Leucadendron Safari Sunset works well as contrast with most California Native plants. Photo by Katrina Coombs
Photo of a contemporary landscaping in Los Angeles.

Robert A Tino artwork
Family room - contemporary family room idea in Other

The Cultured Stone Fireplace Completed.

Our Installer Ryan, showing off his expert installation of these EXTRA wide EcoSmart Roller Shades and clean fascia.
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless enclosed carpeted, yellow floor and vaulted ceiling living room remodel in Burlington with yellow walls

Design and Photos by Pam Lyons
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional u-shaped porcelain tile eat-in kitchen idea in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

"We took bids from seven or eight companies to remodel our kitchen and bathroom. We had a whole list of improvements we wanted, from 'must-haves' to 'might be nice someday'. We selected TaylorPro Home Services for several reasons, but foremost among those reasons was that the owner, Kerry Taylor, provided us with a detailed breakout of labor/material costs for every option. Nearly every other contractor bundled up the costs of our optional tasks into a single number, which made it quite difficult to select the best options based on our priorities and budget. Kerry's highly detailed proposal wasn't the least expensive we received, but it was organized, thorough, and competitive. The second reason we selected TaylorPro was the demeanor and experience of Kerry himself. It was refreshing to talk to someone who actually gets his hands dirty rather than yet another designer with his head in a computer. (God bless the designers, though -- we had helpful conversations with many!) Kerry has a good design aesthetic, make no mistake, but it was clear that when problems inevitably popped up, Kerry would know how to address them. He is calm, personable, and competent. In other words, he is just the sort of person you want to work with. We can't forget to mention the TaylorPro crew. The first thing you notice is how youthful they are. Not a single gray hair among them. Yet after watching them work awhile, you begin to notice how extraordinarily skilful they are. It doesn't matter what is on the day's agenda -- electrical, paint, plumbing, drywall -- these guys tackle it all and do it exceedingly well. They aren't just putting in their time and collecting a check. They take terrific pride in the work they do, a quality that seems more and more difficult to find these days. They are pleasant to be around and I never heard a cross word among them. They took pains to keep the noise and dust to a minimum. They cleaned up at the end of every day, even those days when they put in extra hours and were obviously very tired. This is easily the best work crew we've ever had at our house. We should also mention that the subcontractors that TaylorPro uses are top-notch. The folks who laid down our new tile floor (Jeff) had every bit as much expertise and integrity as TaylorPro. They did an excellent job on both the flooring and the tile backsplash. These two elements receive compliments from everyone who visits our remodeled kitchen. (We wish Jeff would put his company on Angie's List so that we could give him the recognition he deserves!) In addition, the fellows who fabricated our Caesarstone countertop were also great craftsmen. They did a beautiful job. When we noticed a small blemish a few days after the countertop was installed, they came out immediately and corrected the problem. Nice! In summary, TaylorPro has lived up to all the glowing recommendations here on Angie's List. Our experience with TaylorPro is right in line with the others. They stayed on task, they communicated well, they stayed on budget, and they gave us more than we had any right to expect. We don't know a better compliment to give Kerry and company than this: when it comes time to remodel the upstairs bathrooms, we won't need to solicit seven or eight bids. We'll just call TaylorPro. " ~ Lysa & Mark W, Clients Photos by: Kerry W. Taylor

A painted bright yellow door adds a pleasant curb appeal to the soft gray siding.
Transitional porch idea in Cincinnati

