Georgian Style in Oxshott

This fabulously proportioned, Georgian inspired, new build property in Oxshott - Surrey, is the latest in a line of London area projects that I have been fortunate enough to be working on recently.

I was invited by a London based Architect, of repute, to provide a quotation to install Lincrusta in one of the many bathrooms - this was swiftly increased into decorating a number of further rooms (Lincrusta to follow soon!).

Products used were predominately Little Greene Ultimatt paint, Cole & Son and Nina Campbell wallpapers - following fastidious preparation, of course.

Wallpaper hanging and painting disciplines were required, to exacting standards. The result was truly stunning, so was the reaction of the Architect's Interior Designer;

"Thank you for all your hard (tidy) work and for reinstalling my faith in Decorators!"

I also received a tick and gold star from the practice director... top of the class!

More information about further projects at this property to follow.

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

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

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

A New Working Partnership

I am extremely pleased to announce that M. J. Guest Ltd. has been invited to work alongside James Mayor Furniture - designers and manufacturers of bespoke, hand-painted furniture - and will be offering a tailored painting service to James Mayor's clients to help fulfill a true quality driven "product".

Made in the traditional manner, with rails and panels precision-cut and with tenoned joints, James Mayor's furniture is available in both traditional and contemporary styles, or can be designed as bespoke for interior design projects. Furniture is hand-painted on site after installation, ensuring a beautiful and hard-wearing finish. Each of their kitchen carcasses is made by hand in their own factory in the Midlands where they calculate the dimensions of each unit to fit the space precisely, ensuring the bespoke fit and design that they are famous for. With a nationwide service, you are guaranteed excellent craftsmanship and a fine quality product that truly enhances the value of your home.

For further information about James Mayor Furniture's services and products please click here.

Bespoke, hand made, handmade, furniture, design, painted furniture, quality, high quality, nationwide, national, west midlands, hand painted, uk, united kingdom, england

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!

Distemper Delight

I was fortunate enough to be recommended to the owner of a beautiful mansion house, dating back (in parts) to the 12th Century. The project was to replace an existing paper on the ceiling of the master bedroom - a Georgian proportioned room.

The room's dimensions were 24ft square and the ceiling was 15ft high - as you can see a considerable amount of "plant" was necessary to gain access to the working area.

The ceiling was stripped of its covering to reveal distemper and lime plaster - words which produce a pronounced "tut" into most sentences used when describing them.

The distemper was treated with a wonderful Zinnser's product and Wallrock 55 was applied to ceiling and above picture rail areas. An Anaglypta was used as the top sheet which was later painted with a Crown white emulsion.

I have been invited back to work on further rooms during 2010.