Repeat winner in Chicago's Finest Painted Ladies Competition

For the first time, a former “Painted Ladies” winning home has taken a second title in the Chicago competition.

Lynda Quindel's home at 214 S. State St. in Elgin was named as the grand prize winner in the 2017 Chicago's Finest Painted Ladies and her Court Competition.

The home won in the Best Use of Paint Detail category for professionally painted houses. In 2002, the Elgin home was also the top winner, according to the contest's organizer, the Chicago Paint & Coatings Association, based in Schaumburg.

However, since that previous win, the home was sold to a new owner who repainted the house this year. The work was done by Josh's Painting of Elgin.

Now in its 31st year, the Chicago Painted Ladies competition recently announced nine winners for 2017. Seven of the homes are in Elgin.

Nine winners is an unusually high number, but reflects the growing number of owners who are using paint and coatings to enhance the curb appeal of their homes, the association said.

Eligible homes and businesses must have been painted between Labor Day 2016 and Labor Day this year to be eligible for judging.

This contest is open to homes and businesses throughout the Chicago area. The style, size or age of the property is not a factor in selecting the winners, but beauty and craftsmanship of the paint application, and how well it complements the structure of the building, is essential.

“Based on the wide range of beautiful entries, it underscores the fact that paint and coatings are the most affordable ways to improve and accent a home or business appearance,” said the association's spokesperson, Bill Heiden, who works with a team of judges to select the winners.

He said the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers estimates that a good first appearance can add as much as 5 percent to 10 percent to the value of the home.

“This message seems to resonate in Elgin, with many Victorian homes, where seven of the nine winners are located,” Heiden said.

Heiden added that the association is encouraged to see that two of this year's winners are located in Chicago. Winners were honored at an awards dinner on Oct. 26 at Maggiano's in Schaumburg to commemorate their achievement.

For information about next year's competition, call the association at (847) 240-0102, or write CPCA, 1701 Woodfield Road, Suite 205, Schaumburg, IL 60173. Information can also be obtained online at www.chicagopaint.org.

The full list of winners follows:

Grand prize

Best Use of Paint DetailProfessionally paintedLynda Quindel

214 S. State St. Elgin

Painter: Josh Martin, Josh's Painting

Best Non-Professionally PaintedJim and Kelly Langenberg

582 Park St., Elgin

Best Craftsmanship of Paint ApplicationProfessionally paintedJacquelin Settipani/Cindi Inden

34 N. Porter St., Elgin

Painter: Homework Construction

Best Use of a Bold Color CombinationProfessionally paintedDenise and Carlos Baez

414 S. Liberty St., Elgin

Painter: Josh Martin, Josh's Painting

Best Use of Color for a Non-VictorianProfessionally paintedJason and Jennifer Stec

2018 W. 101st Place, Chicago

Painters: Graff Painting Company

Best Use of Color for a Geographic LocationProfessionally PaintedRob and Leanne Quane

9528 S. Longwood Drive, Chicago

Painters: Kelso Painting

Best Use of Expressive ColorsNon-professionally paintedPaul Bedner

18. N. Porter St., Elgin

Best Use of Color for a ResidenceProfessionally paintedJim and Andrea Orcutt

870 W. Highland Ave., Elgin

Painter: Josh Martin, Josh's Painting

Best Use of Color for the Style of the HomeProfessionally paintedMelissa Doron

864 W. Highland Ave., Elgin

Painter: Josh Martin, Josh's Painting