Should You Paint Trim or Walls First? A Bay Area Painterās Guide
Homeowners often ask Berkeley painters or Oakland painters what is the proper order or sequence of interior painting.Ā Should I paint the walls or the trim first? Itās a fair question, and the answer isnāt always simple. In the San Francisco Bay Area, homes vary dramatically in style and construction: Craftsman [...]
High Gloss Walls: YAAY or NAAAY? The Shiny Truth You Need to Know
High gloss paint can transform a room into a jewel box of light and reflectionābut itās not for the faint of heart. The sleek, mirror-like finish will highlight everythingāfrom architectural details to the tiniest imperfections. Soā¦ before you grab that high-gloss can, ask yourself: Are your walls new? Are they [...]
Arana Talks with Joona Fabriculture
We LOVE to highlight the people in our community who make things, craftsmen and women if you will, and Jeanne Henzel Swartz is such a perfect example of that. Jeanne is the founder and principal ofĀ Joona Fabriculture, Artisan Curtains and Upholstery. She has been in business as a bespoke furniture [...]
Alameda Painting Services by Arana Craftsman Painters
When it comes to enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your home or business in Alameda, California a professional paint job with a licensed contractor and an extended warranty is an essential investment. The Arana Craftsman Painters team prides ourselves on our exceptional exterior and interior preparation process that leads to [...]
Arana Craftsman Painters Announces Limited-Time 10% Discount on All Interior and Exterior Painting Services
Oakland, CA ā April 2025Ā ā Arana Craftsman Painters, a premier provider of high-quality residential and commercial painting services in the Oakland area, is excited to announce a limited-time offer of 10% off all interior and exterior painting services. Homeowners and property managers looking to revitalize their spaces with expert craftsmanship [...]
Artist, Artisan & Crafter: A Journey into the Work of Glass Maker Mary Albert
The glass art greets one on the approach to her front door, sculptures both vertically and horizontally oriented, in the garden and on the porch. I am at the home of Mary Albert, glass artist, and longtime Arana client. Fans of our newsletter may recognize the sumptuous interior colors she [...]
European Elegance Meets California Cool
By Donatella Mazzini and Simona Corradini Infusing Italian Flair into West Coast Interiors As the name of our company implies, we (Donatella and Simona) are both Italian, and our interior design style takes inspiration from the wonder that is Italy. Although we live in California, we return to our [...]
Greeting the Soul of a Home: Designing for Historic Homes and the Modern Families that Live in Them
By Laura Martin Bovard Arana has been fortunate to partner with many talented interior designers in the Bay Area and our long-term relationship with Laura Martin Bovard and LMB Interiors (lmbinteriors.com) is a standout in this regard. It is our pleasure and joy to contribute our teamās craftsman skills to [...]
From Fine Artist to Interior Designer with a Passion for Art: Our Interview with Mead Quin
One of our greatest joys as a paint contractor is supporting Interior Designers in the artistry that they create for their clientsā homes. The Bay Area is fortunate to have so many talented designers, and especially who are such a delight to work with. In this monthās newsletter, we share [...]
The Power of Gratitude
Everyone knows that it is good manners to thank people. What might be less intuitive is that showing gratitude creates a whole host of positive outcomes for the grateful person. According to The University of California at Berkeley, practicing gratitude can lead to benefits in the physical, psychological, and social [...]
