Aidan Bleakley

Valiant Paint & Restoration

The project was in Vernon, New Jersey, tucked between Mountain Creek’s slopes and the Great Gorge Golf Course.  From the roof, you could see Mountain Creek’s slopes stretching across the way, with dense forest filling the landscape. I love projects like this—not just for the work but for the places they take me.

The initial estimate is one I won’t forget! As soon as I stepped on-site, they said, “We want to completely black this out.” That’s music to my ears. I’ve done blacked-out projects before, but never at this scale. They wanted the trim, railings, and entire body of the house in a deep, matte black. For the decks, they had a vision of a custom brown finish with a rich, glossy sheen—something that would contrast well with the black exterior.

I started with the body of the house, working top-down, applying every bit of product by hand—from a 1-inch brush for the fine details to a 4-inch for the broader areas. Every inch of this home was brushed, no shortcuts, just craftsmanship. Once the house was complete, I moved onto the railings. Then came the decks—multiple levels, each finished in a custom-mixed brown stain that added warmth to the dramatic exterior.

Between battling heat waves—trust me, black stain and direct sun aren’t a fun mix—and the unpredictable rain, it was a game of patience and precision. But in the end, we made it happen, and it was worth every ounce of effort.