Upper Arlington
Four-seasons detail

What We Completed for This Home:

Blending New Construction Into Old-World Craft

One of the most compelling transformations in the room involved the stair. Originally concrete, it was later clad in oak by another contractor. Classic Papering & Painting was responsible for blending this new wood into the existing space.

McFarland explains:

“There was a contractor that came in and put the oak wood over the concrete. And we blended it to this space. The same with the color on the door jamb—we wanted it not to stand out, but to flow through.”

This desire for seamlessness guided every decision. Even the interior doors underwent a full reinvention.

“These doors had been painted,” McFarland says. “We stripped them, stained them, and finished them. Now they’re this color because these doors are left open most of the time, so you literally see them in the room that this color is matched in.”

Through stripping, staining, and refinement, the doors now appear original to the room—a testament to the transformation possible when time and craftsmanship align.

In Upper Arlington, some homes stand apart not because of scale, but because every inch reflects intention. This home is one of those rare spaces—where the architecture, the landscape, and the finishes work quietly, almost rhythmically, in harmony. It is a home shaped by craftsmanship and by homeowners who value the kind of detail that can only be created by hand.

Classic Papering & Painting Inc. was invited into this project to complete a series of finishes inside and out: staining the four-seasons room, repainting the exterior, staining the garage door, painting the pergola, staining the fence, and refinishing the exterior wall lattices. Though each component stands on its own, the combined work supports a larger vision—one built with Landfare Ltd., who designed and constructed the home’s outdoor living spaces and the remarkable four-seasons room that anchors the rear of the property.

What follows is a closer look at what Classic Papering & Painting Inc. contributed to this home—and how CEO John McFarland and his team approached a project defined by artistry, patience, and exceptionally high standards.

A Four-Seasons Room Unlike Any Other

When John McFarland first stepped into the four-seasons room, he immediately recognized that the space required a level of care far beyond ordinary staining.

“We are in this absolutely beautiful four-seasons room that we had stained,” McFarland says. “This is all quarter-sawn oak that you’re seeing, and each one of these pieces literally took time just to get the color to match properly.”

Quarter-sawn oak is prized for its straight grain, stability, and luminous figuring. But that beauty comes with a responsibility: the finish must be exact. Any inconsistency, any variation in color or sheen, becomes glaringly visible. To honor the integrity of the material, Classic Papering & Painting spent extensive time testing stain samples—adjusting undertones, opacity, and layering until the final treatment flowed evenly across the room.

The effect is both warm and refined: the oak folds around the space like tailored paneling, catching the natural light with quiet sophistication.

Solving the Details That Only Professionals Notice

One of the room’s architectural challenges involved the arched window assemblies. The carpenter had installed screws to hold the arches in place—functional, but visually disruptive.

McFarland recalls:

“On the windows, the carpenter had put screws in to hold the arch together. We filled those, and we did a detail on those that you’re not able to see unless you were literally standing on top of it.”

This level of detail speaks to the Classic Papering & Painting philosophy: clients may never see the correction—but they will feel the harmony created when imperfections disappear. In a room dominated by natural wood and daylight, these subtle refinements are essential.

“It’s just an awesome job,” McFarland adds with quiet pride. "The design of it was absolutely beautiful. I think the color of the stain looks incredible.”

A Collaborative Vision, Led by Clients Who Value Craft

The homeowners were deeply involved in selecting finishes. Their willingness to trust the process made the final outcome possible.

“We just love the fact that they were willing to allow us to be creative with it,” McFarland says. “Especially when it comes to the finish that we did and the color that we did in the room.”

The four-seasons room features a statement glass chandelier—an airy, sculptural element that glows softly against the stained oak. The balance between woodwork and lighting required thoughtful color decisions, ensuring nothing felt heavy or disconnected.

“There was a lot of time spent doing samples for this,” McFarland explains. “Just to make sure we were going to get the perfect color and the perfect design. It looks absolutely stunning.”

Exterior Finishes: Bringing Warmth and Cohesion to the Outdoor Architecture

Beyond the four-seasons room, Classic Papering & Painting completed an extensive series of exterior finishes:

Exterior Repainting
Garage Door Staining
Pergola Painting
Fence Staining
Exterior Wall Lattice Painting

Each of these elements interacts with the outdoor living environment created by Landfare Ltd., whose pool and landscaping design set the tone for the backyard experience.

The exterior palette was chosen to complement the organic textures surrounding the home—the stone, wood, water, and plantings. The pergola and fence, in particular, were stained to emphasize grain movement and natural warmth while maintaining durability in Ohio’s climate.

The lattice panels on the exterior walls received a fresh, refined treatment to unify the architectural lines and create subtle contrast against the home’s main façade.

A Client Experience Built on Communication, Clarity, and Care

While the craftsmanship inside the House is exceptional, what often stays with clients is the collaborative process.

McFarland explains the Classic Papering & Painting approach:

“One of the things that’s so important to us is our customer—especially ones willing to allow us to be creative. We spend a lot of time doing samples with them so they understand what we’re going for.”

For homes in Upper Arlington, Dublin, Grandview, and New Albany—Classic’s core service areas—that level of dialogue is essential.

“We love these customers,” McFarland notes. “We spend a lot of time and really get a true understanding of what they’re driving for.”

The process begins with Kim, who manages the office and oversees early project planning.

“When you hire Classic Papering & Painting, the initial person you’ll speak with is Kim. She manages our office and oversees the project in its infancy.”

From there:

Kim schedules an in-home estimate
John walks the property to understand needs, materials, and finish opportunities
Color exploration begins—samples, adjustments, and in-room testing
A detailed proposal is created
The team walks the proposal with the client to ensure all details are captured
A lead craftsman arrives for a second walkthrough
The project advances with continual communication and on-site reviews

McFarland stays involved throughout:

“I come out on our job sites and I walk the projects. I like to walk with you as the customer to make sure that everything we are doing is up to your expectations. And at the end of the job, I come back through and walk again to make sure you are 100% satisfied.”

This multiple-touchpoint system—supported by a team of ten full-time craftsmen—ensures consistency, accountability, and quality control at every stage.

Honoring Craftsmanship in a Home That Deserves It

The house is defined by thoughtful architecture and exceptional materials—and the finishes required a team who understood how to elevate rather than overshadow them.

Quarter-sawn oak. Layered stains. Seamless transitions. Hidden corrections. Exterior cohesiveness. The kind of decisions homeowners may not notice individually, but collectively feel as effortless beauty.

McFarland sums it up with the sincerity that has shaped Classic Papering & Painting Inc. for more than 30 years:

“Our team did a beautiful job in this beautiful room.”

The result is a home that feels both classic and quietly special—a reflection of the homeowners, the designers at Landfare Ltd., and the craftsmen who treated every board, beam, and surface with reverence.

Upper Arlington Four-seasons detail