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

Effective Cabernets

I was asked by a Birmingham based Interior Designer for whom I work, to decorate a pair of James Mayor Furniture bedside cabernets to sit alongside a Simon Horn, Louis XVI painted bed.

The cabernets were delivered to me spray sealed white. After undercoating and base coating in Farrow & Ball oil based eggshell, a distressed paint effect was applied in the form of a glaze base with additions of artist oil colours.

The result was "an exact match" and the client was delighted.

I love it when a plan comes together!

Paint effects, decorative paint effects, Birmingham, painter, decorator

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

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!

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.