Plain guidance from a working decorator
Honest, practical notes on how good decorating is actually done — written by Andrew, who has been in the trade since 1995. No jargon, no upselling: just what we'd tell you on site. Useful whether you hire us or not.
Foundation guides
We're starting with a few essentials and adding to them as we go — quality over quantity.
Why preparation makes a paint finish last
The part you never see in the photographs is the part that decides whether a finish holds for years or months.
Read the guide → InteriorPainting over damp and water-stained walls
Why water stains and damp patches bleed back through fresh paint — and how they're sealed so they stay gone.
Read the guide → Woodwork & ExteriorRepainting period woodwork that lasts
Knots, flaking paint and rotten timber on North West London's period homes — and how to deal with each properly.
Read the guide →How the Knowledge Centre is organised
As it grows, the library will be grouped into clear topics so it stays easy to navigate — never a cluttered list. The categories we're building towards:
New articles are added through genuine experience on the tools — not churned out for the sake of it.
Got a question we haven't covered?
Ask us directly — we're happy to talk it through before you commit to anything.