Inside Perspectives from Ryan Munn, Greenleaf’s Operations Manager

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Q: What projects at Greenleaf Painters stand out to you? What makes them especially unique or rewarding? 

RM: The historical renovation projects are rewarding because there are so many moving pieces. Different details and factors come into play throughout the stages of a renovation, and seeing those types of complexities come together—and result in a happy customer—is a great feeling. That’s really true of every job we do.

Ryan Munn

I also enjoy working with repeat clients because you get to know people. As people continue to trust us to paint, beautify, and renovate their homes through different stages of their lives, we build ongoing relationships with them. That’s more than just a good feeling—it’s important, whether you’re on or off the clock.

Q: What originally drew you to this opportunity with Greenleaf Painters? 

RM: Previously, I worked for two smaller, independent businesses and I enjoyed being able to make a noticeable difference. Greenleaf felt like a natural fit, and that’s what this opportunity offered me—the chance to make a real impact on a daily basis. I also enjoy a good challenge, and learning a new role in a new industry is about as challenging as it gets.

Q: Since becoming part of Team Greenleaf, what do you most appreciate about the company?

RM: You just said it. It’s the word ‘team.’ It really all comes down to that. Here at Greenleaf Painters we go about our work as a cohesive unit. We pick each other up, we have each other’s backs, and we have great leadership thanks to Sean Carty and Frank Danser—our project managers—and to our owner and founder, Jonathan Shenk.

We communicate with each other, and every member of our group is responsive, respectful, and capable. When everyone is pulling the cart in the same direction—and has a positive, can-do attitude—a lot of good work can get done. That’s been my experience here.

Q: On a more personal note: What are some of your favorite family pastimes? 

RM: We try to watch a family movie with the kids on either Friday or Saturday night, if there is something new out. During the holiday season Home Alone is one that we’ve watched over and over, and it never gets old. Also, in general, just being active with my family is a great joy. I’ve always been a runner, but I’ve been sidelined with an injury for the last couple of years. That’s kept me from doing a lot of running, but I stay active by biking on the peloton, working out in my home gym, and hiking when I can. On the weekends, and when there’s time, the kids will come work out with me and that makes exercising a lot of fun. Those are special moments.

Q: What do you like/love about working in this area of the country?  

RM: Both Mercer and Bucks County are very beautiful places, and have a lot to offer people who live here. We particularly love that this is a great area to raise a family. I also think this is an area where people take great pride in their homes, families, and businesses. I love knowing that we are helping families and businesses to upgrade, and often transform, the look and value of their location.

Also, I’m a fan of spicy foods. I grow a variety of hot peppers and add them to dishes at home, and there are a lot of great places to eat around here. I can never get tired of the Spicy Drunken Noodles at Thai Noodle Fusion in Penndel, PA. They are delicious and carry some heat. There’s a lot to love about this area, and I’m glad to be here.

Ryan’s dedication and leadership help motivate us to strive for excellence every day! For your next project, call Greenleaf Painters at (609) 750-0030 or use our form at the top of this page!

 

Knowing When it’s Time to Have Your House Exterior Repainted

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Your home is more than just a dwelling, it’s a reflection of your style and personality. However, the color may fade over time or the exterior could endure some natural wear and tear, which should be corrected to prevent further deterioration.

Professional painters can make a huge difference with providing the necessary updates and repairs to ensure that your home is properly cared for. At Greenleaf Painters, we’re happy to provide some suggestions for when it’s time to have your home repainted.

Look for Signs of Damage & Wear

Paint is designed to last for many years but it’s not impervious to the elements. Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause it to fade and lose its bold hue. Moisture can also have a negative effect that results in the paint bubbling, peeling, or even cracking. If you notice these signs, it may be time to enlist the help of a professional painting company to help preserve your home and restore your home’s aesthetics.

Damaged Paint or Wood

The surface that is getting painted is just as important as the paint itself. Whether the siding is dirty, there’s a buildup of mold, or the wood is beginning to rot or delaminate, a professional painter can spot these issues. Greenleaf Painters has professional carpenters on staff so we can repair or replace rotten wood.

New Renovations or Installation

Having renovations and remodeling done can be exciting and allow you to get more out of your home based on your wants and needs. A perfect complement to these renovations is an updated color or a fresh coat to embolden the look of your home’s exterior. Why not express your style through color?

