by Paula Peters Chambers | Sep 18, 2026 | INTERIOR PAINTING
Limewash is having a moment. Favored by the ancient Romans and Greeks for its protective qualities, modern homeowners are embracing the simple elegance offered by a finish that is natural, hypoallergenic, and eco-friendly. Best of all, limewash can be used on virtually any home surface: drywall, plaster, stone, and brick, both indoors and outside.
Limewash isn’t going to look like everyday paint, because it isn’t. Made from crushed limestone mixed with water and added pigments, for color, the finish has a high pH, which is resistant to mold and bacteria. Plus, it doesn’t have the chemicals often found in traditional paints.
Historically, limewash had a limited palette of light, neutral earth tones, but darker colors are now available, which are useful for creating a specific mood or feel. No matter the color, the final look will have a chalky tone that is warm and rich, which comes from its application process: multiple coats have to dry thoroughly before the next layer can be added. When complete, limewash offers depth of color that is both simple and elegant. Depending on the technique used, the surface can be matte like a painted wall, show brushstrokes, resemble marbling, or even have a suede-like texture.
Limewash can elevate a newer home that might not have abundant architectural details, such as crown molding or paneling. The finish gives visual interest and warms an otherwise austere space. Limewash can also complement antique furnishings, with an Old World look that implies age without being shabby.
Good places to experiment with limewash are the bathroom, guest room, or entry because they are smaller spaces or rooms where homeowners don’t spend a great deal of time. As an applied finish, limewash is easily painted over … but you won’t want to.
by Paula Peters Chambers | Sep 15, 2026 | Carpentry Services, Employees
With a dedicated leader and a team that continues to add skilled members, the H.J. Holtz & Son carpentry division is building on past success to reach a new level of service that matches the painting and wallpapering teams.
“There’s a big difference between carpenters who build houses and those who handle renovations,” says Scott Copal, who joined the company in October 2025 to manage the carpentry team. “Our guys are multitalented: They can handle renovations of all types, including kitchens and bathrooms, attics and basements, windows and doors, and historic properties. We take the time and precision to do it right the first time.”
Copal himself has years of experience in building and project management. For more than two decades, he worked for a local home renovation company that specializes in high-end properties. Through shared jobs, he got to know Dick Holtz, the company’s second-generation owner, and also current company president Rick Holtz. “Rick had told me for years to come see him [to join the company],” Copal laughs. “I wish I would have done that years ago.”
When Copal joined H.J. Holtz & Son last fall, he began by working in the field alongside existing team members. “I wanted to get a feel for everything from the viewpoint of a carpenter working for Rick,” he says. He saw the abilities of the team – which include all types of exterior and interior carpentry construction and repair – and knew that he could add value through connections with subcontractors who provide excellent completion services, such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, tile work, stone work, sheetrock, plaster, and roofing.
“It helps designers and homeowners when they don’t have to source out all the subs and coordinate all those schedules,” Copal notes. “I have good relationships with these skilled trades, all of whom do excellent work and move things along by communicating well. That makes jobs go more smoothly.”
In one recent situation, Copal’s connections prevented a delay. “A designer had said we were going to install cabinets on Monday, but then we got all sorts of emails [from her] on Sunday about electrical work,” Copal says. “I texted the electrician late Sunday afternoon, and he showed up Monday at 8:30 a.m. I like to make things happen, even if I have to pull a favor. That keeps clients happy.”
Copal sees a forthcoming project as a pathway to the company’s ability to offer more services: a client wants to turn a walk-up attic into a home gym. “I had an engineer come to make sure there was enough support for the exercise equipment,” he says. “We’ll coordinate HVAC, insulation, sheetrock, and lighting, and – of course – painting.”
Ideally, the carpentry team of Josh Hastings, James Marshall, Ricky Reid, and Guicho Virgil will expand to include others, Copal says. “It’s about getting the right people, folks who know what they’re doing and like the satisfaction of seeing something done correctly. That’s what we care about.”
by Paula Peters Chambers | Aug 27, 2026 | Designer Projects, Residential Painting, Wallcoverings, Wallpaper
H.J. Holtz & Son might be known primarily as a company that offers painting, wallpaper, and carpentry services, but the company can also facilitate other home renovation needs as one new partner discovered.
Becky Nielsen Interiors of Nashville got to see all Holtz has to offer while working with clients who live far afield from Richmond. The couple purchased a house in Richmond – where they both grew up – so they could have a comfortable landing spot for summer and holiday visits. While the changes were primarily cosmetic, electrical and plumbing work was also required, and Rick Holtz suggested trusted local vendors to fill in where needed.
“We were on a tight schedule, and they did a beautiful job quickly and cost-effectively,” says Caroline Campbell, design office manager with Becky Nielsen Interiors. “Really, we want them in Nashville. They made it so easy and lovely for us.”
The clients suggested their designers reach out to the Holtz team initially for wallpaper services. Company president Rick Holtz, who made the first visit, quickly saw the full scope of the project and realized the company could assist beyond the initial ask.
“Our goal, always, is to help clients in any way we can,” Holtz says. “It’s good for everyone when a job runs smoothly and all the elements come together well.”