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized traditional u-shaped ceramic tile and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Ever notice how your iron fence looks worse every spring after another Chicago winter? That slow deterioration is not cosmetic - it is active metal failure that compounds every freeze-thaw cycle until replacement becomes the only option. Windy City Painters works with homeowners across the Chicago North Side and Near West Side to restore original iron fencing on greystones, two-flats, Victorian brownstones, and coach houses before that point is reached. PROJECT OVERVIEW This iron fence restoration involved a classic Chicago residential property with original wrought iron fencing showing surface rust across the majority of pickets, flaking previous paint coats, and localized deep pitting near the base rails. A structural check identified two loose pickets requiring welding before any surface preparation or coating began. Total linear footage fell in the mid-range for a standard Chicago residential lot. MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS Windy City Painters selected Ospho rust converter for chemically neutralizing active iron oxide before priming. Ospho reacts with rust to form a stable phosphate compound that stops corrosion progression rather than simply sealing over it. Sherwin-Williams DTM rust-inhibitive primer was applied to all bare and converted surfaces, followed by two finish coats of Rust-Oleum DTM in satin black. DTM - direct to metal - formulas provide corrosion inhibitors built into the coating matrix, which matters significantly in Chicago's climate. THE PROCESS Step 1 - Structural Assessment and Welding Coordination. Before any surface preparation begins, Windy City Painters inspects every picket and rail connection for structural integrity. Loose or cracked iron must be welded before coating. Paint applied over a compromised joint will fail within one season as movement continues to break the bond. On this project, two pickets were tack-welded by a coordinating welder before prep started. Step 2 - Wire Wheel Grinding and Needle Gun Descaling. All rusted sections were ground to bare or near-bare metal using wire wheel attachments and needle gun descaling tools. This step removes loose scale, flaking previous coatings, and surface contamination that would prevent primer adhesion. Skipping mechanical prep is the single most common reason iron fence paint fails prematurely on Chicago properties. Step 3 - Ospho Rust Converter Application. Ospho was brushed into all pitted and converted areas and allowed to cure fully. The phosphoric acid chemistry converts iron oxide into iron phosphate, arresting active rust and creating a surface that accepts primer more effectively than bare metal alone. Corroseal is an equivalent alternative used on projects with heavier pitting. Step 4 - DTM Primer and Finish Coat Application. Sherwin-Williams DTM rust-inhibitive primer was applied across all prepared surfaces. Two topcoats of Rust-Oleum DTM in satin black followed after full primer cure. DTM finish coats add a second corrosion-inhibiting layer and provide the UV and weather resistance needed for Chicago exterior iron work. CHICAGO-SPECIFIC CHALLENGES Chicago iron fencing faces conditions that accelerate corrosion faster than most US markets. Lake humidity keeps metal surface moisture elevated through much of the year. Road salt splash from winter maintenance reaches fencing along parkways and sidewalk edges, introducing chlorides that aggressively attack iron. Freeze-thaw cycles expand any rust pocket that has formed under paint, lifting coatings from the inside and creating the classic bubbled-paint appearance homeowners notice every spring. WHAT TO EXPECT LONG-TERM With Ospho conversion, DTM primer, and two DTM finish coats properly applied over mechanically prepared surfaces, most Chicago residential iron fences hold 5-8 years before needing significant touch-up. Annual visual inspection for any chips or bare spots, with immediate touch-up using Rust-Oleum DTM, extends that window considerably. PRO TIPS Tip 1 - Address any bare metal spot the same season you notice it. A pinhole of exposed iron becomes a rust bubble within one Chicago winter and a flaking section by the following spring. Tip 2 - Never paint over active rust without a converter step. Ospho or Corroseal is inexpensive insurance against a complete repaint two years early. Tip 3 - Check picket bases at grade level every spring. Ground contact accelerates corrosion at the base faster than anywhere else on the fence. Catching it early keeps welding out of the equation. Contact Windy City Painters at windypainters.com for a project estimate. FAQ Q: What does iron fence painting cost in Chicago? A: Residential iron fence painting with proper rust prep typically runs $300-$900 for standard lot footage. Windy City Painters provides itemized estimates based on linear footage, rust severity, and whether structural welding is required before surface preparation begins. Q: Do you paint over rust or remove it first? A: Windy City Painters always addresses active rust before priming. Ospho or Corroseal rust converter chemically neutralizes iron oxide, and wire wheel grinding removes loose scale - coating over unaddressed rust guarantees early failure on Chicago iron fences. Q: When does an iron fence need welding before painting? A: Loose pickets, cracked rails, or connections with visible movement require welding before any coating work begins. Paint cannot stabilize a structural joint - Windy City Painters coordinates with welders when this condition is identified during initial assessment. Q: How long does iron fence paint last in Chicago? A: With mechanical prep, Ospho conversion, and Sherwin-Williams or Rust-Oleum DTM coatings, properly restored iron fencing holds 5-8 years in Chicago's freeze-thaw climate before needing significant maintenance. Q: Is Ospho better than Corroseal for Chicago iron fences? A: Both are effective rust converters. Ospho is a liquid phosphoric acid treatment suited for moderate rust and pitting. Corroseal is a latex-based converter-primer hybrid better suited to heavier rust profiles. Windy City Painters selects based on site conditions. Q: What finish sheen works best on iron fencing? A: Satin or semi-gloss black is the traditional and most durable choice for Chicago greystone and brownstone properties. Satin hides minor surface imperfections better than gloss while still providing adequate UV and moisture resistance. Q: Can iron fence painting be done in spring or fall in Chicago? A: Yes. Windy City Painters schedules iron fence work in temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit with low ambient humidity - spring and early fall are often ideal windows that avoid both winter cold and peak summer humidity.

Bathroom - transitional bathroom idea in Other

All Products from Lowe's Design: Marcus Lehman Craftsmen: Done Right Remodeling After Photos: Marcus Lehman
Small country l-shaped vinyl floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen photo in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and gray countertops

Bonnie K Johnson
Minimalist kitchen photo in Other

Kids can find exactly the car they want, little ones can't reach any of them, and it's actually fun to put them away! Little fingers like putting little things into little places. Toy Taming works with that principle in mind.

Minimalist hallway photo in London

Wooden ship-lap interior siding with white stain and “Screeneze” brand screening system in charcoal – Wood frame built on techno Metal Post foundation

Transitional bathroom photo in Atlanta

Our client had just completely renovated the interior and now was ready to address the garden. A desire for a welcoming entry, both walk and drive along with an outdoor living room were primary. The property is adjacent to a busy road so both visual and sound screening were a must. The stone face on the house was great so we incorporated it in the garden. Color and lighting were added to complete.

Bathroom - farmhouse bathroom idea in Other

Shannon Butler
Mid-sized minimalist u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island