Get inspired by some of Cydney Ortzow Painting’s recent projects!
Posted by admin_cp in Uncategorized on October 29, 2011
If you interested in seeing some of Cydney Ortzow Painting’s recent work, we’ve put together a little tour of some of our projects from the last year. This is just a small sampling, so please go to our Facebook page to see more of our work. Here’s what’s hip in the Bay Area:
At the condo complex in Emeryville, we utilized the company's logo to create a multicolored lobby wall. The colors complement each other but do not overwhelm the visitor.
The house in Oakland, photographed on a gray day, used a calm rust and simple green to accentuate the beauty of the bungalow style.
This Berkeley beauty took our light yellow with white trim quite nicely!
In this kitchen, simple does not mean boring! Notice the exciting maroon in the hutch.
Happy painting!
Remember to become a fan of Cydney Ortzow Painting on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter (@COrtzowPainting).
www.co-painting.com
Cold weather coming to the Bay Area!
As the falls colors commence, temperatures drop and rainy weather starts to become the norm, we start spending more time indoors. In the construction business, we use this time spent inside to work on projects that don’t require being on roofs or scaffolding.
So as the days draw in, think about what work you need done inside your house: rethink the bathroom? Fix the kitchen the way you’ve always wanted it? Create a design scheme that pulls together your hallways?
Happy painting!
Cydney Ortzow Painting working indoors.
Remember to become a fan of Cydney Ortzow Painting on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter (@COrtzowPainting).
www.co-painting.com
Solving the lead-based paint debacle
Posted by admin_cp in Contractor, Environmental on October 1, 2011
A major worry for home owners is the threat of lead-based paint in their home. In the East Bay, we are blessed to have homes with historic and architectural value, but what we may not realize is in previous years contractors were not as informed about the health risks involved in certain types of construction techniques. Lead-based paints were widely used in the United States due to its reliability prior to its nation-wide ban in 1978, and some sources estimate that as many as three quarters of all homes in the country contain vestiges of lead-based paint.
Unfortunately, anyone who lives in close proximity to lead-based paint is at risk for lead poisoning. It is, however, very rare that one would ingest enough paint to cause a problem, but it has been known to happen. The primary cause of lead poisoning is the ingestion of dust formed by tiny particles of lead paint that have drifted off the painted surface. Children under the age of six are at the highest risk, as toddlers often chew on household items that come into contact with the dust.
The most effective way to reduces risk of lead poisoning is to have a qualified painting contractor like Cydney Ortzow Painting prep, prime and paint over old lead base surfaces with latex based paint.
If you are concerned about the possibility of lead-based paints in your house, do not hesitate to speak with a contractor about prepping, priming and painting these surfaces. If you are concerned that you or someone in your house might have a case of lead poisoning, contact your doctor immediately for a blood test. Often lead poisoning shows no symptoms at the onset.
Have any questions about lead-based paints or painting safety? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re glad to discuss the measures that can be taken to keep your family healthy and safe.
Happy painting!
Remember to become a fan of Cydney Ortzow Painting on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter (@COrtzowPainting).
www.co-painting.com
Keeping VOCs out of your home
Posted by admin_cp in Uncategorized on September 21, 2011
While the smell and look of fresh paint is enough to send anyone into a resplendent residential rapture, danger can sometimes lurk in paint’s pungent perfume. Though lead paint has been illegal in California for years, many paints commonly used for indoor as well as outdoor projects contain large amounts of what are known in the painting community as VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds.
VOCs are unstable carbon compounds that vaporize into the air and are especially dangerous to humans and animals. While they have short term effects, such as headaches and nausea, they have also been linked to cancer and kidney failure. Even scarier, though they are most dangerous within the first year of a new paint job, high VOC paints continue to secrete chemicals for years after the painting was completed. A major health risk, high VOCs are also a main pollutant. Paints used in commercial and residential projects are the second largest source of VOC emissions after automobiles. Paint related VOC emissions are estimated to be around 11 billion pounds per year.
Fortunately, low-VOC and no-VOC paints are now widely available. When starting a painting job, make sure to investigate the products in use. Look for water and latex-based paints.
Do you have any questions or concerns about what kinds of paint to use? Don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email! Everyone at Cydney Ortzow Painting recognizes the importance of using no-VOC paints; please note our VOC information page on our website: http://www.co-painting.com/low_voc.html
We think it’s pressing to get the word out about safe painting products for our families, our environment, and generations to come.
Happy painting!
Remember to become a fan of Cydney Ortzow Painting on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter (@COrtzowPainting).
www.co-painting.com
Choosing color
Interested in picking beautiful colors that are more complex than off-white and grey? Considering picking new hues that are vibrant and unique? Trying to avoid the “tasteful hotel” palette that comes with so many renovations?
Choosing color effectively is one of the hardest tasks in a construction project, and whether your job is a renovation, a new construction, or just a new coat of paint, making the first step can often be frightening.
