West Hills Is a Hidden Gem — Your Paint Should Reflect That
Tucked between Bearden and Sequoyah Hills, West Hills is one of Knoxville’s most underrated neighborhoods. The tree-lined streets, brick ranches from the 1950s and 1960s, and quiet residential character make it a desirable address for homeowners who value established neighborhoods without the premium of adjacent Sequoyah Hills pricing.
These solid mid-century homes deserve a painter who understands their materials and respects their character. Plaster walls behave differently than drywall. Original wood trim needs careful prep before modern products will adhere correctly. And the mature tree canopy that makes West Hills so appealing also creates shaded conditions that affect exterior coating performance.
Jesse Castillo has been painting mid-century homes for 25 years and brings that experience to every West Hills project.
West Hills developed along streets like Westwood Drive, Francis Road, Timbercrest Drive, and Doris Circle during the postwar housing boom that pushed Knoxville westward. Most homes are single-story or split-level, built with brick veneer, hardwood floors, plaster or early drywall, and original wood windows with glazed trim. Additions and renovations over the decades have introduced drywall, newer trim profiles, and varied exterior materials alongside the original construction. Understanding what is original and what was added later matters for prep and product decisions, and Jesse identifies these details during the initial walkthrough.
West Hills Painting Services
Interior Painting for Mid-Century Homes — Plaster repair, oil-base conversion, hand-cut ceiling lines, and brushed trim using Sherwin-Williams premium products. We preserve the character of your home while updating its look. Plaster walls in these homes often have hairline cracks from decades of settling—we skim-coat and sand these areas before priming so the finished surface looks clean and uniform. Where original oil-base paint exists on trim and doors, we apply a bonding primer to ensure modern waterborne enamels adhere properly instead of peeling within a year.
Exterior Trim and Accent Painting — Most West Hills homes have brick exteriors with painted wood trim, soffits, and fascia. We focus on these elements with proper prep and product selection for a result that complements the brick and lasts through East Tennessee weather. The mature oaks, maples, and tulip poplars that shade West Hills streets create a beautiful canopy but also mean soffits and fascia stay damp longer, promoting mildew and paint failure. We scrape, sand, prime with a mildew-resistant primer, and apply high-build acrylic topcoats that are formulated for shaded, moisture-prone conditions.
Cabinet Refinishing — Update dated kitchen cabinets with spray-applied catalyzed conversion varnish. The most impactful single upgrade for West Hills kitchens.
Specialty Finishes — Built-in bookshelves, mantels, and original wood features that deserve a finish matching their craftsmanship. Many West Hills homes have floor-to-ceiling built-ins, paneled dens, and mantel surrounds that were designed as focal points. We prep these surfaces with the same care as fine furniture—filling grain, sanding between coats, and applying premium enamel by brush for a smooth, durable result.
West Hills homeowners have been in their homes long enough to know the difference between quality work and a quick job. We deliver the former. Jesse walks every home, provides transparent estimates, and stays on the project through completion.
Many West Hills residents have dealt with painters who underestimated the prep required for mid-century construction. Skipping the oil-base conversion step on trim, painting over cracked plaster without repair, or using exterior products not rated for shaded conditions leads to premature failure and wasted money. Cutting Edge Painting builds the correct prep into every estimate upfront. You see the full scope before work begins, and the price Jesse quotes is the price you pay. No change orders, no surprise upcharges for conditions that should have been identified during the walkthrough.
Get Your West Hills Estimate
Contact Jesse for a walkthrough and a detailed, transparent quote built specifically for your mid-century West Hills home.