Wanting Something New

You may be dissatisfied with the original color of your home and are looking to make some changes. It can be an exciting endeavor while working with a professional painter to review your color options to determine the best look for your home.

Moving in or Moving Out

For your new home, updating the color can be your first step in making it feel like your own.

If you’re getting ready to put your home on the market, fixing cracks and nail pops and applying a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for the first impression your house is making on prospective buyers. And this will increase the value of your home.

If you’re weighing the options and considering giving your home a fresh look with a new vibrant color, or simply updating the current one, the team at Greenleaf Painters is here to help.

 

Give us a call or fill out a form today!

Get to Know Jonathan Shenk, Owner, in Our Informal Q&A!

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Curious about what drives us to complete your project with precision and care? Look no further than this Q&A with owner and founder, Jonathan Shenk!

Q: You lived in Kenya until you were 12. Why did you start your first 12 years abroad?

A: I’m the third generation in my family to have lived in East Africa. My dad was born in Tanzania to my missionary grandparents from Lancaster County, PA. Then he and my mother returned to East Africa. I have fond memories of playing outdoors year-round: hide-and-seek, soccer, and climbing mango and guava trees. We moved back to the United States when my oldest sister was ready for college.

Q: What kind of novels do you like to read? Do you have a favorite author and/or book?

A: I enjoy historical fiction like The Good Lord Bird by James McBride about the 19th century abolitionist John Brown or What is the What by Dave Eggers about one of the Lost Boys of Sudan.

I could write a novel about the novels I love. I enjoyed Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson. I’ve made some finds through my son, Gabriel, who is a graduate of Rutgers University. After Marlon James spoke on campus, Gabe bought me his novel, A Brief History of Seven Killings, which revolves around Bob Marley. And years ago, I plucked The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy from Gabe’s high school summer reading list and found it captivating.

Q: What do you like/love about working in your area?

A: Central New Jersey is a beautiful part of the country. Our customers range from lifelong residents to people who have landed here from around the country or the world. People take pride in their homes, and I love becoming a part of the projects they bring us into.

Jonathan Shenk, owner of Greenleaf Painters

Q: Why did you start Greenleaf Painters? What did you see in the industry that you felt you could improve on or that made you want to start your own business?

A: I wanted to be on the frontline of offering customers paint products that were healthier to use in their homes. Thankfully, the paint industry has shifted to offering excellent paint products that are less toxic for people and our environment.

I also wanted to significantly raise the bar of what people could count on from a painting contractor: We keep our word about scheduling and cost. We strive to exceed expectations. We create an environment of respect and care for our customers, employees, and workspaces.

Q: You’ve been doing this for almost 20 years. What makes you keep going?

A: There are a lot of moving pieces to running a small business, so every day is different. I’m always learning something new. That keeps my job interesting. There is also a nice balance between short-term rewards–like a beautiful finish on a home and a delighted customer–and long-term rewards like building a strong team and an excellent company.

One time, a builder colleague called me to say he had just driven by one of our worksites and was so impressed with how well our crew was working together on a house project that he felt moved to just call and tell me how much he appreciated the work we do. That is the kind of exchange that makes it all feel worthwhile.

Q: Pie or cake?

A: Not a big dessert eater, but I do love a fine plain cheesecake with fresh strawberries on top. However, my doctor would prefer if I just stuck to the strawberries.

Jonathan’s vibrant personality is what drives us to do what we do.

Choosing Interior Colors? Read This Advice from Designer Ellen Maranca

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Are you choosing new interior colors? Read our Q&A for some pro tips from interior designer Ellen Maranca of EZM Interiors, Lambertville, NJ! Ms. Maranca’s designs are showcased in the accompanying photos, which includes painting by our team at Greenleaf Painters!

Home office painted in a light blue by Greenleaf Painters

What do you like most about your design work?
What I like best about being an interior designer is working with different people. Each person comes to the table with interesting ideas, lifestyles, needs and desires. My job is to mesh all the family members’ wants in a cohesive and interesting way. It’s a puzzle that needs to fit together.

Choosing wall colors is a big decision. Any tips for choosing wall color to go with existing furniture and flooring?
Wall colors change dramatically in a space from day to night and with different colors that surround them. It’s one of the most challenging pieces in my business to get it right. It takes time and energy to “see” each color in the environment. Looking at painting samples is a must.

Greenleaf painted this bedroom in a soothing brown.

Accent walls are becoming popular. What are your thoughts on these?
Accent walls should be the focal point of the room.

