Paint is a major part of a kitchen design. From cabinets to walls, there are endless color options, and picking the right ones can quickly become overwhelming. Here at Catchlight, we’re here to help you find the perfect color to complement your style and space. 

FOR CABINETS 

There are standards for paint color on cabinets. The timeless option is, of course, white. Whether it’s a bright white, creamy white, or white with a grayish undertone, white gives you the most flexibility when it comes to designing other spaces in your kitchen. You can pair white with any aesthetic and any color. If you’re the type of person who loves to switch designs up, white gives you the ability to do so without any adverse implications. 

However, there are plenty of bolder cabinet color options, bringing the design focal point to the actual cabinetry. A deep gray or charcoal gives you some of the design freedom as white, but allows your cabinets to really pop. Shades of blue and specifically navy have been “in” for quite some time, especially in coastal areas. However, deep greens are currently all the rage and provide a nice “moodiness” to a kitchen space, creating a real WOW moment.

FOR WALLS 

Picking the perfect wall color to accompany your cabinets and backsplash completely depends on your design style. As mentioned above, any shade of white for the cabinets gives you almost limitless choices when it comes to a wall color. Earthy tones will create a space that feels warm and welcoming, while bold colors will draw the focus to the stark contrast and make all the elements within your kitchen pop. 

If you opt for the bold color on your cabinets, or if you have natural wood cabinets like walnut or oak, chances are you’ll want to go neutral with the wall color. This allows your bold cabinets to shine and not compete with another bold color within the space. Beiges, off-white, creamy whites, and lighter grays tend to work in conjunction with these bold cabinet colors.

At the end of the day, a home should be a reflection of the owner’s personal style. Since the kitchen is one of the most utilized spaces in the home, it’s important that your paint decisions make you feel comfortable. If you’re thinking about painting your kitchen space and are not sure where to start, we’re here to help guide you and provide insight on colors that would blend seamlessly with the rest of your home.

If you’re interested in working with a certified color consultant before making any final decisions on paint color, we can also help facilitate that!

Every year, paint enthusiasts are treated with a slew of brands releasing their “Color of the Year.” Not only does this help us with inspiration on recommendations, but it also helps guide homeowners on current and upcoming color trends. 

Exploring the ‘Color of the Year’ options can be daunting, especially when considering what colors complement or pair well with these bold and unique choices. Below, we highlight a few of the 2024 color options and palettes that best accompany each one. 

Benjamin Moore – Blue Nova 

Whoever said blue is out clearly has not seen Benjamin Moore’s beautiful 2024 “Color of the Year.” One of the most unique colors on this year’s list, Blue Nova is a stunning blue-violet blend. If you’re considering using Blue Nova in your home, the best way to make the color pop to its full potential is by pairing it with lighter and more neutral tones like off-whites with a rosy undertone and sandy beiges. If you want to really stand out and pair color with more color – try a lilac to make the violet tones of the Blue Nova pop!

Sherwin Williams – Upward

Blue for the win again! Sherwin Williams takes a lighter approach to 2024 with their choice, Upward, which they describe as a ‘denim blue with calm gray undertones.’ This is definitely a cooler tone, a shade of blue that reminds us of summers on the coast. Upward pairs well with cool white or a lighter gray, which really makes the gray undertone of this shade stand out. For a bold contrast, try a moody dark blue or black. 

Pantone – Peach Fuzz 

Although not a brand of paint, Pantone’s Color of the Year is probably the most recognized. The Pantone Color System, which is a standardized color-matching system widely used around the world, takes a gentle approach to 2024 with Peach Fuzz. This shade pairs well with rich pink and red tones, along with beiges with a blush undertone. For the contrasting color lovers, try a darker green or a maroon. 

Plaster veneer over blueboard is still commonly used in higher-end new residential construction these days, but in Greater Boston, there’s a high likelihood you’ll find plaster walls or ornamentation in many older homes; in fact more than 50% of Boston’s housing stock feature original lathe and plaster walls and ceiling. Historic properties like these are our cup of tea, our bread and butter!

