Foyer in the 2010 Symphony Showhouse

Here is the last of our entries about the 2010 Symphony Showhouse. In the intimate foyer, which was designed by Christy Dillard and Dillard Design Group, LLC, a combination of antiques and contemporary pieces gave a nod to the past while creating an “of the moment” vibe. Powerful architectural features included black-and-white marble floors as well as an iron-and-brass staircase railing. The Paint Doctor handled some tricky transition points where the ceiling — which The Paint Doctor crew was painting — seemed to curve into the walls, which were being prepped for wallpaper. Over all, Christy chose a palette of pale, earthy oatmeal and taupe because she felt it had a calming effect among the strong architectural elements. The cozy seating area offered guests a spot to relax upon arrival. An accent color of slate blue was added to the palette to bring subdued sophistication. The varied textures — from fabrics, the wall covering, tapestry and carpet on the staircase — was a great example of how strong architectural features can be softened.

This Wonderland Kids Craft Suite, designed by Margaret L. Norcott, Allied ASID Milieu Design Group, Inc, is a dream come true for children, especially those who love to create and have fun. Margaret created zones within the space for almost everything imaginable: a kid sized puppet show nook; open spaces for interactive play; mirrors for pretend play and dress up games; wall mounted drawing and chalk boards; a puzzle table area; comfy seating to read and listen to music with extra seating for friends; and desks for computers and scrap-booking. Margaret hired The Paint Doctor to paint the room white with a few pops of cheery yellow and green so that the children’s games and toys would remain the focus of the room. However, before we even picked up a paint brush, we spent more than 10 hours and a case of caulking and wood filler to make the old, cracked tongue-and-groove ceiling seamless and fresh looking. We were quite pleased with our efforts, as was Margaret.

Here are some photographs of a Young Lady’s Room that was designed by Maria McLaurin Nutt of McLaurin Interiors. Before picking up any paint brushes, The Paint Doctor crew spent hours repairing a wall severely damaged by the removal of a canvas mural that had been in the room.  Maria then asked the crew to paint the walls, trim, ceiling, and built-in cabinets Benjamin Moore’s White Dove so the crisp clean palette would showcase the White Dogwoods and Viburnum blooming outside the bedroom windows. Maria chose fabric colors of soft aquas and creams that she thought were soothing as well as sophisticated. Maria was inspired by a young lady’s dreams of glamorous events and interest in fashion and Hollywood and borrowed her daughter’s book collection for the shelves, as well as the channel back chair, which was recovered in velvet. All the other furniture was selected for its clean lines and beauty, mixing antiques and contemporary items so that the room is stylish and graceful, but full of life.

As the go-to resource for Atlanta’s top interior designers, The Paint Doctor is regularly asked to help with the Big Peach’s vaunted Show Houses. In Spring 2010, The Paint Doctor worked on four rooms at the Atlanta Symphony Associates 40th Annual Decorator’s Show House & Gardens.

Enjoy these pictures of the sitting room on upper landing designed by Corey McIntosh of McIntosh Interiors, who hired The Paint Doctor to paint the ceiling a mixture of White Dove and Manchester Tan, the trim White Dove, the windows Silver Streak and prepare the walls for the damask patterned wallpaper. Since this room was so large, Corey decided to create two sitting areas so that no matter where you sat in the room, you could have a cozy environment while enjoying the view outside the picturesque windows. In addition, one side of the room offers high-end furnishings and artwork, while the other features slightly less expensive pieces, and yet they all work together beautifully.

We spent nearly three weeks working on these now breathtaking front doors on a home in Buckhead. Rumored to be from one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s homes in southern France, the doors, sadly, had never been preserved properly. Other contractors had taken shortcuts that didn’t protect the wood and left it exposed to the elements in many places.

The picture of the grayish looking doors was taken after we had stripped the doors. It took nine layers of stripper, varying grits of sandpaper starting at 50 grit, a dremel tool, fine wire brushes (similar to a toothbrush) and steel wool to get the doors to this point. After we sanded and stripped the doors, we washed them down with a biodegradable cleaner and water.

Then, we lightly sanded the doors again; wiped them down with a tack cloth; applied premium wood coatings: one layer of Sikkens Cetol 1 Butternut Stain; then two coats of Sikkens Cetol 23 Butternut (stain polyurethane blend); and ended with a coat of Sikkens Cetol Door & Window Satin Finish. A final clear coat was applied for additional protection. The process we used will give these unique antique doors comprehensive protection from the elements and the sun.

