About Hester Painting & Decorating: Hester Painting & Decorating is an expert painting and wall covering installation company that specializes in developing and applying faux and decorative finishes in residential and commercial establishments throughout the Chicago area. Widely regarded by the top designers, builders and architects as a leader in specialty finishes, Hester Painting & Decorating creates flawless walls and ceilings that customers often refer to as works of art. The company’s Skokie, IL showroom features more than 50 faux and decorative finishes, many available only through Hester Painting & Decorating. Since 1968, Hester has worked in the finest homes across the country, including celebrity homes as well as notable Chicago establishments such as Spiaggia, the Elizabeth Arden Salon on Michigan Avenue, Trabert & Hoeffer Jewelry on Oak, Les Nomades, Graff Diamonds on Oak and the Hyatt Regency Chicago ballroom.
Services: Hester Painting & Decorating’s expertise includes painting, faux finishes, wall coverings, texturing, gold and silver leafing, custom color matching and furniture and cabinetry refinishing. Hester Painting & Decorating uses techniques such as:
Wood graining Striating Rag rolling Gesso Stenciling Paper and plaster texturing Murals Mottling Metallic finishes Linen technique Alligator finish Parquet linen Venetian plaster Lusterstone Parchment paper texture Faux marble and stone Faux Gracie Paper Crinkle tissue paper texture
Leadership: Tom Hester founded Hester Painting & Decorating in 1968 with the intent of being “the best painting contractor around.” Now, his sons Jeff and Steve continue Tom’s mission as vice president and president of the company, with Jeff’s two sons following suit in the third generation.
Involvement: Hester Painting & Decorating is an active member of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) and the Finishing Contractors Association (FCA). The company also supports many local community organizations, including Alzheimer's Association, Cancer Wellness Center, Northern Illinois University Foundation, SOS Children’s Villages Illinois, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Lake Forest Country Day School, Hadassah – North Shore Chapter, Chicago Botanic Garden and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.
Awards: Hester Painting & Decorating has won more than 20 national, local awards and honors in the past decade. These awards include nine Picture It Painted Professionally (PIPP) awards from the Painting & Decorating Contractors of America in the categories of faux finishes, wall covering installation and commercial interiors. In addition, Tom Hester was selected as 2007’s Best in Full Service Contractor in American Painting Contractor Magazine. The company was honored with House & Garden Designers' Best in the World for decorative painters and wall paper hanging in 2007 and selected as the 2006 “Best of the North Shore” in North Shore Magazine. Hester Painting & Decorating also received an appreciation award from the American Society of Interior Designers. Most recently, one of their key members won the 2009 Craftsman of the Year.
In 2004, Hester Painting & Decorating was named the medium-sized Illinois Family Business of the Year by the Loyola University Chicago Family Business Center.
