ProTect Painters Partners with Leading Paint Companies
Annual Convention Boasts Laudable Sponsors
ProTect Painters, a national franchise specializing in exterior and interior residential and commercial painting projects, has vetted the best paint companies in the industry. For years, ProTect Painters has chosen Behr, Glidden, Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams as preferred vendors. In return, these companies have chosen to back ProTect Painters because they trust ProTect Painters’ use of their products. As a show of that support, they sponsored the recent annual ProTect Painters national convention held January 17-20 in Orlando.
“Benjamin Moore was delighted to meet the Protect Painters franchise owners. It was nice to see a group like Protect Painters working together to grow not only each individual’s business but each others. We look forward to helping when and where we can, moving forward,” said Dean Pectal, Senior Manager of Residential Contractor Business at Benjamin Moore Paints.
Specializing in residential and commercial painting projects, ProTect Painters provides local homeowners and businesses across the country with highly-skilled, trustworthy, and fully insured and licensed painting professionals who provide superior craftsmanship. Utilizing a myriad of paint options and finishes, combined with flawless customer service, ProTect Painters guarantees a stress-free home improvement experience for its customers.
About ProTect Painters
ProTect Painters is a professional painting contractor franchise specializing primarily in exterior, residential painting projects. The brand’s strong foundation is built on franchisee training and support created by founder Wayne Scherger, who started the company in 1994. In 2009, ProTect Painters was acquired by Service Brands International to join its forces with Molly Maid, Mr. Handyman, and 1-800-DryClean brands. Under the SBI umbrella, ProTect Painters is expected to grow to 200 units during the next five years. For more information about ProTect Painters services, please visit www.protectpainters.com. For more information about the ProTect Painters franchise opportunity, please visit www.protectpaintersfranchise.com.
Paint Color Combinations
Who says you have to pick one color for a room? Certainly not home décor specialists or professional painters. If you’re in the mood to change up a room, or several, consider choosing multiple colors for walls and accent features, plus another for the ceiling. Several paint manufacturers are showing this continuing trend with new options in 2012.
Accent Vertical Stripe
When showing off its Eclectic Chic palette, Benjamin Moore uses a total of four colors in one bedroom, with a wavy, multicolored vertical stripe serving as a decorative effect on the accent wall. The purple Bonne Nuit covers the majority of the accent wall, with the gray-purple Sanctuary going on in a 1-inch wavy line from ceiling to floor, excluding trim. On the other side of the Sanctuary line, the green Elemental covers the remaining wall space, blending into the adjacent wall and beyond. On the trim and ceiling, the white-gray of Angelic lightens things up. The color combination and application set a refined yet relaxed mood in the room.
Color Blocks
Ralph Lauren extends the color-block clothing trend to home design when presenting the Urban Loft palette. This application involves dividing a wall in half horizontally, then painting the top one color and the bottom another. Ralph Lauren uses the dark khaki of Urban Living on top, with the lighter Hazel Wood on the bottom and ceiling. The result: muted yet distinctive walls that complement modern furnishings and décor. This same concept also works well as a wide horizontal stripe along the middle of the wall, with the remaining space covered by another darker or lighter color.
Multicolored Accent Features
Using multiple colors to cover accent features in a room creates a welcoming, somewhat whimsical, setting. In the Spicy Sweet Kitchen palette by Behr, Roasted Pepper serves as the backdrop for the room, covering each of the walls. Lighter Sahara Sun coats accent features such as shelves and selective cabinet fronts. The crisp Popped Corn trims windows, while creamy Honey Bear covers the ceiling. This trend works best with stainless steel appliances, so that a fifth color doesn’t push the room into overwhelming territory.
When opting for multiple colors within a room and within a home, keep a few things to keep in mind. Before starting the painting process, put all of the paint palettes together to ensure they work well together. Consider sight lines within your home as well. For example, if you can stand in your kitchen and look into both your dining room and living room, the color of the kitchen wall you see should blend harmoniously with any wall and ceiling colors in sight. Also, always keep furniture and fixture colors and finishes in mind.
