Page 7 - Tips & Advice

Fancy yourself as the Pablo Picasso of the painting and decorating world? These 5 painting techniques will help you showcase your skills and provide your customers with a great painted finish that they will love. Not only will mastering these techniques help you stand out from the crowd, but they will also help you win more business. So, let’s dive in and take a look at the decorative painting techniques and how you can master them.

1.      Metallic paint

This is definitely one that takes some practice to perfect. Metallic paint offers a great way to add a decorative finish to walls and using techniques such as stippling, sponging, criss cross, overlapping, strié and other painting techniques. It is best to experiment with different strokes to see which give the best finish. The results can be truly stunning and will help you provide a luxurious finish that looks great in bathrooms, bedrooms, and hotels.

2.     

Thinking of tackling that next home renovation project yourself? If you want to get professional results, then you need to make sure that you have the right tool for the job with a comprehensive toolbox. In this blog, we’ll look at the essential items that should be in any DIY enthusiast’s toolbox as well as a couple of additional tools that will make your life easier.

Hammer

One of the most basic toolbox items is a claw hammer as this is a good option for a number of jobs from hanging pictures to remove nails from flooring. While hammers come in many different shapes and sizes, a standard 16oz claw hammer will be suitable for a wide range of tasks. A great inexpensive tool that should be in everyone’s toolbox.

Screwdrivers

There are two main types of screw heads, flat-head and Philips which has a cross in the middle. Screwdrivers sets are cheap to buy and will give you a wide range of screwdrivers in different sizes suitable for a wide range of jobs.

If you’re looking to sell your home it’s important to focus on the strengths of your property while making the flaws less obvious. And while you can’t improve the location of your property, these simple home décor tips can help to make your house more desirable to potential purchasers. So if you want to find out how to freshen up your home and make it more sellable without breaking the bank, just keep reading.

Make the right first impression

We’re sure you’ve heard it before but first impressions really do matter. Kerb appeal is a real thing and can set the tone of expectation for the rest of your property. If the outside looks dated and unkempt then it doesn’t matter how fantastic the interior as people will already be put off. Some easy ways to transform the outside of your home include: giving your front door a fresh lick of paint, ensuring your windows and frames are clean and in good condition, trimming all bushes, grass, and

Having the right tools for the job is one of the things that often separate the professionals from amateurs. A professional painter and decorator will not only have all the right equipment but will also know how and when to use it. Most people assume that the only tools needed are a couple of brushes and rollers but the reality is that there are many more tools needed. Let’s take a look at some of the essential tools that every decorator should own.

Power tools

It’s hard to imagine life without power tools, and for the professional decorator, there are a number of power tools that are a necessity for getting the job done.

Heat gun – A good quality, professional heat gun can be used for removing old paint and varnish, softening adhesives, moulding plastics and drying filler.

Multi-function drill – Whether undoing screws or installing new fittings, a multi-function drill is an absolute must for any painter decorator.

Let’s get one thing out of the way, the first step before you even think of decorating a mould or damp stained wall is to diagnose and treat the problem. Mould and damp can affect your health so the problem needs to be treated as quickly as possible. Otherwise, no matter how good a job you do painting, the mould or damp will keep coming back and cause you problems.

Once you’ve identified and fixed the mould or damp problem it is time to get to work on preparing the surface ready for decorating.

Surface cleaners

There are a range of surface cleaners that are suitable for preparing a mould or damp stained surface prior to painting and these include anti-mould solutions, fungicidal washes and mould and mildew cleaners. Cleaning the surface will help to reduce any existing mould or damp staining and leave the surface clean and

Now that spring is finally here it’s time to start planning all those exterior painting jobs that you’ve been putting off since last year. Whether you have a garden, a yard or a yarden, you can spruce up your exterior space by taking the time to clean, decorate and add a splash of colour. From fencing and sheds to brickwork and decking, there are plenty of features that will be rejuvenated with a lick of paint. In this article, we’ll look at some of the jobs that you should be doing this spring.

Clean it first

Like any interior decorating job the first step in any exterior painting job is to clean the area that you are looking to paint. From decking and fences to sheds and brickwork, a good clean is essential to making sure the end result is one that you’ll be proud of. A pressure washer is a good option for cleaning woodwork such as decking and can help remove algae, moss and dirt from all types of surfaces.

Don’t be afraid of

As a trade professional you need to look the part with clothing that is tailored to your needs. It’s no good turning up to do a job in a pair of old jeans and old sweatshirt as your clients are unlikely to be impressed. What you need then is a set of workwear that not only helps you look professional, but one that will make your job easier. In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the best options for decorators and some of the essentials you’ll need.

Bib and brace overalls

The recognised standard and the attire by which all others are measured are the humble bib and brace overalls. Loose fitting but not so loose that they get in the way, bib and brace overalls let you move around freely and have a number of pockets for keeping tools handy. And because they can be worn over other clothing they are the perfect choice for working in all conditions.

Coveralls and boiler-suits

Where extra protection is needed and for particularly

One of the most popular ways to breathe new life into old furniture is by upcycling it to create a piece that fits in with your home. With the growing trend for painted furniture, you can achieve the same look for a fraction of the cost by buying used furniture and then painting it yourself. Whether you are looking to create a distressed vintage look or a contemporary and modern piece, we’ll show you some tips to help you upcycle like a pro.

Sanding             

No matter what your project is the first step is to sand your piece of furniture, even if you are going for a vintage or shabby chic look it is still a good idea to sand your furniture. You are not looking to remove the existing finish but just rough it up so that your chosen primer will have a good surface to stick to. Once you’ve lightly sanded your piece you’ll need to remove any dust using a lint-free cloth.

Priming

For many people redecorating their home is one of the biggest goals of the year. All that time spent over Christmas at home makes it hard to ignore those jobs that have been put off all year. So with that in mind let’s take a look at some of the design trends that are going to be big in the year ahead.

Colour block patterns

Linear, block patterns look to be on trend for the season ahead and decorators are likely to get a lot of requests for strong and bold colour block patterns. Get the look by using stencils to create strong bold lines just don’t forget to use a low tack, clean edge masking tape to create nice sharp lines, particularly if using metallic toned paint.

Industrial finishing

Exposed brickwork, polished concrete and distressed furniture are all going to be strong interior design trends this year. This industrial chic style is all about creating a hardwearing look which is minimal in appearance. Kitchens and bathrooms both