What Is a Color Brush Out?

What Is a Color Brush Out?

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A question we often get asked is: “Do you do color brush outs?”

YES. We do!

What is a Brush Out?

A brush out is when your painter takes samples of the colors you are considering and paints them directly on the surface for you so you can see how they will interact with that surface, and how light affects the color throughout the day. Even light bouncing off the floor affects how a color reads.

We find that sometimes our clients need almost-life-sized samples to get a sense of what the final result is going to look like. This is one way we can help people choose!

How big is a brush out sample?

Often we go with a 2ft x 2ft square.

In the images on this post, as you can see, the colors the client is deciding between are not that far apart from each other in terms of tone. This type of choice can be particularly challenging.

The brush-out helps them compare and contrast, and make a better choice!

And yes, we will prime right over those samples before painting the room, so that the final result is clean and even.

Option B is to do brush outs on a card, which doesn’t give the same surface-interaction, but is close enough, and bonus, you can move it around the room to see the light in different areas.

However (are you still with us? This is pretty nerd-level detail…) we prefer painting directly on the wall, especially in older homes where walls often have a texture to them which causes the color to read a little differently.

How can we help you have the best experience with hiring a painting contractor for your home’s interiors and exteriors? Contact us to learn more about our full-service offerings.

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Rhapsody in Blue-Green: From Arana’s Portfolio

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With this recent exterior paint job, performed by Arana Craftsman Painters, this lovely Oakland home went from white-and-brown to shades of blue with hints of green, and gray trim. The color palette was selected by our dear colleague (whose services are included in our whole-house-exterior-paint contracts) Cass Morris.

Cass took in homeowners Kelly and Nat’s lovingly-tended gardens and the neutral tones of existing hardscaping and outdoor kitchen, as well as the palettes of neighboring homes, plus the couple’s general appreciation of blue, to devise this bright, lively, and harmonious exterior paint scheme.

Nat admits that they were initially skeptical. “We didn’t think we’d love having our entire house this color, but we do!”

At Arana, we love when bold risks, guided by experts in the world of color and design, yield such gorgeous results.

Body color (stucco): Benjamin Moore Del Mar Blue #704

“A muted blue-green” that can “quietly anchor” a palette, according to the company’s website

Doors, plus thin rails on front fence: Benjamin Moore Vermont Slate #1673

“Both traditional and modern,” a “cool blue” with “a touch of green”

Porch steps, walkway, plus thick rails on front fence: Duxbury Gray #HC 163

“A unique medium gray with a trace of green”

Door frames, window frames, stair railings: Benjamin Moore Quiet Moments #1563

“A gentle mix of blue, green, and gray… that exudes tranquility and inspires quiet meditation”

Color descriptions from benjaminmoore.com

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Client Spotlight: Bay Area Writer, Mixologist, and Spirits Authority, Nat Harry

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We take it as a compliment that so many interesting and accomplished folks in the Bay Area choose us to help them beautify and steward their homes. Nat and their partner Kelly brought us in recently to paint the exterior of their Oakland stucco home. At the time, Nat mentioned to us that they were working on a book — and now it is available for pre-order.

In Spirits Distilled: A Guide to the Ingredients Behind a Better Bottle, author/journalist, San Francisco World Spirits competition Judge, award-winning farm-to-table mixologist, and spirits buyer for high end Bay Area liquor purveyors, Nat Harry (re)introduces readers to the fruits, plants, and processes that form the backbone of the world’s most popular and in some cases underappreciated spirits. Their approachable and encyclopedic accounting invites readers to thoughtfully regard everything that goes into a spirit, what makes good, good; including the skilled hands that turn those ingredients into art.

About the timeline for publication, Nat reports, “The hard-copy will be coming out in August. We don’t have anything lined up yet, but I am looking forward to doing a bunch of local events — we will have a book launch party at one of the Future Bars Group locations.”

