Specifying a white emulsion means balancing a few things at once: opacity (how well it hides darker colours), durability (how it stands up to scuffs, marks and cleaning), resistance to flashing in strong light, ease of application, value for money and even how the roller feels on ceilings and walls. With so many tins claiming … Read more
I earn my living on the brush, so the satinwood I choose has to look right, stand up to knocks, and let me move quickly without babysitting runs or brush marks. Over the last few years I’ve settled on a small shortlist and, before writing this, I canvassed a few fellow decorators for their experiences … Read more
During my years as a professional decorator, I’ve found that nothing is quite as satisfying as achieving a beautiful glossy finish. Many people have asked me how they can achieve the same sort of finishes I do, and the truth is, if you pick the right product you’ve already won half the battle. Am I … Read more
As someone who has been in the decorating industry for years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a variety of paints. Johnstone’s Covaplus Vinyl Matt is a paint I’ve used on a number of occasions and have been impressed recently with its new formulation. Covaplus has definitely received some stick from decorators in the … Read more
If you’re looking for the best eggshell paint that will leave your woodwork or walls looking fantastic and protected for years, you’ve come to the right place. Through years of testing, I’ve been lucky enough to use some fantastic eggshell products, both water-based and oil-based, that have great opacity, fantastic coverage and is easy to … Read more
Whilst I often get asked for my recommendations for the best white emulsion paints, I’ll be the first to admit that when it comes to colours and styles, my knowledge is pretty average. I’ve had a lot of people asking me recently what the best grey emulsion paint is, and with the above statement in … Read more
One coat paint is often scoffed at in the decorating profession – we’ve always been taught that multiple coats achieve maximum opacity and durability. But are there any one coat paints on the market that actually proves their value and is not just a DIYer-targeted gimmick? To find out, I put a variety of paints … Read more
Laura Ashley paint has got a bad reputation within the professional decorating industry, with many decorators refusing to use it. With Laura Ashley being a retail paint, I can see why professionals won’t touch it. But is it actually that bad? I’ve used it on a couple of jobs over the last year or so, … Read more
Zinsser Peel Stop is more than just a primer – it’s a great equaliser to many problems in the decorating industry. Whether you’re dealing with flaking interior paint, unstable masonry, or problem surfaces, Peel Stop is usually my go-to solution. As a frequent user of Peel Stop, I can personally vouch for the umpteen times … Read more
Finding the best paint for kitchen ceilings can prove difficult if you have limited knowledge of what you actually need. After all, there are plenty of ceiling paints out there such as Tikkurila AR2 and Johnstone’s StainAway, each proving useful in their own way. But which one is right for your job? I’ve listed out … Read more