What interior wall colors do you find popular right now in our area for living rooms, dining rooms and kitchens?
Popular wall colors change depending on the location. Clients in Florida want “cool” colors, Northeast clients want “warmer” colors, but in general most clients want light muted colors.

White cabinets paired with soothing earth colors make this kitchen inviting.

Do you have any favorite uses of color to share?
Paint is a game changer in so many ways. Example: my client purchased a home with a huge chandelier that they really disliked, wanted to replace BUT didn’t have the budget.

I convinced them to paint it a vibrant color. They LOVE this piece. We saved thousands of dollars; it’s a showstopper now.

Any other favorite design tips?
Advice: hire an interior designer; they save you money, explain where to spend, and where to cut back to get the home that reflects your unique personality and needs.

What got you into the interior design business?
Friends, wanting interior design advice after seeing my home. In the early part of my work career I was a display director for large department stores. Great training ground for spatial relationships.

To read more about Ellen Maranca’s work, please visit: www.EZM-Interiors.com.

Dining room painted by Greenleaf

5 Reasons to Have Your Home Painted This Summer

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Did you know that summer can be the best time for painting your house? Whether you’re looking to have your home’s interior painted, or you want to freshen up the exterior, late spring, summer and early fall are great times to do it.

If you’re interested in updating the color of your home, here’s 5 reasons to do it this summer from Greenleaf Painters!

Best Time to Fix Winter Wear & Tear

With the bright sun exposing areas of your home that were left shaded and hidden during the winter, it’s a chance to take notice of the wear and tear left over from the colder and wetter weather. This can include cracks, chips, peeling paint, and even wood rot.

Summer allows you to prioritize the much-needed upkeep and maintenance of your home alongside your painting project, allowing the contractors to focus their efforts to bring your home back to a pleasing aesthetic.

Increase Curb Appeal & Attention

Whether you simply want to update your home, or you’re planning on putting it on the market, having your home painting project completed in the summer is a great way to show it off to the neighbors and potential buyers. Since the weather is warmer, there’s more foot traffic that can admire the work outdoors. And if you entertain in summer, you’ll have a fresh look for those special gatherings.

Let Us Complete Your Project While You’re Vacationing

Did you know that can have the work done while you’re away on summer vacation? Our trustworthy crews have done this countless times for customers. While we work on your home, you can have your feet up elsewhere. How nice to return home and see the finished, new look!

Note: We also provide this service all year long for interior painting. Winter snowbirds and other vacationers enjoy being away while their home is being updated!

Using the Temperature to Your Advantage for Interiors

The warm weather provides some benefit when it comes to having the interior of your home painted. While we also think wintertime is a great time of year to paint (see our video about that), you might prefer summer, when you can throw open your windows. Even the lowest VOC paints can have a faint odor for a few days. So if you or a family member is extra sensitive to scents — or if you just like the feeling of open windows during and after a paint job — then late spring, summer and early autumn are your sweet spots!

What About Exterior Painting on Rainy Weeks?

There’s a reason people say, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes.” During especially unpredictable weather weeks, we use caution in working on your outdoor painting project so that it dries properly and remains fresh-looking for years to come. This is where our 18 years of experience of working around rainy days comes in handy! If you’re concerned about the effects of weather, please give us a call to discuss your project.

Rest assured, we are invested in you being happy with your final results and in your paint finish looking great for years into the future.

Have Your Home Painted by Greenleaf Painters this Summer

If you’re interested in updating the color of your home or getting some much-needed work after the winter wear and tear, Greenleaf Painters can happily help you. We can assess your home and provide an estimate to give you a sense of the cost and timeline of the project.

Interested in having the interior or exterior of your home painted? Contact us today!

 

 

Painting Your Home: DIY vs Hiring a Professional Painter

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When it’s time to update the look and color of your home, choosing the right paint is vital, but so is deciding if you’re going to hire a professional painter or do it yourself. Painting is one of the most common forms of maintenance that homeowners take on themselves, but the results can sometimes be mixed.

At Greenleaf Painters, we’re here to help you learn more by giving you a heads-up on what’s needed for DIY painting vs. hiring a professional painting company. We hope that this guide will help you decide which option best suits you and your home!

Getting Started on Painting Your Home

Painting your home can be a fun and rewarding experience, but you’ll want to make sure that you’re familiar with painting practices to ensure that you’re completing the task correctly. It’s imperative that you have high quality brushes, rollers, painters’ tape, caulk and other materials. You will also need large coverings such as tarps for furniture, valuables, and floors to avoid any mishaps.

