Local Color Painting and Decorating Company Profile

hen it comes to iconic images, few things are as evocative of the Bay Area as the picturesque "Painted Ladies" Victorian houses in San Francisco. Many of the grandest of those grande dames, including three on "Post Card Row," have been lovingly tended by the fine artisans at Local Color Painting. Bruce Nelson and his company, Local Color Painting and Decorating, enjoy an esteemed reputation as painting contractors to some of the most beautiful homes and buildings in the Bay Area.

The Doctor Is In
"We examine a project like a doctor examines a patient," said Bruce. Because superior painting is actually predicated on superior preparation, Local Painting goes back—way back—to the most primary level of a surface. Many homes, particularly older homes, have layers upon layers of paint, primer, sealer, spackle, caulk, rot, mold, and sundry other elements underneath the visible layer of paint. Bruce explains that it is often necessary to take a sort of ‘diagnostic' history of a house before ‘treating' or painting a house. At Local Color, they are experts at this sort of treatment.

Using scrupulous containment procedures (old houses often have lead paint underneath all those layers) Local Color takes the surface back to the most-pristine state (often this means going back to bare wood) for maximum paint adhesion. Bruce Nelson and Local Color Painting are certified as Lead Removal experts.

Moisture is the enemy of good painting, if not structural soundness. If mold or rot are present, Bruce makes sure the source of moisture is found, eliminated, and any damage remediated, before proceeding.

Such a curatorial approach is well rewarded. After such loving preparation and painting are completed, the results are a stunning and highly durable finish. Indeed, no other painting contractor company in the country has been as celebrated as Local Color Painting. Homeowners can rest assured that any paint job performed by Local Color Painting will likely last as long as Castro's regime (ok, maybe not quite that long.)

Experts in Fine and Technical Execution
Folks seek out Local Color Painting for its well-known expertise in color and artistry on those famous facades, but the team also does interiors, restoration, prep-for-sale, new construction, gold leaf, and doors.

The most recognizable and well-known work from Local Color Painting may be the glorious old Victorians, but Bruce Nelson has his hand in many forms of art and decoration. In fact he is a co-founder of a local artisans guild called Artistic License. Restoring doors is a particular specialty for Local Color Painting. "Even on a damaged or partly rotted door, sometimes it's possible to rescue a gorgeous piece at a fraction of the price of a new door." That type of restoration is done using two-part epoxies that Bruce sourced out of Europe. He has pioneered the process, and is pleased to be able to offer it to customers.

Local Color Painting employs a man described as "the fastest brush with great lines," and they are pleased to have a colorist on staff. This is so important because "color is very personal; it is art," said Bruce. One look at the photos here (under the photos button), and the wealth of published pictures and articles available shows how right he is.


---Genevieve Albers
Staff Writer
The Prime Buyer's Report