http://www.chismbrothers.com/blog/ en info@chismbrothers.com Copyright 2012 2012-02-02T20:44:38+00:00 http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/la_jolla_elementary_paint_project http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/la_jolla_elementary_paint_project#When:20:44:38Z Chism Brothers Painting recently worked on a project for La Jolla Elementary School. Mike Chism informed all Chism Brothers painters that La Jolla Elementary requested a donation of paintwork. Eight painters volunteered to participate, but only six were needed to perform the work. Troy Payne, Raul Suarez, Paul McGoldrick, Dave Olson, John Gallela and Viernon Johnson ended up working on the project.   We were asked to paint the interior of the auditorium so it would be finished in time for the school's upcoming events. It was a good sized auditorium with three sixteen-foot walls, four metal doors and frames, and a wooden wall under the stage with doors and storage areas, all of which needed to be painted. We used Sea Pearl White for most of the auditorium and and Hamilton Blue as an accent color and for the front of the stage.    Chism Brothers was glad to help out La Jolla Elementary School. Thank you to all of our painters who willingly participated in this donation project! Community, Painting Projects, 2012-02-02T20:44:38+00:00 http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/why_should_i_get_a_second_opinion_on_paint_color http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/why_should_i_get_a_second_opinion_on_paint_color#When:19:38:30Z When my two younger brothers turned 11 and 13, my mom wanted to surprise them by repainting their room with a more mature color scheme since they were out-growing their blue, zoo-themed room. She decided that a tan color would look good in their room with dark brown trim. While this color combination was a great idea, it didn’t look too great when the tan turned out to be more of a salmon pink. Claiming that it looked tan in the store and would probably dry tan, my mom was surprised when it dried looking very feminine. As an artist, my mom has a great eye for color, so from this situation I deduced that anyone could make the same mistake if they were to pick out a color without getting a second opinion. Here are some reasons why getting a second opinion is important: Time and money. Quality paint is expensive so it isn’t worth buying gallons of paint that aren't a satisfactory color. Additionally, it takes time to 1) browse paint colors, 2) buy the paint, and 3) paint a room. If you don’t like wasting time, you don't want to get past step 2 with a color that you won’t be satisfied with. The sooner you can determine which colors you undoubtedly like, the faster the painting project will go. Perception. Each person perceives colors slightly differently. Getting a second or third opinion on a color will ensure that color is a winner. Placement. Make sure that when you get an opinion on color that you tell the person which room the color is for. Preferably ask someone who knows you and your house well enough to know whether or not the color is a good fit for the room. Multiple Options. There are over 2000 options of paint colors, so even though you may have picked one you like, someone else might be able to suggest a color you might like even more.  Painting isn’t something you want to do more than once every few years, so it always pays to get a second opinion. If you would like a professional color consultation, we would be happy to serve you. Our official color consultant at Chism Brothers believes that “colors should provide a soothing, comfortable background but shouldn’t be boring...” Give us a call at 858-454-3850 if you would like us to help you decide which colors will look best in your home. Homeowner Paint Tips, 2012-01-17T19:38:30+00:00 http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/what_paint_should_i_use_for_my_ceilings1 http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/what_paint_should_i_use_for_my_ceilings1#When:21:54:06Z One question commonly asked by homeowners is: “What type of paint should I use for my ceiling?” Ceilings should almost always be painted in a flat, matte acrylic paint. The reason for this is that:  Flat paint will not reflect light or draw attention away from the wall and room furnishings. Ceilings don’t receive much wear and tear, so a glossy, durable paint is not necessary. If you live in an older home, and if there are architectural blemishes in the ceiling, flat paint hides imperfections well. Flat paint also dries more evenly than most other types of paint. Painters once encouraged using semi-gloss paint for a bathroom or kitchen ceiling (or a room with higher humidity) since semi-gloss paint has higher moisture resistance and sometimes holds up better, however, flat paint today works just as well, and tends to look better. As far as ceiling color, it is entirely up to you which color you use for your ceilings. Most homeowners prefer using white or ivory paint for their ceilings, but using a color for the ceiling can make a nice statement if done correctly. Read our blog post about creative ceiling techniques for some color ideas. Chism Brothers has been the leading painting contractor in San Diego for over 30 years, if you’re interested in scheduling a free estimate with us, contact us online. If you have any other questions, call us at 858-454-3850.  