Basurto Painting Blog

Color of the Month in Silicon Valley

office@basurtopainting.com (Nico Basurto) — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 05:16:45 GMT

February Blog - Color of the Month in Silicon Valley

As March’s sun begins to peak over the horizon, February’s sun shines the last of its light on us as it descends. For most people, February was a month filled with the on-stretch of goals from January and for some, a refreshing break as we celebrate holidays and traditions. February brings the importance of Black History Month in addition to light holidays such as Groundhog day (February 2nd) where it was declared this year’s winter will extend until March 20. We may even have found ourselves celebrating those we cherish and love in our lives with Valentine’s Day on the 14th, or hopefully even enjoyed time off with the Federal holiday for President’s Day on the 17th.

Reflecting on February, we may cerebrate on activities we accomplished, habits we developed, or memories we created with our loved ones.

Which is why for February 2025 Sun Dried Tomato by Sherwin-Williams is well-suited for color of the month. This color is not only a Sherwin-Williams “expert pick”, it is moody without encompassing darkness, and passionate without being overwhelming. This medium-dark shade of red creates an inviting environment and is the perfect accent color when trying to encompass a warm and welcoming space. This warm but dark and moderately saturated red can encourage action and confidence. Adding this color to your dining rooms, entryways, or spaces for entertainment can add a liveliness and spark of conversation it may have been lacking before.

A creamy, deep white or muted, calming brown can pair well with Sun Dried Tomato as opposing wall or trim colors. Though this Sherwin-Williams shade of red looks beautiful as both a full-room color or simply an accent color.

Sun Dried Tomato has an LRV of 5. What is an LRV and what does it mean? An LRV is the “Light Reflectance Value” and it is a number (typically from 0-100) that expresses the amount of light the color either reflects or absorbs. Since this is a darker color, it has a low LRV of 5, meaning it absorbs more light than it reflects back into the room. The natural lighting, aesthetic of the room, and artificial lighting can be factored in when deciding what color and shade to choose. This slightly moody color may be the change you’re looking for in your home’s space!

If you can envision your space being transformed with Sun Dried Tomato, contact 650-942-1133 or office@basurtopainting.com so Basurto Painting can further enrich the joy you get from your home.

Please contact us for a complimentary tour of our NEW Shop in Palo Alto, CA.

Why Add “Freshly Painted Walls” to Your New Year’s Resolutions?

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 01:03:58 GMT

JANUARY BLOG:

Benefits of Painting Interior Walls

1. Personalization

There are many ways of adding your very own aesthetic & artistic touch to your home. One of our favorites is seeing clients who have art pieces hanging on the walls, but not just a random piece of art. It may have some sort of personal meaning to you, reminding you of your last trip to France or Italy. In these cases, some clients want the decor to be the focal point, so a neutral white or cream is usually preferred. (ie: BM Swiss Coffee, Chantilly Lace)

However, in the case where you are moving into a builder spec home, with stark white walls and cabinets, one may get inspired to add a POP of color!

This past year we had a lovely couple of Stanford Doctors who were preparing to move into their new home! The only issue was that the Mrs hated the all-white walls, especially in the bedrooms. She wanted to incorporate some level of vibrant colors, without taking it to the extreme. Then, her biggest fear became a reality, her son requested Benjamin Moore’s Million Dollar Red for his bedroom.

We are determined to always find a solution, especially when needing to please multiple people. In order to still use the son’s desired color & not be too vibrant and overpowering, we suggested a compromise. Instead of painting every single wall in the same vibrant color, only one will be. Now to decide, which wall be receive this pleasure?

2. Feel Proud in Your Home

Your home is more than just a space—it’s a reflection of your unique style and a source of pride. A fresh coat of paint on your interior walls can breathe new life into your surroundings, elevating every room into a sanctuary of sophistication and elegance. Whether you’re drawn to timeless neutrals, bold statement hues, or custom finishes, our expert team is dedicated to crafting a flawless transformation that speaks to your vision. When your walls radiate beauty and precision, you’ll feel a renewed sense of pride in your home, knowing every detail has been meticulously curated to inspire and delight.

BP Fun Fact: Have you noticed that yellow was quite the popular color for kitchens in the 1960s and 70s? Or how many fast food chains have implemented yellow as their signature color or logo?

