Introduction for Painting and Decorating in Lewisham

When it comes to painting and decorating your home or business in Lewisham and South East London, selecting the right painting brands is crucial to achieving a stunning and long-lasting finish. With a plethora of options available in the market, it’s essential to make informed choices that suit the specific requirements of your project. In this article, we’ll explore some of the top painting brands and factors to consider when choosing paint for the UK market, particularly in Lewisham and South East London.

1. Quality Matters

Quality should be your top priority when selecting painting brands. High-quality paints not only provide better coverage and durability but also result in a more attractive and long-lasting finish. In the UK, some renowned brands known for their quality include Dulux, Farrow & Ball, and Crown. These brands offer a wide range of paint types and finishes suitable for various interior and exterior projects.

2. Environmentally Friendly Options

Environmental concerns are becoming increasingly important in the world of painting and decorating. Look for brands that offer eco-friendly and low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint options. These paints release fewer harmful chemicals into the air, making them a healthier choice for your family and the environment. Brands like Earthborn, Little Greene, and Eico have gained popularity for their commitment to sustainability.

3. Color Selection

The right color can transform a space, setting the mood and enhancing the aesthetics of your home or business. Many top painting brands offer extensive color palettes to choose from, ensuring you find the perfect shade to suit your preferences. Additionally, some brands offer color-matching services, allowing you to replicate a specific hue or create a custom color that suits your unique vision.

4. Finish Options
5. Painting and Decorating in Lewisham

Consider the finish you desire for your project, whether it’s a matte, satin, eggshell, or high-gloss finish. Different finishes are suitable for various surfaces and areas within your property. For example, matte finishes are excellent for hiding imperfections on walls, while high-gloss finishes are ideal for trims and doors. Ensure the brand you choose offers the finish options that align with your project requirements.

5. Durability and Longevity

The UK climate can be challenging for exterior painting projects due to its frequent rain and humidity. It’s crucial to select paints that can withstand these conditions and maintain their integrity over time. Brands like Sandtex and Sadolin specialize in exterior paints designed to protect your property from the elements while retaining their vibrant colors.

6. Price Point

While quality is essential, it’s also essential to consider your budget when choosing a painting brand. Fortunately, there are brands available in various price ranges, ensuring that you can find a quality paint that fits your financial constraints. Remember that investing a bit more in high-quality paint can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for frequent repainting.

Conclusion

When embarking on a painting and decorating and South East London, choosing the right painting brand is a decision that significantly impacts the outcome. Prioritize quality, environmental considerations, color selection, finish options, durability, and your budget when making your selection. By doing so, you’ll ensure that your project not only looks stunning but also stands the test of time in the ever-changing UK climate. Whether you opt for trusted names like Dulux or explore eco-friendly options from brands like Earthborn, your choice of paint will play a vital role in achieving the desired results for your space.

The post Choosing the Right Painting Brands for the UK Market: A Guide for Painting and Decorating Lewisham and South East London appeared first on Residence Decorating.

The colour palette in your home is one of the most impactful design decisions you will make. Countless studies have revealed the positive psychological and physical benefits of using colour, from encouraging productivity and alertness, to helping you drift off at night, as well as the pitfalls of using colour incorrectly.

“Lockdown has left us analysing every element of our lives and particularly our homes, with many wanting to create uplifting spaces. Paint is the simplest way to transform a room, it’s simple and easy. Never make the mistake of thinking your home is finished, it evolves as life unfolds,” says Martin Waller, founder of Andrew Martin.”

Red is a deceptively versatile hue for the home, pillarbox reds can be energising and glossy as a feature wall, deep burgundy is moody and romantic in a bedroom, or a spicy orange-toned red can evoke a mediterranean scene. “It’s important to consider the lighting in a room when painting it a colour such as red,” says Camilla Clarke, Creative Director of Albion Nord. “This colour takes on slightly different tones throughout the day and the seasons. It’s vibrant and fresh in the morning, cosy and rich in the evening.”

Red is a great choice for darker rooms, instead of trying to artificially lighten such a room with colour, embrace a moodier theme and opt for deep tones. Opt for a rich burnt red like the Primer Red from Annie Sloan. “Primer Red is particularly inviting in shadowy rooms without much natural light,” says founder, Annie. “This intriguing, inviting tone – somewhere between terracotta and burgundy – combines beautifully with warm neutrals and hints of brass and gold.”
Calming earthy hues

Photo credit: L: Albion Nord, R: Carpetright

“Our favourite hues to use in an interior are muted tones which create calm and soft spaces,” says Camilla. “We love to use earthy colours such as greens, ochres, chocolates, and cream design schemes. Greiges/fawn colours are very good neutrals that create warmth in a room but allow you to layer and contrast in front with colour and tone.”

She suggests embracing a multitude of brown shades to create a quiet and sophisticated sanctuary. ‘Try and avoid colours that wash into each other. Brown shades should be complemented with fresh tones such as creams and whites to counterbalance their richness. It’s all about contrasts when using a variety of brown shades in a room. If you’re using furniture and art with similar hues, it should stand out from its backdrop to create interest.”

Pick a soft, creamy base for your floors and walls (like the Country Living Zanzibar Wool Carpet at Carpetright,) and go for antique furniture in rich woods like a mahogany or walnut.
Bold blues

“The boldness and warmth found in blue will continue to be prominent in our homes. Darker colours form a much better background for paintings and artworks than white,” says Martin Waller.

