{artisan home tour 2017}

If you’re shopping for a new home, looking for inspiration, or thinking about a remodel, the Artisan Home Tour  should be on your weekend radar. Step inside these luxury homes, from the area’s most exclusive builders and remodelers, and see for yourself why these are million-dollar-plus homes.

ARTISAN HOME TOUR 

The Artisan Home Tour features 19 new one-of-a-kind homes and two remodels which will be open this weekend, the final weekend of the Home Tour.

The following homes all used products from Hirshfield’s!

• Home #1 Lecy Brothers Homes & Remodeling: Interior and Exterior | Painting by Cityscape
• Home #3 Stonewood, LLC: Exterior | Painting by Cityscape
• Home #6 Denali Custom Homes:  Interior and Exterior | Painting by Legatt Decorating
• Home #9 John Kraemer and Sons:  Garrison Landing Project. Cityscape painted all of the common areas including the corridors, lobby, and stairways.
• Home #11 Carl M. Hansen Companies: Interior and Exterior | Painting by Cityscape
• Home #12 Narr Construction, Inc:  Interior and Exterior | Painting by Cityscape
• Home #13 Great Neighborhood Homes, Inc. Interior and Cedar Exterior |  Painting by Archer Painting
• Home #18 Highmark Builders: Interior and Exterior | Painting by Cityscape
• Home #19 Hendel Homes: Interior and Exterior | Painting by Cityscape

Tour details available here.

 

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.

SaveSave

{product spotlight: hirshfield’s platinum ceramic paint}

When you think of ceramic tile — or anything else for that matter — you probably think of high quality, easy cleanup, and a long-lasting finish. And “ceramic” paint is no different.

Hirshfield’s PLATINUM CERAMIC™ with Ceramic Stain-Release Technology is a premium acrylic latex interior paint that helps walls maintain that just-painted look in homes, schools, health care facilities, offices and more — thanks to the power of tiny ceramic microspheres.

What are ceramic microspheres?

Hirshfield’s PLATINUM CERAMIC™ paints contain ceramic microspheres which are manufactured exclusively by 3M. The ceramic microspheres are tiny, microscopic beads that look like a fine white powder.  The ceramic beads combine with a high quality, 100% acrylic resin to create a hard, smooth surface that is extremely resistant to stains, burnishing, and abrasion. Plus, because of their smooth shape, the paint applies with improved brushing and rolling qualities.

{friday finds: before and after from chango & co}

I came across these awesome before and after photos from Chango & Co, a full service interior design firm in Brooklyn, New York.  The room transformations are just plain delightful. I thought some of the “before” rooms looked pretty good until I saw Chango & Co’s before & after photos side by side. Here’s a link to the entire Chango & Co before and after gallery.

 To achieve an “after” look like these beautiful Chango & Co spaces I know I would need the help of an interior designer. Watching HGTV does not make you a designer. Hiring a designer is not just for the rich and famous. Are you familiar with the saying,  “If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional, wait until you hire an amateur.”  Designers are educated professionals. They can help you express your style, save you time and money and frustration.

Nice combination with the wood desk and acrylic chairs

The staff at Hirshfield’s Design Studio have names of interior designers who would be a good fit with the scope of your project, big or small. They can be reached at 612-374-8901.

P.S. We carry both of the fabulous wallpaper patterns shown in the photos.

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.

 

 

{bits & pieces: wallpaper as table runners}

Kate’s Creative Space

Wallpaper table runners? What a brilliant idea. When I saw this tablescape posted by Design By Color Wallpaper I had to see what else was out there. I found a few, but this one is my favorite as I’m a sucker for anything faux bois, especially wallpaper.

Original Content via Indigo Crossing / Adore Home Magazine

Mochatini | Enhancing The Everyday

Vintage wallpaper used by Cherry Hill Cottage

Mochatini | Enhancing The Everyday

Whether you spend hours setting a splendid table or you’re just happy your napkins get ironed, using gorgeous wallpapers as part of your tablescaping adds “the unexpected” to any tabletop, formal or casual. Happy entertaining and bon appétit.

P.S.  Trend prediction – EGGS!

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.