Quality Interior & Exterior Painting

We can’t emphasize prep enough. Professional prep work – and professional paint product guidance – are both needed to be sure that your coat of paint will last more than just a couple of years. The right prep and paint make a huge difference in how the final coat will look and how long it will last!

Once you’ve decided on the color, brand, and sheen of paint, you’re ready to get started on prep. You will need to decide on how many coats you will apply after the primer. Also, you will need to decide what to do about cracks and nail holes. Do you leave them? If so, they will show through your new coat of paint.

We sometimes get calls from customers who thought one coat would be enough or the prep would be easier. They hired us to finish the job when they ran out of time, energy – or patience!

When it comes to quality, top-level, professional painters will make sure there is enough prep so that there are no streaks, nail holes, etc. Our craftsmen excel at transforming your living spaces.

Difficulty & Risks with Painting Your Home

Depending on the rooms in your home, painting shouldn’t be a major challenge if you’re skilled and up for the physical labor. Some spaces, however, require the use of step ladders or extension ladders. Maneuvering and safely stabilizing an extension ladder can be tricky and dangerous – both to yourself and your property. One wrong step could lead to harm.

If getting a professional look is important to you, this can be the biggest challenge in DIY painting. Getting clean lines where the wall meets the ceiling, for example, takes a steady, practiced hand. Sometimes you’re needing that steady hand while balancing on a ladder!

Professional painters are experienced with exterior ladders, heights, and the use of tools. You won’t have to risk your safety – or risk a study in frustration. You can rest easy knowing that the professionals do this every day.

Costs for Painting

When you decide to paint your home on your own, you will have to estimate how many cans of primer and paint you need. You may also need to buy brushes, trays, liners, tarps, tape and more. You may need to buy or rent equipment, such as a sander. While it may seem that you’re saving money by doing it yourself, after these expenditures, the cost savings might not look as big as you thought.

Professional painters have all the necessary equipment and materials that are essential for the job. While hiring painters does cost money, you’re also saving time and energy, allowing you to focus on other things while letting the professionals do the work.

DIY Painting vs Hiring Your Professional Painter

While there are potential cost advantages to doing DIY painting, painting your home is a serious task that requires skill and patience. Professional painters are highly skilled in best practices for painting the inside and outside of your home, ensuring that the prep and coverage is sufficient so that you are satisfied.

Are you seeking professional painting services to help update your home? Are you in the middle of a DIY and want to hand the job over to the professionals? Greenleaf Painters is here and happy to help you. Contact us so we can hear about your project and how we can assist you.

 

 

Greenleaf Excels at Painting Historic Houses of Worship

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The team at Greenleaf painters thrives on projects involving historic houses of worship. As lovers of history, we take pride in revitalizing historic buildings, using our expertise to carefully brighten a building’s aesthetics, while helping it last for future generations.

Thanks to the word of mouth of our community, we have worked on many area historic churches and other religious buildings. Using our skillset of precision and care uniquely suited for historic building restoration, we utilize our knowledge of the latest paints from Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore to preserve and restore a structure’s look and feel.

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Trenton
African Methodist Episcopal Church, Yardley

A Personal Background with Church Buildings

It’s no coincidence that our founder, Jonathan Shenk, is an ordained Presbyterian minister, with a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, NYC. Church preservation is in his blood, as he is a third-generation child of missionaries to East Africa. His grandfather, Clyde, was a Mennonite missionary who built churches, a health clinic and other structures in Tanzania.

“My grandfather was both a community leader and a talented builder,” says Shenk. “I never set out to walk in his footsteps, but I find myself walking a path that is interestingly similar!”

The exterior of Trenton Friends Meetinghouse
Trenton Friends Meetinghouse
interior of church
Trenton Friends Meetinghouse

Our Work in Painting and Restoring Historic Churches

Jonathan and the team have worked to help restore and update 20 churches and other religious buildings in Eastern Pennsylvania and Central New Jersey. Not only are these buildings houses of worship, but they’re historical landmarks in their respective communities. Playing a part in keeping them up-to-date and making sure that they endure is an honor and a privilege.

Some of our work has even saved churches from being torn down. Ewing Presbyterian Church, built in 1867, had fallen into disrepair over the years, and was deemed structurally unsound. Greenleaf partnered with Schulte Restoration (now Alloway) to bring the historic church back into good structural standing, as well as giving it fresh paint and plaster, allowing it to remain open and continue serving the community and its parishioners.

