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) has recently elected Don Fahrbach of PNP Craftsmen to become the PDCA President of the Nassau Suffolk Chapter.  Here at PNP Craftsmen, Don will continue to provide excellent and quality trainings to his company.

Our company always communicates and works as a unified team in any project and will always provide great service and high quality results for all our customers. Being a part of the PDCA is a great honor for us and gives us many responsibilities.  As the only PDCA accredited painting contractor located in New York City, PNP Craftsmen always takes great pride in providing our professional services to all. 

All PDCA accredited painting contractors must:

• Provide painting and decorating services in a professional manner with both craftsmanship and up to date techniques.
• Protect, preserve and decorate residential, commercial, public or private property with the most progressive and efficient means and materials.
• Maintain regulatory, insurance and licensing requirements in the areas we conduct business.

For more information regarding these codes of ethics, visit the PDCA website.

Customers of PDCA accredited painting contractors also benefit greatly from these codes of ethics.  Some of these benefits include: 

• Great pride in results
• Great value and high quality work
• Peace of mind in terms of health and safety standards
• Minimized risk.

For more information regarding the benefits of customers who use services of PDCA accredited painting contractors, visit our mission page.

At PNP Craftsmen, our customers are always our number one priority.  We complete all our projects with the highest level of care and quality.  Our professional services include painting, skim coating, plaster repair, and decorative painting.  Call us today to schedule a free consultation!

Striped designs on interior walls can make room look pleasing and unique. By incorporating striped designs into the interior walls of your house, you can greatly enhance the aesthetics of the room and make it look more contemporary as well as delightful. You can design vertical stripes on your interior walls in order to give a sense of height to the room. And also, if you design horizontal stripes on your interior walls, you can balance out the proportions of spaces with rooms with high ceilings.

Paintings or installing striped designs onto the interior walls of your house is one of the simplest ways to transform your white walls into something more exciting and lively. Furthermore, the choice of colors to use is your choice! Keep in mind that darker colored stripes should be used for thinner lines because you would not like to overwhelm the wall with dark colors.  Check out our facebook albums and gallery for some examples of designs we have previously used. 

For more information regarding striped wall designs or striped designs, please contact us today!  PNP Craftsmen offers professional services in painting, decorative painting, skim coating, and plaster repair.  Call us today to schedule a free consultation!

Decorating interior walls of your residential or commercial space, using high quality wall coverings, can always make the walls look more alive and pleasing to the eyes. One example of high quality and design wall coverings is Scalamandre’s wall coverings.

Scalamandre is one of the most prestigious wall covering and fabric houses with over seventy years of history that designs and produces top of the line high quality line fabrics, trimmings, wall coverings, and furnishing. One cool fact about Scalamandre is that Scalamandre produced silk fabric for the White House restoration project during the presidency term of John F. Kennedy.

One of Scalamandre’s most famous wall coverings pattern is the iconic zebra pattern. This zebra pattern design dates back to the late 1930s of New York. This high quality zebra pattern design premiered at Gino’s restaurant on Lexington Avenue. The zebra pattern wall covering was designed by Flora Scalamandre. Also, this high quality wall covering, which shows zebras and arrows, represents a hunt. Furthermore, many of Scalamandre’s wall coverings are featured in many leading interior design projects and magazines because of its high quality design. 

There is no longer need to imagine how Scalamandre’s wall coverings will look on your wall!  Contact us today to schedule a free consultation regarding your new wall covering project!  These wall coverings can enhance the look and feel of any room, whether it is a residential or commercial area!

Sometimes, having an exterior design, such as on your house porch, can be a very eye welcoming sight. An exterior design that works great with almost all porches is the checkerboard floor design. By painting a checkerboard floor design as your exterior design, you add a sense of space to it.

The checkerboard floor design has been popular since the eighteenth century, which started because people wanted an inexpensive way to imitate the marble floors of classical buildings. In order to paint the checkerboard floor design on your porch, first prepare the wood by washing it with a trisodium phosphate and water solution and then rinse the wood. Then allow the wood to dry and sand the floor lightly. The third step is to prime and paint two coats of the lighter of the two colors over the whole porch. Allow the paint to completely dry. The fourth step is to use a chalk line and draw a line down the center of the porch.

Next, make 1 foot interval marks along every side of the porch, which will create the diamond pattern. The sixth step is to tape off the outside edges of every other row of diamonds. Finally, apply two coats of the second color inside these diamonds and when that’s complete, remove the painter’s tape while the paint is still wet. As seen, painting a checkerboard floor design as your exterior design on your porch is a great way to make your house look more pleasing to the eyes!

For more tutorials such as these, please subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook!  PNP Craftsmen is the only PDCA Accredited Painting Contractor located in New York City.  We always take great consideration into producing high quality results and creating excellent customer satisfaction!  Contact us regarding any residential or commercial projects that you wish to complete!  We offer a free consultation to all our customers! Don't wait, call us today to schedule an appointment!

How can you find the perfect matching color for the interior walls of your home? Understanding how to choose the best matching colors will allow you to create the ideal room of your liking. Today, we will discuss an easy method of choosing a colors that will match your room.

To begin matching colors, first you need to choose a main color that you will be designing around. Taking a look at resources, such as paint magazines or websites, will give you a good idea of current trends or designs.  For summer designs and colors, take a look at our Summer Interior Color and Design Trends article. 

After you get an idea of what color you would like to use, put the colors against a wall alongside with the furniture in your room. Take a few steps back and look closely at all of the colors. Do any of the colors stand out as being odd or too different? Do the colors match the furniture in the room? These are some questions that you should be asking yourself when deciding.

Remember to look at the colors through both artificial light and daylight as the colors may look slightly different depending on the lighting. Once you’ve determined the perfect matching colors for the interior walls of your home, you can start painting the walls. Remember that you can always use paint sample sheets for matching colors in your home and it is also recommended that you use paint sample sheets before you actually paint on the interior walls in order to see if the color fits your needs.

For more information regarding color designs or choosing the best color for your home, contact us and ask! PNP Craftsmen offer services including painting, skim coating, plaster repair and decorative painting.  We always guarantee high quality results and great customer satisfaction. 

Have you ever had the idea of turning your child's bedroom wall into a chalkboard? Imagine all the fun your child would have. They would be able to draw on walls and you, as the parent, will have no headaches!  Well, now you can turn any wall or surface into a chalkboard wall through chalkboard paint!

Chalkboard paint is applicable on almost all surfaces. Most chalkboard paints are easy to apply and are also washable. If you have children, chalkboard paint is a must! Children would definitely love to draw on the walls of their bedroom and parents will not have to worry about messy cleanups. Chalkboard paint is easy to clean and it brings loads of fun for the entire family! In a child's room, chalkboard can serve as an alternative for drawing paper.  Different color chalk can be bought at your local art store.  Your children will be able to mix and match different colors to create their best art on the wall!  

Some examples of chalkboard paints are Benjamin Moore's Studio Finishes Chalkboard Paint and Rust-Oleum Specialty Chalk Board Paint.  Both of these paints are excellent chalkboard paints and are applicable on most surfaces!  Be sure to contact us regarding the installation of your child's chalkboard wall.  At PNP Craftsmen, we always produce great results for all our customers in a timely matter.  We provide services in painting, skim coating, plaster repair, and decorative finishes.

The use of ecofriendly paints for projects is becoming very popular.  Ecofriendly paints have many great benefits, with the main one being that it is good for the environment. Nowadays, with all the harmful pollutants, the environment is one of the main primary concerns of many people.

Ecofriendly paints are good for the environment is because of the paint’s low or no levels of VOC and odor. Low odor is always good for people with a sensitive nose and it reduces the smell of paint after application. Furthermore, VOC means volatile organic compound and many VOCs are dangerous to both humans and the environment. Now when ecofriendly paints are low or have no levels of VOC, it minimizes both the risk to humans and the environment!  An example of this is Scuffmaster’s Envirometal Paint and  Benjamin Moore's Aura. 

If you are looking for a way to get great results and benefit the environement, then consider ecofriendly paints! They are a great alternative to the normal paint which can possibly have high levels of VOC.  However, one might ask how low VOC or no VOC can be achieved? The answer to that is simple. Low VOC paints are water based paint therefore eliminating the need to use the more traditional petroleum oil base. 

For more information regarding low or no VOC and low odor ecofriendly paints, please contact us.  PNP Craftsmen specializes in high quality services including painting, wallpaper hanging, skim coating, plaster repair, and decorative painting.  We are certain that we will be able to assist you in creating that dream project you always wanted.

Another method to decorating a child’s room is to add murals and maps. The addition of murals and maps gives children the opportunity to discover and create using their imagination.  Today we will learn why murals and maps are a great compliment to any child’s room!