Future Bars owns 10 bars in the Bay Area and two shops including Cask on College, where Nat once curated the spirits selection. “I also plan to do talks at distilleries, producers, and distributors,” they add. To stay up to date on book-related appearances and mixology class offerings, subscribe to Nat’s newsletter at their website: www.natharry.com.

In their 20+ years in the industry, Nat Harry has traveled the world to hand-pick their recommendations for the world’s most unique and exquisite craft spirits. In Spirits Distilled, they share their knowledge, providing an informative guidebook as beautifully-crafted visually as it is detailed and informative. Pre-orders come with a complimentary (virtual) mixology class with the author: www.westwoodpress.com/our-books/p/spirits-distilled

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Berkeley House Painting Project Lincoln Street

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Beautiful Home in Berkeley, CA on Lincoln Street. We had the pleasure of painting this historical beauty.

The perfect finish is only achieved through perfect preparation. We lovingly restored this stately 1893 Berkeley Victorian, down to every last decorative detail.

A little bit about the beautiful town of Berkeley.

Berkeley, California, is a vibrant city located on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay in northern Alameda County. Named after the 18th-century philosopher George Berkeley, it is renowned for its dynamic blend of history, culture, and progressive thought. Established in 1868, the city is perhaps best known as the home of the University of California, Berkeley, a premier public research university that has significantly influenced the intellectual and cultural fabric of the region.

Berkeley’s landscape is characterized by its picturesque setting between the Pacific foothills and the San Francisco Bay, offering residents and visitors alike stunning natural beauty and a variety of outdoor activities. The city has a rich history of countercultural movements, particularly during the 1960s, when it became a hub for free speech and anti-war protests. This legacy of activism continues to shape its progressive policies and community initiatives today.

The city’s eclectic atmosphere is reflected in its diverse neighborhoods, each offering unique attractions and experiences. From the bustling Downtown area with its array of shops, restaurants, and theaters, to the tranquil residential streets of the Berkeley Hills, there is something for everyone. Cultural landmarks such as the Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive further enrich the city’s cultural landscape.

Berkeley is also known for its commitment to sustainability and environmentalism. The city has implemented various green initiatives, including extensive recycling programs and the promotion of renewable energy sources. This dedication to sustainability is mirrored in the lifestyle of its residents, many of whom embrace eco-friendly practices.

In summary, Berkeley, California, is a city that seamlessly blends academic excellence, cultural diversity, historical significance, and a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. Its unique character and enduring spirit make it a notable and influential part of the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Steps to Buying Art for Your Home with a Professional Art Consultant

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“When the sun is out and the pool is warm,” by Sheldon Greenberg. 48 x 40 in. Oil on canvas. At SLATE contemporary gallery.

SLATE contemporary is an art consultancy firm providing a personalized art collecting service, helping homeowners and businesses select the exact right art for their spaces.

During this process, we get to know you and the architecture of your home, and determine a selection of pieces that will suit your desired feeling, tone, your personal taste, the available light, the present or future interior design, your personal taste, and how you and your family and friends will enjoy the space. Below is a description of the process as it typically unfolds. Of course, options and adaptations are offered to suit each client’s individual circumstances.

These are the steps to the process of choosing art with a consultant:
1) Virtual gallery walk-through: Potential clients are invited first to look through SLATE’s website and let us know what they like, what they definitely don’t like, and what they are ambivalent towards. We are not limited to what’s on the site when we help clients collect, but we like to use our website as a diagnostic tool. This helps us get a sense of our client’s taste and style.

2) Home (or site) visit: We work with clients to identify potential locations for art, we measure the walls, and take photos. During this visit we look at images of artworks together. Sometimes, through this process, we are helping clients to identify or articulate their taste for the first time. Occasionally, when working with a couple, they each have different tastes and that can be very challenging. Sometimes we can find art that has elements that they will both like, sometimes we agree to let each one of them choose one piece, or each choose art for a different room. Sometimes, if those solutions don’t work, the truth is, we can’t help them. Also, for every project, every location, we are making a judgement call. Sometimes it’s a more personal decision, based on how the collector connects emotionally to the artwork. Sometimes it’s more of a design decision. For example, a room that is very neutral in overall tone might be desperate for color. Or if you have a very vibrant, visually-busy space, then the art might need to be quiet to create breathing room. All that said, it can also be nice to throw in a surprise, or chose a piece that creates visual tension, so the design doesn’t feel too predictable. In all of these ways, we are responding to what the space, and the client, needs.

