On the basis of a nearly two-month project, we can recommend Craig Ebner and his crew without qualification.
This is an old but not ancient large Philadelphia townhouse. Characteristics include thick plaster walls, well-defined and tooled molding, nearly 200 spindles from first floor to 3rd, extensive window treatments, etc. In other words, nothing easy here from a painter’s point of view. In terms of condition, it is very likely that the majority of the surfaces had not been painted in perhaps 20 years, possibly longer.
The Ebner team has many compelling features and signatures to their approach, but an insistence on high-end craftsmanship and quality is the clear standout for us. A wall simply wouldn't have paint applied unless it was true and imperfection-free. Same with the wood and trim prep; extensive scrapping and effort to remove any underlining nicks or imperfections so that the wood appeared true when the paint was applied.
The end result is a Tiffany-grade effect that these customers could not be more happy with. Once the prep was concluded, the actual application of the paint was a thrilling process for how smoothly it all went down, the cleanliness of the lines.
Also, a pointed nod to Craig’s help with color selection. We began the process with a general sense of direction in terms of color, but once the rooms began to be re-shaped, all kinds of new considerations and ideas came in to view. In that, Craig was extraordinarily helpful, bringing both his extensive experience in the craft and in this area (building types, angles of the light, etc.) as well as a marvelously refined aesthetic sensibility in its own right. All ideas were great ideas, and every final choice the right one.
A relevant example in this regard was how he applied very large swatches of various colors - some of our choosing, others that he was suggesting to jostle our thinking - that allowed for a very effective comparative process. When we finally arrived at a decision, there was no second-guess, and this approach was the clear reason.
In terms of project fulfillment, his estimates were met and honored. Each day, the start times were clock-like, the work commencing right away. In spite of the length of the project, it’s not possible to identify lost or frittered moments; it was all work from the first-day arrival to the carting out of the last pieces of equipment.
The end lesson here is that the disruption is truly temporal. The finished result for us is so extraordinary that any consideration of the challenges or disruptions seems of a very minor chord, and becoming more so over time.
Because the entire interior of the house was painted we won’t have any immediate need for Craig’s services. But this recommendation is in lieu of that, of sharing for those who follow the great craftsmanship they’ll receive in engaging him.
