Paulson’s Paint

These guys are so nice. I was in there today shopping for wallpaper and paint (a great selection) and I had an urgent email where I needed to print something out in a hurry, so they let me use their computer. Very friendly place where I’ll definitely shop in the future!

Great paint store in downtown forest park on Madison st. Walked in and was assisted by someone I presume was an owner. He was very knowledgable and offered a great deal of guidance in determining a color for the nursery my husband and I are attempting to create. We were looking for the perfect gender neutral gray and were assisted w seeing how many colors work/don’t work with certain colors. I went in with one gray that was shortly informed how quickly it can ‘go purple’ against certain lights/​shades. We were guided toward the perfect color, ended up purchasing 2 samples for $ 6.99 and love one. They even recommended us using a roller rather than a paint brush for sample application to avoid having to sand later due to seeing the brush texture on the wall later after we use rollers for the entire application. I would definitely be back for a paint consult if needed in the future.

I am a new home owner and I visited several paint retailers (small specialty retailers and a big box home improvement store) and I was mostly ignored as the workers could not find time to help an actual customer. Just before giving up and hiring a painter, I discovered Paulson’s in Forest Park. They greeted me when I walked and told me to let them know if I needed anything. I was able to walk around and look and then when I needed help they were ready to help and answer questions. They were very helpful during the two trips I made here to buy paint — giving advice on the type of paint that might work as well as which type of brushes would be good to use. With a friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff, I will be returning to Paulson’s for all my painting needs.

This does not seem like a secure place to do business. My purse was stolen from where I set it on the checkout counter. Customer service is just OK — some of the staff members are reasonably friendly, others downright condescending.

I thought this was a nice enough paint store. Nice array of supplies and samples. However, I didn’t much appreciate the attitude I received by one of the guys there. When I asked for a specific primer, he sort of rolled his eyes at me and sort of laughed in a condescending way as though I didn’t know what I was talking about and tried to tell me it didn’t exist. I chose that primer specifically and I could verify its existence because I read about it on their website. He recommended a different primer and it worked fine.
When I went back to purchase paint, a nice guy waited on me but the other guy was there, bad mouthing other customers to the one he was waiting on. I just don’t think it’s good customer service to try to make the people who are spending money in your store feel stupid.
I won’t go back even though it is close to my home. I feel pretty sure that most of his attitude was due to me being a woman. From the other reviews I have to assume this guy is the «know it all» that people have talked about. He might know a lot about paint but doesn’t know anything about treating people respectfully.

We went here because our painter friend recommended Benjamin Moore Paint. They have a great selection and the staff is very helpful.
I came in with many questions and they answered all my questions. A major plus is that it’s family owned. BTW, although pricier Ben Moore Paints are the real deal. The color goes on, on one stroke.

I was overjoyed to find a Benjamin Moore store so close to home. I had made the mistake of trying to substitute some Benjamin Moore colors with paint at Home Depot. There really is no comparison in good quality paint.
The staff at Paulson’s was extremely helpful. I was even more excited to find that they had sample jars in all the colors that I was interested in. I have learned through trial and error that you can not rely on paint swatch cards. The paint color may dry to the perfect match of the card, but lighting is everything. Finish is another. It is much cheaper to buy a few sample jars of paint to see how the lighting in a particular room affects the color, rather than wasting money on a few gallons of paint that you are not sure of. I found out the hard way; the beige that I had purchased previously looked like make up foundation in my kitchen. Yuck.

This place beats going to Lowe’s for paint any day. The people that work here are super knowledgeable and helpful. They have a good selection of non-​VOC paints.

I have never had any problem getting great service here when I ask for it. This is not a gift boutique, so if nobody approaches you its probably because they were A) Busy, as it tends to get here or B) Trying not to bother you.
When I have dealt with Rick he seems to genuinely care that people are satisfied. He is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his products, which may be interpreted as know-​it-​all by other reviewers. I see it as a good thing. This is the most organized and comprehensive paint store around. I have also ordered wallpaper here and had no problems.

I am one of those unfortunate homeowners who has no clue about what looks nice in terms of painting and decorating. Don’t get me started on window treatments. So, Martha Stewart I’m not. I like Paulson’s because they are very helpful, without breathing down your neck. Dan was great at helping us choose shades of sage, moss and taupe that looked nice together. Another guy, J.M., came to our house to pick out blinds and steered me away from things that would look bad. Only problem is their blinds take 2 – 3 weeks to come in. I want instant gratification!

Didn’t appreciate the guy’s know it all demeanor.
I prefer to drive to Figatner-Scott’s in Berwyn (on Cermak Road). They are also a Benjamin Moore paint distributor. And if you’re lucky, one of the owners will have his dog in the store… always fun to play with.
Edit: Some times a guy’s know it all demeanor is just because he thinks he knows it all. When I go there with someone who had a painting business for years, I don’t think I need a lesson from Paulson’s. If I want attitude, I’ll shop there. Otherwise, I will buy my paint elsewhere.