February 1, 2012

Interior painting customer surveys

We received two wonderful post project surveys this week! Thank you Mrs. Piercy and Ms. Truett, we truly appreciate your feedback. “The crew and the job that they did were beyond my expectations. The work was fantastic and we’re very happy – thank you!” said one client. Both clients gave us 7 out of 7 on all aspects of their project: overall project, project cost, our understanding of your individual goals and needs, the thoroughness of your original estimate, our ability to handle problems and unforeseen situations, project duration, on site crew leader, our communication, and professionalism.

Professional painters

We’re so glad to hear it! Our estimators specify several preparatory elements we consider essential and our clients see them pay off long term through longevity. Here are some of the multitude of steps we take to make sure your project looks exactly as you envisioned it and lasts as long as possible.

Thorough preparation

We take the time to repair all nail pops. This is an aesthetic matter as there’s nothing technically “wrong.” The bare minimum for a decent paint job only requires a very general “fix”, but when the new paint goes on the walls nail pops become very visible, and sometime an entire wall has to be repainted if an extra round of spackling, sanding and priming is required to fill in these spots. In an extreme scenario, untreated recessed nail pops can cause paint to peel. We’ve only seen this in a few cases, but why risk it? Feather sanding is another technique that adds extra time but is well worth it. Feather sanding makes the difference between just evening out new spackle or durabond on a wall and making sure the wall is seamlessly smooth so the repair doesn’t stand out. Ann Arbor painters often see this in old houses with many layers of paint that weren’t properly attended to. Feather sanding does take more time than regular sanding because it is done in stages of several types of sandpaper to ensure you get the smoothest appearance possible, which matters when you see the walls every day. We’re a house painting company that cares!

Free painting estimates

Thank you to all of you who have read our blog, posted online reviews, taken an extra few minutes on the phone to share your experience with our company or with others, filled out our post project survey, agreed to speak with future clients as a painting reference, or written us a letter. Our growth and success stem directly from taking your comments to heart and we can’t get enough of them. If you have an experience you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you! New to Elysium Painting Company? Call us for a free painting estimate – we’d love to hear from you!

Examples of great customer service, Interior House Painting, Paint Color & Design Tips, Painting Contractor Wisdom, Professional House Painter Advice | No comment

January 29, 2012

Interior painting for your kitchen

Many home owners know they want a new look in their kitchen, but they’re not sure where to begin. All they know is that they want interior paint that’s beautiful and put together with care and thought.The problem is, they don’t know how to achieve that look. It’s ok – creating a well-designed kitchen doesn’t require installing all the newest bells and whistles, or updating to the trendiest colors of the moment. The most important part of creating a beautiful kitchen is knowing what style you prefer. Understanding your preferred style can go a long way in guiding you in gathering relevant kitchen painting ideas. The following are just a few popular styles that can aid you in deciding what theme you want, along with some kitchen painting ideas to achieve that look.

Modern interior paint for your kitchen

The Modern style is minimalist with sleek lines and neutral colors accented with bursts of bright, bold primary colors: red, blue, and yellow. To achieve this look, be selective about where primary colors will be used; don’t overwhelm your visual senses by overusing the primary colors. Maximize its effect by balancing out the overall design of the kitchen by using black, white, or a neutral color as the dominant color, then giving a punch of color here and there with the primary colors, either as an accent color, or in a vivid decorative piece. Contemporary design is often confused with the modern style, because both utilize clean, linear lines. However, the contemporary style is softened with ornamentation through a variety of materials and details, and the use of unsaturated colors, to give the space a less stark look. Painting your interior in tones that complement each other, and repeat them throughout the color scheme is contemporary style. These are colors that are adjacent to each other on the paint color wheel, like blue, green, and yellow-green; and because analogous color combinations are often found in nature, they are especially attractive to the eye.

