Painting Tips & Project Insights Salt Lake Utah

Limewash Painting in Progress – Underway in Northern Utah

We’re applying a second coat of Color Atelier limewash to a custom home in Northern Utah, blending soft texture with rich stain-grade wood details. Learn more about our artisan limewash and decorative plaster services—using brands like Romabio, Meoded, Bauwerk, and more. Custom samples.

We’re currently completing the second coat of limewash on a custom home in Northern Utah, using Color Atelier Limewash. The walls are transforming beautifully, with rich texture and soft movement that only mineral-based coatings can provide. This project features stain-grade beams and trim, which we’re preserving and accentuating by pairing them with the subtle, cloud-like texture of limewashed walls.

Once the second coat dries, we’ll move into the final touch-up phase—softening edges, blending any hard transitions, and refining the finish to achieve a natural, lived-in look. These details are what elevate a limewash finish from “nice” to truly artisan.

At Element Coatings, we specialize in custom limewash applications and decorative wall finishes across Northern Utah. We use only premium brands, including:

  • Color Atelier – known for refined, modern limewash and mineral plasters

  • Meoded Paint & Plaster – for Venetian plasters and artistic wall finishes

  • Romabio – breathable, natural lime paints ideal for both interior and exterior use

  • Bauwerk Colour – lime-based paints with subtle color variation and rich earth tones

  • ...and more.

Why Choose Limewash?

Limewash is breathable, natural, and perfect for creating timeless, soft-matte finishes. It adds depth and texture without heavy buildup, making it an ideal option for everything from modern organic spaces to classic European-inspired interiors.

We Also Offer:

  • Venetian and Decorative Plasters – for depth, elegance, and movement

  • Concrete Plaster Finishes – modern, textural, and durable

  • Custom Sample Boards – including multi-color layering and custom tints for perfect color matching

Whether you're looking for a subtle limewash, a dramatic textured wall, or a layered plaster design, our team can create a one-of-a-kind finish for your space. We work with homeowners, designers, and builders throughout Salt Lake City, Herriman, Draper, Highland, and surrounding areas.

Ready to elevate your walls?
📞 Call us at 801-793-5897 or visit www.elementcoatingsllc.com to request a quote or schedule a color consultation. Let’s bring your walls to life with natural texture and timeless beauty.

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Patrick Evje Patrick Evje

Interior Painting Done Right: What the Best Interior Painting Companies Know That You Don’t

Transform your home with professional insights from the best interior painting contractors. From expert prep tips to flawless finishes, discover how we bring color and precision to every project.

You spend hours in your living spaces every day—why not make them a masterpiece? With over 14 years of experience as one of the best interior painting contractors, we’ve learned what works and what doesn’t so you don’t have to. From meticulous prep work to the final touch, we’ve mastered the techniques and tools to deliver stunning results. Today, we’re sharing the secrets that set top-tier interior painting contractors apart.

Why Hire the Best Interior Painting Contractors?

Painting isn’t just about adding color to your walls—it’s about enhancing the way you live in your space. Over the years, we’ve fixed countless DIY paint jobs where homeowners started with enthusiasm but quickly realized how much goes into doing it right.

DIY Pitfalls

  • Uneven finishes: Roller marks, streaks, and patchy coverage are common issues.

  • Messy cleanup: Paint spills and drips can permanently damage furniture and floors.

  • Time-consuming: A “weekend project” often stretches into weeks, adding stress and frustration.

The Professional Advantage

Hiring one of the best interior painting contractors ensures you get:

  • Expertise: We know what techniques work for different surfaces and spaces.

  • Specialized tools: From dust-controlling Festool sanders to sprayers for large or detailed jobs, our equipment ensures precision and efficiency.

  • Quality assurance: Every project is completed with attention to detail, leaving your space better than we found it.

The Prep Work Secrets from the Best Interior Painting Contractors

Prep work is the foundation of a flawless paint job. As one of the best interior painting contractors, we’ve learned that investing time in preparation ensures durability and perfection.

Surface Preparation

We clean, sand, and prime every surface to create the ideal canvas for paint. For example, a poorly prepped wall can lead to peeling paint, even with the best products. Proper prep ensures your walls look good today and for years to come.

Pro tip: Always start with a clean surface. We remove dirt, grease, and dust using a mild soap solution, followed by a rinse, to ensure proper paint adhesion.

