Why use a painted finish instead of wallpaper?
Even the most beautiful wallpapers are still produced for the masses and not custom designed just for you. Our designs are rarely repeated and as our customer you will receive a free consult so we can help design what is perfect for your room. You won’t need to spend endless hours looking through wallpaper books and making trips back and forth to the store. Once our painting is done it will last as long as you are in your home. Small scratches and nicks are usually easy to repair and everyday wear and dirt is rarely visible. Your walls will be a conversation piece and enhance all the other investments in your home as well as make your home unique and personal.
How do I care for painted walls?
Usually it takes 2 to 3 weeks before walls are fully cured even though they may feel dry to the touch. Never scour painted walls with anything abrasive. A soft damp cloth can be used to remove any dirt once walls have cured. In high traffic areas some customers choose to apply a varnish coat over finished walls. Varnishes can be either matte or gloss.
How do I prepare my walls for decorative painting?
Cynthia Designs does not prepare walls for decorative finishes. After final concepts are approved we provide you with the necessary information to have your walls base coated. Although we do not require it, we highly recommend Act Painting for all your painting needs. Al Trigueiro and his crew are experienced and meticulous and understand the decorative painting process. Contact us and we’ll put you in touch with Al and his team. Sometimes a special primer or metallic paint is required as a basecoat. In these cases we work directly with your painter to make sure he or she receives the exact product necessary for the job.
What kind of paint do I use to prepare my walls?
After we discuss designs and approve samples with you, we will provide you with the base paint information including color and finish. Most faux finishes require an eggshell base, although some textured finishes are done on flat wall paint so it is important that we discuss the finishes with you before you have your walls painted. Of course, we often work on previously painted walls and designs are created that will work well on those existing surfaces but choices of finishes may be more limited. Keep in mind that we cannot provide base coat colors on the spot because we don’t know what they are until designs are approved. This means you should have an appointment with us well in advance of scheduling the base coat painter.
How long will my faux finished walls last?
Your painted faux finishes should last as long as you live in your home. There is no fading or peeling. Of course there will be damage like any painted wall in heavily trafficked areas but with faux painting these imperfections can most often be fixed easily. Some clients choose to put a varnish coat on hallway walls or other high traffic areas. We can recommend what sheen level and what product to use for this if you desire. Varnishing is recommended for faux backsplashes or other areas that are cleaned and wiped often.
How soon after we meet will my walls be complete?
After an initial consultation the wait is usually 2 to 3 months. During this time whatever design work and preparation necessary will take place. Sometimes we are able to fit your job in sooner if we receive a cancellation or if preparation on another job is delayed so it’s always a good idea to move forward with your preparation as quickly as possible so when we’re ready, you’re ready. If you have a special event taking place at your home we’ll do our best to get your work done in time if you give us the date up front. Remember, we do not do the basecoat painting so contact a painter well in advance of our production date.
Do we have to move our furniture?
Yes. We do not move heavy furniture or breakables. Some flooring materials are more susceptible to scratching so we appreciate it if you can move your own furniture into the center of the room. Of course small tables and chairs are no problem. Fragile items and picture frames and mirrors should also be moved prior to our arrival. This way we can spend more of our time creating your art in the time allotted.
How will I know what kind of budget to prepare for?
When we have our initial consult at your home we will discuss options that have a range in budget. We want to work with you. We will recommend what will be most beautiful and once we have decided on a design we will provide you with an estimate for the work. Sometimes the most interesting finishes are the most simple and least expensive. Other times a finish can be multi layered and complex. There is a way to work within every budget.
Do I have to pay for concept and design work?
We do charge to do concept boards as this is the hardest part of the job. It requires time in the studio and materials. There are times when finishes are chosen directly from our portfolio in which case no design work is necessary. The cost for design work varies based upon its complexity.
When do I have to pay for the work?
We require a 50% deposit 3 weeks prior to the start of the job. The balance is paid upon completion of the job before we leave the site. We do not bill our customers. This saves time in the office and paperwork so we can spend more time in the field painting. In some cases and especially on larger projects, payments may be broken up into more than 2 installments.
We do not price our jobs by the hour or by the day so the price you are quoted is what you will pay. There are no surprises at the end of the job. If, during the course of the job, changes are made that require more materials or additional labor you will be informed of the change in price immediately. We want you to enjoy the process of watching us transform your room(s), not stress about additional time and mark-ups.
