Lincrusta - A Totally Natural Product

First manufactured at Sunbury-on-Thames before production moved to Darwen in 1918, Lincrusta is a classic product which has never needed "improving", made from totally natural materials.

Now manufactured in a purpose-built unit at Morecambe, Lancashire, it is produced traditionally using many of the original rollers, with the same care and attention to detail as when it was first made!

Lincrusta, one of the first "eco-friendly" British made products, manufactered since 1877.

Apart from its use in general domestic and commercial applications over the years, Lincrusta has been used extensively in ships, yachts, railway carriages, trams and cars.

Notable uses include 6 luxury cabins on board "The Titanic", Nicholas Cage's yacht, as well as in famous buildings such as "The White House", Roseland Cottage and John D. Rockefeller's house in New York City.

Image; Addition techinique on Acanthus, created at Index 2008, Dubai

The Green Shop

The Green Shop has been selling environmentally friendly paints and finishes for over 10 years - stocking the most extensive selections of natural paints and finishes in the country. Whether for decorating inside or out; walls, floors, woodwork or metal they have products to suit all needs.

If you are trying to reduce your exposure to complex synthetic chemicals and VOC's are concerned about the depletion of non renewable resources and excessive use of energy, or simply appreciate the aesthetic qualities of natural colours and materials, the Green Shop Paint Catalogue probably contains the right paint for you.

For further information about The Green Shop or to request a copy of their catalogue, visit; www.greenshop.co.uk, call 01452 770629 or visit their new ECO Build extension at The Green Shop, Cheltenham Rd, Bisley, Stroud, Glos. GL6 7BX

Decorating in Dubai

It seems a lifetime away now, but yes, I did visit Dubai to demonstrate decorative paint effects at Index 2008 at the World Trade Centre in December.

The exhibition was a great success - with a good deal of Interior Designers, Architects, Specifiers and end users making some very encouraging comments about Lincrusta and how it was being finished... to read what Lincrusta have to say about it all, go to Lincrusta's website. You'll also see a picture of a very handsome young man. (OK, perhaps not so young or handsome!!!)

Image; Italian Renaissance, Index 2008 Dubai

West Midlands, Worcestershire, Painter and Decorator, painting, decorating, Midlands, Lincrusta, PDA, EDA, Farrow and Ball, quality, craftsman, master decorator, Brian Yates, Beacon Hill, Carlucci, Colefax and Fowler, Dedar, Fadini Borghi, Fox Linton, Jab International Ltd, Churchill, Jim Thompson, Manuel Canovas, Campbell, Nobilis Fontan Ltd., Osborne and Little, Pierre Frey Ltd., Robert Allen, Troynorth, Voyage, Watts of Westminster, Wemyss Houles, Zoffany

EcoDecorators Association

We are pleased to announce that M. J. Guest Ltd. has been accredited with membership of the EcoDecorators Association. A totally not-for-profit organisation primarily representing Painters & Decorators who already use, or who are happy to use, Eco-Friendly alternatives to the more mainstream (solvent-based) Paints & Wallpapers.

2010 EU Paint solvent Regulations: these EU- ratified changes started in earnest from 2004 & the next big changes due are in the permitted Paint VOC (solvent) levels & are due to take effect in 2010 in the UK & EU.

These 2010 regulations will effectively ban many types of paints, varnishes, stains and most thinners currently sold nationwide in DIY outlets, trade shops, garden centres, etc. Wallpaper manufacture will be similarly affected.

Traditional “Gloss paint”, as you now know it, will, for all practical purposes, be outlawed and will no longer exist.

As a member of the EDA, M. J. Guest Ltd. are informed and in many cases are already working within and exceeding the 2010 regulations.

For more information about the EDA, go to; www.ecodecorators.org