October 4, 2011
I've been working with Nick and Tony Zigenis for the past 15 years. Not only are they some of the nicest people you will ever meet, they are some of the best painters you will ever find! They are always the first people I go to when a client needs interior or exterior painting done.
How did you both begin your painting careers?
It was very natural for us. Our father started the business when we were kids and taught us most of what we know. "Zigenis and Sons" became a highly reputable and sought after business for small homes and large companies. What should a homeowner look for when hiring a painter?- Make sure the painters are licensed and insured.
- Always check references.
- Does the person that comes to estimate your job actually do the work or do they send someone else?
- How long have their employees been with them, are they trained and do they have experience?
- Look at how their vehicles are kept. This should give you an idea how they will maintain your property.
- Will they do the prep work that is needed; scrape off the old paint, get rid of bubbles.
- Make sure the written estimate you receive contains all the steps of the job in detail.
- What paint manufacturers do they prefer to use.
What step do you feel is the most important?
Definitely the preparation. It takes the longest as well. If the home exterior is being painted, the walls need to be pressure washed first with a minimum of 4000 psi spray. Make sure they will be sanding and scraping all of the bubbles out. Be sure they are lead certified. Be sure that the painter primes with at least one coat but 2 coats is optimal.
Do you prefer to roll or spray the exterior of a house?
Rolling paint is by far the highest quality job. The roller puts more paint on, puts it on thicker, and it pushes the paint into every crevice. When spraying, more paint goes into the air than on the walls. It's also more eco friendly.
What are your favorite products to use?
We have a few favorites, for different reasons, depending on the type of job. Benjamin Moore definitely has the best colors and we like their "Iron Clad Oil Based Paint". Kelley Moore's "Durapoxy" is great when you want a dead flat finish. Sherwin Williams "Resiliance" line is also good.
A good paint job can look great and last you double the time a substandard one would.
Zigenis & Sons Painting
residential / commercial
Office (925) 253-9334
Cell (510) 333-2257
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : Painters
September 30, 2011
It will only take you 10 minutes today to make your home look and smell beautiful for weeks during the holidays!
The fresh bulbs are now in your local nursery and specialty stores.All you need for a BIG impact are about 15 bulbs, a long, narrow and shallow container or trough (this can make a great statement in the middle of a rectangular table or on a mantle), and some regular pea size gravel or decorative stones. Fill your container about two thirds with gravel or decorative stone, place yo... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : Flowers
September 27, 2011
Bare stairs can be great, but if you have old dull wood that needs to be brightened up, are craving the warmth of wool on your bare feet, or just need a change...placing a runner on your stairs can make all the difference! There are so many different things that can be done.
You can paint a runner on, install a wonderful woven cotton piece by Dash and Albert,
release your inner animal,
just paint the rise of your steps the same color as your wall and baseboard w... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : Stair Runners
September 22, 2011
There's a new little shop in town. The "Little Shop of Hoarders"! It is packed full of surprises and styled fabulously.
a wonderful collection of gilt frames
a collection of fire nozzles
A partnership between four friends: Ron Morgan, Therese Long, Tom Burke, and one other. You may remember Ron Morgan from the infamous "Loot" on College Avenue in Oakland. After a long run, Ron decided to move his shop to Lafayette along with his Floral/Garden Club consulting business. But now we are lucky ... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : Second-hand shops
September 20, 2011
Have you ever wondered why your console table top either looks drab or is just unnoticeable? Wisteria Console
It could be that there isn't anything on it, but more likely that there are the wrong number of things on it.
Wisteria Console
The rule of thumb in styling or designing a tablescape is to use an odd number of items. Instead of just having a pair of lamps (2), add two family photos and a bowl or vase (5).
Atlanta Showhouse
It's also nice when some of the shapes relate. Round and oval ... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : Design Rules
September 16, 2011
You too can create a VERY dramatic incredible modern pendant light with 1000 coffee filters!
I've always been one for drama. One of these large lights over a simple dining table is all you need to create atmosphere.
You will need a 22" paper lantern, available at Pier 1 Imports or Pearl River and
approximately 1000 coffee filters (give or take 200). Just take each coffee filter and fold it in half, then fold it in half again to create a center point.Place the tip of your index finger in the c... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : DIY (Do It Yourself) Projects
September 13, 2011
Happiness is a soft and sound sleep! One way to guarantee your sleeping pleasure is the softest and purest sheets. 100% linen sheets are amazing. They keep you cool when you are too hot,
They keep you warm when you are too cool,
They are luxuriously soft and get even softer with every wash,Best Deal!
and they last forever...try some! ...
Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : Sheets
September 9, 2011
If you are passing through Sonoma, you must make a stop at Artefact Design & Salvage. Just make a day of it and have a picnic in the beautiful vineyards while enjoying a glass of wine!Artefact Design & Salvage is a 4000 square foot showroom filled with wonderful installations (large and small), old artifacts rescued from demolition, art and lighting,garden paraphernalia and sculptures,as well as objects for your home.You will return with great ideas!Artefact Design & Salvage23562 Highway 121... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : Second-hand shops
September 6, 2011
When we posted the interview with Gina Dominguez, the mosaic tile artist, several people expressed an interest in learning to do their own mosaic masterpiece!
We are in luck. Gina is starting a new class for beginning mosaics on Thursday, October 27th from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. It will be an 8 session class held weekly at her studio at 6206 La Salle Avenue in Montclair. The cost for this wonderful class which includes all materials and equipment is $150. It will provide instruction on the basic und... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : DIY (Do It Yourself) Projects
September 1, 2011
Tired of your old coffee table? Have you found a table with great legs or a fine shape at the flea market? How about turning it into an ottoman that you can use as a bench or an upholstered coffee table.I found this old coffee table at the flea market for $10. It was horribly dirty, and the finish was cracked and dull.
The first thing to do is clean and sand the existing finish.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO THE TOP BECAUSE YOU WILL BE COVERING THAT WITH FOAM AND FABRIC! After you clean and sand, be s... Continue reading...
Posted by Lori Pepe-Lunche. Posted In : DIY (Do It Yourself) Projects
