by HJ HOLTZ | Jul 17, 2018 | Employees
Our summer help is a large part of H.J. Holtz & Son. Interns begin in June; most work through August. This summer’s group includes two college students, one from Roanoke College and one from James Madison University, and six high school students who attend schools across Richmond City, Henrico, and Hanover counties.
Cole Holtz, Turner Jordan, and Conor Thomas work in the field on many different jobs, and Cam Boxley works with our skilled carpenters. Jack Schmitt, Oliver Hale, and Miguel Villanueva work in the shop; Emily Evans works in the office as an assistant.
Company President Rick Holtz says the interns provide needed services. “They take care of much of the simple labor tasks,” he says, which include filling nail divots, sanding, caulking, prepping shutters for painting, etc. “It’s mundane, but work is mundane at times. “When you’re as busy as we are, the more you can keep your skilled workers doing skilled tasks, the better off you are, and the better you serve your clients.”
Each intern agrees that his or her favorite part of working with the company is creating and building friendships with coworkers and learning from them. Cole said he even loves seeing his dad, Rick Holtz, on the job.
The older Holtz says there are benefits all around. “The interns gain work experience, learn what it’s like to get up and work a job, and get a paycheck,” he says. “My other workers learn how to teach someone else what it is they do and manage a team. And everyone learns how to get along with people who may come from different backgrounds.”
These students are the next generation of H.J. Holtz & Son. We could not be more excited for such a bright future!
by HJ HOLTZ | May 29, 2018 | Employees, Wallpaper
James Draine’s simple wish for a job has led to a whole lot more: a career.
Starting with H.J. Holtz & Son in 2002 at the age of 19, Draine became a full-time employee in 2003 and just celebrated his 15th anniversary with the company. Along the way, he has worked in the carpentry, paint and wallpaper divisions, learning new skills at every opportunity.
“I always want to do the next step,” he says. “They find a way to get me there.” While Draine’s path began in carpentry, he moved on to prep work and then painting, eventually becoming a painting foreman. Even though he appreciated the progress, he knew he wanted to transition to paper hanging.“I like the transformation you make in a quick time,” he says. “When you’re painting a room, it’s gradual. When you hang paper, it’s like you snap your fingers” and see the difference.
Developing the skill set needed to be a good paper hanger doesn’t happen overnight, Draine notes. “I’ve only been with wallpaper for five years,” he says. “I’m just getting to the point where I’m hanging by myself. The more you do, the better you get.”
Draine credits Holtz & Son with providing training opportunities – both in-house and beyond – that benefit both employees and customers. “They teach us the proper way to do things,” he says, adding he especially appreciates how the company sends employees to national wallpaper conferences, where they can experience, first-hand, new techniques and materials.
“There aren’t that many people in Virginia who do high-end residential wallpaper,” he notes. “At the conference, you can talk about a problem you have, and five other people have dealt with that problem.”
Those challenges are what make the job fun, Draine says. For example, he recently worked on a project where he was hanging hand-painted, scenic Gracie wallpaper. The paper is so delicate, Draine says, that he has to be careful to keep his hands completely dry. He can’t wear gloves, because they would disturb the “feel” as he applies the paper to the wall. Yet, he enjoys working with that particular kind of wallpaper.
“There are a lot of people who work for a long time who never get to touch these [high-end papers],” he says.
Draine says he’s eager to continue to grow with Holtz & Son. “Everything’s different from job to job. Each paper dictates how you start it, how you stop it, how you do it,” he says. “I can only go up with productivity and quality.”
by HJ HOLTZ | Apr 10, 2018 | Employees
When Shane Legano joined H.J. Holtz & Son in 2003, he became only the third person in the wallcovering and decorative arts division. And he didn’t hang any paper for his first 18 months on the job.
“You need good training,” he said. “It’s not a fast process or easily done.”
Shane was brought to the firm by good friend Jeff Ragland, who leads the division and knew Shane’s skills were being underutilized in his job as a framer at a local craft store.
You see, Shane is an artist.
Working primarily in charcoal and pen-and-ink, Shane has created portraits and landscapes his whole life, learning about art from an uncle who had an airbrushing business.
“It definitely helps to have an art background,” he says. “Every paper is different. You have to find the center of the room, consider how the paper hits the ceiling line.
Shane credits the company with supporting its staff through membership in the Wallcovering Installers Association, a national trade association dedicated to training and education. Traveling to national conventions yearly, employees are able to learn about changes in products and techniques, such as new primers and paste.
“Somebody is always trying to make things a little easier,” he says, pointing to the change from levels that have to be held against a surface to laser levels that can cover a greater area and stay in place while someone is working.