Adding or painting a mural directly on the wall is a great way to enhance any child’s room. You can use pictures of a tree or even something educational such as a map of the world.  If your child is into cartoons, paint an image of the character onto the wall! That will definitely guarantee smiles.  If you want to get the best results, be sure to direct all questions to the designer, your child!  Your child will know what looks best in their own room.

Murals and maps in a child’s room creates a more exciting, sharp, and pleasing view to the wall.  Adding color to the murals and maps is also a great idea for brightening up the room!   You can decorate the room based around your child choice of colors. Now that’s what I call teamwork! 

For more information regarding installation of murals and maps, be sure to contact us!  Here at PNP Craftsmen, we always have our arms open to questions and requests.  We always provide quality and professional services to all our customers!

When dealing with blistering or bubbling paint, we all must know where the problem originates from. Understanding where the problem comes from is ideal for preventing further obstructions of blistering and bubbling.  Today we will discuss why this issue occurs and what we can do to solve it. 

Blistering and bubbling in paint projects mainly occurs when adhension is loss between the surface and the paint.  Once the adhension is lost, the paint becomes loose and lifts up.  This results in a bubble like bump forming in the wall. Other causes of paint to blister is the application of oil-based or alkyd paint over a wet surface and also moisture seeping in through exterior walls, but this is unlikely to happen if latex paint is used. Also, if latex paint is exposed to high humidity shortly after the paint has dried, there is a possibility of blistering in the paint.

So now, how can blistering or bubbling of paint be solved? One method would be scrapping off the blistered paint, sanding the surface and finally repainting the section.  For recommendations on your specific residential or commercial area, please contact us and we will gladly assist your situation. 

Have you ever wanted to give the walls in your house a terrific parchment look? If yes, then try fresco painting! Fresco painting is a technique of painting that leaves a great decorative finish on your wall.

Fresco painting can easily be accomplished through the use of various paints, such as Benjamin Moore’s latex paints and glazing liquids. Benjamin Moore’s fresco paint is extremely easy to clean up and it also leaves very little odor after you finish painting, which are some of the great advantages compared to other paints. There are different colors available from Benjamin Moore.  Some examples of colors for fresco painting are barely beige and roxbury caramel.

Using fresco painting is one of the best ways to hide minor imperfections on the surface of your wall, if they exist. Another great advantage to using fresco painting is that it can be used on any of the walls in your house, giving you many options. Fresco paint usually can completely dry within 12 hours, which is fairly quick.

For more information regarding fresco and its application, please contact us directly.  PNP Craftsmen offers state of the art services including painting, wallpaper hanging, plaster repair, skim coating, and decorative finishes.  We take great pride in providing customers with satisfaction and quality work.

Creating the ideal room for your child has just become a whole lot easier.  Now you can easily design and create something that fits the flavors for you and your child.  In our first article of our decorating childrens room series, we will discuss how Easychange wallpaper can assist us on creating that dream room for your children.

A major part of decorating a room is trying to figure our what to do with the walls!  Choosing a color to match the room is a great idea! Now if your child wants something that stands out a bit more, then you must consider Sherwin William's Easychange wallpaper.  These state of the art wallpaper are exactly what the name suggests, easy change wallpaper!  These wallpapers are easy to install and easy to remove.  Maintaining the Easychange wallpaper is also a very simple task to do.

Depending on what patterns or designs your child wants, Sherwin William's Easychange wallpaper will have you covered!  The wallpapers are available in a wide range of colors and designs.  Choosing the perfect design for your children will not be a problem. 

Feel free to contact us with questions or concerns regarding designing and decorating your child's room.  We offer a variety of services such as painting, wallpaper hanging, decorative painting, and skim coating; just to name a few.  We guarantee that we will be able to assist you in creating that dream room for you and your child!

A reoccurring issue that we receive from many customers when dealing with finishes is paint peeling.  We often get questions regarding how to prevent paint from peeling in areas such as doors or cabinets, when applying finishes.  Today we will discuss tips and products which can assist the application of finishes, without having peeling paint.

A popular area where paint peeling can occur as a result of finishes is at doors.  Many customers have told us that they experienced paint peeling off the casing of the door when a finish is applied.  This can occur on both interior and exterior doors.  The finish is applied to the door casing and once the door is closed and reopened, paint peels off. 

The reason for this is because the finishes that were used requre time for it to dry.  If the undry finish comes into contact with the door casing, then it will tear off some paint from the door. 

An easy solution to this problem is to use a finish maker which creates durable results in less time.  One of our recommendations of this kind of finish maker is the PPG Break Through.  The PPG Break Through creates amazing finishes that can withstand cracking and peeling.  With the PPG Break Through, you will be able to create great finishes, on not only doors, but on windows, trims, fixtures, and even concrete floors!

So the next time you create a great finishes for your home and don't want any paint peeling, be sure to check out the PPG Break Through finish makers.  You will get durable and great finishes without the worries of paint peeling from the surface.  For more information regarding peeling paint and our services with finishes, please contact us.

As a child, we've all wanted to design our own rooms our way.  We would want some crazy color or design, which would result in our parent's grinning look.  Children are very creative when it comes to imagining and creating anything.  Sometimes what they visualize may seem miles away from what we want.  Well, now parents can design a children's room with the child's design in mind.  Here at PNP Craftsmen, we decided to create a series dedicated to aiding parents to create the perfect room your child has always wanted.

Our decorating children's room series will include many popular designs and ideas for children's rooms.  Some things you will learn in our series include:

• simple, but effective methods that can make your child's room look magical. 
• fun and interactive designing methods for parents and childrens.
• sample children's rooms so your family can get some ideas.
• how to choose the best color for your child's room. 

Don't miss out on this series! Sign up for our blog today to get weekly updates on the series.  In addition, once our series is finished, PNP Craftsmen will send a suprise gift to all our blog subscribers to ensure that your experience decorating your child's room will be one that you never forget!

Lead paint is an ongoing issue that has always needs to be taken into careful consideration. When dealing with lead paint, it is important to understand the risks and hazards. Lead paint can have a serious effect on everyone’s health. Understanding the dangers of lead paint and the importance in dealing with lead paint is the issue we will discuss today.

Lead paint was heavily used prior to 1940. Half of the homes built from 1940 to 1960 and some homes built after 1960 still contain lead based paints. Lead paint can exist on any interior or exterior location, such as doors and windows.

Lead is exposed from the paint through dusts, which arrives from chips or peels. The dust can be created by crushing lead paint chips or opening a lead painted window. Scrapping off or sanding off lead paint can also be a contributor to creating lead dusts.  The dust can settle on furniture, floors, or walls; which makes children vulnerable to inhaling it.  Inhaling this dust can be harmful to the consumer. Lead poisoning, in young children, may result in brain damage, mental functionality, and can affect mental and physical developments. In adults, lead poisoning can result in delayed muscle coordination, nerve controls, and irritability.

Consumers can easily call their local contractors to have homes inspected for lead paint. Knowing the hazards and dangers of lead paint and taking action is ideal for protecting your family.  

Here at PNP Craftsmen, we always ensure that all our customers are aware and know the dangers of lead paint.  We are a certified lead safe painting firm and specialize in lead safe practices.  If you believe your home contains lead paint or simply want more information regarding lead paints, please contact us and we will happily answer all your questions.

Pantone has released their color of the year for 2011.  Their choice of color this year symbolizes so much in just one color.  Representing courage and liveliness, Honeysuckle is a great choice for the color for 2011. 

First and foremost, Honeysuckle is the kind of color that lifts one's spirit and brings out confident in all.  It brings an encouraging and elevating feel to anywhere it is applied.  This stimulating color is capable of creating a positive and powerful feel that will lighten up anyone's day. 

Applying Pantone's color of the year to any residential or commercial interior will result in a energetic and dynamic environment.  A room painted in honeysuckle can enhance the look of the room as well as the feel.  Such rooms may include dining areas, kitchens, or living rooms.  Honeysuckle can definitely liven up spirits as well as add fun touches anywhere. 

So if you are looking for an outgoing and fun color, look no more because honeysuckle is the color to go for!  Pantone's brand of paints has been recommended by Fine Paints of Europe and also is highly recommended by us!  Don't wait, give us a call today and we will guarantee that honeysuckle will add a nice touch to your day.

Have you ever wondered how you can create easy and durable finishes in little time?  Well we have the solution for you!  At a recent convention that PNP Craftsmen attended, we discovered PPG's Break-Through, a satin finish that gives durable and easy finishes.  Now everyone can have great looking and durable finishes in their homes.

The PPG Break Through is a water-borne acrylic and is ultra-durable.  It is capable of bonding with some of the hardest substrates.  Examples of these include plastics and laminates.  The product is able to produce both indoor and outdoor finishes.  The PPG Break Through is equipped with FastBlock technology, which creates more resistance in less time. 