Newton, Wellesley, Brookline, and other towns are full of homes built before the widespread adoption of drywall (gypsum board), which became the go-to medium in the mid-20th century. With that, Catchlight Panting’s talented carpenters, painters, and restoration experts must be well-versed/experienced in plaster restoration to keep our client’s historic homes beautiful.

When Catchlight is brought on for an interior painting project, we’ll first do some investigative work and assess what overall condition the plaster is in and what specific areas may need repair. As this whole-home survey is happening, we’ll also work to learn what the original building processes were, what era the plaster is from, the underlying lath structure, and determine whether we must prepare to work with horsehair plaster or not.

Once all of the information about the home is collected, we’ll have a clear plan to begin the plaster restoration work. Also, it should be noted that plaster can be a visual identifier for more significant structural issues within a home. If anything suspicious presents itself, we’ll inform the property owner before proceeding with any work. 

Plaster Restoration – How the Work Happens

While each project’s needs and strategies will be different, here’s an overview of the step-by-step procedures Catchlight will follow for plaster restoration work:

Clean and prepare the space(s): Plaster restoration can be messy (to say the least), so we’ll deploy all of our ventilation, safety, and surface protection materials before any work is done.  It’s also important to clear debris and damaged materials before any prep work can begin. 

Apply plaster treatment: Depending on the level of damage and the type of plaster, consolidation treatments can be applied to repair and salvage the original plaster. It’s always preferred to maintain the authenticity and integrity of the home’s original plaster if possible. 

Create/source replacement plaster for repairs: We leave no stone unturned to create plaster that matches/emulates the original plaster material used. From there, we can patch areas of the walls or molding that need it. 

Texture-matching surfaces – With trowels, brushes, and a bevy of other tools, we’ll work the newly applied plaster layers to match the surrounding area’s surface textures. 

Please note that historic plaster restoration is completed layer by layer, so that these steps will happen after repeat drying sessions. 

Restoration in Greater Boston 

If you have any questions about plaster restoration, interior painting services, kitchen painting, or historic home restoration, please contact the talented team at Catchlight. 

We’ve worked within historic homes in Greater Boston for over three decades and will accept nothing less than reference-level results for our clients.

For anyone who has undergone restoration work on their home, you’ll know that it’s seldom a “quick fix” situation; this is especially true of historic homes. Hiring a contractor for kitchen painting can quickly become much more involved than originally anticipated. Yes, it’s highly likely for a job to be done correctly, but issues underneath the surface must be attended to before finish work can be completed. There’s an element of opening “Pandora’s box” that comes with the undertaking. When one problem/issue is fixed, it can reveal another waiting behind it – it’s simply the way things go. 

For Catchlight, it is quite common to be brought on to a historic home restoration project for interior or exterior painting services, but it’s quickly discovered that the home will need work performed that may not strictly be in our painting wheelhouse. But wait!

Historic Restoration Capabilities

In historic homes, a simple painting project can quickly become more involved – we have our own resources in-house for light carpentry, which includes matching existing molding profiles, shaping wood shingles to match originals, rot repair, masonry repair and sealing, window repair, glass replacement – all issues are within our skilled carpenters’ capabilities. However, when there’s an issue that our team is not equipped to handle, that’s when we’ll recommend someone who can. 

Rare Restoration

Many of our clients own historic homes; Colonials, Victorians, and mid-century architectural marvels are found in many Bostonian townships. In these homes, if antique furniture needs repair or a 19th-century French chandelier needs rewiring, you can’t run down to Home Depot or Target and source the parts and expertise needed to restore them properly. We have a great working relationship with RARE Restoration in Brookline Village for these scenarios. 

Working with RARE Restoration 

RARE’s reputation extends throughout Boston and Greater New England. If we have a client in need of restoration work for items ranging from 1930s art deco floor lamps to antique door locks, RARE has seen and repaired it all; trust us, there are some interesting and esoteric items out there in need of restoration work, chances are RARE can get the job done with beautiful results, exceeding expectations. 