Homeowner Paint Tips, Painting Education, 2012-01-13T21:54:06+00:00 http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/tips_for_starting_fresh_in_2012 http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/tips_for_starting_fresh_in_2012#When:00:00:24Z Every New Year reminds us of our fresh start to accomplish the things we’ve been wanting to get done. There is no better way to rejuvenate your mind for a new beginning than to refresh your surroundings. Having a new atmosphere can stimulate productivity and increase your resolve to get things done. Decide which room you work in the most at home. Whether it is your office, your bedroom, the kitchen or your sitting room, it is important that room is aiding to motivate rather than distract you. Color is both inspirational and influential. Stimulating hues can affect us physically and emotionally. Here are some some great colors to rejuvenate and motivate: Green, which symbolizes nature, is the easiest color on the eye and can help to improve vision. It is calming and refreshing, and aids in focus and determination. Yellow (Gold or Sunshine) is an optimistic color and can often enhance concentration. Yellow is also a mood stimulator and can be overpowering if overused, so it works as a great accent color. Blue (aquatic hues) is the most popular color and can increase productivity while providing a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. White or Ivory can help indicate a fresh start promote creativity and enlightenment. However, just white is often too plain unless accented with yellow or blue, etc. Repainting your work room or office is one of the best ways to encourage productivity for the new year. We challenge you to start planning now so that you can finish the project before the end of January. If you don’t think you can manage a remodeling project right now, hand the project over to us. Chism Brothers Painting is the leading painting company in San Diego. We have been providing expert craftsmanship to our customers for 30 years. Give us a call for a free estimate at 858-454-3850. Homeowner Paint Tips, 2012-01-02T00:00:24+00:00 http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/is_it_safe_to_sleep_in_a_room_thats_just_been_painted http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/is_it_safe_to_sleep_in_a_room_thats_just_been_painted#When:22:11:52Z This question is commonly asked by homeowners, especially when children or elderly family members are involved. The answer depends entirely on what type of paint you use in the bedroom. It is completely safe to sleep in a room the same day it is painted if you use Zero-VOC paint. Zero-VOC paint is virtually odorless and does not emit toxic chemicals that can produce long-term adverse health effects when inhaled. Two great VOC-free paints are Benjamin Moore’s Natura® and Sherwin Williams Harmony®. If you are using a low-VOC, water-based paint with a “Green Seal” logo of any kind, it is also okay to sleep in the room the same day paint is applied. However, the paint will still smell for 24 hours or more. Typically the smell will lessen in 2-3 days if you keep a window open and/or a fan blowing. If it is a child’s room, you may want to wait 16 -24 hours after painting to let your child sleep in the room. Paint that is not eco-friendly or is oil-based may take quite a bit of curing time. Although the paint may dry within 2-8 hours after painting, it could take over 2 weeks for the released toxins to abate. With this type of paint, no one should sleep in a freshly painted room for at least 2 weeks, especially not small children or elderly persons. In order to play it safe, we recommend using only Zero or Low-VOC paints for all home interiors. However, almost all paints on the market today are safe for the home because of the strict EPA regulations (especially in California), so you don’t have to be overly concerned. If you have any further questions, contact Chism Brothers at 858-454-3850. Painting Education, 2011-12-29T22:11:52+00:00 http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/how_to_touch_up_a_wall http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/how_to_touch_up_a_wall#When:21:26:29Z How many times have you endeavoured to “touch up” a chipped or dirty part of a wall with fresh paint, but ended up making an even more noticeable blotch on the wall? In all honesty, touching-up a wall rarely turns out as you would imagine it to with unnoticeable edges that blend right into the original wall paint. On rare occasion, if you have the same can of paint you originally painted the wall with, you can touch-up a spot so that it’s fairly indistinct. However, often no matter how hard you try, you can’t entirely disguise a “touched-up” spot. There are various reasons why simple "touch-ups" rarely work: The new paint is cleaner than the old paint. The old paint may be faded. There may be a sheen difference due to wear and tear on the original wall. The paint from the can may have aged, and/or may not match the wall texture when dry. In order to successfully touch up a wall, paint the whole wall from corner to corner with the closest match you can find to the original room color. Also, if your project includes repairing damaged drywall, be sure to watch our simple how-to video. If you have any questions, or if you would like a free estimate for your repainting project, give Chism Brothers a call at 858-454-3850.      Homeowner Paint Tips, 2011-12-16T21:26:29+00:00 http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/use_the_computer_to_paint_your_home http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/use_the_computer_to_paint_your_home#When:15:21:04Z The best way to check whether or not you will like a color for your house is, of course, by seeing it on the walls. However, we can’t always test colors by painting a room over and over again until we find that perfect color. We want you to be happy with each color you choose for your house, which is why we have Color it Chism™, a nifty program where you can preview what colors will look like in a home. This makes it easy to decide which colors you do and don't like for a room. If you would like a personal color consulation, we will come to look at your home and help you select just the right paint colors for both the interior and exterior; give us a call at 858-454-3850. We look forward to serving you.  