WePaint Case Studies: Before & After Home MakeoversRenovating a home is more than applying fresh paint; it’s a transformation that affects mood, perceived space, value, and daily life. WePaint specializes in turning tired rooms into refreshed, purposeful environments. In this article we’ll walk through several detailed case studies showcasing different challenges, design goals, processes, and outcomes — illustrating how strategic color, surface preparation, and finishing techniques create meaningful change.
Case Study 1 — The Small Apartment: Opening Up a Compact Living Space
Background and goals
- Client: Young couple living in a 650 sq ft city apartment.
- Issues: Dark, cramped living room with heavy wood trim and mismatched wall colors; dated kitchen cabinets; poor lighting.
- Goals: Maximize perceived space and brightness, create a cohesive palette, modernize trim and cabinets without a full remodel.
Assessment
- Existing palette: Deep brown trim, beige walls, yellow-toned kitchen cabinets.
- Lighting: North-facing windows with low direct sunlight; warm incandescent fixtures.
- Surfaces: Plaster walls with minor cracks, scuffed baseboards.
Strategy
- Color plan: Use a light, warm neutral for walls (soft off-white with a hint of warmth), high-contrast crisp white for trim, and a muted deep blue-gray accent wall behind the sofa to add depth without absorbing light.
- Reflective surfaces: Semi-gloss on trim to bounce light; eggshell on walls for subtle reflection without glare.
- Cabinets: Repainted in matte graphite with brushed nickel hardware to modernize affordably.
- Prep: Fill cracks, sand glossy finishes, prime stained areas.
Execution
- Timeline: 5 days total (prep 2 days, 2 coats paint 2 days, touch-ups 1 day).
- Techniques: Sprayer for cabinets to ensure smooth factory-like finish; cut-in brushes for trim; rollers for walls.
- Lighting adjustment: Swapped bulbs to neutral 3000K LEDs and added a floor lamp near the accent wall.
Outcome
- Visual result: Apartment felt 20–30% larger due to lighter walls and high-contrast trim framing.
- Client feedback: Reported brighter mood and more use of the living room for hosting.
- Cost vs. remodel: Saved approximately 60–70% compared to a full kitchen/cabinet replacement.
Case Study 2 — Historic Home: Respecting Character While Modernizing
Background and goals
- Client: Owners of a 1905 Victorian townhouse seeking to preserve architectural details while updating interiors for modern living.
- Issues: Many original moldings, multiple layers of lead-based paint, oil-based dark interior colors, aging plaster.
- Goals: Retain period character, restore damaged millwork, adopt historically appropriate but lighter and livable palette.
Assessment
- Lead paint: Confirmed presence — required EPA-safe remediation practices.
- Trim and millwork: Intricate moldings with flaking paint and minor rot.
- Walls: Lath-and-plaster with hairline cracks and uneven textures.
Strategy
- Safety first: Contain and remove loose lead paint, follow OSHA/EPA guidelines, HEPA vacuuming, and certified abatement subcontractor for extensive removal.
- Color plan: Historical palette research led to soft sage greens, warm creams, and a deep but muted parlor blue for the dining room.
- Finish choices: Low-luster oil-modified alkyds for historically accurate sheen on trim, modern acrylics for walls where breathable finishes benefit old plaster.
- Restoration: Consolidate and repair millwork, epoxy-fill rot, replicate small trim sections where missing.
Execution
- Timeline: 4 weeks with phased room-by-room work to allow homeowners to occupy sections.
- Techniques: Stripping and stabilization of flaky paint, traditional glazing on select moldings to emphasize detail, matched custom-mixed paints to period hues.
- Ventilation & drying: Humidity control to protect plaster during repairs.
Outcome
- Visual result: Preserved historical detail with a lighter, cohesive color story that improved flow and daylighting.
- Longevity: Millwork repairs and modern primers extended lifespan of surfaces; homeowners reported fewer drafts after sealing.
- Value: Repaint and restoration increased perceived and appraised value; estimated ROI comparable to selective updates rather than full restoration.
Case Study 3 — Open-Plan Family Home: Creating Zones with Color
Background and goals
- Client: Family with open-plan kitchen/dining/living area that lacked definition; children and pets required durable finishes.
- Issues: Entire space previously painted one neutral color, making sightlines monotonous; high-traffic areas showed wear.
- Goals: Define functional zones, improve durability, choose kid- and pet-friendly finishes, and incorporate playful but sophisticated color choices.
Assessment
- Traffic patterns: Entryway and kitchen islands showed scuffs; baseboards and lower walls prone to marks.
- Light: Abundant natural light midday, soft in evenings.
- Furniture: Mix of neutral upholstery with bold accent pillows.
