A contemporary ‘arts and crafts’ home with Quality Decor

The original enquiry from the client was that they needed a decorator to do special effects on two of their fireplaces.

Using the knowledge learnt by attending several interior design courses we were able to extend our estimate to include decoration of the entire house. With our suggestions regarding correct specifications and product knowledge of Dulux Trade paints the client increased the funding for the decoration considerably and allowed us to carry out a project to one of the highest standards our company has ever done in its 26 years trading.

The scope of works included designing and supplying specialist joinery, namely, the master bedroom wardrobes, cupboards in the playroom, shelving units in the study, alterations to the bottom 3 treads on the staircase, including making a specialist oak handrail and newel post to match the existing one. In addition, we were tasked with supplying and fitting new hardwood windows with modern draft excluders and K-glass fitted to exactly match the original.

We sourced and supplied the children’s bedroom furniture and supplied and fitted specialist low voltage down-lighters.

The decoration/renovation was of such a standard that having stripped the walls and sealed them with alkali resisting primer, it was necessary to face fill them in some rooms as many as four times. Each time, it was important to differentiate the layers, so the fillers were tinted a different colour.

Paper hanging was a required skill. Of particular note is the staircase ceiling which curves in three dimensions and required great lining skills. Especially as the flank window threw light across its surface showing up any imperfections.

The living room fireplace had previously been painted white, reducing its impact, so we suggested graining it to match the furniture in the room.

The client was so impressed with the results that he asked us to do something with the kitchen fireplace. The mantle was removed and raised and we then marbled in a Vert de Mer style and heavily varnished it to produce an antique finish.

The cupboards in the dining room fireplace were also grained, as were the new MDF cupboards we had built in the master bedroom.

To prepare for French polishing, the dark mahogany stained handrail was stripped and the new handrail we supplied was coloured to match the original handrail that we had stripped. The finished wood was sealed with number eight lacquer to resemble button polish but is harder wearing, ideal for a young family.

Finish wallpapers were hung on feature walls in the second study and other areas.

The clients needed assistance with colour design, being a young family they required a contemporary feel while maintaining the soul of an “arts and crafts” home. Bold use of colour was the only way, making statements of the fireplaces. In the bedrooms, this was toned down to a strong coordinating colour.

In conclusion, it was a pleasure to work for such a lovely couple who were very adventurous, working with the traditional shades and colours supplied within the Dulux range.

Dulux Select Decorator of the Year – 2009