Some homeowners love to paint. They’ll roll out a drop cloth, crank up some music, and happily spend their weekend with a brush in one hand and a roller in the other. Our recent customers in the Hampden Summit development of Mechanicsburg, PA fall squarely into that camp. They’ve tackled plenty of their own rooms over the years, adding personal touches and refreshing spaces whenever inspiration struck.
However, even the most ambitious DIY painters have their limits. For this family, that limit was a two-story stairway, a soaring two-story great room, and two long, open hallways. That’s the kind of project that requires more than a ladder and a Saturday afternoon. That’s where Just Add Paint came in.
The Challenge: Big Walls, Big Ceilings, Big Risk
Anyone who has ever stood at the base of a two-story wall with a roller in hand knows the feeling: Where do I even start? Heights, awkward angles, and the need for consistent coverage across massive surfaces make these spaces some of the trickiest to tackle. Our clients knew that painting these areas themselves could mean uneven coverage, drips, roller marks, or worse—paint landing somewhere it definitely didn’t belong.
They also wanted walls that were:
- Smooth and uniform with no roller streaks or flashing.
- Durable enough to stand up to everyday life in a busy home.
- Not overly shiny, keeping the look warm and inviting rather than glossy.
DIY pride aside, this was a project that called for professional attention to detail and the right materials.
The Paint Plan: Sherwin-Williams Scuff Tuff + Accessible Beige
When we sat down to plan the project, the homeowners had one goal: make their home feel fresh, modern, and versatile. The existing outdated yellow walls had served their time, but they clashed with the family’s evolving décor. So much so, that they started to worry their new puppy, Lilly, was judging them.
Our recommendation? Sherwin-Williams Scuff Tuff in eggshell sheen.
Why? Because this premium paint is:
- Washable and scrubbable—perfect for high-traffic areas like hallways and staircases.
- Smooth to the touch, hiding minor imperfections while delivering a consistent finish.
- Low-sheen for a refined, modern look without the glare of semi-gloss.
The color: Accessible Beige (SW 7036). It’s one of Sherwin-Williams’ most beloved neutrals for a reason. Accessible Beige pairs beautifully with almost any color scheme, balancing warmth and modern elegance. In this home, it instantly toned down the yellow, creating a timeless backdrop that “goes with everything.”
The Accent That Steals the Show: Urbane Bronze
No interior makeover is complete without at least one wow factor. For these homeowners, that came in the form of a bold accent inside their shelving units.
We used Sherwin-Williams Urbane Bronze (SW 7048)—a deep, rich shade that was named Color of the Year not long ago. Against the neutral Accessible Beige walls, the Urbane Bronze backing creates a striking contrast and makes books, artwork, and décor pieces pop. It’s a small detail that delivers an outsized design impact.
Fine Details: Trim Work and Touch-Ups
Even though the main project was walls and shelving, we also took care of the small details that make a professional paint job really shine (pun intended).
Like many DIY painters, the homeowners had a few “oops” moments where paint had crept onto the trim. Our crew carefully touched up these areas using Sherwin-Williams Urethane Trim Enamel in Semi-Gloss. This product has outstanding adhesion, durability, and just the right amount of sheen to make trim crisp without looking plastic-like.
Those small corrections gave the finished rooms a polished, photo-ready appearance.
The Process: How We Tackled a Two-Story Job
Tackling rooms of this scale requires a professional system. Here’s a peek at how we handled it:
- Preparation & Protection
- Floors covered with drop cloths and RamBoard where needed.
- Trim, doors, and windows were masked off to ensure sharp, clean lines.
- Furniture carefully moved and protected with painter’s plastic.
- Cutting In & Rolling
- Our team used extension poles and professional rollers for even coverage on tall walls. (Arroworthy microfiber and Purdy Altitude)
- Ladders allowed us to reach the highest points safely and efficiently. (Not quite big enough to break out the scaffolding)
- Each surface received two coats for durability and consistent sheen/color depth.
- Accent Shelves
- Shelves were prepped and painted separately to ensure flawless coverage.
- Urbane Bronze was applied in two coats, allowing the deep tone to fully develop.
- Trim Touch-Ups
- We matched the existing trim color and applied Sherwin-Williams Urethane Semi-Gloss for seamless corrections.
- Final Walkthrough
- The crew and homeowners did a complete walk-through, checking walls in both daylight and evening lighting to confirm perfect coverage.
The Furry Assistant: Lilly
Every job is memorable for different reasons. On this project, the highlight (besides the stunning new walls) was Lilly, the family’s dog. Lilly quickly became an honorary member of the crew, supervising from the couch, wagging her tail during breaks, and making sure spirits stayed high. Our painters are no strangers to curious pets, but Lilly’s gentle pawsonality made her unforgettable.
The Reveal: From Outdated Yellow to Effortless Elegance
When the scaffolding came down and the tape came off, the transformation was undeniable. The Accessible Beige walls provided a sophisticated, flexible backdrop for the homeowners’ furniture and décor, while the Urbane Bronze shelving turned an overlooked feature into a design statement.
The homeowners were thrilled. Not only did they avoid the stress and risks of climbing ladders and dealing with massive walls, but they also gained a professional-quality finish that will last for years. Their words at the end of the project said it all:
“This is exactly what we wanted. We love doing our own painting, but there’s no way we could have achieved this look in these tall spaces. Thank you, Just Add Paint!”
Why It Matters: Knowing When to Call the Pros
This project is a great example of something we see often. Many homeowners enjoy DIY painting, and in smaller spaces it makes perfect sense. But when you’re facing:
- Two-story rooms,
- High stairwells,
- Hard-to-reach hallways, or
- A desire to finish built-ins or shelving, where durability is crucial…
…it’s time to call in the professionals. Just Add Paint brings the experience, equipment, and materials to handle challenging projects while ensuring the final result matches your vision.
Final Thoughts
The Hampden Summit project is proof that sometimes the smartest DIY decision is not to do it yourself. By partnering with Just Add Paint, this Mechanicsburg family gained:
- A color consult that led to a timeless new color palette.
- Professional finishes that will hold up to everyday life.
- Durable accent shelving that adds style and personality.
- Peace of mind knowing the job was done safely and correctly. No family members injured during this project.
And of course, Lilly got some extra attention along the way.
If you’re in the Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, or greater Harrisburg area and you’re staring at a two-story wall wondering how you’ll ever get it painted, take a page from this family’s book: call Just Add Paint. We’ll bring the ladders, the scaffolding, the expertise, and maybe even a few dog treats.
Thank you for reading our blog – “From DIY to WOW: An Interior Transformation in Mechanicsburg, PA”. Please feel free to reach out to us for estimates – and also if you are a DIYer and just have some questions we can answer in an email about residential house painting. We are happy to talk shop about all things painting, even if you are planning to do a job yourself!