Not only is yellow seen to create a joyful and optimistic environment, which suits the kitchen and its use for familial togetherness, but it is also known to be a hunger stimulant for the brain. Scientific studies have also shown that food tends to taste better under warm lighting like yellow.

3. Sense of Security

Is your home constantly filled by life’s energy- and the mess that comes with it? Are you a parent, grandparent, or pet owner whose house is touched- literally and figuratively- by your loved ones. You can restore your sense of security by simultaneously bringing a new atmosphere and durability to your home that’s loved on and lived in by those who embrace your home with their energy and life.

A mother-of-two in Mountain View recently remodeled her home alongside our contractor and interior design partner, Harrell Design + Build. As a mother and homeowner, she was looking to create a vibrant environment to suit her family’s personalities and furniture. Luckily, our expert painters are here to understand and guide you to choose the best paint type and color to fit the feeling you want your home to have.
To ensure longevity, our painters suggested a highly durable paint that will withstand the constant touching that comes with having curious and energetic children. Adding an accent wall in nearly every room, our client was able to give her home a long lasting paint job suited to her family and life, that will bring her family joy for years to come!

Are you looking to personalize your home? Are you wanting to once again feel proud in your space, or feel secure about the quality your loved ones are surrounded in?

No matter the look you’re wanting to do, or the reason you want to do it, Basurto Painting can assist you through it all. Give your walls the look and feel you deserve to have.

Basurto Painting can provide you with expert painters and color consultants who have one goal- to deliver you the satisfaction and ease of mind you and your home deserve.

What’s it Like Working With a Professional Painter?

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 19:58:16 GMT

What is it Like Working With a Professional Painter?

Can you remember the last time your bedroom walls got touched up to brighten up your space? Or when your front door was last refinished to reflect the beauty of your home?

Here at Basurto Painting, we understand how busy life can be, and how important it is to work around your schedule. That’s why we accept and encourage projects to be scheduled ahead of time!

This client came to us with one primary concern and request: a completion deadline .

This specific project was scheduled eight months in advance, following a full home remodel. The client’s goal was to ensure their family could meet their move-in date and settle back into their home.

This timely planning benefited the homeowners, as they had the opportunity to properly plan the repaint of their newly refurbished home without any rush or worries. They were guaranteed ample time for their color selection process, ensuring product availability, as well as securing slots with our top painters.

In these eight months, the job was never at a stand still. From the time we worked out the estimate and began the process of painting the home, the existing portion was remodelled and a new portion of their home had been built.

Less than two months before the start date, when the house was about ready for its fresh coat of paint, the Basurto Painting team began communicating with our client's interior designer in order to compile the various colors that their team, and the homeowners, were looking to grab samples of.

Client satisfaction remains a top priority in our entire painting process, from the estimate to the final walkthrough. A brush out was provided to ensure that the homeowners were certain and satisfied with their paint selection. This process gives the clients a clear idea of how the colors would appear on their walls, versus the color sample on the can.

What is a Brush Out?

A brush out is a quick and easy process done by our painters, in order to properly provide a sample of a client's chosen colors.

Have you ever chosen paint based on the color on the can, only to find out it looks completely different when brushed out? With Basurto Painting, we will be sure the color you choose will fit your expectations and style!

This extra step offers the chance to visualize the colors in the context of designing and lighting in each room, making the final selection that much easier!

However, what really sets our expert team apart from other painting contractors is how we manage a crisis, or things not going in the way we planned. We make it work.

With this particular project, we understood we were just one piece of a massive puzzle, and our pieces relied on the consistency of the others. The remodeling team would occasionally set our team behind schedule, but our team remained flexible and patient, even in cases where certain areas of the home were not ready when they should’ve been.

Another example of our ability to be flexible and go above and beyond is when we were mistakenly given expired paint and how we handled the situation. It was not until shortly after we applied the paint, that we noticed its chunky and unnaturally thick consistency. This wasted approximately one week's worth of work. After detecting the defects, we promptly contacted our company’s Benjamin Moore representative and passed on the information. With our luck, they were able to replace the paint with an even better quality product than the one we initially had planned for.

Considering the client’s major concern to stay on track and complete the project within the six-week timeframe, our team took matters into our own hands.