The Break Through is applicable to many substrates, such as:

• Aluminum
• Concrete/Masonry Block
• Ferrous Metal
• Plaster
• Galvanized Steel
• and many more.. 

Areas where the PPG Break Through may be used include:

• Doors                                    
• Fixtures
• Windows                               
• Trims
• Cabinets                               
• Concrete Floors   
• Shelving
• Hand rails

This durable and easy to use finish maker contains a low VOC level and low odor, qualifying it to be an eco friendly product.  It is VOC compliant in regulated areas and is can assist in earning LEED credits.  The Break Through is able to maintain flexibility, allowing it to withstand deformation and bending.  The flexibility will allow the Break Through to endure cracking or peeling on the finishes. 

Other benefits of the PPG Break Through include excellent adhension and hardness.  The product is resistant to household chemicals and provides smooth finishes. 

To get started on creating easy and durable finishes with the the PPG Break Through, contact us today!  We guarantee that you will get the durable and amazing finish you've always wanted!

Being a lead safe certified painter is very important to our customers.  Here at PNP Craftsmen, we always provide a peace of mind to our customers when dealing with lead.  Our safety procedures and practices regarding lead is known to all our painters.  We take great pride in providing a safe environment for all our customers and painters. 

PNP Craftsmen has recently sent four more employees to training sessions for the EPA RRP.  This training covered information on the current lead safety procedures.  We are proud to be a lead safe certified firm and continue our safe methods of performing our job.

As a lead safe certified professional painter, we always keep our customers in mind when working on a project.  We are always aware of the dangers of lead and lead exposure.  Knowledge of safe practices and procedures is always a priority for us.  Lead safe certified painters should always abide to the practices listed on the EPA's website, such as minimizing dust and containing the work area. Our customers and clients are always well informed about their projects and the method of completion.

When customers are seeking to have a lead safe certified firm to complete their projects, they should expect to receive information about:

• the firm's EPA or state training certificates
• lead safe practices for the project
• most current and updated lead laws
• results from previous lead tests
• references from previous jobs involving 1978 or earlier homes
• record of previous and current trainings that the firm has attended.
• information about the EPA rules

For more information regarding lead safety, certified lead safe firms, or EPA rules and regulations, feel free to contact us.

With the Exact Color Sealant, your painters can now easily fix and match paint in your home easily!  In just 3 minute time, you can have the cracks in your home fixed.  The Exact Color Sealant is easy to use and ultra portable, making it a favorite among many of our customers!

The sealant is able to fix and match the paint on surfaces in both interior and exterior applications.  Interior locations, such as bathrooms and kitchens, are ideal locations for the application of this sealant.  The product works excellent on:

• walls
• tiles/stone
• wood or vinyl molding
• wood finishes, cabinetry
• sidings
• windows
• brick
• and many more.

The Exact Color Sealant is able to fix and match your paint issues with a simple mix and shake process.  This eliminates the need to add touch up paints to your projects.  The sealant can be used with any latex paint, which include metallic and textured paints, to match your current paints.  With all these varieties, fixing paint problems in your own home has just become a whole lot easier!

With the Exact Color Sealant, matching color on paint cracks is no longer an issue.  The sealant is the perfect way to create a matching custom color to your existing paint.  The Exact Color Sealant allows you to mix any latex paint to create your own customized paint. The entire process of mixing and transferring paint takes exactly 3 minutes!  Once the the paint is mixed, simply transfer it over to the provided cartridge, add the activator pack and shake it.  Once that's completed, you are ready to fix and match any paint problems you have at home.

The Exact Color Sealant is also a great eco friendly item.  It contains a low VOC formula and is able to cleaned by water.  The product can last up to 20-25 years and contains no isocyanates.   The sealant packaging is safe for users and is also recyclable.

Once the Exact Color Sealant has been applied to your surface, the results will be shocking!  The sealant creates a watertight seal and is extremely elastic!  The finished result can be compressed and won't crack.  It's very adhensive so tearing will not occur.  The sealant will cover up your cracks very nicely.  Not only that, but it will be hard to tell that you actually applied a fix to your crack because of the identical matching color!  For more information regarding products that easily fix paint problems, feel free to contact us.

As summer enters into the months of June and July, we start to see a new trend of colors and designs.  Bright and bold colors start shining more than ever, as the sun shines and clear skies are visible.  At PNP Craftsmen, we recently composed a list of a variety of colors and designs that match interiors to our warm weather.  Whether you enjoy peaceful days under the sun or soothing evenings by the sea, this list is a must for all summer enthusiasts.

Bold Colors and Designs

A favorite among this summer's trends are bold colors.  Bold and vibrant colors are appearing more and more throughout residential and commercial areas.  These colors simply stand out and create a more lively environment for any interior.  Some of examples of these interior colors include:

• Peachy Orange: Add to any wall to brighten up the room.
• Bright yellow: Sunshine will become a color on your wall.
• Vibrant red: To add a splash of summer to your home.

Some of paints we have used that produced these great results include Scuffmasters Envirometal metallic paints and Benjamin Moore's Aura.  

Fresh and Clean Trends

On the other hand, fresh and clean trends in interior of homes is still a popular trend this summer. More and more customers are seeking ways to make their home as fresh as possible.  White paint is being used more than ever to match those clean and clear skies.  Calm colors, such as shades of green and blue, are the perfect complement for any home.

New Interior Wallpaper Designs

This summer, one color wallpapers are being replaced with new designs!  We now see more pattern and multicolored designs.  Adding these designs to your interior walls can enhance the feel and look of any home!  Some popular wallpaper designs we've seen are Sherwin Williams Easychange Wallpapers.  These wallpapers are easy to install and can add a splash of designs to any interior!

So whether it's that wall you've always wanted to paint or that new wallpaper you've always wanted to install, now is the time to do it!  With all the summer designs and trends moving in, it's the perfect time to add that unique look to your home to match the beautiful weather outside!  Feel free to contact us regarding colors and designs for the summer.

Using a full service professional painting company can take many of the headaches out of coordinating your painting or decorating job.  Professional painting companies that offer a range of services offer many benefits:

• Single point of responsibility for the final product.  Whether plaster repairs, skim coating or taping is needed or a specific primer for a difficult surface before applying wall covering, having one company responsible from start to finish eliminates the need for the homeowner, designer or general contractor to be in the middle of communications.  If a problem later arises there in only one person to call.
• Coordination of scheduling. When one company is responsible for coordinating, plaster, painting and decorative finishes, communication is expedited and so is the job.
• Savings in time and money. Especially on smaller jobs, when workers cannot get a full days work on a particular task due to material dry times or other issues, having staff that is cross trained can make for savings in time and can often make a difference in cost as well.

On a recent wall paper and decorative paint job featuring color matched metallic paint in a spray finish, the wall and trim preparation was by another company, waiting for the rooms to be made up to standard took longer that the actual work we had to do.  Visit our facebook porfolio to view the whole album.

Calling a full service professional painting contractor who can tape, plaster, skim, paint as well as install wall covering or other decorative finishes may make sense for you.

In Manhattan and around NYC, people are often looking for ways to go green for the environment and for the health of themselves and their family.  As professional green painters, we will share some of our green methods with you today.  At PNP Craftsmen, we consider the environment and our customers needs in our all our operations. From the types of paints we use to the vehicles we choose, we are qualified to be an NYC green painter.

Green Paints:

Choosing to use green paints will not only benefit the environment, but also your health!  Here in Manhattan, the environment is vital for professional painters.  Knowing what types of paint to use and the effects of them are key in our profession.  With that said, we mostly use green paints, which contain 0 VOC levels and no odor.  Some of the green paints we've previously used include Scuffmasters Envirometal metallic paints, Benjamin Moore's Aura and Natura.  We can advise you on the best choice for your project and any trade offs that might be necessary.

The Vans:

When choosing to deliver material from one site to another in Manhattan, painting companys often use vans to do the job.  An NYC green painting company will use an ecofriendly vehicle to do the job.  Here at PNP Craftsmen, we choose the Toyota Prius as our candidate.  After doing several comparisons, we found out that the Prius was most effective in completing deliveries. The Prius is capable of storing the same amount as our old vans and it's ecofriendly!  We use vans for transporting ladders and other large materials.  With this hybrid vehicle, we are able to create a green environment in Manhattan.  As the price of gas rises, we will be saving our environment and maintaining our prices!

The Breathable Wallpaper:

In a recent projects in Manhattan, we featured Sherwin William's Easy Change non woven wallpapers.  These ecofriendly wallpapers are so easy to put on and are so stable once installed.  The wallpapers are non vinyl wall coverings and are breathable, preventing moisture from being stuck inside.  In addition, they are easily washed and cleaned with water!  Green wallpapers, such as these from Sherwin Williams and other, are favorites among green painters in Manhattan.