The sanctuary of St. Alphonsus.
St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Hopewell
Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville - exterior
Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville
Exterior of Kehilat HaNahar.
Kehilat HaNahar, New Hope

We’ve worked on a variety of projects, some of which include the Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church (where Jonathan was an associate pastor for six years). Here is a list of the houses of worship and yoga centers we have worked on over the years. Most but not all are historic:

St. Alphonsus Church, (Catholic) Hopewell
1867 Sanctuary (Presbyterian), Ewing
Nassau Presbyterian Church
Trinity Church (Episcopal) Princeton
Friends Meeting House, Trenton (Quaker)
African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, Yardley
Kehilat HaNahar, New Hope, PA
Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville
Princeton Baptist Church
Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church
Hopewell Presbyterian Church
Kingston Presbyterian Church
A Jewish Center in Mercer County
NextGen Church, West Windsor
Liquid Church, Princeton
First Baptist Church of Hightstown
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Trenton
Khalsa Healing Arts & Yoga Center, Yardley
Studio Zen, Yardley
Integral Yoga Institute of Princeton

See some more of our work:

Princeton Baptist church
Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church, Christian Education Building and Nursery School
Exterior of Nassau Presbyterian Church
Nassau Presbyterian Church, Princeton
trinity-church
Trinity Episcopal Church

Need Your Historic Place of Worship Updated? Contact Greenleaf

Are you associated with an area house of worship that needs to be restored, maintained or finished? Although we’ve been discussing historic preservation here, we want to point out that we also paint new construction and everything in between! Let us know if we can help you.

Steeple with scaffolding, Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church
Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church, West Windsor

 

5 Things to Know Before Hiring a Professional Painter

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Having a professional painter update the color of your home to boost its curb appeal or brighten up the interior with a new color can make all the difference. Whether you simply want to update the aesthetics, or you plan on putting your home on the market, a fresh paint job can transform your home.

But while you’re in the midst of looking for the right professional painting contractor, there’s a few things you’ll need to consider before hiring them. At Greenleaf Painters, we’re here to shed some light on the process to help you along.

Should I Paint My House Myself?

Painting can be a rewarding experience. Some even find it therapeutic. But when it comes to your home, you’ll want to be careful, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience with painting.

Painting your home yourself is a lot of physical work, and ladders are heavy and can lead to injuries. Hiring a professional painter can help alleviate these concerns. We at Greenleaf sometimes get calls to finish a job a homeowner started!

Professional painting crews also have the expertise that can ensure that the prep work and coating is done right so your walls and trim look their very best. The quality speaks for itself when you hire a seasoned professional painter. Done right, a paint job can last for many years.

Preparing Your Home for Painting

Since you have painters coming to your home, it is a good idea to prepare your space for the work. For interior work, it may be a good idea to relocate valuables for the time being to avoid the risk of damage. We at Greenleaf Painters take great care to move and/or cover your belongings before the painting job starts. If you have a pet, sequestering them to another area of the house may be a good idea to keep their paws out of the paint!

Choose the Right Painting Company

Before hiring a company, conduct some research on the contractors in the area. Look at reviews to see how they’re received by previous customers. Look for reviews of both finished work as well as the process itself. Is the company responsive and respectful of customers and their spaces? Also check their portfolios on their website.

If they seem to be well-reviewed, are prompt and respectful of the homes they paint, and the work looks great, you may be ready for the next step.

Find Out What Quality Paint They Use

If you’re having your home’s interior painted, it’s good to find out the type of paint that the contractor uses. Eco-friendly paints from quality paint companies are high-performing, and yet they don’t emit the smelly chemicals which can have a negative effect on the air quality of your home. Make sure that the painting contractor you hire uses green and sustainable products where possible.

Plan Your Schedule but Be Adaptable

If you’re having your home’s interior painted, it’s good to be present or available if the contractor has any questions for you. It’s also important to know that when you’re having the exterior of your home painted, weather can be an erratic factor. It’s important to be open, understandable, and adaptable.

Find Your Painting Contractor Today

Now that you’re aware of the things to know before hiring a professional painter, you’re ready to begin your experience! If you’re in need of interior, exterior, or historic painting services, you can look to us at Greenleaf Painters.

We’re more than happy to assist you with your painting needs and bringing your vision to life!