Edwardian Staircase

I was asked a short time ago to renovate a Semi-Detached property interior throughout, very close to where I live. My client's parents have a Lincrusta wallcovering in there own home and so, naturally, my client asked me to install this incredible covering in his own new home.

The pattern used is Edwardian Dado and the paint is The Little Greene Paint Company "Chamois" oil based eggshell. The project was not exactly the most straight forward, from a planning point of view. But the result, as you can see, is a triumph!

Many thanks to my client, for his belief in my abilities and for his continued support - it is greatly appreciated.

Lincrusta, Advanced installer, Decorator, master decorator, painter and decorator, west midlands, uk

West London Update

Earlier this year I completed a project in West London... I have recently received some updated pictures from my clients, showing the project in its' finished state.

I would just like to say thank you to them, again, for a very enjoyable time working on their project. I think that it looks an absolute triumph!

Master Decorator, Lincrusta, London, Ealing, West London, Painter and decoorator

National P&D Show 2010

I am very pleased to announce that I have been invited to join Lincrusta on their stand at the National Painting & Decorating Show at the International Events Centre, Ricoh Arena, Coventry, Warwickshire on the 9th and 10th of November.

I understand that I will be assisting with independent advice on the stand and delivering Lincrusta MasterClasses at allocated times to the show "en mass". An absolute honour and pleasure to be part of this wonderful, professional team.

Thank you Lincrusta!

For further information about Lincrusta, please click here

National painting and decorating show 2010, decorating show, painting show, 2010, master decorator, lincrusta, expert, specialist, installer, ricoh arena, coventry

Sutton Coldfield Revisited

I was fortunate enough today, to be invited back to a property in Sutton Coldfield, that I completed installing Lincrusta - Art Nouveau pattern in last year. For further details, please click here

The owners have now had new radiators, carpets and stair rods fitted and have completed their own painting of walls, ceilings, cornicing and woodwork.

The finished effect is very dramatic (first hand), but, also retains many beautiful Victorian elements and characteristics... I'm very proud!

Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, Lincrusta, Paint Effects, Master Decorator, Art Nouveau, Painter and Decorator

West London Lincrusta

I was invited by the owners of this beautiful 1880 West London, Victorian property to provide a quotation, via email initially, to decorate the hall stairs and landing with Lincrusta - Art Nouveau, dado panels. Additionally, all walls were to be lined and two walls were to be hung with fine wallpaper.

Before

After

A few emails followed and a site visit, the fine wallpaper was chosen - Sanderson "Roses and Etchings", and the job was booked in.

After two weeks of frantic activity the project was completed - all walls lined over three floors and the Lincrusta installed. My clients were delighted with the result, which transformed the property and created even more character into this substantial traditional property.

Lincrusta, Art Nouveau, Master Decorator, London, Sanderson, Ealing, Painter and Decorator, M J Guest Ltd, Craftsman

Cameoid in Caversham

Working on this project was a joy - the Cameoid ceiling covering - an early Lincrusta derivative, (pictured top), was in a pretty bad state, following water damage from a dripping pipe from the bedroom above. Over time the water had spread to almost the width of the room, which then, of course, formed mould.

I was tasked by my clients' insurance company to restore the Cameoid ceiling covering back to it's original glory.

Firstly, I removed any damaged Cameoid that was still on the ceiling (not too much!) then cleaned the substrate down with a 5:1 solution of bleach to kill the surface spores. The back of the covering was cleaned and any remaining mould was "removed'. Next, the long strips of the covering were cut into manageable lengths (cut across the pattern) and reinstalled to the ceiling with Lincrusta LG100 adhesive.

Once the joints were dressed and finished, the ceiling received 2 coats of Brilliant White emulsion (pictured bottom).

I hope you will agree; a beautiful restoration on a unique historical ceiling covering.

Lincrusta restoration, Cameoid restoration, Repair Lincrusta, Repair Cameoid

The Best Job In The World

This client first made contact with me via a "DIY" forum - asking for assistance in repairing Lincrusta panels up their staircase. After receiving some very questionable advice from some "would-be Lincrusta installers", I was asked to travel to Blythe Bridge - Stoke on Trent, to complete the necessary renovation. On first inspection, it was apparent that unfortunately the panels were beyond repair, due to the substrate breaking up behind the Lincrusta. (If there is one hint with Lincrusta, the condition of the substrate is key!)

Undeterred, fresh Edwardian dado panels were installed to the repaired substrate. Those of you who are a little geeky, may notice that the Lincrusta dado has been applied along the skirting board to increase the height of the paneling itself.