3) Virtual art placement: At this point, we have developed a list of suggested artworks for specific locations, which we share digitally. We may make digital mockups showing artwork in situ, using the photos we took during the home (or site) visit.

4) Feedback: The client indicates their favorite selections.

5) Private viewing: We invite the client to the gallery for a private viewing, to see the potential selections in person. For this appointment, we may be retrieving pieces from our storage, or from the artists themselves. (NOTE: Anyone is welcome to visit SLATE gallery to see the works currently on display. However if there is a specific piece from the website you want to view, in order for us to have it ready for you, you may need to make an appointment.)

6) Short-list selections: We work with the client to further narrow down the list of pieces they want to view in their home.

7) “A man and a van:” We deliver the art to the client’s location — to meet with the client and the pieces in situ, for final decision-making and purchase. (There is a small fee for delivery, which, if the client makes a minimum purchase of $5000, the service fee is waived.) Some clients choose to skip steps 5 and 6, instead having many or all artworks under consideration brought to their home, in one, or repeat visits. We are happy to do this, however additional delivery fees apply.

Bonus tip: Whether to choose art at the start of a design/remodel project or the end
Art is often chosen at the end of an interior design project or remodel, once the design and furniture is all in. The advantage of this approach is that we can use art to balance or fine-tune the design.

However, at that point, clients are usually in a hurry to see their project completed, and ideally, building an art collection is not done in a rush. Also, it may be too late, at that point in the process, to adjust window treatments, lighting, or wall color, all of which will have an impact on how the art reads.
If you select the art first, you can create an environment for it during your renovation that makes it really sing.

Click this link to read more about Danielle Fox and SLATE on our blog. Learn more about SLATE contemporary at www.slateart.net

Danielle Fox of SLATE contemporary. Photo credit: Lauren Edith

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Interior Color Trends for 2021

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While some might be thinking that we are jumping the gun a little, others feel the same way, 2020 can be over. There isn’t a guarantee that a new year means the place gets back to normal, however, there is hope. While many of us spent most of our time at home in 2020, we probably have noticed that our interiors are getting a little outdated. Perhaps you need to freshen up the paint a little. If we are going to be spending more time at home, then shouldn’t we be enjoying it? Let’s make the inside of your home beautiful. Warm calming pastels along with cheerful and bright colors. After all, we could all use a little cheer after this year!

2020 wasn’t all bad, well, it was mostly, but think about the hobbies that you picked back up. Or the extra time you got to spend with your family, the good times. Many of us got to get back to nature and enjoy the outdoors more, since, well, that was pretty much the only place we were allowed to go. During this time vacations were canceled and many of us started investing in the beauty of our own homes. We were busy creating beautiful art for the walls and designing that new garden.

As 2021 rolls in, many fashion designers are thinking that the colors for the year are going to be back to nature with a pop of bright. Let’s take a look at what we mean by that.

The colors of 2021
Brave Ground is a dulux color that some of the design experts have chosen as one of the more popular colors of 2021. This warm and earthy tone brings in nature to the interior. It provides a firm foundation for creativity and change. The color represents growth, stability, and potential. This color can be easily combined with other colors in all kinds of ways.

Forecast is another potentially popular color palette for 2021. This color palette offers a sense of comfort and familiarity. These color choices offer a reset, retreat, and nourish. While holding onto a sense of nostalgia, this color palette offers rejuvenating and aesthetic pleasing hues. As life in 2020 may seem a little slower, we like to think that these colors can be a way to bring in the cheer.

