Design ideas for a small traditional full sun backyard landscaping in St Louis.

In this room we created custom cornice boxes and panels to follow the arch of the windows. We finished this room with accessories and a rug
Mid-century modern living room photo in Houston

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.

An abstract painting by Dee Cunningham is the twist in this Traditional Dining Room. In this photo, you can also see the natural fiber rug that was custom made to follow the contours of the fireplace hearth.

Our clients on this project, a busy young North Vancouver family, requested that we incorporate some important inherited family heirloom pieces into their spaces while keeping to an otherwise modern aesthetic. In order to successfully mix furniture of different styles and periods we kept the wood tones and colour palette consistent, working primarily with walnut and charcoal greys and accenting with bright orange for a bit of fun. The mix of an heirloom walnut dining table with some mid-century dining chairs, a Nelson bubble light fixture, and a few nature inspired pieces like the tree stump tables, make for a finished space that is indeed very modern. Interior design by Lori Steeves of Simply Home Decorating Inc., Photos by Tracey Ayton Photography

This spacious home in North Vancouver's Deep Cove community had been built and decorated just over 20 years ago and was in need of updating. Our clients who are empty nesters, spend much of their time in the kitchen and family room so we focused on these spaces keeping in mind that the more formal spaces on the main floor will follow in a few years time. For the most part the layout of their kitchen worked well for them so our role was to tweak the kitchen and family room furniture layout and to select updated finishes and furnishings. Since this home transformation is not happening all at once, we purposefully selected classic finishes, like antique brass hardware, that will tie in with the rest of the home's decor until it can be updated. The resulting refresh stays true to the original feel of the house while giving it a clean, updated look.

This spacious home in North Vancouver's Deep Cove community had been built and decorated just over 20 years ago and was in need of updating. Our clients who are empty nesters, spend much of their time in the kitchen and family room so we focused on these spaces keeping in mind that the more formal spaces on the main floor will follow in a few years time. For the most part the layout of their kitchen worked well for them so our role was to tweak the kitchen and family room furniture layout and to select updated finishes and furnishings. Since this home transformation is not happening all at once, we purposefully selected classic finishes, like antique brass hardware, that will tie in with the rest of the home's decor until it can be updated. The resulting refresh stays true to the original feel of the house while giving it a clean, updated look.

This spacious home in North Vancouver's Deep Cove community had been built and decorated just over 20 years ago and was in need of updating. Our clients who are empty nesters, spend much of their time in the kitchen and family room so we focused on these spaces keeping in mind that the more formal spaces on the main floor will follow in a few years time. For the most part the layout of their kitchen worked well for them so our role was to tweak the kitchen and family room furniture layout and to select updated finishes and furnishings. Since this home transformation is not happening all at once, we purposefully selected classic finishes, like antique brass hardware, that will tie in with the rest of the home's decor until it can be updated. The resulting refresh stays true to the original feel of the house while giving it a clean, updated look.

This spacious home in North Vancouver's Deep Cove community had been built and decorated just over 20 years ago and was in need of updating. Our clients who are empty nesters, spend much of their time in the kitchen and family room so we focused on these spaces keeping in mind that the more formal spaces on the main floor will follow in a few years time. For the most part the layout of their kitchen worked well for them so our role was to tweak the kitchen and family room furniture layout and to select updated finishes and furnishings. Since this home transformation is not happening all at once, we purposefully selected classic finishes, like antique brass hardware, that will tie in with the rest of the home's decor until it can be updated. The resulting refresh stays true to the original feel of the house while giving it a clean, updated look.

This spacious home in North Vancouver's Deep Cove community had been built and decorated just over 20 years ago and was in need of updating. Our clients who are empty nesters, spend much of their time in the kitchen and family room so we focused on these spaces keeping in mind that the more formal spaces on the main floor will follow in a few years time. For the most part the layout of their kitchen worked well for them so our role was to tweak the kitchen and family room furniture layout and to select updated finishes and furnishings. Since this home transformation is not happening all at once, we purposefully selected classic finishes, like antique brass hardware, that will tie in with the rest of the home's decor until it can be updated. The resulting refresh stays true to the original feel of the house while giving it a clean, updated look.