This paint mishap was not our fault, however, we took it upon ourselves to go the extra mile to meet the promised completion date in order to remove any burden from the shoulders of our client. This meant going back in to repaint the affected areas, and our painters were committed to working longer hours each day and working on the weekends. This overtime pay was coming out of our pockets, and demonstrated the commitment from our team of painters. Sure enough, our team was able to complete the project on time!

Our job is not just to complete the project, but to reassure the client along the way, and be sure everything is up to their standards.

The client was extremely grateful for our constant communication and dedication.

2025 is just around the corner, so take the opportunity to plan your next paint job!

Whether you’ve considered refreshing your bedroom’s interior walls, refinishing your front door, or repainting your kitchen cabinets, Basurto Painting wants to hear from you!

Kitchen Cabinets: Upkeep & Maintaining Longevity

office@basurtopainting.com (Nico Basurto) — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 16:39:13 GMT

Whether it’s a Sunday afternoon football lunch-fest, holiday dinner with the entire family, or late-night snacking, the kitchen is the heart of the home and where family memories are made.

The kitchen is the most commonly shared space of your home. This creates a much higher need for more consistent upkeep on your kitchen surfaces and cabinets.

According to the article “2024 U.S. Houszz & Home Study: Renovation Trends” , “Kitchens continue to lead as the most commonly renovated interior room” at 29%.

Frequent wear and tear is very common for homeowners and is usually due to excessive moisture and touch in high-traffic areas. This includes around the sink, above the stove, next to the refrigerator, cabinet knobs and the cabinet's outer frame.

The cold and rainy seasons are among us. While the weather does not allow for exterior paint jobs, fence refinishing, deck restaining, etc, it is important to acknowledge your options for interior services , like kitchen cabinet repainting !

“How do I know it’s time to repaint my cabinets?”

You may notice the cabinet paint beginning to give off a tacky feel, along with flaking, peeling, and discoloration. The list also includes open cracks on the wooden boards and dirt stains that will not budge.

Are you noticing the hinges and knobs on your cabinets becoming loose, causing sagging and hard-to-open doors? This is often caused by excessive opening and closing of your cabinets.

The Repainting Process:

Looking to freshen up your kitchen, and give it a new look?

This is the time to schedule a color consultation with our painting experts and pick the new color for your new kitchen.

Alternatively, if you are still liking the color of your cabinets, there’s no need to change and repaint your entire kitchen! If that is not your desire, you have the option to repaint only the affected areas, doors, drawer fronts, and frames.

How to Maintain Your Cabinets:

The most important aspect of maintaining your home’s beauty is cleaning !

Clean the areas often with a soft microfiber cloth damp with water only, or you may also use a very diluted concoction of dish soap. This will aid with grease removal.

Use a soft scrubbing motion with the cloth to not spread the dirt or grease. Wipe the surface clean with water.

Leave open to dry. When opening, be sure to avoid touching the painted surfaces with bare hands. Open being sure to touch the handle only. The natural oils produced from your hands are known to break down the augment of the paint and cause discoloration.

Product Recommendations:

Gemini Evo ( Our #1 Recommendation)

Benefits: This waterborne lacquer paint is highly durable and scuff-resistant. Its quick drying abilities make the process convenient and quick for homeowners.

This product has a variety of flexible and odorless coatings, which can be tinted with any Benjamin Moore color.

Available in matte, satin, gloss, and semi-gloss.

Benjamin Moore Command

Benefits: Waterborne urethane-based paint. Quick drying, particularly in cold weather.

This product will provide a durable, scuff-resistant, and long-lasting finish.

Available in a satin or gloss finish, and all the beloved Benjamin Moore colors.

Benjamin Moore Insl-X Cabinet Coat

Benefits: This enamel paint provides a tough, long-lasting, and sturdy finish for your cabinets.

Available in a satin or semi-gloss finish, and all Benjamin Moore colors.

We recommend yearly visits from your trusted painting experts to stay on top of upkeep and catch any damage before it increases!

Prioritizing consistent upkeep will keep your kitchen cabinets beautiful, functional, and protected!

Is your kitchen not meeting your standards?

Elevate your kitchen with Basurto Painting in time for the December holidays.

Kitchen cabinet repainting is an interior service that our expert painters and color consultants have years of experience in!