Kitchen paint in traditional colors

The Traditional room also carries with it a feeling of reminiscence and comfort. The style oftentimes uses a monochromatic color palette that portrays a sense of calm, especially those of blues and greens. Using the colors that fall in the middle of the spectrum, further adds to the serenity of the space, unlike reds or oranges, that would fall at the ends of the color spectrum. Also common in a Traditional room is symmetry, which continues to add to the feeling of tranquility with its uniform appearance. Create a Traditional-styled kitchen color scheme by using whites, along with the calming color of a range of blues or greens. Keep the room light and airy. You can break up the monotony by painting in stripes of alternating whites and the chosen color, and yet also maintaining symmetry for an overall balanced look.

Free painting estimates and color consultations

If none of the above styles appeal to you, we’re happy to visit you in your home and give you a free painting estimate and color consultations. Give us a call – we’re here to help!

Interior House Painting, Paint Color & Design Tips, Painting Contractor Wisdom, Professional House Painter Advice, Professional House Painters | No comment

January 26, 2012

Painting Your Home The Right Color For You

If you’re thinking of having your interior painted, you may want to learn a little bit about color theory. Isaac Newton invented the first circular diagram of colors in 1666. Since then, artists and scientist have focused on color theory, discovering many rules and formulas. These rules and formulas can be used to create visual illusions; with just a few of the basic principles, you can enlarge your living area.

Residential Paint Color Wheel

Let’s start with the color wheel – it’s constructed of twelve different colors, consisting of primary, secondary and tertiary colors. Primary colors include Red, Blue, and Yellow are referred to as true colors. Primary colors are used to create all other colors. Secondary colors consist of Orange, Green and Violet, and are made from combining two primary colors. Tertiary colors are Yellow-orange, Red-orange, Red-violet, Blue-violet, Blue-green, and Yellow-green. The placement of colors on the color wheel defines which colors complement each other. Complimentary colors are directly across from each other on the color wheel, with split-compliments flanking the complimentary color. Using a color with complimentary and split-complimentary colors will create a color harmony.

Interior Paint Color and Temperature

Colors can also be classified into temperature groups, warm and cool. Warm colors advance while cool colors recede. This is very similar to the effect dark and light colors have, dark recedes while light advances. When applying this theory to furniture, warm colored furniture will decrease the size of a room, where as cool colored furniture will increase the size of a room. Warm colors include Red, Orange and Yellow, where as cool colors include Green, Blue and Purple.

Interior Color Consultations

The tone of the color can also affect the appearance of size. When you place one square that is black next to another square that is identical in size and shape, but is white; the black square will appear to be smaller. If a lighter color makes an object seem bigger than it actually is, a room can be enlarged by painting the walls a light color. A solitary color will create an optical illusion, but the human eye only notices when it can be compared to another. Use two colors in sequence to enhance the illusion. By painting your ceiling a lighter color than your walls you can create the illusion of a higher ceiling. Colors can also give us an emotional reaction. When learning the basics of color design, it is important to know what colors influence specific emotions. You can create a calming environment by using blues and greens. An energetic environment can be created by using yellows and reds. Please note that each individual reacts to colors differently; one color may have a totally different effect on one individual to the next depending on personal preference. Red can influence conversation and heightens the energy in a room. Red can also be overwhelming as the dominant color in a room. I suggest using it only as an accent color. Yellow is an elevating, energizing color and is a great choice for kitchens when used as an accent color. Some people may become angry in a room that is painted dominantly in yellow. Blue is calming and is perfect for bedrooms. Blue also lowers blood pressure and slows down the heart rate. Green is also calming as well as relaxing. It can be used in any room, but is a great choice for bedrooms and common areas. Violet is dramatic and sophisticated, it also generates a calmness to a room and is also a grand choice for bedrooms. Orange generates excitement and energy in a room. It can over-power a room but would be great for a workout room. Still not sure what will work best for your home? That’s ok – we’re always happy to give color advice at our free painting estimates!

Examples of great customer service, Interior House Painting, Paint Color & Design Tips, Painting Contractor Wisdom, Professional House Painter Advice | No comment

January 23, 2012

Exterior Paint Schemes

Many homeowners are under the incorrect assumption that a colorful and imaginative color scheme will cost a great deal more for both materials and labor than a dull one. Unless the scheme is a Victorian manse with dozens of colors this is rarely the case. Exterior paint can subtly downplay less attractive elements such as gutters, downspouts, air conditioning units, unevenly placed windows, etc. and highlight your home’s best features. As a professional painting company, we offer free residential painting color consultations to help you emphasize the positive and minimize the negative.

