The Artful Edible Garden
By Suzanne Arca, ASLA, ALPD, CLCA Founder and Principal, Arca Design Group Many of us caught the edible garden craze a few years back, but some of us may have found that a farm-to-table garden isnāt always the most aesthetically appealing scene. This doesnāt have to be the case. Using [...]
The Solar Issue: Is Solar Power Ready for the Mainstream ā and Is It Equitable?
As painting contractors, we at Arana are very attuned to the needs of the homeowners we serve, and the desire that many people have these days to be more āgreenā when it comes to certain products, processes, and material choices. One example is the increasing appeal and popularity of solar. [...]
Bay Area Schools Train Next Gen Tradespeople
In February our daughter Sofia was accepted into the Academy for Business and Finance at our local San Leandro district high school. The Academy is a three-year program that provides academic and technical training to prepare students for the workforce as well as for higher education. These types of programs [...]
The 3P’s of Superior Exterior House Painting – San Francisco Bay Area
You may not realize it, but painting is as much about the process a painter uses as the painter themselves!At Arana Craftsman Painters, we leave little to chance because we follow a tried-and-true set of steps. These crucial steps are our āsecret sauceā so to speak and it has allowed [...]
Best Colors for Kitchen with White Cabinets
Interior designers recommend earthy colors for kitchens with white cabinets. These colors have a warm and welcoming feel that makes the cook and visitors feel comfortable. The color should be bright with a blend of different colors on different parts of the kitchen. Kitchen colors serve many purposes; this includes [...]
Cabinet Refinishing Process: Quick and Easy Kitchen Refresh
Cabinet painting is the easiest way to create a major change in your kitchen without demolition, dust, and downtime. You donāt have to break through walls or change out cabinets in order to experience a complete refresh and transformation of your space. Itās also an economical and eco-friendly choice, preserving [...]
Community Spotlight: Chabot Day Camp
For the past 10 years, Ernesto and I have been sending our kids to summer camp in one form or another via the Parks and Rec Department of the City of San Leandro. Of all the camps weāve tried for them over the years, Chabot Day Camp has been one [...]
Arana Restores an Iconic Floating Home in Alameda
Featuring a very personalized color paletteā¦ Most people know about the āPainted Ladies,ā the famed San Francisco Victorians, and some may also know about the populous and sprawling houseboat and floating homes community in Sausalito, but few have heard of the tiny, eclectic Barnhill Marina in Alameda. Tucked away in [...]
Kitchen Cabinets Refreshed ā Examples from our Portfolio
What a Difference Paint Makes! A question we get a lot at Arana is, āWhat can I do to refresh my kitchen, without going into a full-scale remodel?ā Of course, our answer is, "New paint colors!" Also hanging new wallpaper (a service we provide) can add layers of interest to [...]
Save Some Green with a Kitchen Cabinet Repaint
After several years of living in that beautiful home of yours, the natural processes of wear and tear have taken a toll on some of the fixtures inside your home. Chief among these is the cabinets in your kitchen, theyāre literally an eyesore, what with the discolorations and the general [...]
