cost of interior painting, how much do pro painters cost, Blue Door Painting, Chicago painters

Remodeling can be stressful – what goes where, what color schemes should you pick, how will the final product look – but hiring professionals to do the heavy lifting can alleviate some of the pressure. At Blue Door Painting, we pride ourselves on our residential painting services, and part of that pride comes from the affordability. We want your home to look and feel as great as you do, so we strive to provide reasonable prices for all of your needs.

Our services don’t just stop at primer and paint; we usually start by prepping the walls to provide the best surface for long-lasting color. This means repairing minor wall damage – filling small holes and cracks, for example – and sanding walls prior to getting started.

We don’t include paint in our overall cost, but we’re happy to provide suggestions (we LOVE Benjamin Moore colors) for price and longevity. Usually, an averaged sized room will cost about $100 in paint and supplies, depending on brand, retailer and paint type. Some paints are more environmentally friendly or have asthma and allergy-friendly formulas, and those can cost a bit more for the long-term benefits.

The cost to complete a room varies depending on your specific needs, but you’re looking at an average of $325 for labor. This covers our work, walls and ceilings (delicate trim is a little extra) and your peace of mind.

Still not sure about pro painting? Contact us today for a quote and we can start turning your vision into a (reasonably priced) reality.

 Country Redwood PM-16 by Benjamin Moore, Ashland Slate 1608 by Benjamin Moore, Chicago painter, Blue Door Painting

Our recent Willowbrook exterior painting project was a literal change in scenery – Blue Door Painting refreshed the entire exterior of this beautiful home, helping it to stand out against the crowd and remain bold in the coming winter months.

 Country Redwood PM-16 by Benjamin Moore, Ashland Slate 1608 by Benjamin Moore, Blue Door Painting

 Country Redwood PM-16 by Benjamin Moore, Ashland Slate 1608 by Benjamin Moore, Blue Door Painting

Though it may seem counterintuitive, autumn is a great time to touch up or completely redo your home’s exterior. Summertime is great for outdoor projects, but fall has fewer insects, less pollen and a more temperate climate to work with. Not only that, but getting a facelift before the snow comes can help your exterior survive some of the harsh side effects of a Chicago winter.

 Country Redwood PM-16 by Benjamin Moore, Ashland Slate 1608 by Benjamin Moore, Blue Door Painting

 Country Redwood PM-16 by Benjamin Moore, Ashland Slate 1608 by Benjamin Moore, Blue Door Painting

For this home, the owner was keen to create a unique look. The deep, warm Country Redwood Arborcoat Stain by Benjamin Moore was a bold choice that matched the wood and stone accents already present on the house.

 Country Redwood PM-16 by Benjamin Moore, Ashland Slate 1608 by Benjamin Moore, Blue Door Painting

 Country Redwood PM-16 by Benjamin Moore, Ashland Slate 1608 by Benjamin Moore, Blue Door Painting

 Country Redwood PM-16 by Benjamin Moore, Ashland Slate 1608 by Benjamin Moore, Blue Door Painting

To help the red pop even more, we lined the windows with Ashland Slate trim, also a Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Stain. This shade lives in a family of dark grays, but the purple undertones give it more depth than a flatter, more straightforward choice.

 Country Redwood PM-16 by Benjamin Moore, Ashland Slate 1608 by Benjamin Moore, Blue Door Painting

 Country Redwood PM-16 by Benjamin Moore, Ashland Slate 1608 by Benjamin Moore, Blue Door Painting

In just five days, we took a nice home that blended in with its neighbors and transformed it into a gorgeous statement piece in the subdivision.

 Country Redwood PM-16 by Benjamin Moore, Ashland Slate 1608 by Benjamin Moore, Blue Door Painting

If you’re ready to upgrade your home’s look, contact us today for a free quote. Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

 White Dove OC-17 by Benjamin Moore, Revere Pewter HC-172 by Benjamin Moore, Grey Cloud 2126-60 by Benjamin Moore, Blue Door Painting, Chicago Painters

Our September Job of the Month was close to home – literally! This gorgeous apartment was sold by members of the Blue Door Painting team, but not before a modern interior refresh.

The Avondale apartment already had a lot going for it – a great location, tons of space and natural light, as well as owners who had cared for it – but the key to fetching a good price from a buyer was presenting all the positives of the space itself.