Protecting Floors, Furniture, and Fixtures

Protecting your belongings is a critical part of the process. We use a combination of:

  • Plastic sheeting for furniture and delicate surfaces.

  • Professional-grade drop cloths for durable, reusable coverage.

  • Rosin paper and masking tape for precise edge protection.

  • Ram board for heavy-duty floor protection in high-traffic areas.

For tight edges and window panes, liquid masking tape ensures clean, precise lines. Our goal is to keep your home as clean and functional as possible during the project.

Choosing the Right Paint and Tools

The right materials and tools can make or break a project, which is why the best interior painting contractors only use top-quality products.

Selecting the Best Paint

The type of paint you choose directly impacts the final result. Here’s how we recommend finishes:

  • Eggshell or satin: Ideal for living spaces and hallways, offering a smooth, versatile look.

  • Semi-gloss and gloss: Perfect for trim and doors that see heavy use, and excellent for highlighting special trims and moldings.

Pro tip: Invest in high-quality paint. It may cost more upfront, but it provides better coverage, longevity, and aesthetics.

Tools of the Trade

We use specialized tools to work efficiently while maintaining cleanliness and quality:

  • Festool sanders: These tools minimize dust, protect your home, and speed up the process.

  • Sprayers: For large projects or areas requiring a smooth, flawless finish, sprayers provide speed and precision.

  • High-quality brushes and rollers: Paired with our expertise, they ensure consistent results across different surfaces.

Application Techniques for a Flawless Finish

Achieving professional results takes skill, experience, and an understanding of technique.

Cutting In Like a Pro

Cutting in—painting the edges and corners before rolling—is an art. It takes years to master and even longer to do efficiently. Over time, professionals develop the ability to work with both hands, reducing ladder moves and increasing speed.

Rolling for Consistency

The “W” or “M” technique is a good starting point for beginners. However, experienced painters know how to apply just the right amount of paint—enough to cover without creating excessive texture, like orange peel.

Layering for Perfection

Many paints today are marketed as “paint and primer in one” or promise one-coat coverage. While convenient, these still often require two coats:

  • The first coat acts as a “primer coat.”

  • The second coat provides the rich, even finish homeowners expect.

For bare wood, drywall, or stained surfaces, using a dedicated bonding or stain-blocking primer is more effective and economical than relying solely on paint-and-primer products.

Specialty Coatings and Wallpaper

Lime Wash Paints and Specialty Finishes

Lime wash paints and specialty coatings add unique texture and depth to walls, creating an artisanal look that standard paints can’t replicate. These require specific application techniques, which we’ve mastered over the years.

Wallpaper Installation and Removal

Removing wallpaper can be challenging and time-consuming. We use professional-grade tools and techniques to strip wallpaper without damaging walls. If you’re looking to add wallpaper, we ensure perfect alignment, smooth application, and clean edges.

Licensed Carpentry for Painting-Adjacent Repairs

Sometimes, a painting project reveals deeper issues, like damaged trim, drywall imperfections, or rotting wood. As licensed carpenters, we handle these repairs seamlessly. Whether it’s replacing baseboards, repairing crown molding, or fixing drywall, we ensure the surface is ready for a flawless paint application.

Aftercare and Maintenance

A high-quality paint job deserves proper care to stay fresh and vibrant.

Final Touches

We inspect every room under natural light, low light, and with bright spotlights to catch any imperfections. Masking tape is removed strategically—sometimes immediately, and other times after drying—with the help of a razor blade to prevent peeling or bleeding.

Maintaining Your Painted Walls

The product and sheen used significantly affect both washability and touch-up ease. High-quality paints with the right finish make cleaning and touch-ups far easier, extending the life of your paint job.

Not All Contractors Are Created Equal

When hiring a contractor, it’s important to ask the right questions:

  1. Are you licensed and insured? Protect yourself and your property.

  2. Do you offer warranties? A good contractor stands by their work.

  3. Can you provide references? Reliable contractors will gladly share past projects.

  4. What’s included in your estimate? Ensure the quote covers prep, materials, labor, and cleanup.

Conclusion

Interior painting is more than just adding color—it’s about transforming your home into a space you love. As one of the best interior painting contractors, we’ve refined our craft to ensure every project is completed with precision, care, and professionalism.

Ready to elevate your space? Contact us today to schedule your consultation. Whether it’s a single room, specialty coatings, or wallpaper installation, we’re here to bring your vision to life!

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