Woodwork restoration, metal work/polishing, glass repair, and rewiring vintage lighting, all the while using conservation-grade materials to ensure authenticity and longevity, are at the heart of what RARE does, and we’re proud to work with them to bring our clients the same reference-level results that they would expect from Catchlight. 

Historic Restoration – Embracing Our Community 

Being entrusted to work within our clients’ homes and bring new life to cherished spaces is not something lost upon us. Whenever we’re committed to painting, restoring, and rejuvenating a home, the entire team is dedicated to crafting results that everyone can be proud of. 

Over the decades of working in the Greater Boston area, we’ve curated a network of historic restoration professionals, such as RARE, who are just as obsessed with beautiful results as we are. 

To learn more about our services, please contact us today. 

New England winter, love or hate them, they’re a part of life if you live in Greater Boston. Sometimes, they’re unexpectedly gentle, and other times, they’re weekly blizzards, time perfectly with the Monday commute (2015, anyone?) It’s a flip of a coin in our lovely city, and unless you and yours are committed to the snowbird lifestyle each year, you mentally prepare for whatever mother nature brings us. 

A question we often hear from clients is whether or not it’s advisable to undergo painting projects in the wintertime. While the short answer is a resounding yes for most painting projects in the winter, let’s discuss some of the projects that are not advisable in the winter and why. Also, we’ll provide some insights as to why there are reasons to actively pursue painting projects in the winter. 

Can You Paint Outside in The Winter?

In a word, no. Do not even think about this, no matter the weather. Fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and precipitation are guaranteed, and paint requires predictable conditions to cure properly, providing proper protection and durability.  

Some Benefits of Interior Winter Projects

At Catchlight, we’ve perfected the art of non-disruptive interior painting! Odor-free paints, carefully protected surfaces, dust walls separating the workspace from your living space, considerate, quiet, courteous painters – did we mention we background check every hire, drug test, and train to EPA and MA RRP certifications to ensure we never create a lead paint risk in older homes? Google reviews typically speak to the caliber of our staff, not just our painted finishes.

Winter promotions – As exterior work does not happen in the winter, interior painting contractors often provide extra incentives to get projects going while their crews are less busy. Catchlight offers a fantastic winter promotion; if you schedule your interior project between Thanksgiving and March, we’ll supply up to $500 in free paint! 

Can You Paint in The Winter? Get Interior Work Done Before the Spring!

Once spring rolls around, and the birds and bees of April and May start buzzing and chirping, many people realize in a last-minute panic that they need work done on their home, and by that time, contractors are often booked up! While the winter is a time to be cozy and hibernate to some degree, don’t forget it’s a fine time of year to have interior work completed on your home, avoiding the rush of spring demand. 

Please contact us today to learn more about our interior painting services and winter promotions. 

To paint or not to paint? As interior painting contractors, we are often asked this question about various surfaces throughout the home. While we are all familiar with painted ceilings, trim, walls, and cabinetry, the processes of painting radiators or brick fireplaces are not as straightforward. Can you paint exposed pipes and expect the finish to last? What about a tile backsplash?

Regarding kitchen painting and remodeling, our clients often ask us, “Can you paint a tile backsplash?” In this blog, we’ll examine when it’s appropriate to paint a kitchen tile backsplash and when it might be better to replace it with something new.

So, Can You Paint A Tile Backsplash? 

The answer is, “Yes, but…”.  

Yes, you can paint a tile backsplash, but whether or not it’s the best option for you will depend on several factors. 

When Does It Make Sense To Paint A Tile Backsplash?

Why would a homeowner choose to paint a tile backsplash instead of replacing it?

Cost: Kitchen remodeling is expensive! If a homeowner wants a completely new presentation and color palette, painting the tile backsplash may be the most cost-effective way to accomplish this. 

