Secret tunnels, wet paint and purple walls: Q&A with Anthony James Painting & Contracting

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Olivia Barrow

Anthony James moved his painting and contracting business to the St. Clair Lofts to embrace a more modern feel to show clients how the work he does is different.

Olivia Barrow

Senior Reporter- Dayton Business Journal

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Anthony James moved his paint contracting business into the St. Clair Lofts in May in order to stand out from other paint contractors.
After being in business for 30 years, James wanted a space to meet with clients that showed the high quality approach his company has to painting.
James — who has painted inside almost every building in downtown Dayton — shared some of his experiences in the business, and his love for working downtown.

Q: Why did you invest in a cool office?
A: I wanted to be different. People think maybe this is an attorney's office, or an architect. I wanted to shock people. It's hard to believe it's a paint contractor's office.
This shows what we're all about. We meet with clients here all the time. We wanted to be over the top a bit. Kettering Medical Center, Sinclair, Central State — we've had their representatives here. We give them a good impression of what we do.

Q: What's your niche size project?
A: UD is our largest client. We also have Kettering Medical Center, Premier Health Partners, US Bank, Dayton Public Schools.

Q: So you've painted inside almost every building downtown? Any cool stories?
A: We just painted the Kettering Mansion, where Mr. and Mrs. Kettering lived. And we've also done the Moraine Farms, where Col. Edward Deeds lived. There used to be tunnels connecting the two houses. At least, it looks like it. There's a place blocked off underneath each house. At UD we've done a lot of student housing. We started on Kiefaber and K and L streets, but now we're on Brown and College, and that's where the sorority houses are. We've also painted the high rise dorms. Wet paint signs mean nothing on a college campus, you hear me.

Q: What's your favorite color?
A: Green is what I'm inspired by.

Q: What trends have you noticed with color in the professional world?
A: I've watched the decorating market go from the earth tones, with beiges and browns ,and now it's been going back to grays. But we're in a good place with this urban loft-style décor that's big now. It's modern. Places like Tech Town and the Connor Group. Colors are coming back. Motivating colors like orange, yellow, blue, green. And even purple. The CareSource building — beautiful colors! It's definitely more fun.

Q: What do you like about being downtown?
A: It's just hip. We wanted to support the downtown momentum. We looked at Austin, on Far Hills in Oakwood, but this urban feel is what we want to be a part of.