Satisfied Clients say:

Have you ever painted a room, or worse the entire outside of your house and decided the color was not what you wanted at all? Well, I have - too many times. I first hired Mary when I moved to Portland. I had no furniture in the house - only pictures of it. In an hour she helped me choose colors for every room and after I moved everything in, it was perfect. She later helped me with a remodel – again paint colors and also kitchen tile and formica. I was very happy with everything. When I moved again I again called her and she helped me with paint colors inside and out. And everything turned out just the way I wanted it.

Mary is very easy to work with. She has a case full of swatches and knows a lot about color. She can tell you if you need a warm or cool color, what it will look like at night or in daylight. She's very good at making sure that everything goes well together - ceiling color compliments walls, etc. And she will steer you in the right direction if you have some idea in mind but you're not quite sure how to implement it.
I have wasted so much money over the years on paint and then wasn't happy with it. She is extremely knowledgeable and the money will be well spent. I highly recommend her.
- Sue P.

"I'm a word person; colors can confuse me.

I've had bare white walls to hang art on. I've spent many a rainy day feeling that the universe was smeared with too much gray. I've hid that I'm not sure what color periwinkle is. I'd never hazard a guess about what three or four colors might look nice with peach.

That's why Mary McMurray of ART FIRST was such a treasure when I wanted to repaint four rooms in my fifty-year- old Irvington home. I told her that I like roses and blues; teals and yellows make me bilious. I sensed that some color would bring out the lovely red in my oriental carpet better than the creamy off-white that bored me after 18 years.

My consultation with Mary seemed to go well. She had color chips, a terrific portfolio of exciting ­ and sometimes daring ­ ideas. She listened attentively and asked what I used my rooms for, when I used them, and how I wanted them to feel. Two days later she returned with suggestions for how to paint my rooms.

I gulped. These colors she laid on the table challenged every notion I had about ceilings and walls. Then I decided that her solutions were not only beautiful, they were brilliant. I asked her to figure how much paint I'd need so I could get started.

Four months later, all the rooms are finished. I'll confess to an intense moment of doubt when the first swatch went up in the living room, but I had faith and forged on.

The feel of rightness of the colors she chose has drawn comment from every one of my guests. I have never felt more at home in my home.

You bet I hand out her cards! She brought warmth and grace to a home I dearly love."

Tricia K., Portland Oregon