Promoting a greener environment is important for green painters in Manhattan.  We know that we will be creating a safer environment for our customers and their families.  The green methods listed above are only a few of the methods we use at PNP Craftsmen.  Contact us for more information regarding our services and professional green methods 

When painting indoors at home, there are a few things that we should keep in mind regarding a safe environment and our health. Today, we are going to discuss a few tips that we can use to enhance a safe environment while painting.

Whether you are hiring a professional contractor or painting your home yourself, we should all keep in mind of the types of paint that you will be using.  Generally, we want to seek low or zero level VOC (volatile organic compounds) safe paints.  Excess exposure to high levels of VOC in our home or environment can lead to damages in our nervous system, kidney, and liver.  Low odor paints are also good. However, be aware that some paints are labeled no odor, but have have high VOC levels.

Before painting, we want to have all our materials set and ready to go.  Be sure to have all your safety gear, such as goggles and gloves, and also your painting materials! Use masking tape to separate a line between paint surfaces. Be sure to read all the directions on the paint cans.  If you are scraping off old paint, be sure to test the surface of the paint for lead.  Lead exposure can be very dangerous and harmful to the body, as well as our environment.

While painting at home, be sure to keep the environment well ventilated and filtered.  This can be achieved by opening a window or using a cross ventilation.  Turn off air conditioners as they do not filter the air inside the room.  Make sure pregnant women and children stay away from the paint.  Keep all the lids on the paint can when they are not in use.  Watch out for warning signs on oil based cans, such as flammable or combustible warnings.  These warnings will help you to set restrictions such as no smoking or removal of flame sources in the house.  

After painting, continue to keep the painted area well ventilated. People, with breathing problems, and pregnant women should not come into contact with the painted environment for at least 2-3 days. Vapors can still be released from the dry paint.

Follow these tips and it can be guaranteed that you will have a safe painting experience.

Here is a list of low or zero VOC paints:

• Aura by Benjamin Moore
• Harmony by Sherwin Williams
• Envirometal by Scuffmaster

Our company offers a variety of services, such as painting and wallpaper installation.  We always complete projects with care and efficiency.  Feel free to contact us regarding questions or concerns!

The times of long cords and wires are finally over for spray painters!  We now have a simple grab and go cordless sprayer capable of creating high quality samples. Here at PNP Craftsmen, we recently acquired the cordless Graco ProShot® Fine Finish to create a variety of samples for customers. We seeked a tool that was easy to use and produced high quality results.  

This handy and convenient sprayer allows us to spray almost in any location reachable by our painters!  It is the first professional cordless sprayer that has ProSpray Technology.  The design is lightweight and portable, allowing it to be used in small and tight areas.

Asides from being portable and compact, the cordless ProShot sprayer also works great on all sovent and water based materials. The high quality finish is provided by the pressure control and motor speed adjustments.  Depending on what material is being sprayed, proper settings can be set with ease.    

The Graco Proshot Fine Finish edition is an excellent application for trims, cabinets, doors, and much more.  It has the ProControl technology, which enables high quality spraying on a range of materials, varying from stains to enamels.  

The cordless ProShot sprayer also comes with a 24 oz Multi-Spray Cup, allowing easy paint useage and storage.  The disposable cup liners can be used for fast clean up.

To see more, watch our video demonstrating the high quality cordless Graco ProShot sprayer.

In most recent news, our company featured the Scuffmaster Envirometal 0 VOC metallic paint in one of our projects.  The green paint applied onto the surface just like any other paint.  It was easy to apply and dried very quickly.  In the end, the results of the green paint were terrific.  Even the architect in charge of the project had home owners and customers saying:

 "The metallic samples you gave turn out to be so nice that the clients decided to shift their use from accent walls entire rooms." 

The Scuffmaster's Envirometal Metallic Paint is an easy way to go green without having to give up style.

The green paint serves a metallic dimensional result, which can be applied on almost all surfaces.  It can be applied through two methods: brush or roll.  If one chooses to apply the paint with a roller, then they will receive a sprayed metallic finish.  On the other hand, if one chooses to use a brush, then they will receive a reflective metallic finish varying with lighting.  Both methods of application will provide a stunning result depending on the customers preferences.

Now style is not the only result that comes with the Scuffmaster's Envirometal metallic paint. The 100% LEED compliant green paint is applicable both indoors and outdoors.  It provides impact and abrasion resistant pattern on the final product and also has Microban® Antimicrobial Protection.  

Low odor and zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) are also a sweet deal that come with the package.  Low odor paints reduce the smell of paints which may cause damage to the lungs.  Zero VOC in green paints promotes a healthier and safer environment for the painters and customers.   

Contact us today regarding our services with green paints!!

Yes, You can paint aluminum windows and storefronts! Aluminum windows can be painted even if they are anodized and painting aluminum windows and storefronts can definitely improve the appearance of your home or business.

From storefronts to the windows in your high rise apartment there is no reason to continue to live with windows that have seen better days or simply just don't go with you new decor or company image. 

Traditional Residential

With proper surface preparation and priming, aluminum windows in apartment buildings and condominiums can be painted by spray or brush to blend in with your decor.  The institutional feel that anodized aluminum windows can sometimes have can be eliminated, allowing the use on lighter window treatments.  base coats can be topcoated with your trim paint or decoratively painted using techniques such as Faux-Bois.  Below is an example of an aluminum window  with sprayed base coat and woodgraining to match the cherry wood of the paneled library on Park Avenue in New York.

Commercial and Modern Residential

Landlords and building owners may wish to consider electrostatic spray painting for an economical way to quickly spruce up their aluminum windows and storefronts for greater customer appeal.  Electrostatic or other methods of spray painting are excellent ways to achieve the appearance of a factory finish and in many cases it can be accomplished with minimal disruption overnight and be ready for use in the morning.

Various products are available for exterior or interior use that give different service lives and appearances.  For example for interior storefronts on in offices decorative modern high durability waterborne coatings such as Scuffmaster can be used with metallic finishes that are quick drying, low odor and durable.  Speak to your professional painting contractor about the specifics of your job in order to get the appearnace, price and performance you are looking for.  Here is a close up of one of the Scuffmaster products:

Whatever option you take, painting your aluminuim windows is a decorating option you might want to consider consider for both beauty and value.

The Issue

We are sometimes asked to do a less than a level 5 skim coat by customers who want nice walls but are looking for some economy.  In this article we will show there really is no such thing as a Level 3 or Level 4 skim coat or skimcoating.  The finish "levels" specified on architectural drawings and specifications come from USG (US Gypsum) corporation's finish standards.  Everything less than a Level 5 finish is not really a skim coat at all and even a "by the book" Level 5 finish is not what most customers and architects in the New York market have come to expect when specifying skim coat.  Let's see why.....

Definitions

First let's take a look at a summary of the 5 levels of finish in the USG specification.  The full specification can be found in the usg handbook if you are interested in more detail.

• Level 0  For temporary construction - no taping
• Level 1  Used above ceilings and other concealed areas, one coat of compound on paper tape.  Fasteners not covered, corner beads not required.  Sometimes called fire taping but does not meet all fire ratings so caution is called for when using this level.
• Level 2 Tape is applied as in Level 1 plus corners and fasteners are covered.  Typical for garages and warehouses. The picture below is Level 2
• Level 3 The same as level 2 plus another layer of compound.  This finish is suitable for heavy textured finishes after priming.
• Level 4 A standard 3 coat tape job for painted surfaces that are not to be coated with gloss, semi-loss or enamel or where shinny wall covering will not be used.
• Level 5 is a level 4 tape job with one thin coat of compound spread over the surface  to minimize texture and even out the surface for shinier finishes. This is the "skim coat" in the specification.

Limitations

Now that the "by-the-book" definitions are out of the way, you can see that if you need to:

• Level out a bad taping or framing
• Flatten pre-war plaster walls that are not really flat for a high gloss finish or to match newly installed moldings
• or Blend new walls into old.

More than a Level 5 skim coat is called for and not less, in fact a "by-the-book" Level 5 skimcoat is about the least skimcoating you can specify and may cause you some anxiety later if what you bought was not your intention.

Solutions

To deal with these conditions or at least know what you are getting from the various proposals you may receive and why they may be priced differently, you may wish to read our previous blog post on the subject: Skimcoating: Getting What You Expect From Your Contractor.

AKA - Why are we painters are always getting pushed around?

Construction trades need to work together to bring projects in efficiently on time and budget.  Sequencing of construction trades and painters can often be a challenge but when it is done correctly, it benefits everyone. There are many times that a painting contractor has to work around other trades during a remodel or new construction project.  When in this situation, it's easy for the painters to feel like the small guys.  It's usually because we're one of the last trades to arrive on the project, so it's natural for the other trades that were there first to feel like they own the place.  

