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A photo gallery of Signet jobs with expert advice from the "Painter"
For house or cabinet painting estimates call 651-688-9500. Serving Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding communities in Minnesota. Click to see our website: Signet Painting, Inc.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Should Painting Decks Be Outlawed? (In Minnesota's Climate)?

PW Asks: Should deck rail be painted? 

Painter says: Not unless it’s already been painted. Flat surfaces will build up ice and snow and crack if moisture gets beneath them and then peel. Vertical surfaces should be okay. Otherwise – if it’s been stained, stay with a semi-transparent stain to protect the wood – typically needs to be done every couple years depending on how it ages and how you want it to look.


















PW replies: I see what you mean. For more information - this expert looks like he knows what he's talking about when it comes to decks maintenance.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Kids Bedroom Hockey Theme

Kid Room Idea: Hockey Theme

Walls: Orange
Painted Border: Dark blue 6” band around room
Wood Trim: Stained
Décor: Hockey Jersey/ Hockey Sticks


Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Bathroom Vanity Makeover

BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER - Gorgeous Finish - Hard to believe it's the same bathroom!

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Kitchen Center Island Makeover

The old center island was torn out and a new one was built out of paint grade material. Signet Painting enameled a black charcoal color on the island that looks a little blue in the photos. Check it out:


NEW PAINT GRADE MATERIAL - BEFORE ENAMEL

AFTER

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Update the Family Room Mantel Cabinetry

The Family Room can look like an upscale loft space with a stain color change.

BEFORE

Ahh - Much Better!

AFTER

Friday, April 27, 2012

Get Rid of the Kitchen Desk!

So many kitchens have a "built-in" desk that has become unnecessary with the age of cell phones and internet. We are seeing a trend in converting the desk space to a wine rack and wine cooler. Signet Painting can execute this project from start to finish, including the carpentry necessary. See our latest project sequence below:



Finished Product!

Monday, April 2, 2012

The Painter’s Wife Talks about the Economic Recovery


Is the economy recovering?

While I believe Signet Painting is a microcosm of the business universe; for the sake of a preface or disclaimer, my view of the economy is skewed by my industry segment (residential construction) and my geographic location. In other words, not everyone may agree with the following.

Let’s just dig right in. Have you ever had a serious bout of stomach flu? You rode the waves of nausea; up and down and up and down like giant swells on a vast sea. You were the dingy boat. You paid homage to the stool, and knelt there in utter disbelief that your body could experience so many awful sensations at the same time. You wondered if it would ever end. When it did, you crawled back to bed and something miraculous happened – you felt better. Maybe this is over, you said. Maybe it was just something I ate.

This momentary sense of well-being was like the crest at the top of the wave. The view was clear. The day might turn out bright, after all. And just when you thought things were better, you slid down the nausea slope, completely incapable of halting the descent, and found yourself, once again, in the abyss. Oh, please no, not this again!

I think you get the picture. At Signet Painting we see waves of new business come in the door and we rejoice. And then, nothing. Business volume runs a course of phases – up and down and up and down. 

So what does this mean? Well, last month, two large Twin Cities corporations announced lay-offs (General Mills and Medtronic – who added to their already planned number). Do you think these laid off people are going to have their homes painted in the near future?

Therefore, we have inconsistent waves. One week is slow and then, bam! - we hear news that a general contractor client is going to have us busy in the fall after selling several remodeling jobs. Is the economy weak? Is it nauseated? Will it recover?

I would love to hear my readers comments as well ~


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Peeling Finish on Cherry Wood – Revived!

BEFORE



Notice the deteriorating, peeling finish on on this cabinet: 




AFTER 
Signet Painting Transforms Cabinet with Espresso Wood Finish Ready for Long Lasting Durability