The Holtz team contributed throughout the house, with painting and wallpaper in both usual and novel spaces. The interior of an original built-in corner cabinet was painted orange to match new wallpaper and detailed with grosgrain ribbon for an additional pop. After Holtz carpenters built bunk beds in a small bedroom for the couple’s sons, wallpaper was added inside the bunks’ walls, for visual interest. The Holtz team also built radiator covers and painted them to match trim, and added paneling on the ceiling in the TV room.
Once the job was largely complete, the clients decided to add a light fixture. Campbell worked with Project Coordinator Karen Moore to facilitate that added task. “Karen was wonderful,” Campbell says. “She let us send hardware and fixtures to the office to pass off to the electrician. They really went out of their way to make things easy for us.”
Even though Becky Nielsen Interiors and H.J. Holtz & Son are physically located in different cities, Campbell says she feels a real connection.
“The Holtz team executed beautifully, communicated all the time, sent pictures,” Campbell says. “They made this easier than many of our in-town jobs. They are running a great operation there. I wish we could duplicate them in Nashville.”
by Paula Peters Chambers | Aug 12, 2026 | Wallpaper
Wallpaper adds personality to any room. Simple, quiet patterns provide a subtle backdrop for furniture, draperies, and art. Bold designs grab attention and add zip to a simple space. When added to an unexpected location, such as an accent wall or ceiling, wallpaper becomes a stand-alone design element that enhances its surroundings without overwhelming them.
Most people assume that adding wallpaper to their home will cost more than painting the same area. That’s true; paper coverings nearly always cost more than paint*. But wallpaper’s durability and longevity, along with textural options, can make the price worth it. So how much more expensive than painting is wallpaper?
The short, but true answer: That depends.
The best way to obtain an accurate estimate for a wallpaper project is to select your wall covering before calling H.J. Holtz & Son. That’s because there’s no industry standard for bolt size; every wallpaper manufacturer determines how many yards of wallpaper is wrapped on a single bolt. Additionally, papers come in widths ranging from 18 inches to 54 inches wide. The narrower the paper, the more yards will be needed. Some wall coverings are even sold as panels, which can be priced singly or in sets.
The design of the paper also matters a great deal. Some papers are hung using a straight match, which means each sheet or panel can be hung from the same horizontal starting point. But many wallpaper designs have a drop match, which creates a diagonal pattern. This technique means the estimator has to account for some excess paper, which may or may not be used elsewhere in the room.
On the initial visit, the H.J. Holtz & Son estimator will measure the space. Beyond square footage, the estimator will note any features that interrupt the flow of the paper. Openings (doorways, windows), obstructions (fireplaces, built-ins), and architectural elements (arches, molding, chair rails) all affect the paper’s placement.
As with any home item, different wall coverings are priced differently, depending on the brand name. Luxury coverings from Schumacher or Gracie have a higher price point than other papers, which can be equally desirable or appropriate for the room. If the paper selection changes after the estimate is given, the estimate will change, too.
The key point to remember is that with wallpaper, each job is a puzzle, with unique pieces that fit in a specific way. And just like a puzzle, the completed image will come together beautifully.
*The cost of high gloss paint from Fine Paints of Europe is comparable to some wallpapers.
by Paula Peters Chambers | Aug 3, 2026 | Commercial Painting, Decorative Painting, Exterior Painting
Holtz team paints, restores Belle Grove Plantation in King George County
Michelle Darnell’s goal was always to have a home with a history. In 2013, she and her husband, Brett, found just the place: Belle Grove Plantation, the birthplace of President James Madison.
“My grand Southern grandmother taught me three things: entertaining, cooking, and history,” Michelle says. “We knew we wanted history; we just didn’t know we’d get this much history.”
The home, built in 1791, has been fully restored and is filled with period antiques. The Darnells operate a bed and breakfast featuring guest rooms named for former residents. Visitors also come for tours focusing on the property’s history, monthly afternoon teas, and special events.
Painting refresh
The Darnells undertook a renovation in order to maintain and preserve the mansion, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. The H.J. Holtz & Son team assisted by refreshing interior walls with touch-up painting, which in places involved addressing water damage and mold. The team also removed the house’s shutters for off-site repair and painting. Finally, the Holtz team repaired exterior wood and then painted the full exterior.
“The project seems to have gone very well,” Michelle says. “The fresh paint and exterior repairs have truly revitalized the appearance of the house, making it look brand new. We are eagerly anticipating the return of our beautifully restored shutters to complete the transformation.”
Living with the past
An unexpected highlight of the project was one Holtz team member’s interaction with one of Belle Grove’s resident ghosts.
“We are known to be very haunted,” Michelle says. “I love all my ghosts.”
The spirit of Nathaniel, an enslaved person, resides in Belle Grove’s basement. The Holtz team member took a photo of a basement window, to record its initial condition, and upon closer inspection saw a shadowy image of a head behind the glass.
“He was excited,” Michelle says.
The Darnells aim to include a full presentation of the plantation in their tours and don’t shy away from discussing the enslaved persons who lived and worked there. Michelle has found five years of death records pertaining to enslaved persons, which often include the individuals’ medical and family details.
“We want to illuminate all history,” she says.
Looking ahead
Michelle and Brett Darnell were introduced to H.J. Holtz & Son by their property manager, Jan Kovar. Michelle says they have been happy with the company’s work. “I would certainly consider using the Holtz team for future projects,” Michelle says. “They’ve been very nice.”
For more information about Belle Grove Plantation Bed & Breakfast, visit BelleGrovePlantation.com.