Painting should be one of the last trades there and there are many things painters can do in sequence and concurrently with other trades but you really don't want your painter painting beautiful wood trim while the finish carpenter is still cutting wood and making saw dust.

Unfortunately, it happens more often than not.  When a general contractor is trying to get a project to be completed on time, inevitably something changes or an unexpected delay happens that is beyond anyone’s control.  This can push out all the other trade’s schedules.  Using an experienced General Contractor with subcontractors that work together can help a lot. 

Did you know that there are standards as to how to properly sequence a construction project?  Painting contractors have standards governed by the PDCA (Painting Decorating Contractors of America) that were developed with input from architects and general contractors.  The P7 Job Sequencing Standard can really help coordinate a project properly and save a lot of time and money.  That is why we at PNP Craftsmen adhere to all the PDCA Standards and use them in our proposals. We also use these standards, like the P7 Job Sequencing Standard to train our crews better ways to work around other tradesmen while still building good relationships and bringing projects in on-time and on-budget.

Photo Credit:  A. Albright Painting Valencia California - East Coast, West Coast, it doesn't matter where you're located PDCA standards can help!

Cost Savings Possible

Whether part of a renovation or just redecorating, on-site electrostatic painting of lockers, file cabinets and storefronts to like new is possible and is often an economical solution compared to re-purchasing them. Electrostatic painting often surprises those who have never used it with how little disruption is experienced by the client. 

As with any paint project, preparation is key to a like new finish, however if the preparation is minimal,  many times, projects can be completed overnight with minimal impact on operating offices.

How It Works

As seen in the picture above, electrostatic painting uses an electric charge to reduce overspray and minimize the amount of protection required.  On railings, this means that in most cases spaying can be done successfully from one side.  Combined with fast dry paints, the reduced protection requirements speeds set up and clean up times and reduces the impact outside of the immediate area of work.

The results can be dramatic and cost effective.

For items such as:

• Lockers
• Railings
• Metal Equipment
• File Cabinets
• And more

Full Service paint Companies Offer Electrostatic Painting

Full service painting companies such as PNP Craftsmen operate as a single point of contact, minimizing scheduling complications and  bringing projects in on time and budget.  If your construction or redecorating project might benefit from the cost savings of electrostatic painting, contact us and we will help you decide if electrostatic painting is the right solution for you!

When renovating an older space, especially pre-war buildings, the question often comes up about what to do with that not so wonderful old trim.  Stripping doors and trim can sound appealing and it can be.  Modern products have reduced odor and some are even considered green. But often stripping is not the best option.  When making the decision to strip or not to strip, here are 6 things to consider.....

1.  Was your home built before 1978?  Do you have lead paint? 

Lead paint is more often present on trim, especially metal trim than on other interior surfaces.  Certain strippers handle lead paint well and the resulting materials can be landfilled after testing in most cases.  There are lead test kits available for homeowner use but the minimum requirement for lead testing by a contractor is EPA RRP certification.  Remember if you are stripping yourself you must test all the layers of paint not just the top one.  The older the paint the more likely it contains lead.  Once you know whether there is lead present, you will need to determine how to handle the work.   EPA RRP certified painters can strip lead paint or remove old trim as part of a paint job but only abatement contractors can do official lead abatement. 

2.  Are the door frames metal? 

When in doubt use a magnet to find out.  In pre-war buildings, some door frames that look like  wood are not.  If the building is plaster, the metal door frames are often plastered into the walls in such a way that they cannot be removed and replaced.  These types of frames are very cost effective to strip in place and repaint or clearcoat for a modern look. In certain cases the doors will often be metal as well, especially the entry and service doors in apartment buildings.  Check to see if the hinges are welded or screwed on.  If the hinges on the doors and frames are welded, on-site stripping is called for.

3. Should I replace all or some of the moldings? 

In most cases the answer will be yes.  You may be surprised at how many classic molding profiles are still available and if they are not and you have a lot to replace you can get blades made to cut molding to match for a few hundred dollars each.  If you have a classic three piece base, at a minimum replacing the cap and shoe moldings are usually cost effective.  The base itself is usually a 1x4 or a 1x6 its is easy to strip because it is flat stock.  Replacing it will be determined on a case by case basis and whether you are having other stripping done.  If no other stripping is going on you might as well replace it too.  "Box" picture frame type moldings common on pre-war buildings and picture rail moldings are also best replaced especially if you are going to have skim coating done.  Working around them is slow and you loose depth when skimcoating.  When you see new applied wall moldings or you can chip the paint off the old ones (if its not lead)  you will see the detail they used to have before 80 years of paint turned them into lumps on your walls.  Unless your crown moldings are in terrible shape the loss of detail there is harder to detect.  You may consider saving money there by using basic paint preparation methods, but if you want the sharpest of lines, replacement in conjuction with skimcoating is often best.

4. Time, Access, Sequencing etc. 

Modern strippers can take time to work...up to a couple of days plus removal time.  Access should be limited and children and pets kept away and if at all possible the stripping should be done early in the project, before the floor is finished.  Duct tape and heavy plastic can protect floors but can fail.  We have done many door frames successfully after the floors are finished but why take the risk?

5.  Consider off site solutions for doors and radiators. 

If you have a large number of these, a dip type operation may be best, for a few most painters will do them in their shop for you at a reasonable cost.

6.  What are you uncovering? 

Repairs, dissimilar woods, cracks filled with who knows what that are painted over must all be addressed after stripping but before painting and especially before staining.  Caulk may be at joints and in cracks that will have to be dug out.  Many of these materials will not take stain and will need to be replaced by ones that will.  Stripping to repaint is one thing and stripping to stain is quite another.  Before deciding to strip and stain a test of the worst areas would be in order to see exactly what you are going to wind up with.

Conclusions

To summarize, stripping metal doors and frames or radiators is usually cost effective on or off site.  Large numbers of wooden doors are best sent off site and most moldings are best replaced, especially if you are skimming.  If you do decide to do stripping, be safe, minimize traffic, use an EPA RRP certified contractor and if at all possible complete all the stripping early in the project before the floors are down or finished.

View our facebook album for more before and after pictures!

We appreciate input and comments! 

If you feel that we have missed anything or you have an interesting story to tell about your stripping project please let us know!

Perfect for creative or technical presentations, large dry erase walls and magnetic boards can be installed with or without borders on full or partial walls in your office, school or where ever! 

With products such as Walltalkers you can get many advantages over smaller frame mounted melamine or porcelain boards: 

•     Larger surfaces with more room for expression - no limitations on size because of elevators
•     Can fit on curved feature or accent walls
•     Available in colors and metallics
•     Available with faint or bold gridlines to keep your presentations professional looking.
•     Magnetic boards available.
•     Floor to ceiling monolithic walls are possible (seams will be virtually invisible but detectible)
•     Frame to match or leave frameless for a sleek look 
•     Products available to reduce glare when used as a projection screen.

Call PNP Craftsmen for a free estimate and evaluation of your walls.  PNP Craftsmen's skilled in-house wallcovering hangers will give you a quick neat and professional installation in New York City or on Long Island.

Do you have an interesting use for Walltalkers?  If so we would be interested in hearing about it!

A common question we are asked here at PNP Craftsmen is whether oil based paints are still permitted in New York, and the answer is YES. That is, if you want to use them for their unique advantages of durability and fine finsh, you most definitely can.

Until water based finishers were created, oil based paints were used for centuries in New York and around the world. The oil based paints that are used today are different and less harmful than those of yesterday, and still have several uses for painters, as well as artists.  In general, oil paint is well known for its durability, exceptional smoothness and reputation for being easy to clean.

Oil based paint is a form of slow drying paint consisting of small bits of pigment balanced in a drying oil. Rather than using water as a medium, oil paint consists of either natural or synthetic oils, as well as resins as a base. When compared to water paint, oil paint typically has a much stronger odor, and can take more time to dry. This is because oils dry by evaporation when exposed to air, rather than oxidation. Although oil paint is more durable than water paints, it is higher in VOC’s, otherwise known as Volatile Organic Compounds, which are the molecules that vaporize as the paint gradually dries. These increased levels in VOC’s are considered quite harmful to the environment and especially for those who work with oil paints on a regular basis.  This can become an indoor air quality issue in apartments, especially in the winter and if you are staying home while the painting is done. 

Consequently, from a collective effort, new laws were developed that aim to reduce air pollution in certain parts of the country. These VOC restricted affect New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and several other states. Both environmental and consumer demands along with advancements in technology have developed “low VOC” and “zero VOC” paints. These paints are widely available everywhere and carry out their durable performance without harming the health of its users and the environment. Thus, although these restrictions are present in New York City, oil based paints that meet the VOC restrictions are permitted to be used.  This means for the most part that the oil based paints are sold in quarts. 