Residential Painting Color Tips

A mistake I’ve seen often is choosing a color scheme for a home without considering the home’s surroundings. If your home clashes with your neighbors, the effect can be jarring. Most clients are happiest when they choose a scheme that blends with the neighborhood or stands out in a subtle, unobtrusive way. Landscaping also counts! When picking the perfect color, consider tress that change color, flowering shrubs, flower gardens, and other features in the yard – will your paint color be compatible? Heavily wooded lots will make colors look darker due to shade and greens or grays could camouflage your home making it disappear into the surroundings. A large home on a small lot painted white or a light color – for instance, a tinted neutral tone can make the house seem larger and the yard seem smaller. Dark colors can make a home look smaller but also add distinction. Professional painters know a safe and effective approach to color placement is to select two tints or shades from the same color strip a few shades apart. Either the lighter or the darker shade could be used for the body and the opposite for the trim. A contrasting accent color could punctuate the door. Lighter colors on a porch will make a home feel more “approachable” and welcoming. Height can be scaled down by painting the upper portion of a tall house a deeper tone than the bottom portion. This is also effective on a small lot or when landscaping is immature. Light or white shades are a good choice for windowsills for reflection of the sun’s heat and light. If a house is placed far away from the curb, painting it a light color will visually bring it forward and vice versa.

Free Painting Estimates

Your home’s color makes a first impression, an individual statement that can enhance curb appeal and even resale value! Before you get started with exterior painting a little research can go a long way. Don’t overlook interesting architectural detailing – highlight it with color! If you don’t have any idea what you like, driving through various neighborhoods to see color in action can quickly give you a feel for what you do and don’t like.. Make note of appealing color schemes and consider adapting them to your own home. Assuming no structural work is needed, painting is the most cost-effective approach to changing the appearance of a home. Define the entryway by using color as a “Welcome” sign. Windows are an opportunity: they give character to a house -outlining them lends crispness to the whole color scheme. We’re happy to come give you a free painting estimate and go over all of your color options!

Cost of Paint Jobs, Exterior House Painting, Paint Color & Design Tips, Painting Contractor Wisdom, Professional House Painter Advice, Professional House Painters | No comment

January 18, 2012

Interior Paint Gloss Patterns

Gloss patterns – subtle and elegant

My favorite trendy interior painting technique lately has been gloss patterns. It creates the flair and charm of wallpaper but is far less high maintenance. If you like painted patterns on walls, but are looking for something subtle, you may want to consider using the exact same color but contrasting finishes. A semi gloss stripe on a matte wall gives you texture without a jarring color contrast. It’s unique yet understated. This sophisticated look is perfect for rooms where you want a touch drama, – such as dinning rooms or bedrooms. It is also a great look for rooms where you want to personalize the space without being overbearing, such as a study or nursery. Painting has became far more popular than wallpaper because paint is easier to apply, easier to remove, easier to change, and easier to clean. Cleaning wallpaper is almost impossible. But some people (like me!) still like the look of wallpaper, particularly that of a repeated pattern such as stripes. Gloss patterns work perfectly with stripes.

Residential painting effects

Elysium Painting Company specializes in gloss patterns. After the initial coat of matte paint dries over the entire wall a pattern is applied on top of it with high gloss interior paint of the same color. When finished the high gloss will catch the light casting your pattern across the wall. You can glam up your dinning room and give it the edge it needs to stand out from the kitchen with gloss patterns. Not sure what will look best in your home? You can take inspiration from your favorite throws, pillows, or art. Our professional painting company can also show you simulations of how different colors would look in your home using a photos and a laptop! Still not sure? You can always buy some economical temporary vinyl wall clings and live them for a while to see how you feel about patterns on the wall over time.