{hirshfield’s buys The Blind Factory in alexandria}

 

Window Treatment Wednesday: Hirshfield’s and The Blind Factory Tie the Knot

After years of living together in Alexandria, Hirshfield’s and The Blind Factory decided to tie the knot, sort of. Earlier this year, Hirshfield’s completed the acquisition of the family-owned window treatment store after sharing space at 1010 Nokomis St. in Alexandria.

Shannon Scarrella who oversees the window treatment division at Hirshfield’s says the change has been fairly seamless for customers.

“We’re going from one family business to another,” Scarrella said. “We had shared common space for so long, our customers are used to us being under one roof.”

The store has 2,000 square feet and while there may be some reconfiguring of the store in the coming months, there are no plans to make personnel changes. Window fashion designers, Diane and Ros tend to customers in the store or they set up house call appointments and come out to your home. Patti is the fabricator – working on custom bedding, valances and custom draperies.

Alexandria shoppers will also have an added bonus with Hirshfield’s window treatments, as they add the Premier Collection by Hirshfield’s. This will offer designers and consumers a high quality, lower cost alternative to some of the more expensive window fashions.

Speaking about the previous ownership of The Blind Factory, Scarrella says little will change from the customers perspective.

“The previous owners did a nice job with the business and we look forward to enhancing some of the things they had in place. I know the Hirshfield’s family is thrilled to expand their offerings in Alexandria.

 

{benjamin moore: highest in customer satisfaction with interior paint}

 

 

Congratulations, Benjamin Moore! This is the fourth year in a row that Benjamin Moore is ranked highest in customer satisfaction with their interior paint products, according to J.D. Power and Associates.

“Benjamin Moore is thrilled to once again receive this prestigious award of Highest Ranked Interior Paint by J.D. Power,” said Mike Searles, President and CEO of Benjamin Moore & Co. “Customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and delivering best in class products are the hallmark of Benjamin Moore. We’re constantly focused on meeting the needs of the most discerning customers and contractors with a suite of interior products and colors that can only be delivered through our network of independent dealers.”

J.D. Power bases satisfaction with paint brands by evaluations from customers who purchased and applied interior paint during the past year. It measures six key factors: application, product offerings, durability, price, design guides, and warranty/guarantee. In addition to paint brands, J.D. Power also ranks paint retailers across five key factors: facility, merchandise, staff, services provided, and sales/promotions.

From the J.D. Powers 2014 Paint Satisfaction Study:

• Application, specifically, adequacy of paint coverage, is the most important driver of customer satisfaction with interior and exterior paint (34% each).

• Seventy-eight percent of paint customers who purchased interior paint apply it themselves, and 74 percent of those who purchased exterior paint did the same.

• More than 90 percent of customers who purchased interior or exterior paint indicate the new color covered the previous color (94% and 93%, respectively).

• Approximately one-half of customers do not use primer or paint with primer mixed in for their interior or exterior paint jobs (52% and 50%, respectively).

• On average, customers apply two coats of paint for both interior and exterior projects. (1.67 times each)

• Customers paint the inside of their homes for a variety of reasons, including remodeling (28%), changing the color (27%), or repainting due to previous paint condition (26%). Exterior painting projects typically address existing paint in poor condition (65%).

• Less than one-fifth (15%) of customers who purchased interior paint used the Internet as an information resource to help with their project, while a higher percentage (20%) of those who purchased exterior paint used the Internet for information.

The 2014 Paint Satisfaction Study is based on responses from more than 8,690 customers who purchased and applied interior and/or exterior paint within the previous 12 months. The study was fielded in January through March 2014.

The above information is from the 2014 Paint Satisfaction Study and Benjamin Moore.

 

 

KEY FINDINGS

• Application, specifically, adequacy of paint coverage, is the most important driver of customer satisfaction with interior and exterior paint (34% each).
  • Seventy-eight percent of paint customers who purchased interior paint apply it themselves, and 74 percent of those who purchased exterior paint did the same.
  • More than 90 percent of customers who purchased interior or exterior paint indicate the new color covered the previous color (94% and 93%, respectively).
  • Approximately one-half of customers do not use primer or paint with primer mixed in for their interior or exterior paint jobs (52% and 50%, respectively).
  • On average, customers apply two coats of paint for both interior and exterior projects
    (1.67 times each).
• Customers paint the inside of their homes for a variety of reasons, including remodeling (28%), changing the color (27%), or repainting due to previous paint condition (26%). Exterior painting projects typically address existing paint in poor condition (65%).
• Less than one-fifth (15%) of customers who purchased interior paint used the Internet as an information resource to help with their project, while a higher percentage (20%) of those who purchased exterior paint used the Internet for information.