When painting, interior and exterior coatings are placed into two general categories: water or latex based paint and oil or alkyl based paints. While both paints are used widely throughout the States, each form of paint has its pros and cons. Oil based paint is considered a traditional standard for ornamental and decorative painting that is suited for advanced techniques of painting today.  However, because of its slower drying time, the project may take longer because you may have to wait longer before recoating the surface. Oil paints are also considered to have an extremely durable finish such as a hallway, baseboard, or wall molding, which are all places that you might find yourself struggling with a vacuum cleaner quite often. Even though oil paints are durable, cleaning up after a project make take more than with water based paints. As mentioned before, oil based paints are less environmentally friendly than water based paints, and tend to have several safety precautions because the oils in the paint disperse fumes that are flammable.  Oil based paints can also yellow sometime quickly in the absence of sunlight or in the presense of certain chemicals. 

Here at PNP Craftsmen, we have the experience to use oil based paints efficiently, as well as the more environmentally friendly substitutions. 

For many projects, we  use Benjamin Moore’s Satin Impervo, a premium quality, oil based paint, that holds excellent leveling and hiding qualities.

PNP is also a Fine Paints of Europe Certified Painter, an American company focusing on high quality imported paints, all with exceptional level ing and durability and some with superior shine. With the Fine Paints of Europe, PNP has a variety of options for you to choose from when it comes to oil based paints. 

Although oil based and latex paints are distinctly different, all paints do share similar qualities. It is important for you to base your selection on the specific characteristics of a certain project. When understanding the difference between paints and selecting the right one for the job, it is good to know that you still have the option of painting with oil based paints in New York.  Either way the most challenging painting projects can easily become a stunning success.

Earlier this year we had the opportunity to try out Sherwin Williams Easychange wallpaper in a NYC Rental and unfortunately for the client, due to a nasty water leak, we are now able to report that it works as advertised!  Easy up and easy down and easy up again... so it really is Easychange.

Bold decorating statements in a rental apartment can be troublesome.  Deep colors and some wallpapers will cost almost as much to remove as to install.  Many prewar NYC rental buildings like our client's have replacement drywall walls and the postwar buildings are almost all drywall.  Unforgiving products and poor installation techniques can lead to damage to the drywall and the need for patching or skim coating.  Decorating your NYC Rental with Easychange wallpaper from Sherwin Williams by adding an accent wall or wallpapering an entire room can be done without worrying about wall damage upon removal.

There are many patterns available and this new generation of wall coverings installs as easily as painting the wall.

Some selections are "paste the wall" and some are prepasted s o whether you are a do-it-yourself person or you would like a professional paperhanger to do the job, there is something available that will work for you.  Either way, all are guaranteed to go up and come down effortlessly.

Here are some of the main features of the non-woven product:

• Environmentally friendly non-vinyl wall covering
• Dimensionally stable - wall covering won't expand or contract, no more seam separations
• Fully washable
• Remove simply by pulling off the wall - no special tools or solvents needed.
• A wide variety of prints and patterns, including murals

Many vendors offer non-woven wallpaper that will likely perform similarly but for ease of selection and ordering, variety and proven performance Sherwin Williams has a winner.  It just might fit the bill for decorating your NYC rental or for that matter any space that you anticipate changing in a year or two.

PNP Craftsmen's skimcoaters spent some time yesterday with electricians, carpenters and project management in an on site demonstration of the new to NYC TRUFIG flushmount system. Most designers and architects will be familiar with skimmed over speakers or flushmount taped in light fixtures, with this new TRUFIG system virtually all other devices can have the same look. A level 5 skimcoat wall finish is required. The system seems very well designed with the both the installing trades and the final look well considered. Metal boxes and other features take into account unique requirements of New York City and other major cities where plastic boxes are not allowed. The resulting clean look of a TRUFIG wall needs to be seen to be appreciated. Here is a gallery of some of the installs.

The training was informative, using the system does change how the job sequenced in some cases and while it is probably best that the system be designed in from the start, it was not in this case and it did not seem to be much of an issue to accommodate it.

We are confident that architects, interior designers and our clients will love the look.  We look forward to posting pictures of the finished installation when they are available.

Qualifing an interior painter before making an appointment can save time in the long run and make sure that you get the job and service you deserve and expect.  Here are seven suggested areas to ask about when deciding whether to devote time to setting an appointment with a prospective Interior Painter.  

1. The first and most important question to ask when you are choosing an interior painter is whether they are you licensed and insured.  If the answer is no, then you are running a risk and if you are in a condo, you may not even be able to get the contractor in the door.  We recommend that you only consider fully insured interior painters.  If the answer is yes, you should be able to see copies of both workers compensation and liability insurance and once a contract is signed, you should be able to get these insurance certificates made out in your name.   A contractor’s license should also be available if you live in one of the counties that require them.  If there is an accident or any issues the license and insurance can protect both you and the painter.
2. Ask if the contractor is EPA RRP certified.   If you live in a house built before 1978, you will want to ensure that the contractor is Certified by the EPA to check for the presence of lead paint and to properly protect your family and future building occupants.  Contractors who are not certified cannot legally check for the presence of lead let alone deal with it properly.  If your house is built after 1978 then this is not strictly required, however having this certification is a good indication that the contractor you are dealing with is a professional and keeps up with their education.
3. Ask about services and techniques that are important to you like skim coating, wallpaper hanging, paint stripping, plaster repair, fine oil trim painting, floor finishing etc.   Does the company perform all the tasks you will need?  How often?  Sometimes or only once in a while? Will any of the tasks be subcontracted?  Subcontracting specialists is not necessarily a bad thing if the company will take full responsibility for the schedule and outcome.  Not all companies do all things equally well but some interior painters have a broader offering than others.  Some will take on the coordination of prep and scheduling for you some will not.  Compare their answer to how involved you want to be and how many contractors you want to manage yourself.  In general, if you have a complicated project, having a full service company will eliminate finger pointing and result in a project that runs smoother.  Plus, you will have a single point of contact.
4. What kinds of industry and business recognition and awards have you received?  Are you BBB accredited etc.?  Recognition of a business by their peers, suppliers and outside independent rating services are another indication of a company’s dedication to customer service and continuing education.  Every year new Eco-friendly products are coming out.  To understand your full range of options, you want a contractor who is up on all the changes. Here are some seals to look for (there are others):
5. To determine whether a contractor will listen to your needs and concerns, ask about the level of prep and schedule.  Be clear about your budget and time requirements.  Ask them if they will give you a firm price.  What is the contractors reaction?  The schedule and what level of prep work is acceptable are important things to come to an agreement about before the contractor starts the job.   Some high end painters will not want to do rental paints, some contractors representing themselves as full service may not be capable of the highest quality work.  What about timing, how long will you want the painters around, do you have a deadline?  Without seeing the job the contractor will not be able to make firm commitments but some things like a specific completion date may disqualify some companies if they are too busy or too small to make it happen.  If you are clear about what you want on the phone, you can disqualify some contractors before devoting time on a walk-through, in fact good contractors who know they are not a fit will disqualify themselves.
6. Who will actually work on my house?  The person who you meet with to get the estimate will probably not be the same person unless it is a very small company.   If it is a small company, ask what happens if the owner operator gets sick.  Do all the jobs get pushed out?  This may not be an issue for you but if you have a deadline it may be.  Ask about the crew leader as well as the employees who will actually be working on your project. You should also ask what kind of training the company provides for new hires as well as whether they do background checks before hiring. There can be a lot of turnover at painting companies.  How long the staff has been around is a good indication of stability and good management.  
7. Will you provide me references?  How many?  You may be able to find feedback - good and bad- on the web.  How did the contractor respond to the negative feedback if any?  Things may not always go 100% smoothly, but did the contractor make a sincerely effort to put things right if they didn’t?  Some contractors are posting customer feedback right on their website but most will not provide phone numbers until the proposal is presented.  Either way, you want a commitment that you can speak to satisfied customers - even if you never call them.

A good estimate isn’t something that can be done over the phone.  A good estimate will require a site visit and time to discuss and agree on exactly what is to be done.  Using these questions to help when choosing interior painters will save you time meeting with contractors who in the end will not be a good match.  Once you have your bids, the contractor’s answers and reactions will help you determine who you are most comfortable communicating with and letting into your home.

A while back we posted popular paint colors in Manhattan using Benjamin Moore's top selling eggshell product and we got a lot of whites.  This time around we went through the records of the new Aura and Natura product lines specifically the colors from the Affinity color deck.  Professional painters prefer products like these for deeper colors and cutomers prefer them for their low odor and eco-friendly properties.  We hoped to get a greater variety of colors including those people use the most for accent walls.  We were not disappointed.  

