Transformations

Name: Jennifer Davis Painting
Address: 19551 Almaden Rd, San Jose, CA, 95120, USA
Telephone: +14087262725

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3 Things to Consider Before Painting

August 16, 2017

Have you been following the latest painting trends and want to give your home a fresh and trendy new look? The process can be overwhelming. Going to the paint counter, picking colors, and then actually painting it can make your head spin. Choosing the right color, while it might seem simple, is a science that color consultants have mastered. What you see in a magazine or online cannot be matched by going to your local paint store, as there are many factors that need to be taken into account. First – Consider Light Your house is unique. You might have afternoon sun, or you might have shadowing from a tree, and so forth. Don't trust color swatches at the paint store. Bring them home and look at them at all times of the day, even at night with your lights on. When you've narrowed it down to 2 colors, I think it's always smart to purchase small sample cans and paint a bit on each wall. Better safe than sorry. You don't want to paint a whole room, only to have to paint it all over again because it looks horrible. Second – Start with the big items You want to start with the most expensive item like your floors or countertops. Make decisions on those first. Then work your way to paint and accessories. Third – Pick your paint, then your color Are you concerned with fumes? Then you'll want to pick a low VOC product. But it's always a good idea to maintain good ventilation while painting even if you choose a zero- or low-VOC paint or not. Flat, eggshell or satin, and semi-gloss are other options. Choose flat especially if there are imperfections you're painting over. Since flat paint doesn't reflect light, those imperfections will be less noticeable. Eggshell or satin paints give a slight sheen and resist dirt and grime better than flat paints. They are often used in bathrooms and kitchens. Semi-gloss paint because it holds up to washing better is great for kids' rooms. Save the glossy paint for window sills and other places that will be getting a lot more washing. Once you've chosen the type of paint you want, then move on to color. I have a house under construction can you help me pick out my paint? Of course. It is important to have a professional like myself bring a color deck into your home and take into account the above factors to save you time and money. But I recommend that you have your floors, and countertops picked prior to having me come and pick colors. Before you have a color consultant come in have these two things ready: Samples of countertops, flooring, or whatever else is relevant to that room such as bedding. Your inspiration for the project: a magazine, Pinterest , etc. Color consulting is my specialty in addition to the application of the paint. If you're in the San Jose area, I can help you choose the right colors for your environment and taste. Check out my color consultation service!
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3 Paints That Make A Difference

October 21, 2017

If you want the job done right Just as finding the right color using the right paint is just as important if not more so. Shopping at just one paint store leaves you with a limited selection and possibly the wrong product for your project. To ensure you have the correct product for your project I visit multiple different paint stores a day. Most painters only go to one store just as Kelly More, but I am familiar with and use all brands of paint. Some jobs such as molding require Benjamin Moore products due to the sheen, ability to reduce brush lines, easy touch up, and outstanding adhesion. Most painters will recommend Kelly More’s 1685 Dura Poxy, but I find that it comes off as plastically and is not as durable. When working on interior walls I refer to three different products depending on the clients needs: Kelly Moore Dura Poxy Matte- great option due to low sheen, washable, rich look, and easier to touch up than most mattes Kelly Moore- an option that is higher shine, but low sheen and can be touched up (would not recommended going shinier than this product) Sherwin Williams Flat Enamel- less shine that Kelly Moore Matte but is washable Painting is an investment and I great way to update your home, if you use the correct product your investment will last significantly longer.
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Silver Creek Kitchen Painting and Remodel

November 25, 2017

When the homeowners contacted me about this project, they were thinking that they wanted to update the look of the kitchen. They were hesitant about investing too much time and money, but wanted it to be more elegant and current. When I looked at the kitchen, I immediately knew that they could revamp the entire kitchen much less expensively than installing new cabinets, giving them the look and feel of a completely remodeled kitchen at a fraction of the price. Their kitchen island was wrapped in sheetrock which was common for this neighborhood. By removing the sheetrock, replacing it with high quality plywood and adding molding before painting, I was able to update the look of the island. This created a significantly more upscale presentation of the entire kitchen. I used a faux finish to add texture and dimension, finishing with several clear coats to protect the surface in this high-traffic area of the house. The cabinets were next. Any good painter will tell you that the key to a well-executed painting job is the prep-work. While other painters may cut corners here to save time and money, I take extra effort on this behind-the-scenes step. Skimping on prep will leave you with noticeable brush strokes, uneven surfaces, and unsightly bumps and lumps. My meticulous attention to perfect prep means the cabinets look perfect at the end, which I pride myself on. "They revamped the entire kitchen much less expensively than installing new cabinets, giving them the look and feel of a completely remodeled kitchen at a fraction of the price." I took the doors to my shop to allow me to spread out. Here I sanded off the clear coat, sprayed primer on the doors, sanded again, primed a second time, and sanded yet again before painting in the final color. I sprayed two to three coats of paint specific for cabinets, then do the faux finish on each surface by hand for depth and dimension, finally I sprayed several coats of clear coat so the finish would resist wear. This proprietary process ensured that the paint would stick, that the grain in such low-grain woods as oak would not dominate, and the cabinets would retain their beauty for years to come. While the cabinet doors were done off site, the cabinet boxes were sanded and painted while still mounted in the kitchen. There was no need for the homeowner to take the contents out of the cabinets, since the sander was equipped with a powerful vacuum. The dust was filtered, leaving the cabinets clean and ready to be reassembled when the paint dried. Some homeowners opt to replace some solid cabinet doors with glass-fronted ones, but in this home, they decided to stick with the solid look for all the doors. For the drawers, we replaced glides and slides so that the drawers would open and close seamlessly, then painted with the same process and attention to detail as the cabinet doors. I also changed out cabinet hardware where needed. The final touch to finish the updated look of the kitchen was to add double crown molding at the ceiling. To do this, I used baseboards turned upside down, then installed crown molding onto that for a rich and elegant finish. Faux finish glaze paint added dimension to the wood, and in combination with the newly painted cabinets, brought the entire kitchen together with a warm, rich, vibrant look that updated and transformed the room. Behold the Transformation! BEFORE: AFTER: Now it's your turn. If your kitchen is showing the signs of wear, or you are looking for a beautiful new look without the pricetag of replacing cabinets, contact Jennifer Davis Painting for a free estimate. Read more about our kitchen cabinet painting services.