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because there are problems.
One of my favorite drywall ads
shows a couple standing there looking
at a freshly painted wall. Th ere is no
trim-work or textures, just a plain wall.
Th e drywall contractor is standing there
gesturing toward the wall, as proud
as can be. Th e ad says, “Most art is
appreciated when it’s seen … yours is
when it isn’t.” I like this ad because it
shows a contractor showing real pride in
his work. I want to be the guy in that ad
because I want that feeling, and I want
those customers. Yes, maybe it is the
smooth wall they want, but it could just
as easily be the textured ceiling.
As I sit here in my offi ce, I don’t see
too many walls because the desks and
shelves and pictures cover and break
up the surfaces. I think a nice Venetian
plaster would look good, but it wouldn’t
be worth the cost because too much is
hidden. Th e ceiling is a diff erent story.
I have a nice stomp texture painted
fl at white with some layers of drywall
capped with a chamfer bead. I painted
these edges the same color as the walls.
Customers come into my offi ce and don’t
notice the messy desk so much because
the ceiling catches their attention.
I live in upstate New York where
the tradition has always been mostly
smooth walls and ceilings. So off ering
a texture is something unique, and I
usually don’t mention texture at fi rst. I
want the customer to know that I am a
good fi nisher fi rst and not just selling a
texture because I am hiding something.
But ultimately it is about the customer,
and they often like something diff erent,
something that will set their home or
one room apart from the others.
Th is magazine will be a great place
to see fi rst-hand what you may not
otherwise see or hear about. I want this
column to help get you thinking.
When times in the building trade
get a little hard it may be the time to
explore other options. Try something
new or diff erent.
Both of my boys played high school
basketball. Whenever they were having
a losing streak or just some poor games
I could always have said, “Well, just
try a little harder.” But we found that
what worked best was to try something
diff erent, like maybe using your left
hand more often when shooting or
providing a better target for a teammate
to pass to or always trying to be the fi rst
man down the court. So mix things
up a little. Try some texture instead of
smooth or smooth instead of textured.
Get the ladies talking. ◆
Myron R. Ferguson is a drywall contactor from
Galway, N.Y. He is the author of “Drywall Professional
Techniques for Great Results” (recently revised) and
has appeared in videos about drywall techniques.
He travels throughout the country putting on
drywall clinics at trade shows and lumberyards. He
also provides hands-on training for companies and
technical schools.
Spring 2008 ◆ www.Hawk-n-Trowel.com ◆ 9