All of these colors are tinted using an entirely different tint system which allows the paints to be very environmentally friendly.  The colors are mixed uniformly throughout the paint film so the paints wear better too.  With a couple of exceptions, the colors can be mixed in any Benjamin Moore product line but we recommend that the darker colors be done in Aura as you will ultimately save both material and labor.

Once again we would like to thank Schames Paint a third generation paint supplier recently moved from Essex St. to 90 Delancy St.  If you are in the neighborhood stop in and check out their new store which is now open Saturdays.

The PDCA is the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America

The attainment of PDCA Accreditation for a painting and decorating company is no small feat and is a definite advantage for customers. Becoming Accredited is like receiving your degree in painting and decorating contracting. To maintain PDCA Accreditation, companies are required to meet continuing education requirements and complete the renewal process.

Accredited companies will distinguish themselves by the virtue of meeting certain qualifications and abiding by industry good practices as defined by their peers.

Accreditation is a professional designation of excellence.  PDCA’s Accreditation program is carefully crafted and encompasses every facet of the business of painting and decorating contracting. The purpose of Accreditation is to provide contractors a way to separate themselves and their companies from others in the field. Professional and industry designations are a proven means to create that degree of separation so important in a competitive environment.

Why would a company decide to become accredited? For Pete Wirtz of Pete the Painter, Inc., in Northbrook, IL, one of the first accredited companies in the program, it was his desire to stand out from the competition. “I didn’t want my company lumped together with what I called ‘station wagon bandits,’” Pete recalled. “These fly-by-night so-called contractors were here today and gone tomorrow. Education was the key…If I could get involved in a program of relevant continuing education, and with a tangible goal of accreditation at the end, I thought I could find a way to separate my company from the crowd. And that’s how it worked.”

Both photos taken by the same camera with the same lens under identical lighting conditions. Certified statement from photographer available upon request.

You have probably been hearing more and more about eco-friendly paints, sometime called green paints.  Whether or not you personally feel responsible every time you see or hear news about the ice caps melting and polar bears being displaced as a result global warming, there may be other reasons more close to home to consider using eco-friendly paints.  Green paints aren’t just a fad, they are here to stay, as evidenced by the new products coming out all the time which benefits your personal environment and also benefits our planet.

What exactly is going green? Simply, it is the adoption of practices to reduce your overall impact on the environment. In our field, that translates to using paint with low to no VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds. These chemicals can potentially be carcinogenic, ranging from acetone, ammonia, and formaldehyde.  All paints that are used in the home are now regulated but some have more environmental impact than others.  Green can also mean using products that reduce the need for repaints, or that are produced locally and reduce the need for transport.

You might be wondering if using a standard or eco friendly approach to any future projects you have in mind might be right for you. Naturally there are pros and cons to each anytime you make such decisions, but we’re here to help you understand just what they are so you can make the best decision yourself.

First the good news or, the pros of going green for your next paint job. Due to a steady increase in air quality legislation, and the green movement; the painting industry has had to adjust the VOC content of all of their products.  Because of the decrease in VOCs, air quality is much higher indoors and that is something to take into account for consumers with children. Green paints have taken this trend to its logical conclusion, eliminating all VOCs.  Low and no VOC paints tend to have less odor than standard paints, thus being useful in areas with poor ventilation.   In a situation when a speedy turnaround is essential, say painting a child’s room, a school, hospital, or an office that will not be closed for an extended period of time, green paints are a good choice because of the low odor and occupants will not be exposed to such fumes. Eco-friendly paint also does not contain heavy metals, noteworthy because such metals are suspected to be responsible for a wide range of minor to serious health issues.

As for the tradeoffs, or the cons of going green for your next paint job, the cost of green paints might be higher than standard paints of the same grade making a difference in large volumes.  A greater impact on cost may be that some of the lowest VOC products will require additional coats than their standard counterparts in certain cases.  If your project does not need a quick turnaround, and your home or business will not be occupied during the time of the painting or immediately after, you might be hard pressed to justify the extra costs associated with purchasing eco friendly paints. Performance and durability has also been an issue of debate, as eco friendly paints may not give the longevity that standard paints will.  However, these products are getting better all the time.  If you tried some of the first generation products a few years ago and were not happy, you may wish to reconsider. If you are sure of the colors you will be using a more durable standard paint may actually be the greener option in the long run if it eliminates the need for frequent repainting.  This is something to be discussed with your professional painting contractor or retailer who will know all the current options that are available

If you decide to go green and you see a displaced polar bear in your very own neighborhood, it just might be there to give you a hug for your contribution to the environment instead of scavenging for food, what can be a greater benefit than that?

On August 31, 2010, the EPA announced its recognition of a new lead paint test kit for RRP applications.

The new test kit, called the D-Lead® Paint Test Kit (patent pending), is the only lead paint test recognized by the EPA for use on all four of the following common building materials: drywall, plaster, wood, and ferrous metal.  This is an advantage over other test kits, which are EPA recognized for only some of those materials.  EPA made the following statement regarding the new test for lead:

“Based on the results of the Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) study of vendor-submitted lead test kits, EPA recognizes that when used by a certified renovator the D-Lead® Paint Test Kit manufactured by ESCA Tech, Inc., can reliably determine that regulated lead-based paint is not present on wood, ferrous metal (alloys that contain iron), drywall and plaster surfaces.”

This test will not eliminate the cost of dealing with lead if it is present in your drywall or plaster walls or ceilings, however Prior to the EPA’s recognition of the D-Lead® Paint Test Kit, it was necessary for EPA Certified RRP Contractors to either assume that plaster and drywall surfaces in buildings constructed before 1978 contained lead-based paint, or to utilize the services of a certified lead-based paint inspector or certified lead-based paint risk assessor to conduct XRF or paint chip laboratory analysis of these surfaces.  

With the EPA’s recognition of the new test, it is now possible for an EPA Certified RRP Contractor to quickly and economically determine whether regulated lead-based paint is not present on any plaster, drywall, wood, or ferrous metal surface and price the job accordingly.

We are often asked which colors are the most popular so I thought it would be fun to ask my New York City Benjamin Moore dealer if he could tell me.  I wanted to know current trends so we kept it to the last year and I didn't want to know about the pre-mixed whites (the most popular of those has been Linen White for a while) so we kept it to products he tints.  With everything on a computer these days, you can really slice and dice this data so we did, looking specifically at Regal Eggshell which is the most popular product for residential and office walls.  What we found is only a little surprising, the tinted colors most people are choosing for their walls in New York are still mostly whites with only a couple of colors mixed in.    

Here are the top 10:

1. Cloud White OC-130
2. Cameo White 915
3. Chantilly Lace OC-65
4. Swiss Coffee OC-45
5. Maritime White OC-5
6. Yosemite Sand AC-4
7. Timid White 2148-60
8. April Sky (a really old color with no number)
9. Simply White OC-117
10. Southern Vine 2138-10

This list is probably tilted quite a bit towards office buildings because of the sheer volume of walls to be painted in them but here at PNP Craftsmen we do see a lot of the Cloud White, Chantilly Lace and Simply white being used in residences. 

If you want to go with a white, there are so many to choose from...if you look past the pre-mixed varieties.  Using an off white that is not premixed for your walls or ceilings will make your space just slightly different that what is usual and lets you compliment your lighting conditions perfectly. 

To see these and many other colors, check out the Benjamin Moore website and color previewer.

Thanks to Schames Paint a third generation paint supplier recently moved from Essex St. to 90 Delancy St.  If you are in the neighborhood stop in and check out their new store.

Next time we do this we will run the most popular tinted colors in Benjamin Moore's Aura line which gives two coat coverage for even the deepest colors - maybe then we will see some bolder choices.

What is skim coating and why would you do it?  US Gypsum wrote an often specified definition of skim coating called “level 5” finish that basically says that skim coating is a single coat of compound over  newly taped drywall.  The problem is, sometimes its enough, more often it is not and the specification really does not address existing walls.   Like most things in painting what you need as far as skim coating is subjective, based upon what you expect as a finished product and the difference is almost all labor and therefore can greatly impact the cost. (although there are different materials that can be used too which I will not go into in this post)

When you go into a newly constructed building, even the best of them on the upper east side and the upper west side of New York, you will see drywall joints.  If you are faced with this issue and want flat walls because you have are installing special lighting or have natural light that is causing them to be particularly visible, you will need more than one coat of compound to make them disappear.

If you live in a loft or other building with a concrete slab ceiling or your renovation includes making the joints between new drywall walls and old plaster walls appear straight.  Those slabs and exiting walls are unlikely to be flat and require “flanking” or “floating” to straighted out the lines,  again - if that is what is important to you.

Some architects have stopped writing “level 5” finish for just the reasons above, replacing that specification  with 1/8” skim coat or they write that the new and old walls will blend “seamlessly”.  These specifications make more sense if the purpose is more than just to eliminate the texture difference between the paper face on the drywall and the compound tape joints. 

