Fall Home Improvement Projects

curb appeal, Decorating, Design

Now that the weather is finally getting a bit cooler, many homeowners find that this is an ideal time to do some much needed outdoor home improvement projects. We suggest looking around the exterior of your property and see what needs some TLC before the winter sets in. Here are just a few of the ideas for improving your home this fall.

  • Exterior Painting – Fall is a fantastic time to take care of the exterior paint projects, whether it is the trim, deck, garage, or a full house job. Washing, scraping, priming, and painting the exterior of your home can prolong the life of your siding, trim, and window surrounds. Not only will the fresh coat seal the wood, but it will also make your home look new again!
  • Power Washing – Decks, walkways, driveways, and other surfaces can get grimy and dirty over the course of a busy summer season. Jerry Enos Painting offers power washing that can remove the grime and restore the surface to its original appearance.
  • Seal Windows – With winter coming all-to-soon, take care of cracks and gaps in your windows. This can save you money on your utility bills and help make your home look refreshed.
  • Roof Repair – Fall is a great time to fix roof issues as it is not as blistering hot up there as it is during the summer months. In addition, winter is not a good time to find out that you have a roof leak or need to recap your chimney. No one wants to be up on a slippery, snow-covered roof at that time of year.
  • Gutter Clean Out – Avoid costly blockages in your gutters by cleaning them out every fall. Get all those leaves, pine needles, and other debris that has accumulated over the year.

Do you have painting or power washing you want completed this fall? Call Jerry Enos Painting  at 978-546-6843 soon.

Painting and Decorating a Nursery

Decorating, decorative paint techniques, Design

The years from cradle to crayons happens so fast. Our little bundles of joy seem to grow right before our eyes. The moments that you will remember the most may be the late night crying jags in the rocking chair, or, alternatively, watching your little one sleep peacefully in his/her crib. No matter what, your infant’s room will be an integral part of the first few years. Therefore, decorating it should use imagination, creativity, and a dash of fun. Here are a few things to consider when deciding on paint color and décor for your precious little one’s room:

 

Color Palette – Whether you go old school blue or pink, or decide on a non-traditional color palette, we suggest choosing three colors to work with. One color should be the main color, then a coordinating color, and finally an accent color that will pop. Choose a color that you can live with for a couple of years before you will change it out when your infant becomes a toddler with differing opinions.

  • Green is a neutral color and has the ability to bring the outside in with its nature-like feel.
  • Blue tends to evoke feelings of calmness, tranquility, and spirituality. Blue shades are good choices for a restful bedroom.
  • Red is a primary the color that is a great accent color that can add some pop and brightness to any room.
  • Yellow tends to be a cheerful and dynamic color that can warm any room.
  • White reflects light, so it can make a room appear bright, cool, and spacious. But it’s also the hardest room color to keep clean with little ones around.
  • Purple can add energy to a room in various shades and is a favorite as children grow.

Sheen – While adults tend to like the look of flat and eggshell sheen, we suggest that you choose a satin or semi-gloss paint sheen in your child’s room, as these are the easiest to clean.

Themes – Choosing a theme based on a favorite character, book, quote, or even a word can be a fun way to tie all the components of a room together. For example, a young boy who loves Winnie the Pooh may mean that you choose a soft color palette for the walls and then accent the room with Winnie the Pooh pillows, books, stuffed animals, and a comforter with the main characters on it.

Wall Decor – Choose artwork that is simple and easy to catch your little one’s attention, such as letters, easy-to-identify items, or items that are a part of the theme that you have chosen.

If you need help painting or choosing a decorating theme for your nursery, call Jerry Enos Painting at 978-546-6843 for a consultation.

Biggest Painting Blunders

decorative paint techniques, Jerry Enos, Painting Challenges

Painting is one of the fastest ways to transform a room and the process looks pretty straightforward. But you know what they say, “To err is human” right? Well put a paint brush and a roller in the hands of someone who is not experienced and you will definitely have some hilarious and sometimes costly blunders. Many a “Weekend Warrior” has spent precious hours redoing or fixing painting mistakes that can be costly and time consuming. Here are some of the most common painting blunders.