The rest palette is a palette that is a little more upbeat. This is sure to bring some cheer into your home. Why not brighten your tone and outlook with some of these bolder tones. While this palette is of brighter tones, it also has a sense of the 70s. This nostalgic look is something that seems to be getting more popular in recent years.

The palette Nourish demands attention and offers a send of unplugging and being in the present moment. This palette is said to offer some rejuvenation of your soul. While it does lean to the more nurturing side, the colors of this palette are warm earth tones such as browns, greens, and yellows. This is an excellent palette choice if you need a sense of warmth and acceptance. It offers a sense of softness that allows your furniture and home decor to meld. Admire your tranquil surroundings with the Nourish palette.

More 2021 Paint Color Choices.
The retreat palette is a mixture of security with a side of comfort. Your home is your central hub for just about anything these days. Many of us are finding that it is where we rest our heads but also where we eat, workout, and even work. We are spending more time in our homes than ever before, so it is important that we are comfortable. The retreat color palette is made to offer this level of comfort. The hues of this palette are very earth tones with browns, blues, and dark greens. While our lives start to be more around your home, you find yourself having to blur the lines of work, relaxation, and play. This is the color palette for you.

Jotun Lady
Jotun Lady is a paint company out of Norway. They have come up with a four color palette collection that is called Rediscover. Rediscover is about finding new ways to play with the different color options and combing in colors in ways you never thought possible.

Warm and rustic colors are what you’ll find in the first color palette. In this palette think about the Moroccan desert sand that is rich with golden pinks or the burnt oranges that we think of than we think of Mexico. This is to incorporate the love of culture from around the world. These are really rich and warm color tones. The pinks, orange, and tans are colors that are warm and inviting.

Soft and Neutral colors
The soft and neutral colors are gray, light tan, and light browns. This palette is timeless hues that go with all kinds of different pallets.

Dreamy Pastel Hues
This palette is meant to bring Scandinavian village into your home. This color palette is very warm and earthy. These are fun and light color options that can really brighten up your home and make it quite beautiful.

Airy Blue Tones
The airy blue tones make your home fun and airy. It is very peaceful and offers a great sense of peace. This color palette is a wonderful way to surround yourself with calm colors and enjoy the cozy environment. Making a cozy environment that allows you to recharge your batteries. These blue-grey hues are perfect for those places that you want rest and comfort in. Places such as the bedroom or living room. This brings in the quiet tranquility of these colors found in nature.

Urbane Bronze is Sherwin-Williams color of 2021
While we have some various color palettes mentioned. We wanted to also take a look at what Sherwin-Willams chose for their color choice of 2021. While we are all stuck inside, it is important to remember that you don’t have to look at drab walls. You can have fun with your interior, afterall, you are staring at it more than normal. This Urbane Bronze is a nice warm color that brings a bit of cheer into a drab world.

Behr Color Trends of 2021
Behr, another leader in interior paint also has their palette for 2021 that are divided in 6 color themes. Casual comfort is beautiful light colors and a calm zone are another color choice. These beautiful greens and blues are in the clam zone. Subtle Focus is another group of colors that Behr recommends that is very sophisticated. In the Quiet Haven collect they offer a peaceful oasis with deep hues. Optimistic view is a wonderful collection that is a pop of bright color.

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Splash a Bit of Color into Your Life with our Help

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If you are in need of a bit of light in your life then one of the easiest ways is to illuminate your life is to get out a color chart and let us either redecorate or advise you on how you can make your home or professional space look a little less passé and a bit more on-trend and fresh.

We all know how challenging it can be to choose the perfect color for our rooms – it might have looked fabulous in the brochure or test pots, but when you start painting it on your walls, it doesn’t always seem right.

At Arana Craftsman Painters, we can help explain how to look beyond the color and how to explore light – both natural and artificial, the room’s orientation, and the amount of sunlight received, which can affect the color choices you make.