Last year, Shane and Jeff attended the first international WIA conference in England, where they spoke with designers, visited factories and explored the history of wall coverings – even seeing hand-painted wallpaper in a castle. “Wallpaper’s been around forever,” he notes.
The other part of the division encompasses faux finishes and murals, which allows Shane to let his creative juices flow.
“We can pretty much do anything that anybody wants,” Shane says. “And nine times out of ten, people are open to suggestions.”
One mural project started with a canvas painting from Italy that the client wanted to fill the wall behind a bar. The problem? The mural wasn’t large enough. So Shane and a colleague hung the canvas in the middle and added to the painting on both sides, creating one continuous image. With another project, the homeowner wanted to create symmetry at the front of the house, which had windows on one side and a garage on the other. The solution was to simply paint windows on the garage! “You can’t tell the difference,” Shane says.
Even a repetitive project – such as the house that was painted to have a faux wood grain interior throughout – has its charms.
“It’s incredible to see when it’s finished,” Shane says. “It’s very satisfying.”
Shane says he is happy to be celebrating his 15th anniversary with H.J. Holtz & Son, especially following a car accident last fall. He was out of work October through December, and he is still unable to hang paper. “But Rick took me back in January, putting me to work in the office, estimating. Not too many people do that for you. If you can’t do what you do, they don’t have you come back.”
Shane is excited about the creativity of the craftspeople now in the department: four people can hang paper, with two more in training; six do faux finishes.
“With our skill set in this division, the sky’s the limit.”
“I love the artistic side of it.”
by HJ HOLTZ | Nov 21, 2017 | Employees
21 years and counting; Jeff Ragland has been a H.J. Holtz and Son paper hanger and decorative artist. A Richmond native and Douglas Freeman graduate, becoming a paper hanger and decorative artist was not on his radar at the time. While attending J. Sargeant Reynolds his roommate, who worked for H.J. Holtz and Son at the time, suggested he apply for a job. Obviously, Jeff took him up on his suggestion.
Jeff started the Spring of ‘96 as a helper. He sanded, scraped, caulked, puttied and cleaned. He recalls that Rick was a painter on his first job! Jeff made the transition from helper to painter and after a year and a half he began to apprentice under Richard Humlan, who was trained under Herman and Dick Holtz. At this point in his career, Richard was a wallcovering hanger that was contracted to hang H.J.Holtz and Son’s jobs. When Richard dislocated his shoulder, Jeff filled in and became the primary wallcovering hanger. For about five years, Jeff would work with Richard learning the ins and outs of hanging high end residential wallcoverings, but when there was a lull he would continue to perfect his decorative painting.
While he was wallcovering and painting he was self motivated to learn his trade. He attended classes, one in Philadelphia hosted by Ross O’Neill, teaching basic faux finishing techniques and giving information about products and tools.
Seven years into Jeff’s tenure, his friend Shane Legano was hired to work alongside him. Jeff and Shane were kept very busy hanging wallcoverings and decorative painting. They were constantly improving their skills. As the company grew in this area H.J.Holtz and Son joined the Wallcoverings Installers Association (WIA), which is a great support to our craftsmen. It offers training and other professionals to collaborate with, which Jeff and Shane still take advantage of to date. Dannon Featherstone became the third member of this team and together the three of them exclusively hang wallcoverings and decorative paint. Currently the wallpaper and decorative team includes up to seven craftspeople.
Jeff’s real passion is hanging wallcoverings. He likes envisioning the job from the beginning to the end and how to make it the best. He enjoys the complexity engineering nuances, deciding what should be the focal point and how it will look best in the room. He is always striving to improve, asking himself, “What could I have done differently for the next time.” Even mistakes are a positive in Jeff’s eyes because that is how you learn and perfect your trade.
Jeff has grown with the company. “There is always something interesting going on” and knows the work he does is appreciated and respected. Holtz gives him the tools and opportunities to develop and improve his skills, through the projects, continued education and travel. H.J. Holtz and Son cares about every piece of the project from the customers to the craftsmen and Jeff is apart of that team. Seeing the finished product gives Jeff great pride because the dramatic change is satisfying, but also an opportunity to progress in his craft.
by HJ HOLTZ | Oct 18, 2017 | Employees
Should I wallpaper or paint that bathroom? I want to change the look of my entry. Would it be better to wallpaper or paint? These are the questions we are asked by customers, time and time again. Rick Holtz, of H.J. Holtz and Son often recommends wallpaper for 3 reasons, “It lasts longer, it is a more unique look, and it gives you the flexibility of style and variety of options.” For a really unique look, you don’t need an artist given that we now all have access to thousands of papers. Plus the odds are low that your neighbor will have the same paper in their home.