 

  • Unprotected Surroundings – Painting a room means that it should be pretty much empty and coverings should be laid down to protect the floors. Many a paint can has been tipped or paint trays have been stepped in by painters who forgot where it was or just got sloppy. Always protect the surroundings with tarps and tape when necessary.

 

  • Skipping a Step – One of the biggest blunders novices make is dashing headlong into a painting project without preparing the area. Wash the walls, dust the ceiling and get rid of all dirt and grime. Fill all nail holes and cracks carefully using spackle and putty. You really don’t want to redo a section because you painted over a nail hole or found a spider web in a corner.

 

  • Forgoing Primer – Primer sets the stage for a smooth final coat. The paint sticks better and allows the true final color to show. Professionals never skip this important step.

 

  • Rushing – While it may seem simple to roll on some paint and cut in around corners – do not rush. Cutting in is an art form that can be tricky and can become messy if you try to move too fast. Painting too fast also means you are not taking care of the details that make the difference between a professional job and a DIY mess.

 

If you are looking for a professional paint job call Jerry Enos Painting 978-546-6843 for a job done right the first time.

Creating the Ultimate Man Cave

decorative paint techniques, Design, Jerry Enos

Do you have this dream of transforming a basement room or garage area into the ultimate “Man Cave?” It could be a place you could entertain, relax or just get away from it all. Picture the comfortable seating, state-of-the-art technology and the decor that creates a wonderful space for you and your buddies. Here are a few ideas for design, paint and decoration for your special space.

 

  • Focal Point – What is the main purpose of your Man Cave? Do you enjoy watching movies, playing pool, thrive off of video games or something else? Decide on your focal point and that will determine furnishings, paint, and decorations. For example, if you love watching sports you may want a room where there are multiple televisions and the widows can be darkened to keep the light out. Comfortable seating is a must for your friends on games days and a place to put your snacks and beverages should be thought out too!
  • Paint – The color of paint you choose will determine the mood of your room. If you are looking for a cozy, darkened, masculine look you may want to go with a darker neutral like brown or green. These colors can keep rooms dark for movie and television watching and can set the stage for a cool hang out.
  • Decor – Once you have chosen the color and purpose of the room you can start choosing furnishings that will provide seating and entertaining areas. You may also want to choose accents such as a dart board, bar area or game table in case poker is your thing.
  • Technology – Most Man Caves have some sort of advanced technology that will need to be designed and installed by a professional from televisions, to surround sound to video gaming consoles. Once you put it all together you will have an ultimate Man Cave to impress you friends and family.

Five House Painting Rules Not to Break

Exterior painting, Jerry Enos, Painting Challenges

Jerry Enos Painting has been around for decades and we have seen it all. Sometimes we are called in to a home or business to fix what a well-meaning “Do-It-Yourselfer” has messed up. Painting may look easy but to have it look crisp, clean and professional, sometimes it is best left to the pros! Here are just a sampling of rules that should not be broken when painting your home.

  1. Don’t Skimp on Materials – From brushes to paint, choose high quality. There is nothing worse that having bristles of brushes come off on the wall, paint clumps muck up the smooth walls or waste time doing several coats because a paint has low coverage.
  2. Don’t Skip the Prep Work – Cleaning the walls, dusting the heat registers, covering the floors and moving the furniture should not be optional. If you rush through the prep work you may find that you have spider webs in a corner where you are painting, a paint splatter on your hard wood floors or furniture that is in the way of the work.
  3. Wait for the Right Temperature – Painting when it is too hot, humid or even too cold can be disastrous. Be sure you are painting in the right climate and when your hard work will not be ruined by Mother Nature.
  4. Use the Right Techniques and Tools – Be sure you have done your homework about how to paint certain areas of your home using specialized tools. It would be a shame to work so hard only to have to redo an area or find that it doesn’t look quite right.
  5. Clean Up – Many a DIY job has been ruined when paint and brushes were not stored and cleaned properly. Be sure you wash and clean brushes and rollers as well as tidy the painting area each night.