So, whether your own personal style is modern or traditional, minimalist or extravagant, there’s a color somewhere with your name on it! And we can help you find it…

Arana Craftsman Painters are a family-owned business with over 60 years of painting and decorating experience, which we think gives us more than an artisans eye for detail, especially when it comes to interior and exterior painting choices.

Creative Decorating Solutions

Because when you’re choosing a new color for your interior, the most important thing to remember is that there are no rules! Something may be in trend in all the home interior magazines, but those colors have to work for you.

Knowing how to choose paint colors seems really easy at first until you’re faced with indecision from having so many choices.

For all the styles that are out there, it’s essential that you choose colors that you love because, after all, you have to live with them, not the interior designers.

But, don’t just take our word for it, check out our excellent website reviews and our regular contributions to those in the professional residential and commercial industries, we love to paint with a passion. Check out our latest contribution! We are happy to share our painting knowledge with just about anyone!

At Arana Painting, we often utilize air brushing and brushless techniques to work both more effectively and efficiently. CB, owner of Arana had this to say about the subject. “We use airless assisted sprayers to reduce the time it takes to paint a project as well as when we want to achieve a cleaner finish that will not show brushstrokes.”

So if you need some support or advice for your own home or commercial related painting project, just give us a shout, we love to splash ourselves around.

Need some help?

Think of us as the painting doctors.

Whether you need help painting your exterior, interior home, or business, we know that finding reliable, trustworthy tradespeople can be difficult, which is why we’ve spent so long perfecting our trade so that you’ll we can bring your color desires to life.

Regardless of whether it’s product knowledge, color tools, finishes, and designs – there are endless solutions to what might seem like complicated problems – let us share with you our Arana painting skills and experience, our choice of high-quality materials, and solve any decorating dilemmas you may have.

We know that not all painting projects are straightforward, and some are trickier than others – so, let us help when help is needed – from complicated painting jobs to painting inspiration, we are the painting pros!

wood staining services oakland

Arana Craftsman Painters Specializes in Wood Stains and Varnishes

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Oakland, California – Arana Craftsman Painters has announced that the new service and said that it would cover various interior elements from stair risers, balustrades to windows and doors. In addition, stains and varnishes will also be added to exterior elements like doors, decks, windows and shingles. Staining according to the company and in the opinion of many experts helps to reveal the beauty of natural elements like wood.

Arana Craftsman Painters specializes in restoring mainly wood elements that help rejuvenate the home to its former glory. Whether it is wood, exterior decorative wood, or interior craftsman trip, the company has professionals who strip the material back to the grain to try to save what’s possible.

Unknown to many people, wood restoration is labor-intensive and yet skillful work that involves the use of many materials to prevent and stop the rot. Also, fillers are used to repair damaged sections. Usually, stains and varnishes can end up being a lot more expensive, more as compared to the traditional preparation. However, it can help people save thousands of dollars needed for replacing sections. Also, many people are choosing restoration because it is environmentally sustainable.

Many homes across the Bay Area have been built using high-quality wood from the original forest that once existed in the area. Restoring that wood infuses the home with new beauty and life.

“Wood has many colorful undertones, but similar to stone, that color isn’t always something that people get to see until it is wet. Wood, regardless of age, will look dull and often dry until it is professionally varnished to bring out those subtle unique designs and colors to life. Staining and varnishing help to hydrate the wood, highlighting the natural color of that type of wood; that’s why it is one of the most popular processes,” says Catherine Baldi, Principal of Arana Craftsman Painters.

About Arana Craftsman Painters

Arana provides a wide range of commercial and residential services, which include Stains and Varnishes. As Craftsman Painters, the company’s professionals will strip a surface down to the bare essentials to build them back to a more beautiful state. The company also provides clients with a 5-year written guarantee protecting their investment from cracking, bubbling and peeling of paint or varnish. Serving Oakland, Piedmont, Alameda, Berkeley, Orinda, Lafayette, and San Francisco.