Blue is a brilliant shade for a bold monochromatic scheme, but if you’re hesitant about an all-over blue, Martin suggests starting small. “Start your transformation in a cloakroom or small bedroom, since richer colours work well in such spaces, despite the accepted wisdom that white paint makes a room seem larger.”
Yellow for an uplifting interior

The cheeriest of colours for a happy home. We’re fans of a deep, saffron yellow used in abundance across living room and bedroom walls to create a is warm and cosy scheme.

“For a living room, the use of yellow can create a mellow and uplifting interior all at the same time. It transports us back to long lazy sun-drenched days in the Mediterranean and it can brighten us up on gloomy days,” says Martin Waller. “It works brilliantly with blues, teals, greens and reds, and for real crisp freshness use with white. But if you want to opt for tones such as grey, this will help create the illusion of space.”
Classic country green

A classic country colour, green can sit happily in most rooms in the home, as a moody hue in a study or living room, or a fresh avocado shade in a kitchen.

“Green kitchens are having something of a moment right now,” says Tom Howley, Design Director of the eponymous kitchen makers. “As a colour we associate primarily with nature, this grounding shade has an incredible way of reconnecting us with our surroundings, creating moments of calm and positivity.”

An earthy olive is a chameleon of a colour, Annie Sloan’s Olive being a great example. “It can be a neutral, dropping into the background or it can be the shining star of a colour scheme,” says Annie, “it’s warm, earthy, and mutable – a useful colour and real hidden gem. It’s a classical shade, but also works as an anchor for a cool 1950s mid-century modern colour palette when paired with harvest golds, oranges and pale blues.”
Dark and dramatic black

“Dark and dramatic paint colours such as black have a way of adding ambience and sophistication to a space. Dark shades can come across as intimidating; however, it’s in the way you use them that changes the feel,” says Tom.

A black and white kitchen makes for a classic pairing. “Used on the main run of base and wall cabinetry, dark colours can look luxurious and courageous while still having a timeless, intimate appeal. If you’re not feeling as brave, then combine dark paint shades with a green accent or a classic neutral like soft whites for a balanced look that still has an impact,” says Tom.

The post A guide to using colour in every room of your home, by interior experts appeared first on Residence Decorating.

Removing wallpaper from plastered walls isn’t much different from removing wallpaper from drywall. Both take time and effort, unless you have peelable wallpaper. Though less common on plaster walls because it’s a modern type of wallpaper, peelable wallpaper is easier to remove, though you may still encounter stubborn spots. The main thing to watch out for with plaster is the condition of the walls beneath the wallpaper. Plastered walls may be damaged or crumbling. In the past, wallpaper would be used to cover imperfections in plaster. Once the wallpaper’s removed, you may be facing significant repair work on the plaster itself.

Using Wallpaper Remover

• Take Proper Safety Precautions
• Attach plastic sheeting to baseboards with painter’s tape. This will protect the baseboards and floor from falling wet wallpaper.
• Score the Paper
• Score the wallpaper with a scoring tool, instructs Roman. Be careful not to be too aggressive and damage the plaster underneath. The goal is to rough up the wallpaper enough so that the wallpaper remover can seep underneath it and loosen it from the wall.
• Prepare the Wallpaper Remover
• Dilute 5 ounces of wallpaper remover in a gallon of water and fill a spray bottle with this mixture. Spray the walls with wallpaper remover. Be sure to wear chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection.
• Scrape Away the Wallpaper
• Scrape the wallpaper off with a 3- or 4-inch scraper blade. Respray the remaining wallpaper with remover and repeat. Be careful not to gouge the plaster with the edge of the scraper blade.
• Apply the Wallpaper Remover
• Spray the walls with wallpaper remover once all the wallpaper is gone and scrape away any residual glue.
• Rinse the Walls
• Rinse the walls with clean water, wiping down with a sponge to remove the last of the glue residue.
• Wait for the Walls to Dry
• Allow the walls to dry 24 to 48 hours. Repair any cracks, holes or crumbling sections of plaster before painting or wallpapering again.

Using a Steamer

• Take Proper Safety Precautions
• Protect the floor and baseboards with plastic sheeting.
• Score the Wallpaper
• Score the wallpaper with a scoring tool.
• Obtain a Steamer
• Rent a steamer. Be sure you understand how to operate it before leaving the rental store and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You’ll be working with hot steam. It’s a safe process if you exercise caution.
• Prepare the Steamer
• Fill the reservoir with water and turn the machine on. Do not pour water into the reservoir while the machine is running. Wait for the water to boil.
• Apply the Steam and Scrape
• Place the steam pad on the wallpaper for about 30 seconds. Move the pad and begin to scrape the paper, instructs Tips Bulletin. Repeat the steam-and-scrape process until finished. Be careful not to apply too much steam and damage the plaster.

Using Peelable Wallpaper

• Test the Wallpaper
• Test the wallpaper to see if it is peelable. Start at a corner and begin peeling the wallpaper back. If it removes easily, you have peelable wallpaper.
• Peel Away the Wallpaper
• Continue by grabbing the corners at the bottom of the wall and peeling the wallpaper off. You may need to use a putty knife to get under the wallpaper.
• Scrape Away Any Remaining Wallpaper
• Remove stubborn sections with a razor knife held perpendicular to the wall, pulling the paper off with your fingers. Be careful not to gouge the plaster or cut yourself with the razor knife. Wet the wall to remove any remaining backing on the wallpaper.

Tip

No matter which method you use, you’ll need to remove all switch and outlet plates, wall hangings, nails and sconces.

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