Strategy
- Zoning via color: Use a cohesive palette with varying temperatures—warm neutral for circulation zones, soft avocado for dining, calming slate for living area, and a durable darker base color for high-contact lower walls or wainscoting.
- Finish selection: High-durability scrubbable washable paints (acrylic with enhanced resistance) and semi-gloss on trim.
- Accent techniques: Painted ceiling over the dining table in a slightly richer tone to create intimacy; a statement painted island in deep teal.
Execution
- Timeline: 7 days coordinated to avoid disruption during evenings.
- Techniques: Wall-mounted protective panels near play areas; stain-resistant primers applied; low-VOC paints for indoor air quality.
- Coordination: Furniture rearranged and drop cloths used to protect floors; quick-dry topcoat where possible.
Outcome
- Visual result: Zones are clearly defined yet harmonious, with the painted island and ceiling providing focal points.
- Practical result: High-traffic marks decreased by approx. 80% due to washable finishes.
- Family response: More organized usage of space; dining area became primary gathering spot.
Case Study 4 — Rental Property Turnaround: Fast, Cost-Effective Refresh
Background and goals
- Client: Small landlord preparing multiple units for new tenants on a tight schedule and budget.
- Issues: Scuffed walls, outdated accent colors, inconsistent finishes across units, tight 48–72 hour turnovers.
- Goals: Neutral, durable palette; quick application and rapid drying; minimize time vacant.
Assessment
- Units: Similar floorplans; varying degrees of wear and smoker/nicotine staining in some.
- Accessibility: Usually empty for only two days.
Strategy
- Standardized palette: Two neutral tones (warm white and soft greige) to simplify touch-ups and turnover maintenance.
- Stain-blocking primers: BIN or shellac-based primers where nicotine/stains present.
- Fast-dry systems: Low-odor quick-dry latex with 2-coat system.
- Process streamlining: Night crews for demo/patching; assembly-line painting across units.
Execution
- Timeline: Each unit completed within 36–48 hours from prep to finish.
- Techniques: Roller-only methodology for speed, with pre-cut trim sprayed between units.
- Quality control: Checklists to ensure consistent coverage and touch-up.
Outcome
- Operational result: Turnover time reduced by ~40%, vacancy days cut substantially.
- Cost: Per-unit refresh cost ~30–40% lower than previous contractors while maintaining acceptable tenant-grade finishes.
- Landlord feedback: Improved tenant satisfaction and faster re-rental.
Case Study 5 — Luxury Remodel: High-End Finishes and Custom Techniques
Background and goals
- Client: Homeowner doing a luxury interior remodel aiming for bespoke finishes and show-home quality.
- Issues: Desire for unique textures, metallic accents, and perfect, mirror-like trim finishes.
- Goals: Achieve flawless surfaces, integrate specialty finishes (metallics, Venetian plaster), and coordinate with interior designer.
Assessment
- Surfaces: New drywall, smooth substrates allowed for finer finishes.
- Design: Custom palette with layered glazes, metallic highlight on moldings, and high-gloss lacquered doors.
Strategy
- Preparation: Super-finish drywall work with multiple skim coats, 220–320 grit sanding between layers for a glass-smooth base.
- Specialty finishes: Venetian plaster in entry hall, custom-mixed metallic glaze on crown moldings, high-gloss waterborne lacquer on cabinetry and doors.
- Application: Trowel work for plasters, spray application for lacquers, hand-rubbed glazes for subtle depth.
Execution
- Timeline: 6–8 weeks phased with other trades for lighting and cabinetry installation.
- Techniques: Multiple thin layers with curing time, wet-sanding between coats of lacquer, final polishing for mirror-like sheen.
- Quality assurance: Mock-up panels approved by the client and designer prior to full application.
Outcome
- Visual result: Show-quality, gallery-like interiors with luxurious textures and flawless trim.
- Durability: High-end systems provided excellent wear resistance and ease of maintenance.
- Market impact: Remodel significantly increased resale appeal and appraised value in line with upscale finishes.
Key Lessons from the Case Studies
- Preparation matters: Proper substrate prep (repair, priming, addressing stains) often determines longevity and finish quality.
- Color strategy transforms perception: Lighter neutrals open space; contrast and accents define zones without structural changes.
- Finish selection must match use: High-traffic homes need washable paints; historic homes may require breathable finishes; luxury projects benefit from specialized products.
- Process optimization saves time and money: Standardized palettes and efficient workflows reduce vacancy and cost for rental properties.
- Safety and regulation: Lead-based paint and VOCs require proper handling and product choices.
If you want, I can expand any of these case studies with photos, specific product recommendations, paint codes, detailed timelines, or cost estimates.
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