But don’t worry — there are a tremendous amount of resources out there for people in this position. Countless books, websites, T.V. shows, magazines, and blogs are dedicated to the task of choosing color. So here are a few tips from Cydney Ortzow Painting:
Inspiration
Find an image, a painting, a piece of furniture or a little treasure that has colors that motivate you, and ask yourself, “what is it about this that works for me?” Identify what it is that moves you and what you think doesn’t work. Take a picture and take it to this website to identify your colors:
http://www.degraeve.com/color-palette/
Look to the experts!
People all around the world make careers out of choosing color. Do a quick internet search! Check out your local library! Go blog-surfing! Don’t know where to start? Look here:
http://glo.msn.com/living/unexpected-home-pairings-7216.gallery
Chat with a color consultant and a painting contractor
Always full of ideas and experience, color consultants are the best resource. Color consultants will listen while educating you about how different combinations work and don’t work. Check out our page about color consultation (below), and give Angelisse or Cass a call!
http://www.co-painting.com/color_consultation.html
Choosing color is one of the most exciting parts of working on a construction or renovation project. Remember to keep your eyes open and you’ll be astounded by the complexity and multiplicity of colors around you. Give us a call! We’d love to hear what you’re thinking and where your questions lie.
Happy painting!
Above: A Cydney Ortzow Painting project at Bridgewater Emeryville, Emeryville CA.
Remember to become a fan of Cydney Ortzow Painting on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter (@COrtzowPainting).
www.co-painting.com
How to hire the perfect contractor for your project
Posted by admin_cp in Contractor on August 17, 2011
When you are considering a renovation or construction project, it is imperative that you find the right people with whom to collaborate. You need someone who understands your project, your budget, your ideas, and most importantly, your expectations. But how do you select a contractor from the myriad of results that your Google search has yielded? Here are a few guidelines for finding a company that will suit your needs.
Do your homework
In the information age, it is easier every day to do research on contractors that you consider. Instead of just making calls at random from the Yellow Pages, you can look around on the internet to find out how the contractors that you are considering work. Examine their website, their Facebook, and their Yelp pages. Do people give them positive online reviews? What are the problems that some of their customers encounter? If you are pleased with what you see, give them a call to schedule a bid.
Check credentials
To guarantee professionalism, you’ll want to make sure that the company has been licensed properly. Make sure to ask for:
- Required license (word to the wise: this varies by state. Check to see what your local regulations are)
- Insurance (make sure that the contractor and all employees are insured so as to avoid liability)
- Does the company subcontract their work or do it themselves? You’ll want to know who is going to be working on your job.
- References (contractors should be more than happy to provide you with numerous references from former clients. Do not be afraid to ask if you can speak directly with former customers. Also, consider visiting former jobs and ask yourself how well the work has fared over time)
Getting Estimates
It is recommended that you get bids from three different companies. The estimates should be fairly similar. If they differ greatly, ask yourself why — are they overbidding? Are they cutting corners?
Be specific and candid with the contractors you consider
You’ll want to fill your contractor in on all of the details as soon as possible– the more specific you can be with what you want the more exact their bid will be. Before you have the contractor over for the bid, carefully consider what it is that you want done. Will they need to remove wallpaper? Paint the trim? Will you require a color consultant?
Your contractor should be open to your ideas but willing to give advice when it is requested. Don’t be afraid to ask for their opinion! The contractor should be able to refer you to design consultants, roofers, plumbers, etc., who they trust.
Review the contract before you sign!
Read your contract carefully before you make a final agreement! Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification or alterations. Here are some things that you’ll want to watch out for:
- Specific details for what is to be painted, and what paint will be used
- Details about how the contractor will prepare, protect and clean the space
- The expected time frame of the project
- Details about payment (when and how)
Hopefully these tips will help you find the right contractor for your needs. Remember, what you ultimately want is someone you can trust with your project.
Happy painting!
Remember to become a fan of Cydney Ortzow Painting on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter (@COrtzowPainting).
www.co-painting.com
The Importance of Color Consultation
Thinking about repainting your house, apartment, condo or business? No matter what your needs may be, the importance of picking the right colors cannot be underestimated. At Cydney Ortzow Painting, we use professional color consultants to help you choose your interior and exterior color palate so you have exactly the right look for your projects. Take a look at our color consultants.
Angelisse Karol has over 25 years of architectural, design and color experience. Trained in Boston, her work can be seen throughout the Bay Area. Check out her website for information about her company and images of her work: http://www.angelissekarolcolor.com/.
Cass Morris has worked in the painting industry since 1984. She has worked in remodels, new constructions and renovations. Don’t miss her website for information about her services: http://www.cassmorris.com/Index.html.
Both of these businesses are highly recommended on Yelp and also on the Berkeley Parents’ Network page of Color Consultants; they are quite popular! http://parents.berkeley.edu/recommend/home/colorconsult.html
Happy painting!
Remember to become a fan of Cydney Ortzow Painting on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter (@COrtzowPainting).
www.co-painting.com