Quick, simple solution:  Instead of removing the current backsplash tiling, sourcing new tiles, and hiring a contractor to perfect the damaged walls and install new tile, a simpler solution may be to clean, sand, prime, and paint the current tile backsplash.

Color choice: There is nearly an unlimited number of paint colors available, one to suit any decor, and certainly more than found in available tile. 

Eco-friendly: At a time when most of us are looking to lower our carbon footprint, painting a tile backsplash is an excellent choice. A fresh look is achieved with less waste in the landfill.

And When Does It Not Make Sense To Paint a Tile Backsplash

Those with the resources and time will likely find removing and replacing the backsplash tiling is the better choice. 

Style: When updating a kitchen, sourcing the latest in appliances, decor, cabinetry, and surfaces is part of the process. You’ll want freshly styled tiling that is likely better suited for the new kitchen’s design and color palette.

Durability: Backsplash tiles take a lot of abuse, particularly those located behind a cooktop or range. We recommend paints formulated specifically for durability, scrubability, and chip resistance and those most likely to produce an evenly coated surface. 

Type of tile: The most common types of backsplash tiling are ceramic, porcelain, glass, and variations of acrylics. While all these tile materials can work with specialized paints, natural stone tiles do not. Marble, granite, travertine, and slate backsplash tiles are all porous stones, and paint may not adhere to them properly. Paints can also compromise the integrity and natural beauty of the stone tiling. 

Each Situation is Unique!

DIYers, how-to specialists, and industry professionals can be found on every corner of the web and across TV networks, offering exponentially more exposure to trade processes than ever before. And with that comes a plethora of opinions. At Catchlight, we know each home and homeowner is unique. If you are thinking about painting a tile backsplash but are unsure if it’s the right solution for you, ask us!  We’ll happily give you a straightforward answer based on our years of experience.

Every Catchlight project, whether interior house painting, exterior painting, or light carpentry, is masterfully completed by professionals skilled at their craft. 

To learn more about our residential painting services, please contact us today.

The form and function of interior design schemes have an ebb and flow to them. Victorian times were formal, and the mid-century touted clean, colorful lines. Today, we see an open, often more casual aesthetic to match today’s way of life. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the kitchen. 

It wasn’t long ago that the kitchen was a place for cooking everyday meals only, certainly not where anyone outside the family would choose to gather. Instead, guests were entertained in the dining room, away from the chef and the accompanying mess of meal preparation. 

Today, the in-home dining experience is completely different, placing the kitchen at the very heart of it.  As more and more people have become cooking enthusiasts and exposure to food culture is ubiquitous, a greater emphasis is placed on creating beautiful kitchens built for hosting family and friends. 

In Catchlight’s 3+ decades of home and kitchen painting, we’ve seen the full gamut of kitchen design, from those that are strictly utilitarian spaces to now as the focal point of a home. One of the more delightful results of this shift in lifestyle is the kitchen island. And for Catchlight, it’s the painted kitchen island that is near and dear to us!

Learn About  Options for Interior Paint Finishes in Our Accompanying Blog

Painted Kitchen Islands – An Opportunity to Gather

It’s rare to see a modern kitchen designed without a kitchen island or kitchen bar. They help define the kitchen space and create a transition between different functional areas. Often central to the room, a bar or island is perfect for hosting conversations, testing mixologist and cooking skills, and, of course, dining. It is also the ideal spot to add a satisfying “pop” of color and personality. 

One of Catchlight Painting’s shining examples of a beautifully painted kitchen island is the Farrow & Ball, Hague Blue-painted Kitchen island in Newton, MA. Here, the clients wanted to imbue the kitchen space with a splash of color that would be visually dynamic and engaging without being too loud and distracting. The confident presence of the Farrow & Ball collection was the perfect solution. 

This blue kitchen island has an elegant yet bold and commanding presence. The beautiful natural stone slabs add so much visual (and physical) weight to the space, and Hague Blue is confident enough to match it. We are very pleased with the project’s result; it is an excellent example of how a painted kitchen island can simultaneously work with surrounding neutral tones but also distinguish itself with an engaging presence of color. 