– See more at: http://www.jdpower.com/press-releases/2014-paint-satisfaction-study#sthash.E8jkTpFu.dpuf

• Application, specifically, adequacy of paint coverage, is the most important driver of customer satisfaction with interior and exterior paint (34% each).
  • Seventy-eight percent of paint customers who purchased interior paint apply it themselves, and 74 percent of those who purchased exterior paint did the same.
  • More than 90 percent of customers who purchased interior or exterior paint indicate the new color covered the previous color (94% and 93%, respectively).
  • Approximately one-half of customers do not use primer or paint with primer mixed in for their interior or exterior paint jobs (52% and 50%, respectively).
  • On average, customers apply two coats of paint for both interior and exterior projects
    (1.67 times each).
• Customers paint the inside of their homes for a variety of reasons, including remodeling (28%), changing the color (27%), or repainting due to previous paint condition (26%). Exterior painting projects typically address existing paint in poor condition (65%).
• Less than one-fifth (15%) of customers who purchased interior paint used the Internet as an information resource to help with their project, while a higher percentage (20%) of those who purchased exterior paint used the Internet for information.

Interior Paint Brand Satisfaction Rankings

Benjamin Moore ranks highest in customer satisfaction with interior paint brands for a fourth consecutive year, with a score of 815, which is a 15-point increase from 2013. Benjamin Moore performs particularly well in three of the six factors: application, durability and product offerings. Following Benjamin Moore in the interior paint brand ranking is Sherwin-Williams (808) and BEHR (802). Overall customer satisfaction with interior paint brands is 795 (on a 1,000-point scale) in 2014, an increase of 16 points from 2013.

– See more at: http://www.jdpower.com/press-releases/2014-paint-satisfaction-study#sthash.E8jkTpFu.dpuf

• Application, specifically, adequacy of paint coverage, is the most important driver of customer satisfaction with interior and exterior paint (34% each).
  • Seventy-eight percent of paint customers who purchased interior paint apply it themselves, and 74 percent of those who purchased exterior paint did the same.
  • More than 90 percent of customers who purchased interior or exterior paint indicate the new color covered the previous color (94% and 93%, respectively).
  • Approximately one-half of customers do not use primer or paint with primer mixed in for their interior or exterior paint jobs (52% and 50%, respectively).
  • On average, customers apply two coats of paint for both interior and exterior projects
    (1.67 times each).
• Customers paint the inside of their homes for a variety of reasons, including remodeling (28%), changing the color (27%), or repainting due to previous paint condition (26%). Exterior painting projects typically address existing paint in poor condition (65%).
• Less than one-fifth (15%) of customers who purchased interior paint used the Internet as an information resource to help with their project, while a higher percentage (20%) of those who purchased exterior paint used the Internet for information.

Interior Paint Brand Satisfaction Rankings

Benjamin Moore ranks highest in customer satisfaction with interior paint brands for a fourth consecutive year, with a score of 815, which is a 15-point increase from 2013. Benjamin Moore performs particularly well in three of the six factors: application, durability and product offerings. Following Benjamin Moore in the interior paint brand ranking is Sherwin-Williams (808) and BEHR (802). Overall customer satisfaction with interior paint brands is 795 (on a 1,000-point scale) in 2014, an increase of 16 points from 2013.

– See more at: http://www.jdpower.com/press-releases/2014-paint-satisfaction-study#sthash.E8jkTpFu.dpuf

• Application, specifically, adequacy of paint coverage, is the most important driver of customer satisfaction with interior and exterior paint (34% each).
  • Seventy-eight percent of paint customers who purchased interior paint apply it themselves, and 74 percent of those who purchased exterior paint did the same.
  • More than 90 percent of customers who purchased interior or exterior paint indicate the new color covered the previous color (94% and 93%, respectively).
  • Approximately one-half of customers do not use primer or paint with primer mixed in for their interior or exterior paint jobs (52% and 50%, respectively).
  • On average, customers apply two coats of paint for both interior and exterior projects
    (1.67 times each).
• Customers paint the inside of their homes for a variety of reasons, including remodeling (28%), changing the color (27%), or repainting due to previous paint condition (26%). Exterior painting projects typically address existing paint in poor condition (65%).
• Less than one-fifth (15%) of customers who purchased interior paint used the Internet as an information resource to help with their project, while a higher percentage (20%) of those who purchased exterior paint used the Internet for information.

