Designers’ Favorites: Dawn Carlson on White Interiors
We recently interviewed a number of prominent Bay Area interior designers on their favorite shades of white for painting interiors. In this post, Dawn Carlson weighs in. Carol Perry and Dawn Carlson of MAS Design Dawn Carlson, MAS Design (https://masinteriordesign.com/): Sherwin Williamsā Incredible White How would you describe your design [...]
Choosing White Paint Colors for Your Interiors: Bay Area Designers Share Their Favorites!
A Paler Shade of White: Meditations on Choosing White for Your Walls I have a lot of conversations with homeowners and interior designers about color. Working primarily in the Bay Area, Iāve noticed that few homeowners choose white, especially for exteriors. Bathroom; interior design by Quinn Morgan I have my [...]
Meet Our Professional Color Designer: Cass Morris
When embarking on a new, fresh paint job for their home, whether inside or out, our beloved clients are almost always faced with a tough decision: What color? For exterior painting, this is even more challenging because, in addition to this being the one time they may paint their home [...]
In the Garden: Maintenance Is in the Details
By Suzanne Arca, ASLA, ALPD, CLCA Founder and Principal, Arca Design Group Thereās more to landscape maintenance than just clearing weeds and pruning. Though it may quickly tidy up the place, not every landscape responds well to quick āmow and blowā treatments. Keep in mind that each plant species reacts [...]
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 [...]







