Painting a fitted bookcase in west London

This redecoration work on a flat in Earls Court in west London brought about a dramatic, glamorous transformation to some pre-existing fitted furniture.

The previous cabinetmaking was of a high standard, meaning that the units could be altered instead of replaced.

Firstly, downlighters were fitted to the top of the units; next, new mouldings were pinned on, into which LED ribbon lighting was rebated. The effect of LED lighting such as this is enhanced if the ribbon remains invisible — what is sought is merely the wash of the light itself.

Following the alterations and electrical work, the units were painted in Eico Old White Flat Eggshell and Ican Metallic in q16 nickel, products we can recommend highly to any professional painter and decorator, or keen DIY-er.

The walls were painted in Slaked Lime Mid (149) by Little Greene.

With many thanks to our client on this job, Violet & George, who were responsible for this clever, striking and effective design.

Fitted bookcases in a flat in Earls Court, painted in Eico eggshell and metallic paints

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How to decorate, no.5: use a Brushmate

The Brushmate is as simple as it is effective: a sealable vapour box containing a pad impregnated with a clever proprietary fluid; it means you don’t need to clean your brushes after using them.

Finish using your oil paint brushes, store them for days — or even months — and when you come back to them, they’ll be ready to use.

Highly recommended.

The Brushmate 4 wet brush store

The Brushmate 4 wet brush store

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How to decorate, no.4: use 2-part filler

2-part filler — usually simply called “2-part” or 2-pack”, depending on your preference — will set you apart from the herd as your pursue a professional finish. 

Generally: use plaster-based fillers for wall and ceiling repairs; use 2-part for woodwork.

A solvent-based product, you’ll work with a golf ball-sized amount of the filler, and mix it well with a pea-sized amount of hardener. The sets off a chemical reaction and, from the moment it has begun, the mix will start to harden: you don’t have long — maybe 5 minutes before it starts to become gritty and unworkable. 

Bonda Decor Fill -- a two part filler for professional painters and decorators

 

Use it to repair dings and surface damage to doors and skirtings indoors, and see how it really comes into its own for challenging exterior repairs where wet rot has been a problem. 

In terms of manufacturers: historically, the gold standard for professional painters and decorators has been Decor Fill by Bonda.

A more recently launched alternative is made by Ronseal — the big benefits of this are that it is much easier to sand, is easier to feather-in to the surrounding surface, and that it is available in white. 

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Exposed brickwork

These images show the appearance — after more than a century — of the lovely, if occasionally higgledy-piggledy, brickwork on a late Victorian chimney breast.

The second image shows the brickwork prior to the removal of the lime plaster stuck to its surface, the last shows the clarity and definition brought about by cleaning the bricks and raking out the mortar.

Before and after photos of an exposed brickwork chimney breast

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