If you feel overwhelmed by choosing multiple, complementary paint colors and also their application, contact the professionals at ProTect Painters at the beginning of the project. Not only will they help you make final selections, they will prep, paint and leave you with expertly painted walls and zero cleanup.
Related Posts:
Paint Colors for Bedrooms 2012
2012 Interior Paint Colors and Trends
This post is a part of our 2012 Paint Colors and Trends Series.
Specializing in exterior and interior painting, on residential and commercial projects, ProTect Painters provides local businesses and homeowners across the country with highly-skilled, trustworthy, and fully insured and licensed painting professionals who provide superior craftsmanship. Utilizing a myriad of paint options and finishes, combined with flawless customer service, ProTect Painters guarantees a stress-free home improvement experience for its customers.
When you’re ready to paint your home—interior painting and/or exterior painting—be sure to contact your local ProTect Painters and click here for a free estimate.
Paint Colors for Bedrooms 2012
Your bedroom serves as a retreat, a calming place to unwind in after a long, busy day. Bedding should be soft and inviting, and only have a TV in this room if you can hide it behind cabinet doors at night. If you plan on repainting your bedroom this year, look for paint colors that create a relaxing atmosphere. The 2012 palettes feature plenty of hues that do just that.
Neutral Aura by Behr
If you prefer your bedroom to be a warm collection of neutral shades, this palette soothes while being just that. Paint walls with the sandy Haze and the ceiling with Popped Corn. Stick with bright whites for bedding.
Blues by Sherwin Williams
The blues and grays of rivers and lakes influence this soothing palette. For a bedroom with the calming feel of a waterside retreat, opt for the blue of Lobelia for walls and gray Upward for the ceiling. Dynamic Blue on walls and Undercool on the ceiling is another option, one that offers a bit more pop. Keep bedding in the same color family or opt for soft whites.
Earthen Hues by Benjamin Moore
Not everyone has a significant other with whom they share their sleeping space. For women, this allows for more of a feminine touch in bedroom décor. In this palette, Kept Love Letters stands out. Use its blushy pink hue on the walls and pair with the glossy Crisp Linen or the heavenly French Macaroon above. Again, choose bedding that complements the wall color, taking the samples with you to the linen store.
Calm by Glidden
Lavender has long been used to calm, and this palette from Glidden embraces the herb. Palest Lavender on the walls and Dove White on the ceiling make for an airy, relaxing atmosphere. For a more unisex feel, opt for Grey Heather and Silver Birch. Textural bedding in shades just a bit darker would continue the calming theme.
Vintage Masters by Ralph Lauren
This luxurious palette includes a wide range of colors, all inspired by hues used by the world’s master painters. Standouts include the blue-green of Renoir, which pairs nicely with lighter Celery. Once again, choose bedding that complements wall color.
When choosing paint colors for your bedroom, hit the closest home improvement store for samples first, then consult a professional painter regarding not only application but selection. The professionals at ProTect painters will help you narrow your options, steering you away from colors too vibrant or overwhelming for a bedroom. Your painter will even apply samples to the walls so you can see how the colors change with the light throughout the day.
When it comes time to paint, your ProTect painter will prep to ensure a smooth application, then apply the appropriate number of coats. Hiring a professional painter allows for the job to be done in the least amount of time and with minimal hassle. This proves especially important when painting your bedroom, as you don’t want to be without your nightly retreat.
Related Posts:
Strip Away Winter Blues with a New Coat of Paint
Painting Ideas for Kids’ Bedrooms – Great Choices for Girls and Boys
This post is a part of our 2012 Paint Colors and Trends Series.