Refinishing Exterior Wood Surfaces - Things to Know

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 17:13:27 GMT

At Basurto Painting, we specialize in front door refinishing, which focuses on restoring the look and feel of your wood.

If the wood on your deck, front door, or gate looks damaged, old, and (quite frankly) lackluster, then refinishing is exactly what you need.

First, let's cover exactly what it means to refinish and restore wood. In simple terms, to refinish wood is to restore it back to its original, brand-new appearance.

Refinishing is a smart step for busy homeowners. Rather than stripping your home of its original wood altogether, this process beautifies, protects, and preserves your current wood in a much more cost-efficient way.

Refinishing your wood focuses on removing the visible imperfections and damages on the surface to give your home a fresh feel. The professional starts this process by scraping and sanding the wood to rid it of any scrapes, dirt, and the existing coatings. The purpose of this step is to create a smooth, blank canvas that will adhere well, and yield the best final result.

The next step is to create a sample piece of wood. The purpose of this is to showcase what the final finish will look like on your wood. This step is crucial to testing the lasting qualities of the wood stain and ensuring the satisfaction of the homeowner.

The last step is to apply your chosen color and finish. Your stain and or finish top coat will give your wood the color and feel you desire, so choose wisely, as there are a wide variety of options when it comes to stains and top coat finishes!

FAQs :

When is the best time to refinish my wood?

Thinking about refinishing your wood but not sure when to start? In general, it is recommended to work on this project in the Spring, due to its moderately warm temperature. This not-too-hot, not-too-cold weather will better serve the products used and provide a quicker dry time. (Generally, it is not recommended to work on these projects in the Winter, because the cold and brittle air may not allow appropriate drying for the stain or top coat.)

Can all wood be refinished?

Yes! No matter what type of wood is used in your home, you can refinish it in order to enhance your home. However, an important note to consider is not all wood may be refinished multiple times .

What's Included in the Price?

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 20:36:39 GMT

"The price looks a little high..." What does it really take behind the scenes to bring your dream home to life...

When you hire Basurto Painting, you’re not just hiring someone random to enter your living spaces and simply paint your walls. Rather, you’re hiring a professional and licensed painting team to apply their knowledge and skills to your home.

Now, if you REALLY want to get into it, we will give you an itemized list of exactly everything used directly for your home project. We can get into the nitty-gritty details about how many of what exactly each painter uses, micromanaging exactly how many brushes they used vs. how many they washed at the end of the day, exactly how many pieces of sandpaper were used in what area of the house, the amount of paint buckets used vs. the amount of paint that was at said job... That seems like a headache waiting to happen at the end of each workday. There's a reason why some cops don't issue tickets to some people... the paperwork! To avoid this problem, we like to make sure the painters will have enough of anything and everything to perform their job, if not, they come right back to the shop collect what they need, and continue.

During your appointment , you will make sure to cover ALL your questions regarding your painting needs... Even ones that have nothing to do with painting, we might be able to help you! Here is where it is best to ask the most questions and ensure you know exactly what you are getting into.

After meeting with Nico , an estimate is written based on the notes, pictures, and videos taken. This estimate includes all rooms and sections mentioned throughout the meeting, as well as the materials needed for that section. On the estimate, this line is labeled as "paint & sundries". Sundries are all the miscellaneous items needed to get the job done, efficiently and effortlessly. The term "S undries" quite literally means "miscellaneous small articles". It's a fabulous word.

I know what you're thinking "This bid is still higher than my other bids..." and with that I say... You get what you pay for.. But you also get what you ask for.

So, what DOES come with the price?

We’d love to help you on your journey toward making your home look like you’ve always imagined!

So, if you are ready to accept our quote and get your project on the schedule, contact Basurto Painting at clients@basurtopainting.com or 408-206-4906 , and let’s begin the process!

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT - Faux Lines

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 23:10:11 GMT

“When we finished painting it… the siding showed the lines beautiful and it looked great, but that concrete part in the front of the house… didn't go well with the rest of the house.”

We’re showing off one of the special projects we’ve done recently: changing a solid-painted area to look like a paneled area with faux lines! It came from an exterior job Basurto Painting did where they painted the entire house in a gray color, which went well on the paneling that covered the house.