Top Ten Reasons Your Business Should Consider a Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy floors, Jerry Enos

Does your home or business have a utility or work room that sees high foot traffic and is exposed to various abuses such as chemical spills, oil drips, high temperatures or changing humidity? The room may be a garage or laundry room in your home or a workshop or factory floor in your commercial or industrial business. What they all have in common – the need for an epoxy flooring. Here are the top ten reasons why choosing epoxy flooring from Jerry Enos Painting will benefit your home or business.

  1. Epoxy floorings offer a hard wearing durable surface able to withstand heavy and continuous traffic. Even concrete floors crack and wear after years of use.
  2. Epoxy floors are really fast and easy to install.
  3. Epoxy Floors are simple to clean and maintain which is ideal for garages, laundry rooms and factory floors. Epoxy resists oil stains, beads water, and wipes clean.
  4. Epoxy floors can last years and years.
  5. Epoxy is versatile and can be combined with paints and colors to create patterns or logos for your store or workshop.
  6. Epoxy provides a chemically resistant surface ideal for manufacturing plants or workshop floors.
  7. Epoxy floors offer enhanced safety by creating an anti-slip surface, heat and fire resistant solution to concrete floors.
  8. Epoxy flooring increases the brightness of an area due to the high gloss finish. Brightness can increase by 200%!
  9. Epoxy prevents wear and tear to the existing concrete floor.
  10. Epoxy floors are considered environmental friendly solutions.

If you are considering flooring alternatives for your home or business talk to the professionals at Jerry Enos Painting 978-546-6843. Our experts can evaluate your room and explain the process of this durable and easy to maintain epoxy flooring.

Three Top Reasons Why Realtors Advise Painting

curb appeal, Exterior painting, Jerry Enos

Thinking about selling your home? Hoping to fetch top dollar and get an excellent return on your precious investment? If so, you may be considering ways to improve your home before you place it on the market. One of the steps that realtors advise sellers who are both cost-conscious and time-conscious is painting. Let’s look at the tops reasons why painting the interior, exterior or both is a great idea before you place it on the market!

 

  • First Impressions – When a buyer pulls up in front of your home, they immediately look at the exterior and gain a critical first impression. Making that first impression a positive one  is so important. If your home has chipping, weathered or peeling paint, gutters that need cleaning and a lawn that could use some work, then a potential buyer may not even enter your home. However, if your home is freshly painted, lawn is well-manicured and overall looks cared for, you will get that buyer looking closer and considering making an offer.

 

  • Foot in the Door – New exterior paint may get your potential buyers through the front door but what about when they get inside? Are the color choices for the rooms too bold or light for the new buyers? Can they “see” themselves living in the home? New paint indoors can freshen up a room dramatically and give the house a new look. A newly painted room can clean up years of smudges on walls, knicks on the baseboards and stains on the ceilings.

 

  • Less on the “To-Do” List – Every home buyer makes a mental list of the things that they want to change, fix or redo  once they get into a home. Sometimes the list is so long that it puts a house out of the running. If your home is freshly painted inside and out, you may have given the buyer one less thing to worry about. In addition, a home that looks cared for means that other things such as electrical, heat and other utilities are equally maintained. Painting can put home buyers at ease that they are buying a well-maintained home that is practically turnkey.

The Heart of your Home – The Kitchen

Color Trends, Interior painting, Jerry Enos

 

The kitchen is the number one gathering place for family. In fact, most homeowners maintain that even during the holidays, birthday parties and other gatherings that everyone ends up in the kitchen at some time or other. If your kitchen is often the hub of activity for friends and relatives, then you will want the color choice to inspire and “wow” everyone who enters it.

The good news is that there are are certain colors that work best in specific rooms. When it comes to kitchens, white, gray, blue, red, yellow, and green really shine. Each of these shades can do something different for the room, but they all help create a warm and welcoming space. The choice is ultimately yours, but keep in mind these questions as you choose from the wide assortment on the color wheel.

