Published: April 28, 2008 06:16 pm      

CertaPro set to open nation’s first ‘paint-only’ design center

INDIANAPOLIS — A picture may be worth a thousand words, but CertaPro Painters Franchise Owner Matt Rolfsen believes that his company may have finally developed a color matching center that he hopes will leave consumers speechless.

Rolfsen is in the final preparation stages for the May 1 grand-opening of the first ever “paint-only” design center which will serve as a brainstorming site for private and commercial consumers in the process of redecorating their homes and offices.

The 16,600 square-foot facility features floor models in a variety color combinations aimed for offices, bedrooms, bathrooms and playrooms. There is also an on-site training facility for the local company’s 300-plus painters to hone their skills in sanding, caulking, and painting.

“We’ve had the vision of a training center for four years now and it has been fun to see it come together,” he said adding that home remodeling has become even more of a trend as the housing market continues to stall.

“Painting is one of the most economically friendly ways to liven up and freshen up the interior and exterior of a home and for businesses it’s important because they need to stay fresh in a competitive environment,” Rolfsen explained. “If they are a blank page and have no idea than we can bring them in and give them one,” he said. “Our purpose is to inspire but it’s also very interactive. People can actually bring in pieces of fabric see it under the same lighting that they have in their home.”

The CertaPro center will be open to the public and its patrons will also be permitted to bring photos of theirs homes to virtually make over and display on a 50-inch flat-screen television.

Interestingly, no actual sales occur at the design center. Rolfsen said that the center is intended to be more of a brainstorming source rather than a sales shop.

“It’s very low pressure and basically a value add to our customers,” he said. “They are simply here to get inspired.”

Rolfsen added that the CertaPro design center will also offer its conference room as a meeting place for area non-profit organizations to have business functions at no charge.

CertaPro Painters has more than 385 locations worldwide. The company expects to open 80 locations this year alone and has held a number of commercial and private contracts in Brownsburg and Avon.

For more information on the new design center visit, www.certaindy.com or call 774-1338.

brian.kern@flyergroup.com