Projects in Greater Boston

If you have a kitchen or home renovation project in the works and are looking for interior painting contractors, Catchlight provides premier interior painting services throughout the Greater Boston area. Please be in touch. We’d be delighted to hear more about your project! 

Please contact us today.  

Working in some of the country’s oldest neighborhoods is one of the most rewarding aspects of our work at Catchlight. Our team of talented painters has developed a unique set of skills that painting contractors in other regions of the nation simply do not need because, here, in the Greater Boston area, many homes have building features originating from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. 

The endless design and construction features in Boston Brownstones, Victorians, or Colonials are unlikely to be found west of the Mississippi, let alone outside New England. One such feature is horsehair plaster, which is found in many historic homes in Greater Boston. 

Horsehair Plaster – What Is It and Why Was It Used?

Before the modern era of drywall (pre-1940s), interior walls and ceilings were constructed with lath and plaster, a building technique that was simple and effective but ultimately time-consuming. Lath is comprised of thin wooden strips nailed between the ceiling joists or wall studs; then, plaster is applied in multiple coats to form a solid surface. Plaster is applied to the lath in phases, allowing each coat to dry completely before adding another.

Like most inventions, horsehair plaster was born of necessity and inspiration; horses, with their copious amount of hair, were ubiquitous at the time, used for everything from transportation to farming to hauling. Reinforcing plaster with horsehair added strength, durability, and resistance to cracking, a common problem as houses settled. Now, horsehair plaster can be found all over the Greater Boston and New England region as homeowners choose to maintain its unique qualities.

Is It Difficult to Work With?

Working with horsehair plaster requires, first and foremost, knowledge as well as a skilled, steady hand. Repairing this type of plaster includes the use of plaster buttons, perforated discs the size of a quarter, screwed into the studs or joists to help reattach loose or ‘plaster that gives under pressure’; loose plaster is removed by vacuuming, then the exposed plaster must be wetted with water to prevent new patching material from absorbing too quickly into the original plaster. As usual, applying multiple thin coats of filler is preferred over a thickly applied filler. Finally, the experienced craftsman or woman will know to be cautious about creating and inhaling dust created during the prep phase since arsenic was used in the process of separating horse hair from the hide. We take pleasure in working on old homes, and this type of historic home painting and restoration work is our bread and butter! It is why Catchlight is often called upon to repair rather than replace walls with horsehair plaster’s unique characteristics.

Horsehair Plaster and Lead Paint Safety

Commonly used when lead paint was popular, we take a cautionary approach when working with horsehair plaster. Every Catchlight painter is lead-safe certified, following the strictest protocols to effectively limit our customers’ and employees’ exposure; this would include 

state-of-the-art equipment like HEPA-filtered sanders, vacuums, and negative air machines.

Please contact us today if you have any questions regarding horsehair plaster, interior painting services, or our historic home restoration and painting services. 

Every homeowner Catchlight has worked with has had different design goals motivated by their own unique style. Like snowflakes, no two design schemes or color choices are the same. Part of our work involves helping our clients tease out their aesthetic goals by asking the right questions during the discovery phase; this helps us more clearly define the results they are looking for.

A foundational element of interior painting, one that is sometimes overlooked, is the choice of interior paint finishes. While less visually impactful than color, interior paint finishes each have a particular effect, providing a room with a distinctive look and feel. 

Interior Paint Finishes – Why Do Contractors Use Different Styles?

The choice of interior finishes is almost entirely aesthetic-driven. Occasionally, a painting contractor will present finishes that are better suited to, say, hide imperfections on a wall or cabinet, but often, it’s all about ambiance.

A high-gloss finish will reflect far more light than a matte finish. If an interior space has plentiful natural light, imagine the dramatic effect of a vibrant, high-gloss color; it creates a bold space, something visually energized. A matte finish reflects less light and helps to make spaces feel more intimate and cozy; this is true whether the colors are neutral and warm or rich and saturated. Understanding the design intentions of the space is the first step in helping homeowners make these choices. 