Free painting estimates

You don’t have to stick with the same colors. If you’re looking for something bold, using a different color high gloss interior paint might work for you. Because the effect is so bold it usually works best in smaller spaces like a bathroom or entry way – a large wall with this effect can seem overwhelming. This creates the texture and elaborate look people love about wallpaper but is longer lasting, far more resistant to moisture, and easier to change up when you’re ready. Still a little unsure of whether you’d prefer wallpaper, a faux finish, accent wall, or gloss pattern? Call one of our project managers out for a free painting estimate – our professionals can show you samples, make suggestions based on your lighting and furniture, and even schedule a free color consultation. We’re here to help!

Interior House Painting, Paint Color & Design Tips, Painting Contractor Wisdom, Professional House Painter Advice, Professional House Painters | No comment

January 15, 2012

Free painting estimates with detail

Today I spoke with a happy client in Canton about an interior painting project we just finished a couple of weeks ago. She pointed out that our free painting estimates are extremely thorough. Our estimators specify several preparatory elements we consider essential and our clients see them pay off long term through longevity. Here are some of the multitude of steps we take to make sure your project looks exactly as you envisioned it and lasts as long as possible.

Thorough preparation

We take the time to repair all nail pops. This is an aesthetic matter as there’s nothing technically “wrong.” The bare minimum for a decent paint job only requires a very general “fix”, but when the new paint goes on the walls nail pops become very visible, and sometime an entire wall has to be repainted if an extra round of spackling, sanding and priming is required to fill in these spots. In an extreme scenario, untreated recessed nail pops can cause paint to peel. We’ve only seen this in a few cases, but why risk it? Feather sanding is another technique that adds extra time but is well worth it. Feather sanding makes the difference between just evening out new spackle on a wall and making sure the wall is seamlessly smooth so the repair doesn’t stand out. Ann Arbor painters often see this in old houses with many layers of paint that weren’t properly attended to. Feather sanding does take more time than regular sanding because it is done in stages of several types of sandpaper to ensure you get the smoothest appearance possible, which matters when you see the walls every day. Without it there will be a lumpy/wavy appearance to the walls. The paint will stick, but you’ll notice it every time you walk by.

Interior painting

With interior house painting especially, crisp cut lines and a uniform finish are of prime importance. We will even take the time to create cut lines in areas where the ceiling-to-wall joint isn’t a perfect 90* angle. Cut lines are items most often criticized aspect of interior painting for professional painters that rush the job and we make sure not to skimp. A guaranteed uniform finish is actually pretty rare in this industry, and it lets you know we will take care of all ‘holidays’ and white spots that often appear on walls which don’t have adequate coverage. Rather than quote just enough time to put paint on the walls – but not enough time to make sure the finish looks even and up to your standards – we make sure the job is done right the first time.The craftsman in our house painting company have 10-20 years of experience, have been through background checks, and are all covered by our insurance, worker’s comp, and bond policy. You are guaranteed to have a skilled and experienced painters that is trustworthy and protected, and in the extremely unlikely scenario something happens to your home [never been reported in over 800 clients], you are protected as well. We try to provide more than enough detail in our quotes so you understand our process when we’re on the job. Comparing our estimate to another house painting contractor’s, you may notice a gap in the level of thoroughness and clear communication. All of this information helps to leave nothing to guesswork – and to leave nothing vague so everyone involved is comfortable every step of the way.

Interior House Painting, Painting Contractor Wisdom, Professional House Painter Advice, Professional House Painters, Reference | No comment

January 12, 2012

Emergency restoration services

Accidents always happen when you least expect it, and most of us are unprepared when we have a fire or flood. The bad news is, damage can become worse if you don’t take care of it immediately. The good news is, we’re here to respond quickly and take care of everything in your time of need. Elysium Painting Company handles all types of fire and flood emergencies. We have years of experience and hundreds of references to set your mind at ease during this stressful time. We can help you get your home back in order after fire damage, leaking pipes, spring flooding, interior painting problems, exterior painting problems, and more!