Specializing in exterior and interior painting, on residential and commercial projects, ProTect Painters provides local businesses and homeowners across the country with highly-skilled, trustworthy, and fully insured and licensed painting professionals who provide superior craftsmanship. Utilizing a myriad of paint options and finishes, combined with flawless customer service, ProTect Painters guarantees a stress-free home improvement experience for its customers.
When you’re ready to paint your home—interior painting and/or exterior painting—be sure to contact your local ProTect Painters and click here for a free estimate.
ProTect Painters In the News – January and February 2012
David McKinnon on answering when opportunity knocks
David McKinnon, co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Service Brands International was recently featured in the January 2012 edition of Smart Business Detroit magazine. McKinnon share advice about always answering the opportunity for change and potential success when it comes knocking.
“With decades of experience regarding new opportunities, I look back at lessons learned and know that with any risk there’s always a price to pay. In my case, it has meant following my gut instinct and leaving something secure and predictable for something I knew had potential to be even better.”
David explains how in 1984, he took the risk of relocating his family from Toronto to Ann Arbor, MI to bring Molly Maid to the U.S. “The choice to stay in Canada and continue to grow my former company would have been easy. That choice, however, would have left me wondering what could have been, and having regrets was not the way I wanted to live. From the time he moved until the present, McKinnon has been presented with opportunity after opportunity, but not always at ideal times. He made the choices to add 1-800-DryClean, Mr. Handyman, and ProTect Painters to the Service Brands International team, and is extremely thankful that he did.
McKinnon said, “As I reflect on more than 30 years as an entrepreneur, I believe the secret is that good opportunities find you, not the other way around. You can’t wake up one morning and say you’re going to go out and find an opportunity — it just doesn’t happen that way. That’s because good opportunities never come at what you think is the right time.”
Local Painting Company Snags National Award
Chris Erichsen, owner of ProTect Painters of Clermont-Winter Garden in Florida, was recently recognized with the Accelerated Growth Award at the 2011 ProTect Painters Franchise Convention in Orlando, FL. The franchise convention took place on January 17 through 20, and brought ProTect Painters owners from all over the U.S. to learn and share ideas for the upcoming year. The West Orlando News featured Erichsen in an article on February 1, to highlight the accomplishment.
Erichsen received the Accelerated Growth Award, which recognizes continual improvement in average monthly numbers year after year. He and his business have worked toward a 67 percent increase in average job size and helped increase their monthly average revenue.
“Receiving the Accelerated Growth Award is a great honor,” said Erichsen. “All throughout the year, our staff works tirelessly to establish ourselves as the Winter Garden’s most reliable and professional painting experts. It’s gratifying to be recognized for all of that hard work.”
If you live in the Clermont-Winter Garden area and are interested in scheduling a free estimate with Chris, he can be contacted by phone at 407-362-6535. Or click here for a free estimate from your local ProTect Painters professional.
2012 Interior Paint Colors and Trends
Paint can transform a room from drab to dramatic. Or it can serve as a neutral backdrop for statement wall pieces and smaller décor accessories. Whatever its purpose, 2012 brings a variety of options in interior paint, including these color trends from leading paint companies:
Warm & Earthy
Colors taken from nature remain popular in 2012, with both Behr and Sherwin-Williams introducing color palettes taken from Mother Earth. In Santa Fe Today from Behr, warm natural hues include the inviting soft red of Prairie Poppy, the warm glow of Darlin Clementine and the calm dusty lavender of Canyon Sunset. Sherwin-Williams’ Neutrals collection also follows this trend. The color palette brings to mind fields of grain, weathered wood, and earthen clay.
These colors work well with organic furnishings and accents, such as a leather sofa, aged ironwork, and handmade pottery pieces. And don’t forget the textured materials for both floor coverings and storage.
Bright & Urban
Bold statement colors bring even more excitement to a city dwelling. Behr introduced its Retro Recall palette this year, and geeks who grew up in the ‘80s can’t help but love it. The digitally inspired colors feature fun names, as well, including Game Over Gray for a deep hue reminiscent of a video game background. And LOL Yellow, Red Wire, Level Up Green, and Reboot Blue all look like more sophisticated versions of the colors found on a Rubik’s Cube.