  • What message do you want to send to your family, friends and guests? Do you hope to stimulate appetite? Red may be a good choice then. If you want to convey the look of a crisp and clean area, you may want to choose hues of white or gray with a pop of color on the backsplash.
  • What rooms are adjacent or feed into the kitchen? If your home is like many newer homes, a Great Room feeds into or opens into the kitchen. If this is the case, you will want to consider coordinating colors with this room as you will want to both have flow but also differentiate each area.
  • What is your personality? Are you more of a traditionalists or are you willing to try something new? Colors in the kitchen can showcase your personality. Choose a color palette that will make you happy. Keep in mind that painting the kitchen doesn’t just mean painting the walls, the cabinetry can be painted to change the entire look of your kitchen.

 

Call Jerry Enos Painting to set up a free estimate and get going on giving the heart of your home a new look.

 

Mood and Color

Color Trends, Jerry Enos

 

The hue of the walls in your home or business are a direct reflection of your personality and can influence the mood of the people who are in the room. Think about it. Many times our mood matches the environmental surroundings without even realizing it. For example, the weather influences our moods greatly. Think about how many times your have been in a gloomy mood because the weather was gray and cloudy, been happy and positive because the sun was shining and the sky was blue? Wall color can influence our moods and thoughts in much the same way.

 

Certain colors (or groups of colors) tend to get a similar reaction from most people; the variations come from the shades or tones used. This is why it’s so important to choose colors wisely when it comes to decorating. Color trends will come and go, but the general mood elicited from certain colors will most likely remain the same.

 

Before you begin painting any room consider the mood that you hope to create. Here are just a few example of color psychology to consider when painting your home.

 

  • Red – Red raises a room’s energy level so be sure you use it in a room that you are hoping to stimulate conversation or action. An entryway, living room or main living area are good places for red since you probably are not searching for a tranquil color in those areas.
  • Blue – Blue is considered a calming color that can bring blood pressure down and create a soothing atmosphere. Bathrooms and bedrooms are good locations for this hue if you are going for a “serene” mood.
  • Green – Green is considered restful and cool and may be a good choice for rooms you wish to unwind in. Living rooms, family rooms and bedrooms make for excellent places for this hue.
  • Yellow – Yellow sets the mood for positivity and joy. Choose this color or tones of this color in kitchens, computer rooms and entryways. While yellow is a cheery color, too much can bring out anger so choose wisely and maybe opt for accent walls or trims in yellow.

 

Call Jerry Enos Painting if you need help from our professional color consultant to choose the color for the mood you want to reflect.

Summer is Here, Time to Paint!

Exterior painting, Jerry Enos

 

Now that the weather has warmed up and summer is in full swing, it is time to consider sprucing up your home. What better way than to paint your exterior that is looking a little faded or, worse yet, is peeling. While painting the general exterior is a good place to start, there are several detail features that you should not forget. Here are a few ideas to take your exterior painting from tiresome to sensational!

  • The Front Door – While you are painting the exterior of your home or business, be sure to include the front door as a part of that job. A new color that pops on the front door, can give your home or office an altogether new appearance. Pick a color that is new and exciting or classic and traditional. Either way, Jerry Enos Painters will be sure it looks amazing.
  • The Shutters – For homes that have wooden shutters, you will want to repaint periodically as they can fade and peel. Shutters can nicely add finishing touches to a home. Choose a color that coordinates with your main painting color or one that pops to create visual interest.
  • Window Surrounds – Does your home have architectural details such as window surrounds?  Then play up that detail in a contrasting or complementing hue. It will give your home depth and dimension. If you do not have surrounds, consider painting the window boxes or trim a complementary color that will draw the eye to each window.
  • Mailbox, Lamppost or Swing – The devil is in the details they say. These little details can make your home painting project stand out above the rest. The mailbox, lamppost and front porch swing may get forgotten in a large job, but Jerry Enos Painting knows how to bring out these small details to make your home look exceptional.

 

Now that summer has arrived, it is time to call Jerry Enos Painting to set up your home painting project that will make your house look fresh and new.