 Revere Pewter HC-172 by Benjamin Moore, home staging

Aside from choosing clean and attractive colors like Grey Cloud and Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore to update the rooms, the Blue Door Painting team was careful to stage the home to highlight all the wonderful attributes that a new buyer might enjoy. Especially for those transitioning from renter to owner, the pride of ownership extends far beyond being able to choose paint colors, so it’s important to showcase all the elements that make your house a home.

When staging a home or apartment, don’t forget the basics – make sure the space is clean, organized and inviting before hosting an open house. Our interior design contacts would be the first to tell you to keep the details in mind; pillows, plants, curtains, even candles or fragrance can create a cozy, attractive atmosphere for potential buyers.

 White Dove OC-17 by Benjamin Moore, Revere Pewter HC-172 by Benjamin Moore, Grey Cloud 2126-60 by Benjamin Moore

 Revere Pewter HC-172 by Benjamin Moore

Sticking with bright neutrals wasn’t just about staying on trend – this also allows for buyers to better visualize their own tastes when viewing the rooms. Overwhelming reds or dark blues or any color that’s striking and bold might work for you, but your buyer might be turned off by the daring choice.

The formal dining room started off as a playroom, but you would never know! It was reverted back to its original purpose after clearing away clutter and setting up a more natural flow of traffic through the home.

 Revere Pewter HC-172 by Benjamin Moore

Buyers are looking for a great bedroom, so it’s savvy to focus a lot of energy on staging an impressive master suite. In this space, the bedrooms were tricky because of the attic ceilings, but the team was still able to set up a demonstrative room with appealing aesthetics.

 Grey Cloud 2126-60 by Benjamin Moore

 White Dove OC-17 by Benjamin Moore, Revere Pewter HC-172 by Benjamin Moore, Grey Cloud 2126-60 by Benjamin Moore

Don’t be surprised if you have to spend a little money on staging – pictures, posters, rugs and other decorative pieces might cost a few bucks, but they will add measurable value to your home. Because this space was attractive and move-in ready, it took only one day in the property listings to pull in numerous offers. Better staging = more offers, more offers = more demand and value.

 White Dove OC-17 by Benjamin Moore, Revere Pewter HC-172 by Benjamin Moore, Grey Cloud 2126-60 by Benjamin Moore

Aside from paint and decor updates, it can’t hurt to refinish floors, touch up trim and update kitchen cabinets and other hardware like bathroom faucets. Lighting fixtures need a facelift? Invest in some updated options that cast the room in the best light.

 White Dove OC-17 by Benjamin Moore, Revere Pewter HC-172 by Benjamin Moore, Grey Cloud 2126-60 by Benjamin Moore

Keep in mind the kitchens and bathrooms can make or break a sale. Swap that old bathroom vanity for a modern sink and add a beautiful backsplash to your kitchen for an instant revitalization.

 White Dove OC-17 by Benjamin Moore, Revere Pewter HC-172 by Benjamin Moore, Grey Cloud 2126-60 by Benjamin Moore

All set on the interior? Don’t forget curb appeal. Freshly painted front doors and finished decks can present a tidy image of a home that will look great for years to come.

 White Dove OC-17 by Benjamin Moore, Revere Pewter HC-172 by Benjamin Moore, Grey Cloud 2126-60 by Benjamin Moore, Chicago interior painting, home staging

Selling soon? Contact us today for a FREE estimate so we can help you present the best version of your home to potential buyers. Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

 Blue Door Painting Chicago Painting, Benjamin Moore White Dove OC 17, Benjamin Moore Hazy Skies OC 48, Benjamin Moore Copper Kettle 1218, Benjamin Moore Space Black 2119-10

At Blue Door Painting, we love using neutrals in decor and design. That said, we’re not afraid to take a home like our recent Ravenswood revamp and up the color quotient for a bolder interior look.

Our August Job of the Month started as a drab multi-level home that relied too much on beige and brown tones throughout the entire structure. Walls, floors, even decorative elements were so neutral that they all blended together. We teamed up with Jasmin Reese Interiors to create a color scheme that could make this home’s decor and style stand out.

 Benjamin Moore White Dove OC 17, Benjamin Moore Hazy Skies OC 48, Benjamin Moore Copper Kettle 1218, Benjamin Moore Space Black 2119-10

To complete this interior job, we painted the living room, formal living room, staircase and the kitchen. The main color theme was a beige and dark brown side-by-side combination that stretched the entirety of the walls. We updated this to one color – Hazy Skies OC-48 by Benjamin Moore – to streamline the room and make the space look cleaner and more spacious. To do this, we first had to remove the chair rail separating the two sections of wall to open up a clean, cohesive surface.

