Pear Tree Painting

03/11/2026

I love the open concept of this beautiful barndominium!
What a great idea for a young family. I’m sure that many amazing memories will be made and shared here by the wonderful owners and their growing family.

03/23/2025

Hey if you haven’t realized Spring is here!!

Alberta’s winters can be cruel, long and unforgiving. If you have a deck, fence, gazebo, pool house or any exterior project you would like repaired or refinished…reach out to book!

Not only can a repaint restore the beauty and lustre of your outdoor spaces; it can also protect against further damage.

Pear Tree Painting specialize in doing the job right. From product selection to prep work and application. Fall in love with your outdoor spaces again!⭐️

03/03/2025

Over the years, I’ve sprayed kitchen cabinets a few times.
The challenge has always been the set up. I love the process, but have never really had the needed available space. As you can see, even on this project, things were tight!
It took some work, but the end result was stunning, and $1000’s cheaper then replacing the cabinets!

Spraying cabinets takes a lot of prep and steps and top level material and tools. It’s not a DIY project!

Moving forward, I hope to have access to a larger and more versatile and functional set up for spraying projects.

Interested in a repaint project?! send me a DM!

12/07/2024

Spraying paint can be a great option. On some textured ceilings, it’s the only option because rolling may not be possible without peeling the texture off.

Generally, I spray trim when it is possible. The finish is so sharp and clean! Ceilings are 50/50, depending on the particular job. I also spray a lot of my outdoor projects.
Becoming a pro with a sprayer takes a lot of time and patience. It is both an art and a science; especially with trim and kitchen cabinets.

I run a Graco 390 and a Graco Quickshot. On trim I usually pick a FF 210 or 310, while for ceilings my go to is a 517. These numbers tell you how wide the fan is and how much volume will come out.
Overspray is always a concern, so taking the time to mask and cover everything is crucial.
Some paints don’t spray as well as others, and some paints should never be sprayed.
A good sprayer can run between $1500 and $3000; so it is super important to clean it often and we’ll, and service it regularly.
Anyway… like always, feel free to contact me if you have any painting questions; I’d love to help you out!

08/29/2024

I’ve had the pleasure of restoring the exterior of a couple of historic downtown Lethbridge buildings. The Z’Progress Clothing’ building is a landmark with a rich and storied history. It’s age was showing, though. There was a lot of damage to the surface, and the remaining paint was looking tired and weathered.
Fortunately, after a lot of prep work and spraying, it once again stands out and is ready for the next 130 years!

08/18/2024

Staining or painting a deck seems like an easy way to add beauty to your exterior space.

The basics are really not that complicated… But there is a lot you need to know before you take this on as a DIY.

Like always, prep is the key. Proper cleaning, sanding, and taping off ensure a quality finish.
But small things matter too. The sun overhead and the temperature affects the durability and the consistency of the application. I do not like to stain when the temperature goes high and heats, the wood, or when the sun is directly overhead.

There is so much else to say, but I’ll save that for another post! One important thing to remember is that quality is key. Do not skimp on product. there is a reason some stains cost more than others. Do your research, or ask a professional about particular products. There’s advantages and disadvantages to the different types of stains and paints.

That’s it for now… It’s time to roll! 👍

06/18/2024

Accent walls and bold colours are making a comeback!
For a number of years the clean look of whites and off-whites have dominated the painting world; but that is changing.

So how do you know what colours will look good in your living space? Should you stick with something “safe” or explore the world of colour?

I get asked a lot “what colour should I choose?”. While the answer to that is unique to each person, I usually ask a number of questions and provide the information needed to make the right choice.

The type of lighting, flooring, natural light, woodwork and wall side/room size are just a few things to consider.
Consulting and advising regarding colour choices is an aspect of my work that I really enjoy; and I think I have become very good at it with experience.

Need some professional advice? Call or message me anytime. I’m always happy to help out!

05/02/2024

Have an outdoor painting project in the works? Check out this blog post for some helpful tips!

PearTree Painting provides professional interior and exterior painting for Lethbridge, Coaldale and all of Southern Alberta.

04/05/2024

Staining wood, whether it is a fence, a staircase or trim, can easily go wrong. There are many variables to consider. Hardwoods can be especially tricky, but things like dry time, stain type, amount of sanding and use of wood preppers and sealers all come into play. Do you use a gel stain? Wiping stain? How about the application method. Brush, rag/pad or mini roller? How long do you let the stain rest before wiping? Do you use a two-in-one stain or stain then clear coat? What type of clear coat? How many coats of sealer?
You get the idea!
When things go wrong… they can go really wrong, and fixing a stain job is labour intensive and expensive.
DIY can be rewarding and can help you save some money. But sometimes, hiring a pro is a better idea.

NOTE: neither of these examples were my work. But… stay tuned to see my next post on how I fixed the staircase.

03/19/2024

I often get asked if you can paint over stained woodwork. The answer is absolutely! It just takes proper prep work. It starts with a good sanding and cleaning. When all the sheen is gone, you need to prime the woodwork with either an oil based or bonding primer. This will prevent “yellowing” coming through. Depending on the wood, you may also need to apply bond to avoid the grain coming through, but that is unlikely on previously finished wood. Allow at least a day for the primer to cure, then apply two coats of a quality paint (preferably with sheen). I recommend Benjamin Moore ‘Aura’ paint, or an acrylic based paint. Apply thin coats, and allow a day between coats, if possible. Spraying gives the nicest finish. But a brush and 6mm mini roller can also create a beautiful finish. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a final picture of the window, but I will be going back soon. When I get one, I’ll share a side-by-side. It turned out great!

02/27/2024

I have been working on and off at a manufacturing plant in Lethbridge.
Recently, one of the owner/managers commented that I was becoming a permanent fixture. So I asked when I can expect the company benefits package.
Without hesitation, he pointed at the espresso maker. “That’s your benefit package “, he said.
I can’t complain about that!