Paint Finishes- What Options Can Homeowners Choose From?

While there are more than three paint finishes available, homeowners tend to select from these primary options: matte, gloss, and satin. 

Matte Finish: Timeless Elegance

A matte finish is often described as warm and velvety. When painting walls in historical residences around greater Boston, matte finishes are frequently the paint finish of choice; they create a comforting and relaxed presence in bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms while at the same time are best for covering imperfections. Where you want a soft and calming atmosphere, a matte finish is your choice.

Gloss Finish: Contemporary and Bold

Glossy or high-gloss finishes are perfect for spaces that aim to be bold and eye-catching. Our beloved kitching painting project, the Rembrand Red kitchen in the Back Bay, is a prime example of how a glossy surface can make color pop, reflect light, and steal the show. A gloss finish is best suited for statement features in a space, such as cabinetry, a kitchen island, or wood trim – too much gloss can assault the senses, so it needs to be used carefully to achieve the desired effect. 

Satin Finish – A Subtle Balance

For areas around the home that fall somewhere between contemporary and traditional, a satin finish is the perfect compromise. Suitable for bedrooms, hallways, and family rooms, satin finishes are quite amendable to almost any interior design style, with the added benefit of being easy to clean.

Adding Dimension to Home Interiors

Using varying interior paint finishes throughout the home creates a dynamic range of surfaces, introducing depth, character, and intention to each color.  Before making a choice, we suggest painting small paint samples on different walls throughout the room that is being painted. Then, walk into the space at different times of day to make sure the color and finish reflect your design goals.

To learn more about our interior painting services, please contact us today. 

As anyone living in New England will tell you, your home’s exterior faces an unrelenting adversary – dirt, grime, mold, and the weather’s unforgiving touch. However, there’s a solution available that can add new life to your clapboards, shingles, siding, and brick; power washing. Regardless of the type of exterior you own, the improvements that come with power washing can be significant, which is why we’ll examine some details in this article. 

Power washing, also known as pressure washing, is a thorough cleaning technique using high-pressure water to remove dirt, mold, and even those stubborn unidentifiable discoveries from your home’s exterior. While it is typically part of our process of preparing a surface for exterior home painting, sometimes we find that homes that appear to need exterior painting services require only a thorough power washing.

Why Every Home Needs It

No home is immune to the passage of time. Layers of dirt and environmental elements will eventually cause exterior paint to deteriorate. Power washing is an effective option for homes that require rejuvenation but are not yet in need of a full exterior painting. 

Power washing can remove many worsening problems from the surface of your home: 

Dirt/Dust: Power washing effectively removes accumulated dirt, dust, and debris on your home’s exterior surfaces; this includes the layer of fine particles that can settle on surfaces over time.

Stains: Stains caused by organic matter, such as leaves, bird droppings, and tree sap, can be effectively removed through power washing. It can also help reduce discoloration caused by pollutants in the air.

Mold/Mildew: Mold and mildew growth; these microorganisms thrive in damp environments and can cause health issues, especially for individuals with respiratory problems; this is a common issue in New England.

Algae/Lichen: Algae and lichen can cling to exterior surfaces, especially in areas with high humidity. Power washing can dislodge and wash away these organic growths.

Power Washing for Historic Homes

If you are fortunate to live in a fine Victorian or a graceful Colonial, you know that caring for your home requires a skillful, often more delicate approach. The professionals at Catchlight are uniquely experienced in caring for these historic treasures, employing just the right power washing technique to fully clean the surface while protecting each brick and unique detail that demands attention. 

Does your home need power washing? If you live in New England and the needs of your home’s exterior haven’t been addressed recently, it’s likely time to give us a call. Let Catchlight bring your exterior back to its original beauty.

Please contact our team at Catchlight Painting to learn more about our power washing services.