Hues such as these serve as the perfect surroundings for modern furnishings mixed with nostalgic accents, such as movie posters and collections of everything from action figures to comic books.
Rich & Tasty
Colors found in foods also appear as a color trend in 2012. In Benjamin Moore’s Spiced Life, well-seasoned hues include the deep brown of French Press, grey undertones of Revere Pewter and orangey red of Persimmon. Foods also influenced Sherwin-Williams’ Reds collection, with Burgundy, Fabulous Grape, Gingery, and Smoky Salmon among the offerings. And Behr also looked to the kitchen for inspiration. Its Tea Party palette features sweet colors straight from a confectionary, including the glossy aqua of Sugar Pool, the fresh airy green of Minty Frosting and the coolness of Violet Water.
While perfect for the kitchen and dining room, these colors also add richness to other rooms in the home. Fabulous Grape, in particular, makes an excellent accent-wall color choice, and any of the Tea Party hues create a whimsical atmosphere in a child’s bedroom or playroom.
When deciding to paint interior walls and ceilings, homeowners should involve professional painters as soon as possible. Not only do the experts at ProTect Painters prep and apply paint, they can also help narrow down the many color options available in 2012. The painters apply paint in sample sizes, allowing homeowners to see how the colors look in the different lights of day and night to help make final choices. Paint color sets the tone for an entire home’s décor, and using professional painters ensures that the job gets done correctly and with minimal hassle to the homeowner.
Related Posts:
Choosing the Right Paint Color to Fit Your Mood
Choose Paint Colors That Lift Your Spirits
This post is a part of our 2012 Paint Colors and trends series.
Specializing in exterior and interior painting, on residential and commercial projects, ProTect Painters provides local businesses and homeowners across the country with highly-skilled, trustworthy, and fully insured and licensed painting professionals who provide superior craftsmanship. Utilizing a myriad of paint options and finishes, combined with flawless customer service, ProTect Painters guarantees a stress-free home improvement experience for its customers.
When you’re ready to paint your home—interior painting and/or exterior painting—be sure to contact your local ProTect Painters and click here for a free estimate.
The Daily Herald recently featured an article with tips for storing and using leftover paint from an interior or exterior paint job. ProTect Painters VP of Operations and Training, Chris Ring, provided the Daily Herald with his expertise on the topic.
When it comes to storage, “leftover paint stores better and is easier to identify in a clear plastic peanut butter or mayonnaise jar,” recommended Ring. But if you would rather try and use the leftover paint instead of storing it, there are many functional options.
“Paint dresser drawer fronts or hardware for an entirely new look. If your dresser already is painted or stained, you can paint over the finish, but any surface you plan to paint must be clean, dull and dry,” Ring says. To get your surface to this state, you should “remove the knobs or handles and sand the drawer fronts using a fine grade of sandpaper.” After sanding is complete, “Wipe the sanded surfaces with a damp cloth and allow them to dry completely before applying a coat of primer…” Finish by applying one or two coats of paint to the primed surfaces, and reattaching all removed hardware.
The article also offers creative ideas such as painting the walls of a child’s dollhouse, or revamping ornate vintage picture frames for a unique home decoration.
When you have exhausted all options, it is OK to dispose of dried or solidified paint in the garbage. If it is not quite dry, cat litter can be added to absorb any excess moisture before disposal. If you have leftover paint that you don’t want to store or reuse yourself, consider donating your paint to Habitat for Humanity.
Don’t Forget To Include Painting in your 2012 Budget
Mark Williams, Owner of ProTect Painters of Forsyth County:
“This time of year, managers who are working on their 2012 budget, are asked to include possible capital expenditures for upcoming year. This “Wish List” may include buying new equipment, buying new office furniture or even expanding existing office space but it rarely includes one of the most economical upgrades—NEW PAINT. Fresh paint gives the working environment a new updated look, a more pleasing atmosphere for your customers as well as shows your employees that the company is willing to reinvest in their work space.