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Press Release: Arana Craftsman Painters Featured In Oakland Magazine

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Oakland Magazine features Arana Craftsman Painters: the article opens with Shannon
Bloemker meeting with the company after being subcontracted a staining and painting service as
part of the latter’s “eco-conscious renovation project.”

Oakland, CA – Arana Craftsman Painters receive a notable mention in Oakland
Magazine. The article entitled “The Test Of Time: Taking A Look At A Leed Platinum Home, 10
Years Later.” The article talks about how Shannon and Rob, after purchasing a Mid-Century
Modern style home, decided it needed work. Fortunately, she had a great deal of construction
and property management experience. Armed with a Master’s degree in Sustainability at
Harvard, she brought a few players onboard, one of which was Arana Craftsman Painters.
Arana Craftsman Painters worked with Shannon, bringing her vision to life, one painting task at
a time. The techniques used, according to the company, had to be eco-friendly and it had to be
durable. However, it was no ordinary paint job since the house has a great deal of wood, namely
cedar, which turns grey and bleeds, appearing as black streaks on the surface. Some homeowners
decide against coating the cedar, but Arana recommended that the cedar receive a clear coat
stain, essentially UV proofing it. The result is the beautiful red, and golden color cedar looks
excellent.

It was up to Arana Craftsman Painters to stain every wood panel! A lot of the paneling was also
new, and every one of the panels had to be stained, and the colors had to match precisely.
Painting and staining jobs are painstakingly challenging and require a high skill level. Shannon
implied that a job like that wouldn’t have been as easy as it was without Arana’s expertise.

“Working with Shannon was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. She had so much knowledge and
experience that we were able to exchange a lot of information when working on her home. I still
remember how challenging staining those wood panels were, and at times, it seemed that the
work would never end; however, the time we spent working on making sure everything was
perfect certainly paid off.” Said a representative for Arana Craftsman Painters.

She added, “We are very proud of the work our team did.”

About Arana Craftsman Painters
The company is on a mission to serve homeowners in the Bay Area by preserving structures that
offer sustenance and warmth to families. Arana Craftsman Painters aims to provide the finest
work at a fair price. In addition, the company backs all work they do with a satisfaction
guarantee.

Julie Feinstein

Arana Craftsman Painters Welcomes Julie Feinstein Onboard As Business Development Manager

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Oakland, CA – Julie Feinstein brings with her years of experience as a journalist, writer, photographer and teacher. She is also a seasoned networker, which, along with her along list of skills and talents, are ideally suited to help the company and its mission. Arana Craftsman added that Feinstein, in addition to having the skill set needed to help the company achieve its goals, is also compatible with its culture and values, making her the perfect match.

Julie Feinstein has extensive experience in the home design and remodeling industry, to which she was exposed to after launching her highly successful marketing writing and consulting services in 2009. She was quoted as saying, “I found I had an affinity for working with architects, designers, builders and contractors.” In other words, people who combined their skillsets to create aesthetic spaces.

As business development manager at Arana Craftsman Painters, Feinstein has already started using her years of industry experience and affinity for working with these professionals to help steer the business. Julie Feinstein joins the company’s Ernesto and Catherine, in addition to other members of the growing Arana Craftsman family, to build relationships and find business opportunities as part of helping it meet its goals for 2023 and beyond.

“I’m proud to be part of the team. Everyone has been so welcoming, and it feels like I’ve entered a new home. However, I know we’ve got a lot of work to do, but I also believe that the team is ready to start working towards a common goal,” said, Julie Feinstein.

She added, “I think we can accomplish a lot with the right strategy, and that’s what we are working on right now. I think everyone will see lots of positive changes moving forward.”

About Arana Craftsman

Arana Craftsman is one of the most trusted and skilled painters in Oakland, California. The company is on a mission to help homeowners preserve their structures. The company offers a 5-year guarantee, warranty repairs, and annual check-ins. Arana Craftsman sees itself as a long-term partner that helps people keep their homes in excellent condition.