Fire restoration

We understand that a fire in your home is devastating. Fire and smoke damage is a complex task that should be trusted to a professional restoration company. We can help you repair damage caused by fire and smoke, and help you and your family recover from this distressing event. Professional fire and smoke restoration is a complicated job, in part due to the toxic gases that are released from the burning of man made materials and chemicals. Fire creates different types of smoke damage- soot and invisible odor. Both are destructive in their own ways and much of the restoration process following a house fire is dependent upon the type of damage. Smoke damage repair requires an experienced professional restoration company to effectively repair any smoke related damages. Our trained crews can help remove foul odors from the air and take care of all of your carpentry repair. We know you are dealing with replacing treasured belongings – let our experts restore your walls, ceilings, floors and trim to the best condition possible.

Flood restoration

Elysium Painting Company also specializes in flood damage restoration, from drying and dehumidifying to mold removal, and odor elimination. Our drywall experts know that once the source of the water leak has been repaired, the first step to repair the drywall is to get the drywall completely dried out. The ceiling must have time to completely dry and any saturated areas need to be replaced. When dried out, scrape away any pieces of loose drywall or plaster. We’ll scrape with putty knife until it is nice and flat. If the ceiling is only discolored but is still solid there is no need to scrape. Once all the scraping is done and you are sure everything is solid and dry you can begin to repair any holes or uneven sections with drywall mud. We recommend Sheetrock plus 3. After the drywall mud is dry, our crews will sand until everything is smooth. After sanded and smooth the damaged area will need to be primed with a high quality primer to cover all stains. After the primer is dry, our professionals will continue to repaint the entire ceiling with finish paint. All flooding and water damage will need to be addressed immediately – the sooner we get to work, the less risk of mold and other unhealthy materials invading your home. We will keep you up to date with excellent communication throughout the process. Don’t risk your property and your health. Call today to schedule a free restoration estimate for your fire or water damage repairs.

Examples of great customer service, Exterior House Painting, Interior House Painting, Painting Contractor Wisdom, Professional House Painter Advice, Reference | No comment

January 8, 2012

Siding Replacement For Your Home

Siding is your house’s best defense against damage from the elements. Because Michigan homes are constantly fighting the weather, the time will come when you’ll need to call on a professional you can trust for siding replacement. New siding will:

* enhance the exterior and interior appearance of your house
* protect your house from the elements
* provide impact resistance (wear and tear, denting, and dinging)
* provide temperature insulation, which means energy savings!

Replacing siding

Replacing siding will also increase the value of your biggest investment, your home. This becomes even more pressing if you are considering eventually putting your house on the market or getting a second mortgage. We protect your home, possessions and family from the rain, wind, snow, hail, sun and ice that are part of our beautiful Michigan weather. Our experienced and highly trained installation crews are ready to help you make your home more comfortable, convenient and energy efficient.

Siding experience

Elysium Painting Company is a local company and we know how much your home means to you! We have years of experience in the industry and your Project Manager will be there for you at each step of the decision-making and siding installation process. We can help you find the customized solution for your home in terms of budget, materials selection, and color palette. We offer top of the line siding installation with customer service you can count on. Our crews will show up on time, stay on schedule, and keep a steady flow of communication so you’re comfortable from start to finish. Call today for your free siding estimate Our goal is always a very happy you!

Exterior House Painting, Painting Contractor Wisdom, Professional House Painter Advice, Professional House Painters, Weather | No comment

January 4, 2012

Driveway seal coating and paving

Driveway seal coating restores the original color to asphalt and greatly enhances the overall appearance of the driveway. The smooth even surface of sealed pavement makes sweeping, snow removal, and maintenance quick and easy. Seal coating and paving from Elysium Painting Company also prevents the damaging effects of oxidation and water penetration. Our experts can help protect your driveway from the damaging effects of gas and oil seepage and that Michigan winter road salt. Driveway cracks usually lead to a rapid deterioration of pavement by allowing water to penetrate and compromise the base foundation under the pavement. These cracks are best repaired with a hot crack filling. A solid asphalt material is used, which turns into a liquid when safely heated, to the proper temperature. This temperature, of almost 400º F, is critical for the performance of the filler and bonding of the filler to your existing pavement.

Driveway repair that lasts

High quality seal coating is most effective in protecting your asphalt investment. Our professional driveway sealers resist water penetration and protect against cracking from oxidation and weather extremes. Seal coat applied to asphalt pavement ultimately protects against deterioration, crumbling, and shrinkage – say goodbye to those cracks and bumps in your driveway. Your driveway will be smooth enough for the kids to roller skate on!