Walls with holes, baseboards that are scratched, wall corners that are chipped, doors that are dull or have a worn look may give your customers the impression (even if it is not true) that the company is struggling financially. A new coat of paint or a color change gives your office space a fresh new look that customers will recognize. A recent client of mine who is the office manager at a medical imaging facility said, “In a recent customer survey that the company conducted patients commented that the waiting room was outdated and needed new paint.” New paint is the most economical way to make your office space look new.
Painting contractors are flexible. Contractors will work around your office hours coming in at night or on the weekends to paint. Also, contractors will work within your budget even if it means doing some of the painting this year and some of the painting next year. Be sure to ask each contractor if they can paint after hours, what kind of paint they use, how long they have been in business, if their crews do minor repairs and if they offer a warranty? Make sure the proposal spells out exactly what the contractor is going to do. It should be professionally put together—computer generated. Also, make sure the contractor signs the proposal!
So, when doing your capital expenditure planning, don’t forget to include painting in your 2012 budget. It is the cheapest way to make your office shine in the New Year!”
Mark Williams is the owner of ProTect Painters of Forsyth County providing Professional Painting Services to Alpharetta, Ball Ground, Cumming, Dawsonville, Gainesville and Roswell, GA, as well as surrounding areas in Metro Atlanta. 1400 Market Place Blvd., Suite 135, Cumming, GA 30041. Phone: 678-208-3171. Click here to request a Free Estimate from your local ProTect Painters professional, or call 877-881-8971.
Minneapolis Painter donates to Habitat for Humanity Project
In early October, ProTect Painters volunteered to paint the exterior of a new Habitat for Humanity home. The home was constructed at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota then trucked to Princeton Minnesota where it was finished out. The new home owner is a single Mom with two early teen daughters. Prior to moving into her new home she had been living in a condemned sub-standard trailer home.
She and her daughters put in over 300 hours of work in the completion of the home. Many goods and services were donated by local vendors, churches and community volunteers. Ed Crandall who owns one of the Minneapolis 
franchises of Protect Painters, knew the director of the project and volunteered to paint the home as a donation to Habitat. Jason and Ed spent one entire day prepping and painting the home. With new pre-primed siding the job went smooth from start to finish. ProTect Painters is proud to work with Habitat on future projects and looks forward to painting another home next summer.
Ed Crandall is the owner of ProTect Painters of Minneapolis SW Metro providing Professional Painting Services to SW Minneapolis, Edina, St. Louis Park and Bloomington, MN. 4237 Linden Hills Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55410. Phone: 612-607-0057. Click here to request a Free Estimate from your local ProTect Painters professional, or call 877-881-8971.
Strip Away Winter Blues with a New Coat of Paint
At least 20 percent of the U.S. population is estimated to suffer from the “winter blues.” Symptoms include fatigue and a decreased interest in hobbies and activities. Colder temperatures and shorter hours of daylight can contribute to a seasonal feeling of the doldrums. However, ProTect Painters wants to remind homeowners that, compared to the other seasons, they will most likely be spending more of the winter season indoors. Additionally, one of the most powerful and inexpensive ways to change the mood of a space, and that of its residents, is with a change in its color scheme.
Any savvy room-decorator must consider the characteristics of various colors before buying paint. ProTect Painters offers the following expertise with insight from various sources, including Freshome, Bloomsburg University, and others. This simple information should be kept in mind when you determining what colors are most appropriate for your house. They include:
- Blue: Elicits feelings of tranquility and confidence. Is the least appetizing color, so should not be the main color in kitchens. People are more productive in blue rooms and it is common in bedrooms because it produces calming chemicals in the body.