Even with the above specifications, some conditions should be specifically addressed and communicated to the bidders such as:

• If the previously mentioned joints between a concrete slab ceiling and the walls are to be straightened.
• Fiberglass meshing over shattered plaster walls or plaster walls with electrical channeling
• Straightening out corners or wavy soffits in prewar buildings (they can be out of square against new cabinetry)
• Anywhere a high gloss or lacquer type finish is to be used
• Other surfaces that can be skim coated such as moldings or doors that have been rolled out and where a brushed or sprayed finish is desired. 

On the other end of the scale, removing the texture in walls with 50 years of paint or just a bad paint job, sometimes referred to as orange peel, will not require 1/8” of compound so it is important for your architect, designer or contractor to fully understand what you want to achieve.   If removing texture is all that is expected, words such as “skim coating will be done to remove texture only, walls will be smooth but not flat” will work.

For budgetary purposes in New York City, figure on skim coating adding 100% to the cost of a paint job but that is just an average, sometimes its more, sometimes less.  What you get for the money is new or often better than new walls and ceilings.  But, if existing conditions or specifications are not addressed before pricing, you may wind up with a bargain price only to be faced with additional costs or a job you are just not happy with in the end.

Plaster repair and drywall repair in areas such as New York where the housing stock is older have been greatly impacted by the new EPA RRP rules.  RRP means renovation, repair and painting and the rules apply to any trade that disturbs more than six square feet of interior space in a home built before 1978 that has a bedroom (studio apartments currently excluded), schools and daycare facilities.  Simply sanding a surface is disturbing it under these new rules.

The purpose of the rules is to protect current and future owners and occupants of a space from lead dust.  There is a new customer awareness publication that must be provided by the renovator to affected parties.  Some surface preparation methods are no longer allowed and specific protection, signage and cleanup procedures must be followed.  The workers must be trained and the contracting company certified.  

As of this post, there is no approved field method of testing for lead  on drywall or plaster surfaces outside of Massachusetts, therefore renovators and homeowners are faced with the prospect of paying for lab testing or working under the assumption that lead is present when performing plaster repair or drywall repair.  If a test kit does get approved in the future for plaster repair or drywall repair it will likely be posted on their website.

Wood and metal surfaces can be tested inexpensively in the field by trained contractors and an immediate result obtained.

Because of some administrative issues, the required dates that  worker training and company certification must be completed have been delayed, however the work site rules are currently in force and should be followed by all contractors whether or not they have received their paperwork from the EPA.

All of this has added to the cost of affected renovations but they have also added to the safety of them. Click here to download 3 Ways You Can Minimize the Cost Impact of the EPA RRP Rules while maintaining the safety of your home for your family and future occupants.

PNP Craftsmen is an EPA Lead Safe Certified Firm and has multiple trained renovators on staff.

We love to hang all sorts of wallpaper, and it certainly does transform a space!  

A few articles back, I went through what it takes to remove wall paper and it occurred to me that I should mention a place in New York City where you could actually find cool old stuff to put back up. Second Hand Rose is a gem of a place that has recently moved. The wallpaper showroom is now in the Flatiron District at 230 Fifth Avenue (27th Street) 5th Floor, (212) 393-9002  Customers are as likely to be set decorators as interior designers.  If you are restoring a victorian home or a mod '60's space you are likely to find something unique you can use.  So if you live in the area or are just visiting stop by and take a look.  Of course, if you do live in New York or Long Island, we would love to do the installation for you!

For a wall paper installation quote, contact us!  Properly installed wall paper is easier to remove and we do it right!

Liability Insurance

Recently I was estimating a job for a potential client who’s newly renovated home was flooded by a faulty heating system.  It needed plaster repair and painting.  There was no insurance money from the General Contractor who was likely going bankrupt over the issue.  How did this happen?  The homeowner had a copy of the insurance certificate from the contractor in their files.  The certificate had the contractors name on it and was dated a couple of months before the job started and was valid for the year.  That’s good enough, right?

Wrong - the policy had been cancelled by the contractor before the job had even started!

If you live in a well managed condo, you know the insurance “drill”.  You can’t even get your painter or contractor in the door without current insurance certificates naming yourself, the condo association and the management company “additional insured”.  Your management company is protecting you by ensuring that the contractors policy is in force by getting a current certificate.   Getting your name on the certificate increases the probability that you will be notified in the case of cancellation.  Depending on the your exact circumstances naming you as certificate holder or additional insured can have other benefits as well, especially in New York State where liability laws are different than elsewhere.

Worker’s Compensation

I was recently on a website for a contractor that is not a competitor and does not service our area.  On his insurance page it says something like this:

WORKER’S COMPENSATION: In accordance with state law, since our company is owner operated and we technically have no employees we are not required to carry workers compensation insurance. 

Maybe you haven’t seen it in writing before but you may have heard it verbally.  “My company is exempt from worker’s compensation”  Do you believe it?  There are very narrow exemptions for Worker’s Compensation coverage in New York, they are that all the people working on the job are owners (principals) of the company.  Unless there is a single person on your job, how are you going to prove that?  In fact even 1099 employees (subcontractors) hired by your contractor must often be covered. The New York State Workers’ Compensation Website specifically says that tax status does not determine the need for a company to insure their workers.

On another page of the same painter's website are customer letters thanking all four members of the above contractor’s crew for a job well done!

Thank goodness nobody got hurt!

You worked hard for your assets, a little caution goes a long way in protecting them.  If you own your own home, we suggest you ask for both Worker's Compensation and Liability Insurance certificates made out in your name with a current date and the expiration date.  If your contractor is not protecting you and his workers, what else is he skimping on?  

PNP Craftsmen is proud to have supported the design firm foley&cox in their  participation in the 2010 Hampton Designer Showhouse. Foley&cox is a premier interior design firm recognized for its style and versatility.  Its staff of 10 has extensive experience with luxurious residential projects, yachts, and private aircraft interiors.  foley&cox maintains the highest standards of collaboration between client and architect-not just for a particular environment, but for those occupying it as well.  The designers give extensive attention to detail, and incorporate the broadest spectrum of materials.

The Showhouse opened with a gala preview party on Saturday, July 24, and is now open for viewing for six weeks until Sunday, September 5.

The Hampton Designer Showhouse is now in its 10th year.  This year's Showhouse, featuring approximately 25 top designers, is located at 129 Stoney Hill Road in Sag Harbor.  

Showhouse hours will be as follows: Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children under six, infants, strollers and pets are not allowed in the Showhouse. Admission to the showhouse is $30 and includes the Showhouse Journal. 

Traditional Home magazine is the 2010 Presenting Sponsor and proceeds will benefit Southampton Hospital. 

For more information go to Hampton Designer Showhouse, or call 631-377-3500.

Trim is where the quality of your paint job will be most apparent.  It is trim you are most likely to touch and need to clean or will take the most abuse from a vacuum or children’s toys.  In the past trim was almost exclusively painted using oil paint and some might be surprised to know that it still can be.  But, at least here in New York,  you are no longer able to get oil based trim paint  in your big box home improvement store.  You will need to visit a quality paint store or have your paint contractor get it for you.  Oil based paint is still the most durable option and only in oil based paints can you achieve the highest gloss finishes like Fine Paints of Europe Brilliant.  

Water based products have been around for many years.  For a long time they were not considered suitable for high quality work.  Their main advantages were that they dried quickly, did not smell as much and did not yellow.  Unfortunately they did not provide the smooth durable finishes that we came to expect from oil paints.  In the last few years new products have been introduced who’s performance and durability are much improved.  At the same time some buildings in New York City will not allow any oil based products in them.   Whether its you building’s regulations, your tight time requirements or your environmental concerns, rest assured that you no longer need to give up the quality and look you expect.  Our favorite trim paints for water based high end work are Muralo Ultra and Fine Paints of Europe ECO.  We have been able to achieve oil quality smoothness with these products.  

One major manufacturer has announced to the trade a hybrid paint combining the alkyd resins of oil based paint in a waterborne formula.  We are testing this product and will report on it in a future post. 

Here is a picture that shows a couple of trends in paint color choices in one shot. Sage green and similar colors have been in fashion for a few years now.  They are calming colors that remain popular with many people.  More recently here in New York we have noticed a trend toward very white trim.  A few years ago you would almost never see this outside a more modern space, now it has made the leap into more traditional spaces as well.  Benjamin Moore’s Super White and Muralo’s Ultra White are examples.  Designers have picked these trim colors on the last three of our more traditional jobs.  Looks like a trend from our point of view!

Using oil based trim paint certainly gives you great appearance and durability and we still do a lot of oil trim work at PNP, but whites like these will yellow if done in oil based paint. To keep bright whites white while achieving near oil quality smoothness and feel there are a couple of options that stand out.  More on trim paint selection in our next post.