Design & Color, 2011-12-09T15:21:04+00:00 http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/fresh_and_tasteful_ways_to_decorate http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/fresh_and_tasteful_ways_to_decorate#When:20:35:46Z As we officially begin the Winter Holidays, it’s time to decorate our houses according to the season. For those who want to try a different style of decorating, here is an idea that cuts back on the clutter of Christmas decorations and instead presents a classy and unique holiday atmosphere: Pick a few items around your house to paint bright seasonal colors (such a kitchen stool, an end table, or a bookshelf).  Paint is the cheapest decorating tool and it’s always a plus to cut down on unnecessary costs during the Holidays.  By creating colorful accents throughout your house, you can set a beautiful stage for fewer decorations, still maintaining a holiday appearance. If you don’t want to paint your own furniture, you can always go to a local goodwill or flea market to purchase a cheap vintage home accessory to paint. Call Chism Brothers at 858-454-3850 if you have any questions regarding your Holiday painting projects. We hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!  Homeowner Paint Tips, Design & Color, 2011-11-23T20:35:46+00:00 http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/which_paint_brand_is_best http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/which_paint_brand_is_best#When:21:19:24Z The difference in paint brands goes beyond more than just their brand names. Different brands use different chemical compositions and varying quality products to make their paint. Whether you’re considering a more expensive purchase, such as Benjamin Moore, Dunn-Edwards, Sherwin Williams, or a more economical option, such as Behr, Glidden or Vista, you should take into account more than just the price. Since price varies directly with quality when it comes to paint, remember that you get what you pay for.  According to Consumer Reports and user reviews here are the top 5 paint brands and each one’s strength: Benjamin Moore is the best overall paint brand, offering a wide variety of quality interior and exterior colors, and different chemical compositions from eco-friendly to zero-VOC paint. Additionally, Benjamin Moore is customer oriented and serves each user well. Sherwin Williams is the best quality paint brand, using the best resins and additives for optimum quality. Although Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore appear to be equal in terms of products, Sherwin Williams seems to have the best products for interior painting and design. Behr is the best paint brand for efficient painting since most of it's products combine primer and enamel. Glidden is the best economy paint brand since it is easy to buy and meets almost all basic user requirements for paint. Glidden works best for small home projects that don’t require high-quality paint. Dunn-Edwards Paint is very familiar to San Diego homeowners. It has a very good reputation for quality and durability. They do not have the deep pockets like Ben Moore and Sherwin Williams, so sometimes the big paint stores have more expensive and well known paint.   For people who prefer not to spend top-dollar for paint, Behr, Glidden and Valspar are relatively equal in price and quality. Vista Paint, local to Southern California is also reasonablly priced.  Taking all of this into account, choose one of these brands according to your needs. Just keep in mind that you will have to repaint sooner if you don’t stick with premium brands. If you ask any good painting contractor, he will tell you that in the end it saves time and money to use better quality paint. Homeowner Paint Tips, Painting Education, 2011-11-15T21:19:24+00:00 http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/goings_on_at_chism_brothers_painting http://www.chismbrothers.com/site/goings_on_at_chism_brothers_painting#When:19:54:29Z All of us at Chism Brothers Painting are keeping busy this month with a variety of different projects. Here are short summaries of our primary projects: Marty is currently working on a large home interior project in Mission Hills. This lead came from one of our previous customers. We have enjoyed working with this tenant in Mission Hills who initially loved our work enough to not call another painter. Raul is just finishing up a cabinet job for a former customer. Troy is about to start on an exterior lead job also in Mission Hills. We will be using safe lead practice, which is a very important factor of any work with lead. Victor is starting on an interior job in Mission Hills. The homeowner works late into the night and requested Victor since he is comfortable with Victor in his home as he sleeps. The gentleman has been very impressed with how this request has been handled. He likes the “Chism” way of creating a respectful environment, which is: minimal noise, consistent clean-up around the home throughout the day, and daily communication with the homeowner about the status of the project. The daily grind is always exciting at Chism Brothers Painting. Whether you are interested in our services, or know of someone who is in need of a good painting contractor, call us at 858-454-3580. We appreciate our faithful customers and each of our new clients.   Community, Painting Projects, 2011-11-07T19:54:29+00:00