The focal point of the main living room was a beautiful stone fireplace that was being vastly underutilized. We took the plain white framing and made a bold, black accent piece out of the entire portion of wall that housed the fireplace. The bright, contrasting decor added afterward really makes the accent stand out.

You’ll notice in the “after” pictures that the homeowners have impeccable taste in both art and furniture. This home is incomparable in its decor, with gorgeous paintings and art pieces, along with modern, stylish furnishings. Even their plants worked with the room when we were done with it!

Next, we brightened the staircase walls with Hazy Skies OC-48 by Benjamin Moore for a cleaner look.

Blue Door Painting is a five-star rated, highly experienced professional interior painting contractor that has been pleasing customers in the Chicago area for over 35 years.

We are experts in complete, full-service interior house painting for existing homes, gut rehabs, home renovations and new construction projects.

 Benjamin Moore White Dove OC 17, Benjamin Moore Hazy Skies OC 48, Benjamin Moore Copper Kettle 1218, Benjamin Moore Space Black 2119-10

We hope you enjoyed this installment of our monthly Job of the Month Series. Stay tuned for more Chicagoland painting projects by Blue Door Painting!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

  November Rain 2142-60 by Benjamin Moore, Wedgewood Gray HC-146 by Benjamin Moore,   Dior Gray 2133-40 by Benjamin Moore, Coventry Blue 4005-5C by Valspar, Collonade Gray SW 7641 by Sherwin Williams Blue Door Painting Chicago Professional Painters

Updating your home’s exterior is about more than just a fresh coat of paint – it’s about curb appeal and showcasing your personality. Summer is the perfect time to give your house a facelift, so we compiled a list of our top five favorite exterior paint colors for a refreshed look.

1. November Rain 2142-60 by Benjamin Moore

  November Rain 2142-60 by Benjamin Moore

This pale beige is the perfect exterior neutral. White trim and porch railings pair well with this color. Use the Wedgewood Gray mentioned below on the front door to add interest. Touches of an olive green would also look great with this color.

2. Wedgewood Gray HC-146 by Benjamin Moore

 Wedgewood Gray HC-146 by Benjamin Moore

This pale soft blue/green/gray color pairs well with white trim or the November Rain above. This shade is a great backdrop for lush green vegetation. Add an eye-catching pop of color with a bright red front door.

3. Dior Gray 2133-40 by Benjamin Moore

 Dior Gray 2133-40 by Benjamin Moore

This is darker and more saturated gray than Wedgewood Grey, but has some of the same qualities. White trim with black touches on doors and shutters would create a dramatic yet timeless curb appeal.

4. Coventry Blue 4005-5C by Valspar

 Coventry Blue 4005-5C by Valspar

This blue makes you think of floating clouds and summertime. Light accent tones work well, but touches of a darker blue like Blue Sash by Valspar add depth and interest.

5. Collonade Gray SW 7641 by Sherwin Williams

 Collonade Gray SW 7641 by Sherwin Williams

This is a truly timeless gray. Use Panda White by Sherwin Williams for the trim. We recommend adding a pop of color on the front door – a bright red or sunny yellow.

  November Rain 2142-60 by Benjamin Moore, Wedgewood Gray HC-146 by Benjamin Moore,   Dior Gray 2133-40 by Benjamin Moore, Coventry Blue 4005-5C by Valspar, Collonade Gray SW 7641 by Sherwin Williams

Our Top Five series is brought to you by Blue Door Painting’s design partner, Jasmin Reese Interiors. Looking for design inspiration? Contact Jasmin and her team for an unparalleled professional opinion.

If you’ve already found your perfect exterior color scheme and want to get started, contact us today for a FREE estimate so we can help you create the home of your dreams. Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

 Blue Door Painting Job of the month Chicago interior painting 

Pro tip: paint your new space before you move in to simplify the process. Taking that advice, the new owners of a loft-style condominium in the West Loop wanted to brighten the walls and trim throughout the unit before officially moving in. They called Blue Door Painting for the interior job, and we left them with a fresh, modern update to match their sweeping city views.

The original color scheme relied on cream neutrals with dark accent walls. Blues and browns were abundant in this space, and we wanted to lighten not only the walls, but the atmosphere.

We went with White Dove for the trim and doors – this lovely, warm shade of white adds a little more character than pure white.

The soft, neutral tones – Rodeo and Stonington Gray, both by Benjamin Moore – are perfect complements to the apartment’s flooring and kitchen colors. The neutrality isn’t just trendy; the streamlined look provides ultimate design flexibility while keeping the incredible views of the city front and center.