Cracks in your driveway

If the cracks in your driveway look like a spider web pattern, the cause may be that the base foundation has been compromised and a repair or replacement is needed. In order to get a significant return on your money, it is very important to have this work done properly. The critical steps in these processes, is addressing any issues with the base, installing the proper materials, at the proper amounts, at the proper temperatures and using the proper equipment. In spite of its excellent adhesive and waterproofing properties, asphalt has some serious drawbacks that relate to its chemical makeup. Asphalt is a very complex mixture of thousands of chemicals with a considerable degree of un-saturation. This provides easy access to weather, salts and chemicals to attack and disintegrate the asphalts molecules. As the asphalts molecules disintegrate, the asphalt in the pavement loses much of its original properties, such as binding and waterproofing. The first visual sign of this is a progressive change in the color of asphalt pavement from rich black to brown to gray.

Free driveway repair estimates

Elysium Painting Company may not be your lowest bidder, but if you’re looking for a high quality, full service restoration company and a long lasting finished product we’re the right company for you. By spending a little extra now, you’ll save in the long run. We hire and train quality workers, adhere meticulously to all safety practices, and use high quality supplies. Not sure what’s right for you? Call us today to schedule a free driveway repair estimate.

Examples of great customer service, Exterior House Painting, Professional House Painter Advice, Professional House Painters, Reference | No comment

January 1, 2012

Interior painting and how to calculate materials

Few things are more annoying than running out of paint in the middle of repainting a wall. Have your home interior painting redone is a great way to spruce up your living space. However, it does require some proper planning if you are going to do the job right. Before beginning any painting project, it is important to figure out how much paint you’ll need, as the only thing more frustrating than running out of paint halfway through is completing your task only to find you have lots of leftover paint and nothing to do with it. It’s important to buy your paint all at once to ensure a uniform color through out the project. Even with the exact same color from the exact same company, tones and pigments vary from batch to batch!

Interior paint guidelines

Calculating how much paint you’ll need is a fairly simple task. First, you have to determine what type of surface you’ll be painting on. A smooth, even surface will require a lot less paint than a rough or very porous surface, which will soak up paint and require extra coats. Most paint contractors provide guidelines regarding how much paint is needed to cover a certain amount of square footage, but for most paints, you can assume that one can of paint will cover at the most about four hundred square feet, assuming you are putting on one coat. For rougher surfaces, you can assume a coverage of about one-hundred fifty to two hundred square feet. That said, two coats is always best to ensure a true color and a beautiful, long lasting finish whether you’re considering interior or exterior painting.

Free painting estimates

Once you have figured out how much a gallon of paint covers you need to calculate how much square footage you are trying to cover. This requires some simple calculations. For blank walls, without windows, measure the width of the wall by the height. Multiply the two numbers – this is your square footage. For example, if a blank, windowless wall is fifteen feet wide by ten feet high, you would multiply fifteen by ten, for a total of one hundred fifty square feet. If the surface is smooth, you should need less than a half gallon of paint for that particular wall; if textured, about a gallon. Of course, you need to do this for all of the walls that you are painting, and then add up the total square footage before deciding how much paint to buy. In addition, you’ll need to allow for painting ceilings, doors, and trim as well if you’re including those. All too much for you? We’re here to help. Give us a call for a free painting estimate and our professional painters will walk you through the whole project from start to finish. All you need to do is pick your paint colors – and we can help with that, too!

Interior House Painting, Paint Color & Design Tips, Painting Contractor Wisdom, Professional House Painter Advice, Professional House Painters, Reference, Uncategorized | No comment

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About Us

Since 2005, the Elysium Painting Company has been proudly serving families across the Metro-Detroit Area. We attribute our growth and success to unwavering commitment to integrity, superior craftsmanship and our client's experience. That means well-mannered and punctual painters, clear & consistent communication, along with fair and transparent pricing.

Our goal is always a very happy you

Recent Articles

• Interior painting customer surveys
• Interior painting for your kitchen
• Painting Your Home The Right Color For You

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