- Green: Representative of nature, health, and relaxation. Currently the most popular color for decorating because it is easiest on the eyes. It is suited for almost any room in the house because it can promote comfort in the living room and also fertility in the bedroom.
- Purple: Connected with spirituality, nobility, and wisdom. It is most successful when used sparingly.
- Red: Brings people together and stimulates conversation in the living room and stimulates appetite in the kitchen. Strong and can increase heart rate, so neutral accents should be utilized.
- Yellow: Inspiring and hopeful. People tend to lose their tempers most often in yellow rooms. It is the hardest color for the eye to take in. Yellow enhances concentration, speeds metabolism, and is perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.
- Orange: Denotes balance, excitement, has luminous qualities. While it is not a good idea in the living room or bedroom, it is great for an exercise room.
- Black: Effective in small doses as an accent color. Symbolizes power, formality, and elegance.
- White: Simple, pure, clean, and brings a summery lightness to any room. To make white work, an accented wall, colorful furnishings, or artwork should be used.
Specializing in exterior and interior painting, on residential and commercial projects, ProTect Painters provides local businesses and homeowners across the country with highly-skilled, trustworthy, and fully insured and licensed painting professionals who provide superior craftsmanship. Utilizing a myriad of paint options and finishes, combined with flawless customer service, ProTect Painters guarantees a stress-free home improvement experience for its customers.
To lift your mood this winter by changing the paint of your home or business, find a professional ProTect Painter in your area. Or, click here for a free estimate.
Related Posts:
Choosing the Right Paint Color to Fit your Mood
Beatifying your Home for the Holidays
Helpful Tips from ProTect Painters for Interior Painting Jobs
With winter rapidly closing in, people are going to be preparing to put their best foot forward as they entertain friends and family during holiday parties. One way to significantly brighten up any room is applying a new coat of paint. ProTect Painters, a national painting contractor franchise encourages homeowners to brush up on painting fundamentals before taking on any interior painting jobs this winter.
“Even before picking up a brush, homeowners need to really consider the type of paint and finish they are looking for in a room,” said Chris Ring, Vice President of Operations and Training for ProTect Painters. “This first step is critical in creating a lasting paint job that will ‘wow’ guests not only during the holiday season, but year-round.”
ProTect Painters and Sherwin-Williams have created a number of useful tips to help in selecting the right paint for the right job. Additionally they have put together advice on paint finishes that homeowners should keep in mind.
In today’s homes, acrylic latex (water based) products are used almost exclusively. Gone are the days of relying on paint thinner or having the stench of turpentine lingering throughout the house for weeks. The low odor and low volatile organic compound (VOC) characteristics of water-based products make it much easier for someone to paint their own home nowadays. But selecting the right finish on walls will make all the difference in the world on the finished product. These finishing options include:
- Flat finishes are best for large areas like ceilings and for concealing surface irregularities. If your walls have quite a few bumps, cracks, or other imperfections, they’re best hidden with flat, as this finish does not reflect any light. Flat is also the easiest to touch up – critical when trying to spruce up those rooms for future holidays quickly. Nowadays “washable flats” are available that still give that flat look, and yet will resist staining and actually stand up to washing off scuff marks and other blemishes.
Satin finishes, with a low luster or eggshell finish, combine the best features of flat and gloss paints; such as hiding some surface imperfections and resisting dirt collection. This is by far the most popular finish for walls, especially high traffic areas like foyers, hallways, living rooms, and bedrooms. You will have mixed results touching up these types of finishes, darker colors usually require the entire wall or area to be painted. - Semi-gloss and high-gloss enamel finishes are best for highlighting details, such as window frames, doors, and trim. These finishes resist dirt collection and are easier to clean. They also reflect back the most light – so older homes with more drywall imperfections should avoid shinier finishes. Kitchens and bathrooms are good candidates for semi-gloss or gloss paint.
For additional interior as well as exterior painting tips, visit the ProTect Painters website.