The bathrooms were bold and dark, so we updated both with Hushed Hue, a simple but rich shade from Benjamin Moore.

Blue Door Painting is a five-star rated, highly experienced professional painting contractor that delivers quality interior and exterior painting services to condominium associations in the Chicago area. Contact Blue Door Painting today to get a free estimate for any painting project – we are fast, professional and affordable!

 Blue Door Paining. Rodeo 1534 Benjamin Moore, Stonington Gray HC-170 Benjamin Moore, Hushed Hue 1520 Benjamin Moore, Chantilly Lace OC-65 Benjamin Moore 

We hope you enjoyed this installment of our monthly Job of the Month Series. Stay tuned for more Chicagoland painting projects by Blue Door Painting!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

 Top interior beige paint Indian River 985 Benjamin Moore, Pashimna AF100 Benjamin Moore, Tapestry Beige OC-32 Benjamin Moore, Brandy Cream 1030 Benjamin Moore, Accessible Beige 7036 Sherwin Williams

Who says beige has to be boring? At Blue Door Painting, we see a trendy, neutral color for interior updates and chill atmospheres. We compiled our favorite beiges in the list below:

1. Indian River BM 985

Photo by Pacific Peninsula GroupBrowse family room photos

This beige is anything but dull! Layer the drama from the very beginning, starting with the walls and working up to the ceiling. This tone is a saturated color that stands up well alongside dark furniture or gold accents.

2. Pashmina BM AF100

Photo by Veranda HomesMore dining room ideas

Soft and romantic, Pashmina is a muted taupe that ‘s super elegant and comfortable. This beige variant is easy to love in any room.

3. Tapestry Beige BM OC-32

Photo by Michael Abrams InteriorsLook for living room design inspiration

If you’re looking for what we’d consider a classic beige, Tapestry is for you! This shade is timeless but looks fresh and new. Whether it’s the featured color or a backdrop for other design elements, this color can work in any space.

4. Brandy Cream BM 1030

Photo by Harrell Remodeling, Inc. / Design + BuildDiscover entryway design inspiration

Brandy Cream is a great neutral option when you need to bring light into your space. It works great with a minimalist style and provides a beautiful contrast with dark wood floors. Perhaps more cream than beige, but an unstoppable neutral!

5. Accessible Beige SW 7036

Photo by Regan Baker Design Inc.Discover entryway design inspiration

Like the name suggests, this is an accessible, malleable shade. There are no orange or brown undertones in this color; instead, it’s a crisp, clear beige that radiates light and makes the perfect backdrop for whites.

 Indian River 985 Benjamin Moore, Pashimna AF100 Benjamin Moore, Tapestry Beige OC-32 Benjamin Moore, Brandy Cream 1030 Benjamin Moore, Accessible Beige 7036 Sherwin Williams

Our Top Five series is brought to you by Blue Door Painting’s design partner, Jasmin Reese Interiors. Looking for design ideas or color inspiration? Contact Jasmin and her team for an unparalleled professional opinion.

If you’ve already found an ideal beige and want to get started, contact us today for a FREE estimate so we can help you create the home of your dreams. Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

 Exterior painting transformation Blue Door Painting Job of the month

We’re all about exteriors this season at Blue Door Painting! Our May Job of the Month features a transformative project in Old Irving Park, complete with an overhaul of the exterior color and a facelift for the front deck.

 Exterior Painting Transformation Blue Door Painting

The structure of the house was beautiful, but the paint was faded, chipping and peeling away in prominent spots on the facade. The front, sides and rear of the home were looking worse for wear after a few too many tough Chicago winters, and we needed to smooth things out before starting the color update.

To properly prepare the home for this dramatic exterior rejuvenation, we thoroughly cleaned and pressure washed all the exterior surfaces of the home to ensure a long lasting, evenly applied finish. The Blue Door Painting crew then filled any holes and cracks with high quality elastomeric caulk and applied one coat of primer followed by two coats of Hale Navy HC-154 exterior paint by Benjamin Moore. The original bland, unobtrusive gray was consistent with many houses in the area, but the homeowner wanted more than just a spruce – they wanted to stand out from the crowd with a bold color choice.

To complete the look, we stained the mismatched natural wood grain of the front deck to a darker, complementary color. We also matched the top of the deck design to the home to give a more consistent appearance to the entry.

