Paint, Faux Finishing, Wall Covering, Interiors, Lead Paint Safety, Mold/Mildew

Jeff Hester a.k.a. “Professor Paint”

Vice President, Hester Painting & Decorating

7340 N. Monticello Avenue, Skokie, IL  60076

(847) 677-5130   www.hesterdecorating.com

Jeff Hester knows paint.  Jeff has been in the industry for 30 years and is committed to the trade as a painter, teacher, apprenticeship painting school trustee and vice president of a nearly 45-year-old painting and decorating company.  Jeff was the only Midwestern contractor selected and profiled in Benjamin Moore’s 2010 national campaign “Paint with the Very Best.”  He also serves as an officer of the Chicago chapter of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America and Finishing Contractors Association of Chicago.  Jeff can discuss high-end professional techniques and offer advice to homeowners and do-it-yourselfers.  Among the topics he can address are:

The dangers of lead – The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) put new lead laws into effect April 22, 2010, for any contractor working on the interior or exterior a home built before 1978.  Because of Jeff’s commitment, Hester Painting & Decorating is one of the first lead-certified firms in the area.  He knows the health risks of lead, especially for children, and has safety tips for homeowners looking to renovate their homes.

Tips for hiring a painting contractor – Jeff advises homeowners on what to expect from their contractors and how to effectively resolve concerns.  Jeff has a list of questions homeowners should ask before hiring, demystifies the basics of insurance coverage and explains how to compare estimates.

Trends – With a special focus on the North Shore, Gold Coast and western suburbs, Jeff works daily in the poshest homes in the Chicagoland region.  He sees firsthand what homeowners and a hearty roster of interior designers are interested in.  Jeff has his finger on the pulse of popular colors and techniques and can explain why $100-a-gallon Venetian plaster remains hot and why wallpaper is becoming increasingly popular again.

Trade Secrets – Having worked in the industry for more than three decades, Jeff has lots of painting tricks up his sleeve and can offer homeowners a few of his favorites, such as adding vanilla extract to a paint can to tame the smell.

What’s festering? – Just because homeowners can’t see mold and mildew doesn’t mean it’s not there, especially after flooding. Common in the Midwest, mold and mildew can severely damage walls, floors, ceilings and furnishings.  Jeff demonstrates how to properly treat mold and mildew and prevent future outbreaks.