Diana Edwards is a style consultant — for homes and businesses.
Owner of LIME Painting North Pittsburgh, a luxury home painting and home improvement business, Edwards connects clients with the resources to spruce up their residence or business from adding a fresh coat of paint to an exterior or interior space, to beautifying finishes, providing quality carpentry, and so much more.
“To watch clients’ faces when they see the design makes it all worth it,” said Edwards, a Bellevue resident, whose clients span the northern areas of the city from Wexford to Gibsonia, Sewickley and the surrounding areas.
One of the tools she uses is software called Hover. Edwards can transform smartphone images into interactive 3D models of homes and buildings. It is a way to precisely measure, design and scope projects. She can then show clients various angles of what the new space will look like, including what the color will look like before any work is done.
“We have fun with it,” said Edwards, a mother of four and grandmother of 12. “I act as a concierge-level project manager. I make contact with a contractor or painter or whatever expert is needed. Something such as changing the color of a room changes the whole feel of that space. It feels good to help, and seeing smiles on a customer’s face is great.”
This is an after-retirement profession for Edwards.
She was part of a workforce reduction in her corporate job. Her professional background includes experience as a licensed practical nurse, martial arts instructor, owner of a small crafting business, IT business entrepreneur and cyber security analyst.
“I felt like I had no purpose,” she said. “I wanted to do something that made a difference in people’s lives. Retirement was not a suitable option for me, as I thrive on being active and engaged.”
She found a new purpose through LIME Painting, a company based in Denver. After stepping away from her corporate position, she said she decided to leverage her diverse skill set by purchasing a LIME Painting franchise.
Edwards was matched with LIME Painting through a franchise coach and underwentextensive training.
She said she was drawn to LIME Painting because of the company’s strong core values of love, integrity, mission and excellence.
“I am delighted to now be pursuing a venture that allows me to channel my passion and focus on quality while helping others,” she said. “My goal is to provide homeowners with high-quality home improvements without the necessity of them acting as general contractors.”
Edwards launched her LIME Painting franchise in July 2024. She handles residential and commercial projects and said she likes to personally lead every project, helping homeowners transform their spaces without the stress.
She also is connected to experts and collaborates with trusted vendors, she said so she can deliver high-end results with a personal touch.
This was the ideal path for her after stepping away from corporate life.
“I’ve been interested in home improvement all my life,” Edwards said. “And it’s fun to help others with their projects.”
One of the things Edwards does best is develop relationships with clients, said Linda Benson of Sewickley, who met Edwards a year and a half ago.
Edwards is going to help Benson with a list of home improvements.
“She kept in touch and in a friendly way,” Benson said. “I figured, if she is that organized and detail-oriented in keeping in touch that when I am ready to do some work on the house, I want Diana to do it. She has connections with so many people. She’s become a friend.”
It is rare to find someone like Edwards, said Mike Blancher, a general contractor from Montana whose company hired Edwards to paint the Francesca’s store in Ross Park Mall.
“She did an amazing job,” Blancher said. “She showed up several times to see how things were going. She is so friendly.”
The first thing Edwards does when she meets a client is walk around the property to look at gutters, windows and roofs. She wants to make sure there are no leaks or other potential problems.
Edwards is detail-oriented, said Linda Harvison of Hampton, who hired Edwards to have an arched entrance painted white and a door painted in a colonial blue. Harvison wanted to support a female-owned business and said Edwards treated the project with care.
“I really like that she did a sample painting on the door before having the entire door painted because it was a color change for us,” Harvison said. “Diana is professional, and the people she works with are very, very good. She does her homework.”
Edwards said she strives to emulate the company’s philosophy on the importance of quality.
“I am a proficient do-it-yourselfer, particularly in home projects, which has always been my primary interest,” she said. “It’s important to take care of a client’s home like you would your own home or business.”
For details about the business, visit limepainting.com.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at [email protected].