This Old Irving Park update has been one of our favorite projects this season, and we’re pleased to share a few kind words from the homeowner herself on the end result of our work:

“Tom and Ed were wonderful to work with, planning the project and scheduling the work. We had a whole house exterior paint job including deck stain. We changed the color of the house completely and they did a great job prepping and painting. I will use them again for sure and I highly recommend them. Oh, and their prices were very competitive and fair.” – Beth O. on Google Reviews.

Blue Door Painting is a fully insured and vastly experienced exterior painter. Contact Blue Door Painting today to get a free estimate for any painting project – we are fast, professional and affordable!

 Hale Navy HC-154 Benjamin Moore Blue Door Painting Chicago

Hale Navy HC-154 Benjamin Moore Blue Door Painting Chicago

We hope you enjoyed this installment of our monthly Job of the Month Series. Stay tuned for more Chicagoland painting projects by Blue Door Painting!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

Out with the old, boring kitchen colors and in with the new, vibrant tones! Blue Door Painting wants to upgrade your kitchen with these interesting and on-trend color options.

Neutral Grays:

Kendall Charcoal (HC 166)

Photo by Murphy + Maude InteriorsMore kitchen ideas

This luxurious shade pops perfectly against vibrant metals or when paired with bright counters or trim. This versatile neutral would work nicely with most palettes.

Hazy Skies (OC 48) 

Photo by Heydt DesignsDiscover kitchen design inspiration

Subtlety is key with this delicate option. Hazy Skies evokes a misty, soft feel in any room that reminds us of lazy Sundays in summertime.

Greiges:

Stone Hearth CC-490

 Photo by Benjamin Moore

Photo by Benjamin Moore

A seemly unorthodox choice, this version of greige can accentuate other colors or pair well as the featured shade against bright white cabinets or counters.

Tapestry Beige BM OC32 

Photo by Turan Designs, Inc.More kitchen ideas

You can’t go wrong with off-white! This color is a part of the Benjamin Moore Off-White Collection, and looks amazing against a range of tiles, granites and beautiful backsplashes.

 Kendall Charcoal HC 166 Benjamin Moore, Hazy Skies OC 48, Stone Hearth CC 490, Tapestry Beige OC 32

Cool Colors:
Down Pipe

Photo by Elizabeth Lawson DesignDiscover kitchen design ideas

Dark moody blues are showing up more and more in kitchen designs and we are in love with these saturated rich colors. This shade has deep blue undertones and is a wonderful way to create a dramatic and chic look with your cabinets.

Van Deusen Blue HC-156 

Photo by Studio DearbornSearch kitchen pictures

This blue will pair well with white or grey cabinets for a fresh look. A white marble countertop with grey veining would be the perfect finishing touch. For a contrasted look, paint lower cabinets blue and uppers in white or a light grey. Another blue that would work well is Downpour Blue 2063-20.

Forest Green 

 Photo by Studio McGee

We absolutely love the patterned tile to accompany this bold choice. Some other color options to give the same dramatic effect include: Green Bay and Hunt Club.

 Down Pipe No 26 Farrow & Ball, Van Deusen Blue HC-156 Benjamin Moore, Forest Green 2047-10 Benjamin Moore Blue Door Painting

This color inspo is brought to you by Blue Door Painting’s design partner, Jasmin Reese Interiors. Looking for design ideas? Contact Jasmin and her team for an unparalleled professional opinion.

If you’ve already found your dream cabinet color and want to get started, contact us today for a FREE estimate so we can help you create the home of your dreams. Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

 Top Interior Grays Greys Repose Gray SW 7015, Gray Owl OC-52 Benjamin Moore, Timber Wolf 1600, Mindful Gray 7016 Sherwin Williams, Classic Gray OC-23 Benjmain Moore

Gray is anything but bland – it continues to shine as a popular choice in interiors, from interior walls to cabinets and veining in marble choices. The Blue Door Painting design team expects this trend and its “greige” color cousin to stick around.

Thinking about updating your interior with some trendy neutrals? Check out some of our favorite grey and “greige” options, as well as some beige wall colors that combine beautifully with gray decor elements.

1) Repose Gray SW 7015 

Photo by DD Ford ConstructionDiscover bedroom design inspiration

This Sherwin Williams shade is the perfect gray base with warm undertones. It immediately creates a comfortable and warm feeling of home. There’s nothing flat or dull about this gray!

2) Gray Owl BM OC-52

Photo by Buckingham Interiors + Design LTDDiscover bedroom design ideas

Scared gray walls may be too overwhelming? Consider this soft-as-a-cloud option. It features cooler tones and is gentle on the eyes. The adaptable shade is approachable and picks up the tone from the surrounding environment.

