Articles

Period Property Window sills

Damaged Masonry

A common problem with period homes is wear and tear on the stone sills and lintels. The good news is they are not that difficult to fix.

What will be the colours of 2024?

Trending colours

In 2023 we found ourselves painting a lot of properties in Green and greys. Farrow and ball colours were the most popular with colours like - Pidgeon , Whirlybird, Beverley, Cromarty, Schoolhouse white, Ammonite being the most requested.
We have already put two quotes in this year and one wants grey!

My prediction for 2024 is Green will still be very popular. When painted correctly it adds so much depth and warmth to a room. I also think.
Paint company Little Greene has unveiled its newest colour palette, and it's all about rich and warm neutral shades to create a timeless look in the home.
The collection, dubbed 'Sweet Treats' takes inspiration from iconic desserts, mimicking the deep hues of caramel, honey, and chocolate. Enticing names such as 'Affogato', 'Muscovado', and 'Ganache' feature across each of the colours.
https://www.littlegreene.com/paint/collections/sweet-treats?msclkid=6f4f43204d2218fdf79126bc708da33e&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand%20-%20Paint%20-%20Collection%20-%20Sweet%20Treats&utm_term=little%20greene%20sweet%20treats&utm_content=Brand%20-%20Sweet%20Treats
It will be interesting to see if we get any requests.
Earthly colours I think will still rule the roost for me but there are a couple of outsiders I think may get more popular this year - Blacks, Pinks and terracotta's!

Ceiling and wall cracks

Apart from painting which is the best part of the job, we have to attend to what we call preparation!
This can be minor hairline cracks or deep cracks you can put your finger into.
Subsidence is a very common problem, especially on period properties. To fix the cracks we have to make them bigger and end the run of the crack. this is then followed by adding multiple layers of filler before sanding it all down to create a blemish free surface which is ready for paint.

Hairline cracks or cracks smaller than 3mm are the easiest to fix and can often be fixed with a simple layer of acrylic decorators caulk.
Below is a ceiling on a Victorian property in Sheen that was next to a railway line and had over the years suffered from subsidence and the constant rattling of dozens of trains passing by each day.
First the cracks were opened up, before applying deep gap filler. Some of the cracks were so deep we had to top the filler up four to five times. Once dried we sanded down the whole ceiling before lining it with Wallrock lining paper.

What colour? What paint?

The spectrum of colour

Understanding how colours 'behave' is one of the most difficult aspects of interior design to get right. The colours you select for your walls can strongly influence the atmosphere of a space. For a confident scheme, it is important to choose a paint colour that will sit comfortably and achieve your desired finish.

Before starting any interior decoration project, consider how much natural and artificial light is in the room and the direction it is coming from. You should also give thought to the architecture, purpose and size of the room you are decorating.

When you employ us we are always eager to help you choose the right colour for your room. We always carry numerous swatches and we can advise you on the different finishes (matt / eggshell/ satinwood etc)
the latest trend for the 2023 has been earthly neutrals - Greens and light greys or beiges

Below are a few links to help you choose