I cannot think of anyone else who is lucky enough to have a career working with a material that is so beautiful, day-in-day-out. I have the best job in the world!

Lincrusta repair, Lincrusta renovation, specialist decorator, staffordshire, stoke, stoke on trent, Lincrusta Edwardian Dado, west midlands

Georgian Nouveau

Situated in the leafy suburbs of Birmingham, this Georgian family home was in definite need of a little "TLC". Areas of the ceiling and walls (woodchip, arghhhh!), had been affected by water damage and the original sash windows were showing signs of their considerable age.

The hall, stairs and landing, pictured above, was stripped, porous walls sealed, lime plaster sealed and lined (and cross lined in areas) with MAV Wallrock 55 and coated with Little Greene Paint Company Acrylic Matt Emulsion - a fantastically pigment rich paint!

All woodwork was undercoated and topcoated twice with Little Greene's Oil Based Eggshell.

The area below dado, was, as you can see treated to Lincrusta's Art Nouveau design... the serpentine skirting at the top of the stairs threw up a few "interesting" moments; the pattern needed to be adjusted by 20 - 30 cm in places to allow it to follow the line of the stairs. I'm sure that many will miss these alterations - but I know that they are there, and that the project has been done properly!

lincrusta.blogspot.com

"Lincrusta is the ultimate wallcovering used in some of the most prestigious buildings and locations around the world since it was first invented in 1877.

Lincrusta is unique in the home and commercial decorations markets - there's simply nothing quite like it for classical style and durability.

Lincrusta is made today from natural materials in exactly the same way as 1877, even using the same designs and, in some cases, the original rollers.

Lincrusta is a perfect solution for today's interior designers, specifiers and architects as it offers innovative solutions for any design application. Whether you're recreating traditional splendor or wanting to make a contemporary statement or even a fusion of both styles, Lincrusta can be used in any kind of interior design application".

To celebrate the product further, and to panda to my geeky side, I am launching my latest venture, the lincrusta blog... my intention is for it to become a resource for anyone that would like to "dig a little deeper" into the world of Lincrusta.

I will be looking at existing patterns, developments, history, paint effects and general "wrinkles" that I find in my day-to-day life with the product.

Enjoy!!!

Lincrusta specialist, specialist decorator, Lincrusta installer, Lincrusta decorator, west midlands, uk, united kingdom, traditional, exquisite, unique product, opulent, art nouveau, italian renaissance, sophia, amelia, linenfold

Art Nouveau in Sutton

This substantial property is undergoing a complete and comprehensive restoration and renovation. M. J Guest Ltd. was brought in to install approximately 50 panels of dado height Lincrusta - Art Nouveau pattern.

The newly plastered walls were lined and the product was applied. The Lincrusta was then washed down with white spirit to remove any grease that may still remain from the manufacturing process, and painted with a coat of oil based wood primer.

Following the production of several sample boards for the client to decide upon colour schemes and effects, the Lincrusta was then treated to two further coats of Little Greene oil based eggshell, a further wash of oil based eggshell and a dry brush coat of a darker shade was applied.

To complete the effect, gilt creme was heavily applied and wiped down with 3 varying degrees of white spirit on cloth.

The finished result is stunning - further images will follow, once the client has fitted new carpets and designer radiators, etc.

Sutton Coldfield, Four Oaks, Painter & Decorator, Quality, Craftsman, Craftsmanship, Erdington, Birmingham, West Midlands, Painter, Decorator, Specialist, Master Decorator, Paint effects, Lincrusta, Hanging Lincrusta

Georgian Restoration

We were originally asked if we could provide an insurance quotation to redecorate a dining room in a Birmingham Georgian property that had suffered water damage. The client had been informed by an interior designer that the ceiling was Lincrusta, and felt that we were the obvious choice for advice.

Upon inspection, the ceiling did not appear to be an existing pattern. Following a good deal of research with Lincrusta, English Heritage, The Victorian Society and Birmingham City Council, we were able to identify the covering as "Cameoid", which was an early Lincrusta-like product (C. 1900).

Once identified, the ceiling covering and substrate underwent a full restoration, which basically entailed cutting around the patterns, removing the covering, dressing and restoring the the covering itself, repairing the substrate and reinstalling the covering to the ceiling... the room will then be fully painted in a appropriate scheme by ourselves, in the near future.

The image you see above is prior to restoration.