3) Timber Wolf BM 1600

Photo by Studio 80 Interior DesignDiscover bedroom design ideas

Not for faint hearted, Timber Wolf by Benjamin Moore is a bold saturated color that provides drama without draining the light from the room. Embrace the gray and make a daring statement with this moody and deep color. Bonus: It plays well with gold touches.

4) Mindful Gray SW 7016

Photo by Tarkus Tile, Inc.Search bathroom pictures

This versatile and warm gray is in the same family as Repose Gray. This shade is a perfect neutral that works beautifully with any color combinations because it has enough coolness to transition. Mindful is not only great for walls, but makes for a classy cabinet color.

5) Classic Gray BM OC-23

Photo by Mead Quin DesignSearch living room pictures

Names can be deceiving – this color is actually part of the Benjamin Moore Off-White collection. It’s a subtle nuance off-white with just enough gray to make our top five. Classic Gray walls create a tranquil and serene environment, so this is the perfect base to create a restful space.

 Top Interior Grays Greys Repose Gray SW 7015, Gray Owl OC-52 Benjamin Moore, Timber Wolf 1600, Mindful Gray 7016 Sherwin Williams, Classic Gray OC-23 Benjmain Moore Blue Door Painting

Our new Top Five series will join our Job of the Month series as a regular facet of the Blue Door Painting blog. It is brought to you by Blue Door Painting’s design partner, Jasmin Reese Interiors. Looking for design ideas or color inspo? Contact Jasmin and her team for an unparalleled professional opinion.

If you’ve already found your perfect gray and want to get started, contact us today for a FREE estimate so we can help you create the home of your dreams. Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

 Blue Door Painting Job of the Month 

Updating an older home can be a balancing act – maintaining character while modernizing the look. In this recent full interior painting project, Blue Door Painting took an outdated and worn two-story home in River Forest and transformed it into an alluring and inviting space.

 Home Transformation Blue Door Painting

Though the exterior was unassuming, the interior of this home was working with a mixture of everything from beige to yellow, green to grey. This client worked with a professional interior designer to streamline each space’s color scheme to be from the same palette. To achieve this interior continuity, we painted all the walls, trim, ceilings, bathrooms and even doors and closets with Benjamin Moore paint.

 

Starting at the front of the home, we knew immediately that the fireplace should be a focal point. This old wooden fixture had so much potential; instead of restaining, the designer selected a monochrome mix of graphite and white. Painted fireplace facades can bring a room together and give a decorator more flexibility.

Moving deeper into the home, the modern theme was carried through with grey variants. This, coupled with bright white trim, gave each room its own signature contrast while tying it together with the rest of the house. Everything in this home from the master bedroom to the nursery was given a facelift from floor to ceiling.

To minimize the look of the electrical outlets, the designer decided to paint the outlet covers the same color as the wall, creating an uninterrupted flow so the white trim could pop against the darker grey.

We completely transformed the old, worn staircase into a beautiful high point in the entryway. In keeping with the modern light vs. dark palette, we brightened the base and darkened the face of each stair. The balance is particularly noticeable against the backdrop of a neutral pewter on the hallway wall.

Most people stick with wood grain or white doors, but the homeowner wanted to complete the deep contrast; the kitchen entries and the front door were painted to match the fireplace and framed with bright, illuminating white trim.

Blue Door Painting is a fully insured and vastly experienced interior painter. Contact Blue Door Painting today to get a free estimate for any painting project – we are fast, professional and affordable!

 

Paint Colors Used for This Project 

 Paint swatches, Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray HC 165, Amherst HC 167, Graphite 1603, Revere Pewter HC 172, White Dove OC-17, Sandy Hook Grey HC 108, Copley Grey HC 

 

We hope you enjoyed this installment of our monthly Job of the Month Series. Stay tuned for more Chicagoland painting projects by Blue Door Painting!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

In this truly transformational project, Blue Door Painting was tasked with converting a dreary and dated Chicago River West two-bedroom condo loft into a modern and appealing rental apartment.

 Blue Door Painting Job of the Month Apartment transformation

To achieve this major transformation, the Blue Door Painting team painted the entire interior of the home: walls, doors, trim, ceilings, closets and the kitchen cabinets. The color used throughout the unit was a lovely shade of white called Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore in a matte finish. The decision to use a single white color throughout is in keeping with the loft style of the dwelling and enhances the modern and open space yielding a clean, crisp feel which is perfect for a rental apartment.

