Job at a glance
Location: Brentwood
Work: ceilings, walls and woodwork across the hall, stairs and landing
Time: five days
Team: two decorators
Access: ladders, because of the high ceilings and awkward staircase
We recently decorated the hall, stairs and landing of a home in Brentwood. The customer wanted the whole area freshened up and finished to a very high standard. This is how the job went, and why so much of the work happened before any paint went on.
What the customer wanted
The hall, stairs and landing are used every day and are the first part of a home most visitors see. The customer wanted all of it done in one go: ceilings, walls and woodwork, finished to a very high standard.
Preparation comes first
Preparation took up a large part of the job, and it is the part we care about most. Before any paint was opened, we:
filled cracks and imperfections
sanded down the woodwork
made sure every surface was properly prepared
We do not rush this stage. Paint shows every flaw underneath it, so a rushed preparation shows in the finish. A well-prepared surface is what lets the paint look smooth and last.
Working on an awkward staircase
This was an awkward staircase to work on. The ceilings are high and some areas are difficult to reach. We used ladders to reach the top safely, which made the job more challenging than a standard hallway. Two decorators worked on it for five days.
The paints we used
Each product was chosen for the surface it goes on.
Ceilings: Ultra Flat Matt, for a smooth finish.
Walls: Johnstone's Cleanable Matt, colour-matched to Farrow & Ball.
Woodwork: Johnstone's Aqua Guard Satin, applied as a full system of primer, undercoat and topcoat for a strong, durable finish.
A cleanable finish suits a hall and staircase, where walls pick up marks from daily use.
The finished result
We were very happy with how the finished result looked.
Planning a painting or decorating job in Brentwood?
Tell us about the job: how big it is, what needs doing and what condition the surfaces are in. One room or a whole property, we will look at what is involved and give you a free, no-obligation quote.
We are based in Billericay and work across Brentwood, Shenfield, Upminster and Hornchurch.
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