Nico explains, “When we finished painting it… the siding showed the lines beautiful and it looked great, but that concrete part in the front of the house… didn't go well with the rest of the house."

Faux lines are used to emulate wood panels for a seamless match between two very different surfaces. The goal of faux lines is to get the shiplap look of boards being used in the construction of the home onto an area that doesn’t have boards-- in this case, the concrete stairway that was added later.

The lines add definition and dimension to a plain space and create the illusion of a flush set of materials. Seen from a distance, faux lines make the concrete surface look shiplapped and consistent with the rest of the home. The home in our example is shiplapped, but the porch steps leading to their front door were built sometime after from concrete. Even when in the driveway, it’s difficult to tell that the lines of the wood slats are actually drawn on; it makes the concrete look like the same material as the walls of the home.

Faux lines are created by carefully measuring the distance and levelness of the lines to achieve perfect balance, and pencil-marking each line into place. The team then masks the lines and draws them in, directly onto the surface of the paint. As you can see in the photos, done correctly and with care, the illusion is hard to spot! Nico, explains, “And faux finish is not our specialty, but when we get creative and play around with it a little bit, we’re able to do some pretty good-looking stuff.”

HOW TO TELL IF YOUR PAINTER IS DOING HIGH-QUALITY WORK

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 23:09:04 GMT

When you meet with the painting company before the job begins, be sure to ask lots of questions to find out if you’re comfortable with how they operate.

Do you know how to tell if your painter is doing high-quality work? If you are not an expert painter, you may not know the difference. But if a homeowner or property manager is looking for a quick tutorial on how to tell if your painter is doing high-quality work, here are some helpful tips:

Ask questions...

When you meet with the painting company before the job begins, be sure to ask lots of questions to find out if you’re comfortable with how they operate.

Here are some questions to ask a prospective professional painting team:

Are they licensed?
Do they have photos showing examples of their previous work?
Can they explain their techniques and what makes for a well-trained painter?
Are they perfectionists who take their time? Super speedy? Somewhere in between?
How do they present themselves while working? Neat and tidy? Sloppy? Somewhere in between?
What are their processes for protecting your property and the areas/objects that are not being painted?
Do they perform a walk-through inspection after the job is complete so you have the opportunity to point out mistakes that need to be addressed?
Do they leave the area as clean as or better than they found it?

Remember that you’re renting their behavior.

As a service provider, their job is to reduce your stress, save you money, and also make you money. What do we mean by that?

The job that they do for you should relieve you of stress . You should not have to worry if they will show up on time. You should not have angst about if they are doing a good job for you. You should not become upset that they left your house a mess after they have completed the job.
They should save you money . When we say this, we are not suggesting you seek out the cheapest service provider. Remember, you get what you pay for. What we mean is that the painting team you hire should be able to give a price and have clear communication if that price needs to be adjusted. Ultimately, you are hiring them for their professional services and there should be few surprises, if any.
They should also have the ability to make you money . If you are selling your home and you want to increase its value, the painting team’s work should be high-quality enough that it boosts the curb appeal and perceived worth of your home. The same goes for rentals and office buildings. You can charge more for rent when the paint job looks new, fresh, and clean.

If you prefer to work with a professional painting team that has a strong tendency towards perfectionism, we invite you to contact Basurto Painting. Contact us to request an estimate. We will meet with you, assess your situation, and explain our painting process in a very clear, non-intimidating manner. We genuinely care about making each customer completely satisfied, and we look forward to working with you soon.

What is the Difference Between a $5,000 and a $20,000 Paint Job

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 23:16:55 GMT

"...at Basurto Painting, we emphasize affordability without compromising quality."

Of course, there can be quite a few differences between a $5000 paint job and a $20,000 paint job, but at Basurto Painting, we emphasize affordability without compromising quality. We recognize that our clients work hard and adhere to a strict budget, so we make it our top priority to provide high-quality, affordable painting services.

I f you want good quality for a reasonable price, Basurto Painting is for you. We recognize that you don’t have money to burn, so our services are practical and efficient. Because we are perfectionists by nature, all our painting services, regardless of the overall price, whether that be $5000 or $20,000, are high-quality. We place close attention to detail, transforming the image you had in your head into breathtaking reality.