The Before and After pictures of this project really tell the story. The small apartment was painted in a jumble of colors ranging from blue to purple, peach, green, beige and gray which created a feeling of chaos and confusion. The conversion to pure white complements the loft’s unique architectural elements such as the exposed pipes in the ceilings and gives the home a much brighter and larger feel.

 Old kitchen cabinets 

 Kitchen cabinets painted by Blue Door Painting

The final and critical component to achieving the full transformation of the space was to paint the kitchen cabinets white and install new door handles. This single step brought the entire unit up to modern rental standards allowing the owner to charge higher rent and making the unit more competitive in the hot Chicago rental market.

PRO TIP: Painting kitchen cabinets is a fast and inexpensive way to bring a major update to your kitchen, saving you thousands of dollars and weeks to months of contractor hassle. Please check out our cabinet painting page to learn more about our quality cabinet painting and refinishing process for kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Below you can see a video showing whole cabinet painting process.

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This entire project was completed in 10 days (3 days for condo painting and 7 days for offsite kitchen cabinet painting) and cost $7,000.

 Kitchen transformation by Blue Door Painting 

Blue Door Painting is a fully insured and highly experienced condominium painter.  We work with the condominium board or management office to schedule the job within the hours allowed by the building and provide any requested certificates of insurance prior to beginning work. Call Blue Door Painting today to get a free estimate for your condo painting project – we are fast, professional and affordable!

 Blue Door Painting 

Paint Color Used for This Project

 Chantilly Lace OC-65 by Benjamin Moore Blue Door Painting

We hope you enjoyed reading this post from Job of the Month Series. Stay tuned for other interesting Chicago painting projects by Blue Door Painting!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on YelpAngie’s List or Houzz.

Take a look at a darker recommendation from Jasmin at Jasmin Reese Interiors.

In light of the recent Halloween and Día de los Muertos holidays, we had to opt for black for November’s color. Beyond its reputation for being spooky and serious, black is universally known for being dressy and chic, it works beautifully with both classic or modern looks, and it is endlessly versatile. See what black can do!

Black is very edgy, even to the point of being extreme, so it must be used thoughtfully and is certainly not for everyone’s taste. However, the color is unmatched for its drama and its ability to make other colors pop! A great place to start incorporating it into your home is to paint some black accents, such as windowsills or trim, or replicate this simple black door to add elegant definition and style to a clean, minimal entryway.

Interior renovation of Spanish Town historic residence completed by Ty Larkins Design, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Interior renovation of Spanish Town historic residence completed by Ty Larkins Design, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

If you’re ready for a stronger commitment to black, you can paint the entire walls in a smaller room, such as this Hollywood-style powder room. The glossy jet black paint brings oozes of luxury and class to the panelled walls. And here’s a little-known design pro tip: black can actually make a small space feel larger. In my own small city apartment, I painted the living room walls a deep plum color to see if we could amp up the spaciousness and it worked wonders!

This dining room featuring partially-black walls is incredibly successful. The sleek black color above the white wainscoting and the white tulip dining table deliver mod sophistication to the space, while the vintage Turkish rug and leather upholstered dining chairs warm up the room and bring a classic touch.

If you’re ready to go the whole nine and paint one of the principal rooms in your home black or near-black, we don’t think you’ll regret it! Just like pure white walls make a nice blank canvas for other decor and accessories, black is also the perfect background for any artwork. The black wall set back between custom bookshelves in this library makes a stunning backdrop for a big bold painting. Combining black, gold and white for the ultimate sophistication, this luxe library is completed with a pair of gorgeous black bookcases that beautifully highlight treasured books and white marble sculptures.

Here are our favorite paint picks for the month:

Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black

Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black

Benjamin Moore Black Iron

Benjamin Moore Black Iron

Need help finding just the perfect way to work black into your home? Call us for a free color consultation.

Looking for professionals to do the painting for you? Call Blue Door Painting today.

Let Jasmin and the pros from Jasmin Reese Interiors fill you in on the fall trends.

The recent fall chill has us wanting to snuggle up with a glass of wine and a book at home, now that the season of bike rides and rooftop barbecues has come to an end. We’re inspired by the power of the color red to bring vitality and warmth to interior spaces this season. Take a look at some ways to use the bold hue around your home for dramatic and beautiful effects!

