My home phone: 617-864-5865
Genghis the Painter
        Since 1969, I have been painting Cambridge, Massachusetts, (not done yet!), doing business as Genghis the Painter & Co.. The "& Co." seems somewhat pretentious these days because it has been a long time since I have engaged regular help. I work solo these days.

        I specialize in residential interiors. Most of my work is done in owner-occupied homes. Occasionally, renters hire me. I also do interiors for the clients of real estate brokers who recommend presale upgrading or a tidying-up paint job, which is always a good bang-for-buck equity builder.

        I am currently using California Paints; they are top-shelf, reliable, strong, and locally made. Also, to my eye, their colors are easily the best. The interior semi-gloss latex in their 2010 line is probably my all-time favorite paint. For many years I used Benjamin Moore, a formerly high-quality paint, but I have had trouble with their color system, and some of their paints are both awful and overpriced. I use Pratt & Lambert sometimes, despite the considerably higher price, because their alkyd eggshell is gorgeous and their alkyd wood primer is peerless in my experience. I have used Sherwin-Williams a few times and have not been disappointed. Except for disposable brushes for shellac, I use Purdy brushes exclusively. I shop at various stores in the area, especially Masse Hardware.

        I am good at what I do, but I do not think that is why people hire me. I get business because my customers can give me their keys and alarm numbers, leave the country, and not worry about a thing except paying me. The backside is that I work alone and cannot get it done with the speed or cheapness (read "carelessness") that can be had with the fly-by-nighters or the speed and customization of the really high-end, high-priced outfits.

        The hardest part of my job is to figure out what my customers want; they very rarely know. Aware of that, I work by two guidelines: Always do a little more than is expected, and always leave the place a little cleaner than it was. It seems to work.

- Genghis Lapointe      


My home phone is 617-864-5865, but you might find it more convenient to email me at

(I have owned and operated InmanSquare.com since 1999.)


"Genghis is the best there is. When he paints it, it stays painted."
-Paul Sussman, Chef
Brandy Pete's

"Genghis is the first person I think of when someone asks me if I can refer them to a good painter. I can always count on him to do an excellent job."
-Maureen Ahern, Broker
Hammond Real Estate

"It was a pleasure to work with Genghis. He not only does excellent work, but he is long on integrity."
-Catherine Davy, Dean of Arts and Sciences
Bentley College

"There must be four layers of paint put on by Genghis in my house over the years. Each layer I'm sure is perfect underneath; it's just that I keep changing my mind. -And the top layer of course is perfect. Is this laying it on too thick?"
-Carol Monica, Owner
The Games People Play




Last Updated: Sunday, August 19, 2012
Special thanks to ConnActivity Internet Services.