Interior Paint Brand Satisfaction Rankings

Benjamin Moore ranks highest in customer satisfaction with interior paint brands for a fourth consecutive year, with a score of 815, which is a 15-point increase from 2013. Benjamin Moore performs particularly well in three of the six factors: application, durability and product offerings. Following Benjamin Moore in the interior paint brand ranking is Sherwin-Williams (808) and BEHR (802). Overall customer satisfaction with interior paint brands is 795 (on a 1,000-point scale) in 2014, an increase of 16 points from 2013.

– See more at: http://www.jdpower.com/press-releases/2014-paint-satisfaction-study#sthash.E8jkTpFu.dpuf

KEY FINDINGS

• Application, specifically, adequacy of paint coverage, is the most important driver of customer satisfaction with interior and exterior paint (34% each).
  • Seventy-eight percent of paint customers who purchased interior paint apply it themselves, and 74 percent of those who purchased exterior paint did the same.
  • More than 90 percent of customers who purchased interior or exterior paint indicate the new color covered the previous color (94% and 93%, respectively).
  • Approximately one-half of customers do not use primer or paint with primer mixed in for their interior or exterior paint jobs (52% and 50%, respectively).
  • On average, customers apply two coats of paint for both interior and exterior projects
    (1.67 times each).
• Customers paint the inside of their homes for a variety of reasons, including remodeling (28%), changing the color (27%), or repainting due to previous paint condition (26%). Exterior painting projects typically address existing paint in poor condition (65%).
• Less than one-fifth (15%) of customers who purchased interior paint used the Internet as an information resource to help with their project, while a higher percentage (20%) of those who purchased exterior paint used the Internet for information.

Interior Paint Brand Satisfaction Rankings

Benjamin Moore ranks highest in customer satisfaction with interior paint brands for a fourth consecutive year, with a score of 815, which is a 15-point increase from 2013. Benjamin Moore performs particularly well in three of the six factors: application, durability and product offerings. Following Benjamin Moore in the interior paint brand ranking is Sherwin-Williams (808) and BEHR (802). Overall customer satisfaction with interior paint brands is 795 (on a 1,000-point scale) in 2014, an increase of 16 points from 2013.

– See more at: http://www.jdpower.com/press-releases/2014-paint-satisfaction-study#sthash.E8jkTpFu.dpuf

KEY FINDINGS

• Application, specifically, adequacy of paint coverage, is the most important driver of customer satisfaction with interior and exterior paint (34% each).
  • Seventy-eight percent of paint customers who purchased interior paint apply it themselves, and 74 percent of those who purchased exterior paint did the same.
  • More than 90 percent of customers who purchased interior or exterior paint indicate the new color covered the previous color (94% and 93%, respectively).
  • Approximately one-half of customers do not use primer or paint with primer mixed in for their interior or exterior paint jobs (52% and 50%, respectively).
  • On average, customers apply two coats of paint for both interior and exterior projects
    (1.67 times each).
• Customers paint the inside of their homes for a variety of reasons, including remodeling (28%), changing the color (27%), or repainting due to previous paint condition (26%). Exterior painting projects typically address existing paint in poor condition (65%).
• Less than one-fifth (15%) of customers who purchased interior paint used the Internet as an information resource to help with their project, while a higher percentage (20%) of those who purchased exterior paint used the Internet for information.

Interior Paint Brand Satisfaction Rankings

Benjamin Moore ranks highest in customer satisfaction with interior paint brands for a fourth consecutive year, with a score of 815, which is a 15-point increase from 2013. Benjamin Moore performs particularly well in three of the six factors: application, durability and product offerings. Following Benjamin Moore in the interior paint brand ranking is Sherwin-Williams (808) and BEHR (802). Overall customer satisfaction with interior paint brands is 795 (on a 1,000-point scale) in 2014, an increase of 16 points from 2013.

