Janovic Paint & Decorating Center Gramercy Park — Local services in New York

Excelsior!

Where to begin...

Just think about the world we live in. Everything seems to be getting smaller. Less options, less quality, less contact and more automation. All signs of a world becoming more homogenous and predictable. Maybe more quantifiable... Maybe more "Efficient" but infinitely less human!

Fast Forward to Janovic (196 E 18th)!

An adept crew that meets at the crossroads of professionalism, efficiency, mindfulness and salesmanship.

This crack team is led by none other than Veteran Paint Renaissance Man Casey. With decades in the business, working for both sides. Paint is this man's life. Enough Said!

Very rarely one may find Casey not in the shop. Fret not. I commonly depend on Sam and Linda to point me in the right direction. With a combined 20 years in the game. They typically are color matching my final choices and recommending the appropriate sheens when I was too lazy to do the work my self.

Talk about service!

When it comes to intricate and specific tooling the sales force are all up to date on the appropriate sku's and compatibilities. As well as techniques in terms of application.

Specifically, I'd refer any paint operator with questions on materials or product to Bianca. Festool, Level 5, Meoded, Tritec. You name it. She has worked directly with 3rd Party product specialists to learn about nearly every product in store and how they operate. She is also a very keen decorator and designer. She has had hands on experiece using the products herself.

I would be remiss to not mention the mixing crew in the back making sure all our our orders are right. Their turnaround is always top notch and their base inventory is always stocked. Shout out to Nate and Ray! Nate is nasty on matching colors and mixing and you can tell he takes pride in it. He always talks to the customer directly about the process and keeps his station cleaner then any other Janovic back of house I've seen.

I also need to mention the people in wall paper and blinds. They are great. There are many times I have been waiting and wandered over there to talk design and they have always been helpful.

If you have managed to make it to the end of this review. I hope it has been helpful. In closing, I want touch back on my intro foreshadowing a dull world. This Janovic is the exact opposite. It breathes life into an industry that is typically full of procedural fluff. Contractor, Designer or DIY'er. I encourage you to come by and meet the team with any decorating needs you have. Casey and the team will take a genuine interest in making sure your project looks the best it can. I have shopped here for the better part of 10 years and they have yet to...

Looking for an interior designer? A free one? Look no further than Marnie at your local Janovic Paint & Decorating Center on Third Ave. -- paint expert, self-proclaimed wallpaper geek and generally “good neighbor.”

I showed her a couch swatch and she knew off the top of her head that Room & Board marketed that fabric with Benjamin Moore’s Silver Satin. Still, I grabbed no less than 30 paint strips of every gray and “greige” imaginable. I was certain that Shoreline was the one. I brought the samples to the apartment and what actually looked best? Silver Satin. By then, I realized Marnie was the expert. She could name a more appropriate paint color in 10 seconds than I could find through 30 paint strips. Need I say more?

I went back to the store to work on bedroom paint colors. This time I knew to take Marnie’s word for it. I showed her a photo of a painted wall for which I was seeking a complimentary color. She recognized right away that it was Benjamin Moore’s Stunning and immediately recommended Paper White to coordinate. When I looked up Stunning on Benjamin Moore’s website, their first suggest for a coordinating palette? Paper White.

She asked me what I was painting the ceilings. Ceiling White, of course, I responded. “No! Chantilly Lace!” she interjected. I googled ceiling paint color later -- first hit? Chantilly Lace. Why? No undertones. I flashed back to our discussions of grays and greiges, when she’d rattle off that one has a magenta undertone, that one has green. What does she not know?

I also made a trip looking for wallpaper. There were so many catalogs to choose from, I could’ve spent the entire day there. A self-proclaimed wallpaper geek, Marnie gave me advice and coordinated with a wallpaper expert who selected additional options. I was between a few colors in one book and she let me borrow it! Plus, she let me cut out a little strip so I could coordinate other decor. Wow.

Probably the craziest part is that Marnie knew I wouldn’t be buying at her store (my contractor has a discount with his supplier for Benjamin Moore paint). I was literally bringing her no business and this is the kind of assistance I received. She simply replied that she was “just being a good neighbor.”

-Lauren, 21st...

Dear Janovic,

My letter to you is of genuine gratefulness… Because of the AMAZING CUSTOMER SERVICE that I received from your manager Marnie!!!

On 9/23/2020 I came to your third Avenue store in Gramercy with a friend of mine who help me select paint colors for my new apartment. Once he picked all the colors and we agreed & went over to the desk where Marnie was sitting. she graciously asked how could you be of help and my friend gave her all the information necessary to place my order, for me a Large purchase indeed!

My friend left & I had the experience to talk and work with the most amazing, intelligent, kind, knowledgeable and understanding customer order Specialist/Manager. We talked and I have to say she is someone who truly can Exceed One’s Expectations!!! She is a TRUE GEM!!! At this time might I add the kindness & help From Ram & Carlos as well WHAT A GREAT TEAM!

Being Disabled, Mobility Impaired, Marnie went as far as to insist she help me out to Hail a cab or walk me to the bus stop...INCREDIBLE PERSON & SERVICE.The reason I had just told her how dangerous it is with all the homeless out there and reckless individuals who prey on the elderly and disabled later in the day and it was already after 2 pm, I normally I’m in the house by 1 pm. I told her I would be fine the bus was just on the corner and couldn’t thank her enough for her help and kindness. She and her team truly represent the best customer service and caring for a customer that I’ve ever experienced, they should be training people in your stores on how to care for customers needs that’s the truth. Thank you Marnie & your team.

Sincerely...