We are very proud of our work here and are not abashed to say that no one else could have done this nearly as well.

We were hired to repaint this beautiful kitchen where one of Atlanta’s Thrashers entertains guests when he’s not on the ice. With our craftsmanship and attention to detail, we surpassed the client’s expectations.  Can’t wait to see a Stanley Cup on the kitchen counter.

Heavy Fines Loom with New Lead Regs

Less than a month remains for contractors to comply with sweeping new lead-safe rules or face fines of up to $37,500.

Like many state and federal authorities and associations, the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is reminding licensees about the rules that roll out April 22.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) requirements apply to those working on remodeling projects in homes, childcare facilities, and schools built before 1978, all of which are presumed to have lead-based paint. Although the lead-based paint may have been covered by non-toxic paints in subsequent years, remodeling or demolition will disturb the lead paint underneath, potentially harming workers and consumers.

For example, the amount of lead dust that can cover a three-by-five-inch card can poison a 1,500-square-foot house or apartment, and cause it to fail a lead safety inspection, the CSLB said.

Contractors conducting renovation activities in pre-1978 buildings must receive training from a U.S. EPA-accredited training provider. Contractors or their employees with lead safety certification from the California Department of Public Health (DPH) may take a four-hour U.S. EPA-accredited course to achieve federal compliance. At least one person in a firm must be trained and certified in renovation. That firm must then apply to U.S. EPA for firm certification.

The requirements apply to all contractors—not just painters–who disturb lead-based paint in a six-square-foot area or greater indoors, and a 20-square-foot area outdoors.

In California, if a state-certified inspector or risk assessor determines that a home constructed before 1978 is lead-free, federal certification is not required for anyone working on that particular building.

Exterior Waterborne Stains

Benjamin Moore & Co. (Montvale, NJ) introduced ARBORCOAT stains described as super-premium waterborne products that incorporate the company’s Gennex waterborne colorant technology.

The colorant system, developed over the past 10 years, is a key component in the company’s low- and zero-VOC Aura and Natura interior coatings. The system helps deliver low odor/low-VOC stain products that are within the limits of VOC regulations while providing superior performance in conventional stains, the company says.

Five products comprise the new waterborne exterior stain line. The Transparent, Semi Transparent, and Protective Clear Coat products are reported to offer a high degree of protection while allowing the natural color and texture of the wood to show. The transparent and semi-transparent products are composed of water-dispersible alkyds and acrylic resins. The alkyd content facilitates penetration of wood, while the acrylic-resin content contributes to long-term durability, the company says.

The acrylic Protective Clear Coat is recommended as a final deck finish over the transparent and semitransparent stains, offering protection against foot traffic and the effects of weathering. Annual application of the clear coat is suggested.

The product line’s Semi Solid or Solid finishes completely mask the wood grain but retain textural qualities, the company says. The acrylic formulations are reported to provide superior protection and are available in 75 colors.

All the products provide resistance to UV radiation, water, mildew, and abrasion caused by foot traffic, the company says. The waterborne colorants contribute no VOCs to the formulations, which are below 100 grams per liter in VOC.

Green Performance Standard Approved for Stains

Green Seal, the independent certifying agency, has approved GS-47, a new environmental standard for stains and finishes.

The standard, in development for more than a year, includes product performance requirements and environmental and health requirements such as reduced use of hazardous substances and requires low volatile organic compound (VOC) content. The standard can serve as a tool to help companies begin to take action to improve their products and is available for Green Seal certification.

In addition to the standard approved this fall, Green Seal is in the final procedural steps of complying with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requirements for developing an American National Standard (ANS). Such a designation may permit broader use and distribution of the standard. The ANSI process includes a final public review.

Green Seal is now accepting applications for certification to GS-47 at http://www.greenseal.org/getcertified/index.cfm.

Certification involves a Green Seal technical staff review of data and information as well as a site visit.

Learn more at www.greenseal.org.

Commercial Latex, VOC Free

Using new, patented waterborne colorants, Benjamin Moore has reformulated its veteran EcoSpec brand as a VOC-free coating for commercial use. Unlike its predecessor, EcoSpec WB is available in all of Benjamin Moore’s 3,300+ colors. Low odor and fast drying, it comes in a primer and three topcoat finishes. Learn more at www.benjaminmoore.com