This spacious home in North Vancouver's Deep Cove community had been built and decorated just over 20 years ago and was in need of updating. Our clients who are empty nesters, spend much of their time in the kitchen and family room so we focused on these spaces keeping in mind that the more formal spaces on the main floor will follow in a few years time. For the most part the layout of their kitchen worked well for them so our role was to tweak the kitchen and family room furniture layout and to select updated finishes and furnishings. Since this home transformation is not happening all at once, we purposefully selected classic finishes, like antique brass hardware, that will tie in with the rest of the home's decor until it can be updated. The resulting refresh stays true to the original feel of the house while giving it a clean, updated look.

This spacious home in North Vancouver's Deep Cove community had been built and decorated just over 20 years ago and was in need of updating. Our clients who are empty nesters, spend much of their time in the kitchen and family room so we focused on these spaces keeping in mind that the more formal spaces on the main floor will follow in a few years time. For the most part the layout of their kitchen worked well for them so our role was to tweak the kitchen and family room furniture layout and to select updated finishes and furnishings. Since this home transformation is not happening all at once, we purposefully selected classic finishes, like antique brass hardware, that will tie in with the rest of the home's decor until it can be updated. The resulting refresh stays true to the original feel of the house while giving it a clean, updated look.

We started with a VERY small kitchen and separate dining room area and the homeowner agreed it would be a great idea to open the whole space up to accomodate a larger kitchen. We started by installing a loadbearing beam where the wall was separating the kitchen from the dining room. New, Luxury Vinyl flooring was then installed throughout the main floor, followed by custom, Benjamin Moore painted, Canadian made cabinetry. The large island was topped with Cambria, Lakedale quartz which we also put on the backsplash areas to complete the look. The end result is dramatic and a complete change from where we started.

We started with a VERY small kitchen and separate dining room area and the homeowner agreed it would be a great idea to open the whole space up to accomodate a larger kitchen. We started by installing a loadbearing beam where the wall was separating the kitchen from the dining room. New, Luxury Vinyl flooring was then installed throughout the main floor, followed by custom, Benjamin Moore painted, Canadian made cabinetry. The large island was topped with Cambria, Lakedale quartz which we also put on the backsplash areas to complete the look. The end result is dramatic and a complete change from where we started.

We started with a VERY small kitchen and separate dining room area and the homeowner agreed it would be a great idea to open the whole space up to accomodate a larger kitchen. We started by installing a loadbearing beam where the wall was separating the kitchen from the dining room. New, Luxury Vinyl flooring was then installed throughout the main floor, followed by custom, Benjamin Moore painted, Canadian made cabinetry. The large island was topped with Cambria, Lakedale quartz which we also put on the backsplash areas to complete the look. The end result is dramatic and a complete change from where we started.

We started with a VERY small kitchen and separate dining room area and the homeowner agreed it would be a great idea to open the whole space up to accomodate a larger kitchen. We started by installing a loadbearing beam where the wall was separating the kitchen from the dining room. New, Luxury Vinyl flooring was then installed throughout the main floor, followed by custom, Benjamin Moore painted, Canadian made cabinetry. The large island was topped with Cambria, Lakedale quartz which we also put on the backsplash areas to complete the look. The end result is dramatic and a complete change from where we started.

We started with a VERY small kitchen and separate dining room area and the homeowner agreed it would be a great idea to open the whole space up to accomodate a larger kitchen. We started by installing a loadbearing beam where the wall was separating the kitchen from the dining room. New, Luxury Vinyl flooring was then installed throughout the main floor, followed by custom, Benjamin Moore painted, Canadian made cabinetry. The large island was topped with Cambria, Lakedale quartz which we also put on the backsplash areas to complete the look. The end result is dramatic and a complete change from where we started.

We started with a VERY small kitchen and separate dining room area and the homeowner agreed it would be a great idea to open the whole space up to accomodate a larger kitchen. We started by installing a loadbearing beam where the wall was separating the kitchen from the dining room. New, Luxury Vinyl flooring was then installed throughout the main floor, followed by custom, Benjamin Moore painted, Canadian made cabinetry. The large island was topped with Cambria, Lakedale quartz which we also put on the backsplash areas to complete the look. The end result is dramatic and a complete change from where we started.

We started with a VERY small kitchen and separate dining room area and the homeowner agreed it would be a great idea to open the whole space up to accomodate a larger kitchen. We started by installing a loadbearing beam where the wall was separating the kitchen from the dining room. New, Luxury Vinyl flooring was then installed throughout the main floor, followed by custom, Benjamin Moore painted, Canadian made cabinetry. The large island was topped with Cambria, Lakedale quartz which we also put on the backsplash areas to complete the look. The end result is dramatic and a complete change from where we started.