– See more at: http://www.jdpower.com/press-releases/2014-paint-satisfaction-study#sthash.E8jkTpFu.dpuf

{expert advice: updating color combinations}

Give your home a fresh new look with an updated color scheme.

Paint color has the power to transform and revitalize a tired look. Color expert Kate Smith from Sensational Color realizes this and uses color to engage and create welcoming home environments. If you’re trying to achieve a fresh new look without changing all the colors in a room, follow these color scheme tips from Kate.

{window treatment wednesday}

Cote de Texas

 A couple of weeks ago, Liz (Hirshfield’s Woodbury) wrote a great post on using draperies and woven woods in your home. After reading this post by Cote de Texas, you’ll see Liz and Joni are of the same school of thought when it comes to hanging window treatments, layering, and using draperies in your design scheme. It is personal preference, but both posts have good suggestions to consider when the time comes to change your window treatments. Joni also shows us how to turn a big, ugly window into a window with an elegant and updated look.

An added bonus is you get a peek into her beautiful Texas home, and a peek at some very naughty, but cute, dogs. Enjoy Messes and More Messes over at Cote de Texas.

{friday finds: letters of appreciation}

It’s always a special treat when our customers take time to send a letter or e-mail of appreciation about one of Hirshfield’s hard-working staff. It makes everyone’s day.

Here are letters of appreciation for the exceptional customer service given by Hirshfield’s employees Beth, Charene, and Mike.

Dear Beth:

I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for your great service!

I know I was frazzled when I walked into the store, after spending the morning with various building suppliers, I was anticipating more obstacles! How nice to experience the ‘Hirshfield’s difference’ – I appreciated your professionalism in helping with the selection of the exterior colors for my home – thanks for making the process fun and with great results!

I will look forward to the next meeting with the builder, colors in arm, and placing my order!

Thanks so much!

D.B.

Mr. H.,

My mother-in-law and I walked into the Coon Rapids store last Sunday, 4/22 at 4:25 p.m.

We looked at paint chips, then started asking questions at 4:45.

Charene answered them patiently, completely, and professionally.

She brought Mike into the conversation when I asked about full spectrum paints.

Mike looked up information, gave us technical specs, and made recommendations, including discussing the painter that my mother-in-law is working with.

We shut down the store. Mike cheerfully stayed at least 20 minutes after closing, making himself available until he answered all of our questions.

We appreciate Charene’s and Mike’s passion, knowledge, and fine customer service – going the extra mile.

Thank you.

We’ll be back.

J.M.
Coon Rapids

Dear Mr. Hirshfield,

This letter is to commend Beth Zentis, your Hirshfield employee at the Woodbury store in City Center West.

On April 4 we went to the store with two of our large living room pictures in hopes of getting paint to darken the wooden frames. Beth was most helpful in trying to find the shade of dark brown that would work to compliment each picture. We tried a couple different colors and then Beth suggested the perfect solution.  Beth took a paint chip and topped it with some semi-opaque metallic paint. Wow-that was exactly what we needed on those frames, which are now hanging in our living room!

Beth was most helpful, knowledgeable and eager to assist us in solving our problem. Our Hirshfield’s store is most fortunate to have Beth as an employee!

Sincerely,

W & M

 If  you see something in our stores that can be improved upon, please let us know. We want all our customers to have a good experience at Hirshfield’s. Thanks for supporting a locally owned company, we truly appreciate your business.

{friday finds: lustron homes}

Interior of a Lustron home

Lustron home in Minneapolis

Lustron walls before assembly

Thank you, Twin Cities Design Scene, for turning me on to Lustron homes. Steve Date, with MinnPost, wrote a piece on these very interesting post – WWII  factory built, metal homes. The Lustron wall panels, interior and exterior, are similar to the enameled porcelain of a stove top (on the non-stainless stoves). Steve also shares a video clip of the interior of one of the Lustron homes here in town.

If you’re planning a Lustron field trip in Minneapolis, there are five homes along 50th & Nicollet and two homes on the 4900 block of Cedar Avenue. About 2,680 Lustron homes were built over the two years the company was in business and there are approximately 1,500 Lustron homes left in the country.