Salamander, Lincrusta, Cameoid, west midlands, Birmingham, restoration, wallcovering decorator, painter and decorator, painter & decorator

Art Nouveau in Walsall

Lincrusta Art Nouveau adorns the walls of this stunning 1920's property in Walsall.

Thorough preparation work was undertaken prior to installation of the Lincrusta; repair, seal and cross line all walls. 60 Art nouveau panels were then applied - complimenting perfectly the original oak parquet flooring.

An oil based primer and 2 coats of Farrow & Ball oil based eggshell then followed with a dry brush effect in a complimentary hue - giving a slightly "antique" look.

The finished project has a real Arts & Crafts signature. The clients' oak furniture and copper ornaments further endorses this story.

A project to be proud of...

Lincrusta, Lincrusta Glue,RD 1961 Gothic Dado, RD1583 Elizabeth, RD1650 Georgian Panel, RD1888 Sophia, RD1956 Amelia, D1960 Acanthus,
RD 1805 Crichton, RD 1827 Lin enfold, RD 1843 Sea Grass Matting,RD 1860 Cordage,RD 1873 Caprice,RD 1893 Chequers,RD 1902 Cane,
RD 1903 Villa Louis, RD 1946 Francesca Frieze,RD 1947 Anne Frieze, RD 1948 Cameo Frieze,RD 1949 Adelphi Frieze,RD 1950 Edwardian Dado,
RD 1952 Italian Renaissance,RD 1954 Byzantine,RD 1955 Adam Frieze, RD 1957 Empire Frieze,Rd 1958 Diana Frieze, RD 1959 Seville Dado,
RD1639 Lincrusta Border,RD1640 Lincrusta Border,RD1951 Art Nouveau Dado, RD1953 Lincrusta Border

Francesca and the Edwardian

"Francesca and the Edwardian" might well sound like an Agatha Christie novel, but in fact were two components in the renovation of a beautiful 1900's hallway.

The transformation from bare plaster (in poor order) to the above photograph took five weeks; walls and ceilings were repaired, and cross lined with Wallrock 55 then treated to three coats of Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion. Woodwork and all six doors took four coats of firstly Permaglaze Undercoat and then Crown Full Gloss brilliant white gloss.

Below dado, Lincrusta Edwardian Dado was installed - 30 complete panels, and below cornice Lincrusta Francesca... both patterns were primed with the appropriate primer and received 3 further coats of oil based eggshell.

The complete project is a triumph - creating a modern feel within a traditional setting

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

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

Preston North End FC

Invited to decorate an executive box at Preston North End Football Club. Both myself and a colleague worked Lincrusta magic on a blank canvas of a room; Below dado Georgian Panel RD1650, above Crichton RD 1805 and border RD1640.

Crown oil based eggshell was used for Crichton and artist oil colours for Georgian Panel - this was then grained to give a "beechesque" feel.

The client was delighted, both inside and outside the box - the deadline was met in time for the first match of the season... and Preston North End won!

Euroart Shanghai

How to show 30 people who don't speak English how to install Lincrusta in 3 hours;

In a room full of designers, decorators and sales people in Euroart's showrooms and offices in Shanghai, I stood infront of a projector screen listening to Lincrusta's Brand Manager talk about Lincrusta's heritage, durability and flexibility. The out of body experience me, saw the real me standing there, holding a piece of Gothic Dado RD1961... A blur of activity and translation and a wall with straight lengths, internal and external angles was preped, hung, finished and primed ready for base coat.

Things to remember; Always line the substrate. the substrate itself must be sound, dry and free of dust and grease... Allow the Lincrusta the appropriate time to soak, use a felt roller to apply pressure to the product, get one from A. S. Handover Ltd.

That's how.

10th Chinese Building Decoration Show (Guangzhou) 2008

What a fabulous opportunity - to travel 5500 miles to demonstrate how to effectively paint Lincrusta in 95% humidity; well, the product stood up to it, but I'm not too sure if I would have, without the air conditioning.

The main issue that I found was materials sourcing, as the paints that were sent over for me to use were impounded (Chinese Revenue & Customs like their paperwork!). I use waterbased paints - not my first choice, but work with what's available. Working on Italian Renaissance RD1952, primed with a Dulux acrylic primer and base coated with a Dulux emulsion. The decorative paint effects worked a treat (dried out a bit too quickly at times) - but stood up to the job.

After a few "Ooos" and "Ahhhs", I found that the Chinese people seemed to prefer the metallic finishes (gilt cream on black emulsion) over the red and gold that I would have presupposed.

Lincrusta was incredibly well received - the stand was popular and orders were taken.