Reds works well in the coziest places in your home, such as libraries, bedrooms and dining rooms. The cheery red paint on this living room gallery wall creates a stunning contrast for the white matted photography, simultaneously adding a touch of formality and warmth. You can use red in larger rooms to warm up a space and unify a design, rather than cooler tones you might choose for smaller spaces to make them appear larger.

This lavish guest bedroom’s muted red and gold patterned wallpaper is complemented by the sumptuous velvet headboard and luxe fur bed cover, and is given an extra touch of class from a classic red leather ottoman.

We absolutely adore the unapologetic luxury of these crushed red velvet chairs, adding warmth and style to this cool, airy Paris conservatory. The romantic red furniture paired with the sharp contrast of the simple black and white tile floor is fabulous. You might take this inspiration to your kitchen and get a similarly striking effect by pairing vibrant red cabinets with a geometric black and white tile backsplash, and of course lots of plants!

In the feng shui tradition, red is said to be best for dining rooms because the fiery color can raise one’s blood pressure and heart rate, and may serve to stimulate conversation and connection. We couldn’t agree more with this theory, and have found that reds work especially well in social spaces, like this formal dining room with deep berry walls and dark wood furniture. The gentle glow of the wall sconces complete the inviting feel.

Pantone’s Color of the Year in 2015 was a lovely soft purplish red called Marsala, which offers a strikingly elegant backdrop for this gorgeous white stone hearth.

Here are our paint selects for autumn reds: Sherwin Williams Real Red is a great selection for a brighter tone, or Benjamin Moore Mediterranean Spice for a softer shade.

sherwin-williams-real-red

sherwin-williams-real-red

benjamin-moore-mediterranean-spice

benjamin-moore-mediterranean-spice

There are lots of powerful ways to use red in your interior space to create a daring contemporary look or a homey, welcoming vibe. If you’re not ready to dive in by painting your entire walls red, try painting just the molding and trim in a room, or adding some pieces of red furniture and flowers around your home!

Need help finding just the right red? Call us for a free color consultation.

Looking for professionals to do the painting for you? Call Blue Door Painting today.

For September, our interior design partners at Jasmin Reese Interiors are giving a nod to blue, possibly the most versatile color on the spectrum. It’s also very special to Blue Door Painting, of course!
For the native New Englanders at JRI, blue is especially evocative of the coast, and September is when the chilly Atlantic is finally at its warmest. You can bask in the waves and enjoy the last breaths of summer at the beach. In honor of this exceptionally rich, classic color, Jasmin’s design pros assembled a selection of beautiful blue tones, as well as some tips for using blue paint and decor to make your home spectacular:

Photo courtesy of Bold Magazine

We love using barn doors like these to add a pop of color to interiors for bathrooms, or anywhere else sliding doors might be a practical solution for the space. These lovely barn doors, painted a Yale Blue and fitted on an iron track, add some drama to this living room entryway.

Blue Barn Doors

This high-gloss floor-to-ceiling royal blue paint, with a setback ceiling painted in gold, render this elegant salon extraordinary. Blue pairs wonderfully with gold, and also with white. The simple white and blue furnishings and ginger jars nod to the gorgeous blue and white Greek Key flooring.

Photo courtesy of Elle Decor

Here’s another great blue and gold example! Hexagonal tile in cerulean blue works well with the golden shower head and accent mirror, giving this well-appointed bathroom a lavish feel.

Blue is a fabulous color for accent furniture because it complements so many other colors and designs. You can add style and save money during a bathroom renovation by repainting existing cabinets for a revitalized, fresh-looking “new” piece of furniture. We love this vanity painted a crisp navy blue to call out the navy honeycomb wallpaper. We often paint vanities in bathrooms a bold color to add drama.

Photo courtesy of Cole and Sons

We love the luxury this deep turquoise delivers when applied to custom built-in bookshelves — complemented by turquoise lamps and drapes and set off by unexpected burnt orange accents — in this classic library. We are working on a similar vibe in a library in Evanston right now, and we’ve included that paint color as one of our picks for the month. Stay tuned on our social channels for pics to come!

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

For our favorite paint colors this month, we’ve selected Benjamin Moore, Tropical Paradise (the color we used in a gorgeous Evanston library!) and Sherwin Williams, Indigo Batik.

Benjamin Moore, Tropical Paradise Sherwin Williams, Indigo Batik

We adore many shades of blue for their soothing elegance, and for the timelessness that they bring to complete a design. Share some photos of how you’re using blue in your home and garden!

Not sure which shade best suits the room? Call us for a free color consultation.

Looking for professionals to do the painting for you? Call Blue Door Painting today.