Color: Benjamin Moore Stone Cutter

Manhattan Wall Patching and Drywall Repair 

In 1909, an inventive guy named Isaac Shero patented a hair straightener composed of two flat irons heated and pressed together, likely with formerly curly hair between them. The electric flat iron was patented in 1882. Flat irons, many forged by blacksmiths, have been heated on stoves and pressed fabric and clothes smooth for centuries. The Flatiron Building, bounded by 5th Ave., Broadway and East 22nd St., has flat iron characteristics for its triangle design. It was completed in 1902, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989.

The neighborhood anchored by this iconic structure is the Flatiron District, known for trendy everything and the original Shake Shack. Our client here wanted to add paint color before moving in, and asked us to repair a wall where a TV set had been. We cleaned and measured that space, cut drywall to fit, taped it into place and plastered and painted. This wall and all the walls we painted look nice and new for a wonderful welcome to their new nest in the Flatiron District.

FINISHED

IN PROGRESS

BEFORE

Beautiful newly plasterer and polished walls to showcase professional photos.

Close up view of beautiful walls.

NYC Apartment Skim Coating 

There are lots of ways to incorporate a homey atmosphere into your residence. Rugs, window treatments and furniture come to mind. But the personalization of space, that unique décor element that speaks volumes about the homeowner, might just be how one treats the walls. The options are nearly limitless for paintings, prints, fabric, mirrors, metal art, maps, shelves, plates, sconces, whiteboard, the television and – drum roll – photos. One of our recent clients is a professional photographer, and she wanted to showcase some of her work at home, but not on crummy, rough, uneven, peeling walls with ceilings to match!

We scraped off lots of loose, old paint and plaster before smoothing the surfaces with multiple skim coats of plaster, sanding between each one. After applying an excellent bonding primer, our team painted a polish plaster coat. This final layer provides a smooth, uniform texture which is durable and naturally waterproof. While it can be tinted, this lady opted for the cleanliness of white so her photos capture full attention. We took a few photos of our own so you can see the difference, though not close to professional standards of photography, we know.

The hallway walls when we arrived on the scene.

Ceilings needed serious attention, too.

Finished with bar counter base, cabinets and new counters

Bar counter prep for smooth plaster, prime and paint

Inwood Kitchen Remodel 

The Hudson and Harlem rivers border much of Inwood, enveloping the neighborhood like arms of a benevolent giant. Parks and river views are abundant at this northern tip of Manhattan, a comfortable 30-35 minute commute back into Midtown. It was in this enchanting setting that we remodeled a kitchen, elevating it from dark to light, old to new, dated to contemporary. Cabinet painting is but one of our many specialties. We replaced the counters and lowered the bar counter for a one-level countertop as well.

The walls and edge under the bar counter needed drywall and all new plaster to render it smooth and ready for soft sage green paint. The cupboards are now creamy white, and the homeowner asked us to remove one cabinet and install floating shelves. We did it. We work diligently and intently, looking from all angles, using leveling tools, anchors, metal framing corners, fresh plaster and the best primer and paints. The end results glowed for being newly rejuvenated.  

Kitchen floating shelves where one cabinet used to be

Kitchen floating shelves in process

Beautiful new counters complete with snack and berry boxes

Where it all began, kind of dark, dated and dingy, huh?

The lovely, smooth, ceiling completely repaired

The unlovely, peeling ceiling upon arrival

Our plastic protection before any work commences

Our work at the halfway point professionally restoring this ceiling

Tudor City Plastering and Painting

 Ceiling space is the largest expanse in any room. It may be equal to the floor in square feet, but it is not interrupted with furniture and rugs. And while you may not gaze at the ceiling, peripheral vision takes it all in – the big space with possibly one central chandelier or fan or recessing lighting. When your ceiling is in disrepair, then the entire room takes on a dull, crummy appearance. This Tudor City apartment’s ceiling had been peeling for a couple years, and it was time to fix it.

 Our team rolled in with copious plastic sheets to protect furnishings, floor coverings and electronics from debris that was sure to come down in pieces, flakes and dust. Once scraped, we applied a bonding primer to attach firmly to the subsequent coats of plaster. After sanding it flat and smooth, up went a high quality primer ahead of the finish coats. Ceiling work is challenging for the overhead position and working with arms raised on ladders and scaffolding that we haul along with all the tools and supplies. This entire room can now be seen, peripheral vision included, as a warm, inviting, home space.

The job ahead of us.

The job in process.

The project nearing completion.

The very cool end result!

Uptown Co-op Wall Repair

A professionally textured wall can lend a gentle kind of rustic style, even in a stairwell or common hallway. In some cases, it camouflages imperfections that a smooth wall cannot, but overall it looks very cool except when the current coat of paint is flaking and falling off, revealing compromised plaster underneath and creating an eyesore for anyone walking the stairs or in the hallway. When a New York City co-op building determines that a stairwell needs some serious attention, many of them call us to evaluate the damage and prescribe the remedy.

 Here we had to scrape away old paint and plaster, vacuuming the debris with HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaners for the health and safety of residents and visitors. We applied a sophisticated plaster weld to ensure bonding before adding the decorative plaster in a way to match existing textures. Then our experienced painters fully primed the wall and added two coats of finish paint in Benjamin Moore’s Baby’s Breath white. Creating and painting textured walls is a skill and an art, and we like to think anyone traveling in this stairwell appreciates its fresh, new, polished look.