Textbook Painting takes cabinet refinishing to a whole new level

By Patricia Nugent

According to Merriam-Webster, when something is a “textbook case,” it means it’s a “classic, perfect example.”

Textbook Painting is a perfectly named company, since it lives up to the highest standards in craftsmanship and uncompromising ideals in customer service, beautifying homes through interior and exterior painting jobs.

CEO Michael Murray graciously points out there are some top-notch, family-owned painting companies in Cleveland. Several things, however, differentiate Textbook Painting.

First of all, there’s the Lifetime Touch-Up Promise.

“We believe in our product and technique so much we will come back to make any necessary touch-ups for free for as long as that person lives in the home,” he says.

They also offer a complimentary color consultation with an interior designer on staff.

Rethinking Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing
“Over the years, kitchen cabinet refinishing has become one of our most popular jobs,” says Michael. “We decided to expand and brand a new division called Kitchen Upgrade. Our plan is to take cabinet refinishing to the next level by adding components such as countertops, backsplashes, modern upgrades like soft-close hinges, and pullout shelves, and organizational elements including built-in spice racks and utensil sorters.”

If a customer wants to upgrade the style of their cabinet doors, they also offer a service, called “re-dooring.” When the job is done, homeowners end up with a bill that’s a fraction of what a kitchen remodel would be.

Trends Textbook painters are seeing in cabinetry colors include off-whites and creams, but also braver souls opting for neon greens, canary yellows and electric blues.

“Many of the colors of the year for 2024 are in the blue and gray families, like Benjamin Moore’s Blue Nova and Sherwin Williams’ Upward,” he adds.

Where Product Meets Process
With kitchen cabinetry, the highly trained and seasoned crews remove all doors and drawers and take them to the warehouse to be sprayed in an industrial-grade paint booth.

“The only paint we use is one we import from Italy known for its quality and durability,” says Michael. “It’s approved by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers’ Association. Not many other painting companies use the same paint we do.”

Based on the overwhelming number of five-star reviews, the products and process are working.

Terrilynn Blodgett, whose gorgeous home is featured here, says that repainting her cabinetry instead of tearing it out is one of the smartest design decisions she’s ever made.

“The old red cherry wood was dark and dated,” she says. “Updating with Modern Gray and giving the wine bar a distinctive treatment with Urbane Bronze, both by Sherwin Williams, is like a breath of fresh air. The kitchen is so much lighter and inviting. It was an amazing transformation and we loved working with the people at Textbook Painting. They could not have been any nicer. When our painter, Tyler, was going home the last day after the job was done, I told him to tell his mother she did a great job raising him.”

Locally Grown
Michael is a locally grown success story, proof positive that ambition and hard work are the determining factors to success. He began working for painting companies while a student at St. Edward High School. While at Miami University, to help pay for tuition he founded his own painting company based on the knowledge he had picked up. Four years later, in 2006, armed with a degree and additional experience, he headed home to Cleveland to found Textbook Painting.

Giving back is a passion Michael shares with his employees. They go above and beyond when it comes to lending a hand to community initiatives such as Village Project in Bay Village, Caring Communities Moll Cancer Center in Fairview Park, Lakewood Alive in Lakewood, Lakewood Catholic Academy in Lakewood and Habitat for Humanity in Cleveland.

Headquartered in Lakewood, Textbook Painting Company beautifies homes and businesses within an hour’s drive of Lakewood. The company has been named a Weatherhead 100 winner for being one of the fastest-growing companies in Northeast Ohio. Call 216-999-6644 or visit TextbookPainting.com or KitchenUpgrade.com for more information and to get a free quote.