We spoke with some of the top designers with whom we collaborate for their opinions on whether a customer should use wallpaper or paint.
TI HENSBY, DESIGN ASSOCIATE FOR SUELLEN GREGORY INTERIOR DESIGN
“I am a huge fan of wallpaper and like to use it in most homes in at least one place if not several. I think it’s nice to have pattern on walls or ceilings in certain areas to change things up a bit, and sometimes wallpaper alone can decorate a whole room. I love using subtle wallpapers just as much as I love using those unexpected papers that make you say “wow!” when you open a door or walk into a room. There’s just something about pattern, whether it be subtle or loud, that makes your eye travel and excites you. Wallpaper is great for small spaces that could use some interest other than paint, or interior rooms that feel like the heart of the house. It can be the starting point of a design concept for more than just one room – you can start with paper in one room and then pull paint colors and fabrics throughout the house that coordinate with that paper. I think everyone should have a little wallpaper in their life.”
SUSAN M. JAMIESON, A SID DEFINING DESIGN WITH BRIDGET BEARI DESIGNS
“When I am looking for pattern or texture to fill a room, I look to wallpaper. Sometimes a room just needs to feel warmer. Adding a linen textured wallpaper to the walls gives the room a cozy feeling. When I need drama, I love a bold geometric or floral in a vibrant color. There is nothing more welcoming than a Southern floral wallpaper in a foyer.”
KATE STIKELEATHER, DESIGNER, PROJECT MANAGER FOR JANIE MOLSTER DESIGNS LISTED PROS FOR BOTH
- A great option for a room lacking in architecture.
- A source for creating suprise or whimsy in unexpected places such as powder rooms, ceilings, back of built-ins, and vestibules.
- Can be used in lieu of artwork. If you are trying to work within a budget, purchase the paper that you love, have it hung on a board and frame it like a large piece of artwork.
- Always makes a new house feel like your home.
- A great source to play up architecture such as glossy trim or dark sashes to create picture windows.
- Know that buying a specific typed of architecture does not limit one to the architectural style inside the home. Paint is an excellent tool to make the interior of one’s home exactly what you want by changing the finishes, adding continuity to a choppy floor plan or visually raise the ceiling height by color and finish.
All of these designers have made a great case for adding wallpaper to a home. Whichever you choose, we are here to give you a free estimate and will install your brand new look!
by HJ HOLTZ | Sep 1, 2017 | Employees
I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Kenny Ebright recently. In November he will have been with our company for 22 years! I wanted to hear what he had to say about his time here at H.J. Holtz & Son.
Kenny was born in Allentown, PA but moved to Richmond when he was four, so you could say he is a Richmonder. He went to Thomas Dale High School and when he graduated he worked jobs all around the area. The earliest paint experience he has was when he was 22 and spraying cigarette machines at Philip Morris. He was also commuting around the area, doing commercial work in the Shipyard in Norfolk.
A friend that worked for H.J. Holtz & Son in 1995 told Kenny he should get out of commercial work and to apply. At the time Rick was just out of college and running the field. His father Dick was the president. Kenny was the first employee Rick ever hired.
Kenny started as a painter and has worked his way through the ranks to become a foreman. He oversees the jobs he is on and manages 2-5 craftsmen at a time. Kenny loves his customers and wants to make them happy. Over the years, in addition to painting, he has had access to alarm codes, walked customers’ dogs, taken out their trash, collected the paper and even changed diapers!
At the shop, Kenny has been one of our primary new employee trainers over the years, including some who have gone on to become leaders in our organization, like Jeff Ragland, Shane Legano and Travis Gibson. He also holds classes to teach his peers how to apply the Fine Paints of Europe line because it is so challenging to get a smooth finish. The high gloss can be unforgiving. His work was even featured on the cover of House Beautiful last fall.
Kenny takes his career seriously and still remembers Rick’s grandfather, Herman, telling him, “Don’t let your time catch your feet.” Meaning stay ahead of your work and don’t get behind. To this day, Kenny is one of the fastest, most efficient painters on the team.
When asked Kenny why he has stayed at H.J. Holtz & Son for so long he said it was because he loves working here. “I love Rick and his family. They treat you so well and are wonderful people. Rick would give the shirt off his back for you. He never tells you no and will help you.” Well, we are so grateful and lucky to have you, Kenny, as part of the Holtz family! Thank you, Kenny!
