2012 Luxury Bathroom Trends

Posted on January 13, 2012 by masterworkspainters

Home bathrooms are beginning to rival those that were once found only in luxury hotels. More and more people are viewing the bathroom as a haven in their home and have started 2012 out with bathroom remodeling in order to add the amenities to soothe and pamper themselves after a hard day at work. Let’s look at a few of the luxury items—some commonly found in other rooms of the home—that are making their way into bathrooms. Here are the trends that we saw in 2011 that are carrying over to 2012. Continue reading →

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Use Warm Colors to Create Positive Energy

Posted on December 23, 2011 by masterworkspainters

Artists and interior designers have long used colors to manipulate the mood of their viewers. Understanding basic principles of color psychology can help to create interior rooms to suit the mood you want in your home. On the color wheel, warm colors range from fuchsia to bright yellows and include everything in between. These colors stimulate energy, joy, happiness, and enthusiasm. Read on for possible color schemes to consider for your next home improvement project. Continue reading →

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Which Is The Right Interior Paint Finish For You?

Posted on November 30, 2011 by masterworkspainters

Even after a homeowner has chosen the perfect color for a room, there’s another very important decision to make. With several paint finishes to choose from, you should learn the benefits of each and determine the right one for your job. Should you use high gloss or satin finish interior paint and why?

Each paint manufacturer has its own guidelines for how much sheen goes into each paint finish. If you buy a satin finish from one manufacturer, it will look different than the satin finish of a competitor’s line of paints. Stick to the same brand to avoid subtle differences. Consult with a local painting contractor for help in picking out and applying the best paint choice for your interior painting project. Continue reading →

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How To Select the Right Paint and Color For Your Home

Posted on October 27, 2011 by masterworkspainters

You know your room needs a fresh coat of paint, but you keep putting it off, because, frankly, you’re just not sure what color to choose. It’s not unusual to agonize over a color scheme for a room. By default, many of us choose white, ivory, or a neutral beige. It’s hard to go wrong with one of the old standbys; they just go with everything. But they can also be a little boring. Don’t let fear of color turn your room white. Colors can add depth and texture to your room. Using the right colors can turn an otherwise dull room into a beautiful, warm space. If you get a color you don’t like, just paint over it! If you’re nervous about choosing the color scheme, ask your painting contractor about your home’s paint colors. Your Oakton painting contractor can easily create any mood for your home’s rooms.

Reston house painters and designers often take their color cues from Continue reading →

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Choosing The Best Colors For Interior Painting.

Posted on January 23, 2011 by masterworkspainters

I have had allot of experience helping my customers choose the colors for they’re homes. I am constantly surprised by the confidence my customers have with my advise in colors.  If you take a Benjamin Moore color wheel and look in the back of the wheel you will find “historical colors” these colors have been tried and tested and I have personally seen most of them on the wall. They are great colors to work with. Hold them up to your paintings and next to your carpets and other items in your room. You will see the right color pop out to you. If you need help, call me I will help you as part of my complete painting service.

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How much does it cost to finish a basment?

Posted on December 30, 2009 by masterworkspainters

Let’s assume you have two level SFH with 3000 Square feet on the top two levels. Your basement is probably around 1500 square feet. If you were to finish this basement the way a builder would without upgrades this would cost about 25k to 28k. Price will very significantly when upgrading materials and adding features. Such as lighting, carpet, bathroom upgrades, a bar or a media room. You must have permits and the inspector will require licensed electricians and plumbers, also be mindful of fire block requirements before you begin. Hiring the right contractor can save you allot of headaches and time, check references and have a detailed contract. Also do not give to much of deposit, 20% to begin work is reasonable, progress payments are ok as long as they are talked about in advance and it’s a %based on how far the job has progressed. For example if the job is 75% done it would be ok to pay up to 50% of the contract amount.

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Interior Painting Discounts

Posted on December 30, 2009 by masterworkspainters

The best time to get a discount on interior painting is January and February. The reason is obvious to most. In the painting industry most painting companies are Interior and Exterior painters. Most of the business for painters is in the Spring and Fall. Obviously less a factor in warmer climates. We offer in the Northern Virginia AKA NOVA. A 10% sometimes a 15% discount on labor. That can add up pretty quick when doing an entire floor.
I think you’ll find most painting companies offer a discount at this time of year. We also like to offer discounts to our existing clients and to people living in the core areas where we work. For example we work mostly in the following areas, Oakton, Reston, GreatFalls, Mclean, Vianna. We also do allot of work throughout Fairfax like Fairfax Station, Clifton and Centerville. We also serve Loudoun County in places like Ashburn, Brambelton, South Riding, Stone Ridge and we even serve, River Creek and Leesburg.

Here is a link to the center of our serving area: www.restontowncenter.com

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Choosing Interior Paint Colors

Posted on December 2, 2009 by masterworkspainters

First get a color wheel from Benjamin Moore, BM seems to have a good selection of the earth tones which are so popular today. You will see in the back of the color wheel the historical colors, these have stood the test time and look good up on the wall. Now you have your color wheel out in the room you want to paint, look around the room and take note of pictures or rug colors that you can draw from. Hold the color wheel next to these items and see what colors your drawn to. Helps to have a second opinion. Now that you have a couple of colors, go to your local Sherwin Williams store and have them match the BM color you choose. The samples are $5 instead of $14 at BM. pick-up a brush while your at it and some poster board. Now paint the poster board with your selection before hand. You can move the poster board around the room to see it different lighting. Call me and I can help you decide and paint too.

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How long should a paint job last?

Posted on October 2, 2009 by masterworkspainters

For Exteriors homes this is a very relative question. The largest variables are sun and rain. Other big factors are prep work from the initial job, and was the proper amount of paint applied? Most of the time painters skimp on the application not getting enough product on the surface. I see allot of “painters” stretching and pulling the paint across the surface instead of applying it to the surface and leaving it to dry, instead they over work the paint and thin it out resulting in a thin coat with brush strokes or orange peel depending on what they used to apply brush or roller. You may even see through the paint when it’s really thin, typical for builders grade paints or one coat rush jobs. So all things being equal you should expect 4-6 years on an exterior in the Northern Virginia, NOVA, Washington DC, and similar climates.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmeajRG9rfs]

Paint peeling off brick foundationRear view of homeKitchen windowSiding fading from pool reflecting sunlight.Front view of houseRailing rebuild

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Why does wood rot?

Posted on October 2, 2009 by masterworkspainters

I seem to get this question more and more. Wood rot begins with air pockets in wood that get moisture in them. Air pockets in wood very in size and abundance from various wood types. For example Pine is some of the softest wood available. Also “New Growth” or “Rapid Growth” wood can be very porous. As opposed to hardwoods, synthetic or treated lumber. So whenever the moisture gets in wood from hydrostatic pressure or simply is exposed to weather. The wood expands and then begins to rot from the inside out. This is basically what happens.

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