Thursday, December 1, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
5 STAR REVIEW
Adam's Team came to redecorate our house. Their work was exemplary and they were exceptionally tidy and hardworking. We couldn't have asked for more.
Robert - for Decorating Locally
Monday, August 15, 2011
Decorating on a Budget
No money? No problem. Try our tips for decorating on a budget. These ideas will breathe new life into your home.
1 Train your eye: Know what great high-end design pieces look like so that you can have them in mind while hunting at discount or big box stores, flea markets or thrift shops.
2 Be patient: Wait for floor sample sales to get good deals and don't feel like you have to race to finish your space. You want to find the right thing at the right price, not just anything at the right price.
3 Paint a piece of furniture (or a few) glossy black. This works on junk shop finds or new pieces with cheesy finishes.
4 Spend some money: All on-the-cheap rooms just look cheap, not chic. Every room needs a few splurges - special pieces that announce their quality. Decide what “splurge” means to you and do it!
5 Just say no to boring mass produced “art”. Instead, get creative with large collages made from wrapping paper, wallpaper scraps or maps. Paint a large canvas with leftover paints. Pop kids art into off-the-shelf frames with mattes. Hang a beautifully patterned fabric from wooden dowels.
6 Go big with accessories. Many tiny items make a place look cluttered and cheapy. Instead opt for overscale accessories like standing floor vases, plump floor cushions, pillar candles rather than tea-lights.
7 Use texture: Combine shiny, matte, soft and rough natural textures to add richness to a space. Sparkle always adds a dash of glamour.
8 Don't scrimp on the size of your area rug. Many nice rooms are ruined by the use of a postage-stamp sized rug. Can't find one big enough and don't want to spend the earth: go to a broadloom store and order a piece to be cut and bound (choose a sisal look-a-like in wool or sythetic fibre).
9 Decorate with black and white. Just like with fashion, these colours (or non-colours) never look tired and combined can result in dramatic spaces that look like their total price tag was much higher that the actual cost. 10 Buy gutsy lamps. Lighting is often an after-thought when decorating on a budget but spindly, too-small lamps are a common faux-pas. Instead, layer your lighting (overhead, task, ambient), switch bulbs to halogen or natural daylight bulbs and buy lamps that have a sculptural appeal.
1 Train your eye: Know what great high-end design pieces look like so that you can have them in mind while hunting at discount or big box stores, flea markets or thrift shops.
2 Be patient: Wait for floor sample sales to get good deals and don't feel like you have to race to finish your space. You want to find the right thing at the right price, not just anything at the right price.
3 Paint a piece of furniture (or a few) glossy black. This works on junk shop finds or new pieces with cheesy finishes.
4 Spend some money: All on-the-cheap rooms just look cheap, not chic. Every room needs a few splurges - special pieces that announce their quality. Decide what “splurge” means to you and do it!
5 Just say no to boring mass produced “art”. Instead, get creative with large collages made from wrapping paper, wallpaper scraps or maps. Paint a large canvas with leftover paints. Pop kids art into off-the-shelf frames with mattes. Hang a beautifully patterned fabric from wooden dowels.
6 Go big with accessories. Many tiny items make a place look cluttered and cheapy. Instead opt for overscale accessories like standing floor vases, plump floor cushions, pillar candles rather than tea-lights.
7 Use texture: Combine shiny, matte, soft and rough natural textures to add richness to a space. Sparkle always adds a dash of glamour.
8 Don't scrimp on the size of your area rug. Many nice rooms are ruined by the use of a postage-stamp sized rug. Can't find one big enough and don't want to spend the earth: go to a broadloom store and order a piece to be cut and bound (choose a sisal look-a-like in wool or sythetic fibre).
9 Decorate with black and white. Just like with fashion, these colours (or non-colours) never look tired and combined can result in dramatic spaces that look like their total price tag was much higher that the actual cost. 10 Buy gutsy lamps. Lighting is often an after-thought when decorating on a budget but spindly, too-small lamps are a common faux-pas. Instead, layer your lighting (overhead, task, ambient), switch bulbs to halogen or natural daylight bulbs and buy lamps that have a sculptural appeal.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Job done in Wimbledon SW19
Adam's Decorators recently completed a big exterior house in Wimbledon SW19 London and did an excellent job. Here are some pics
Friday, August 5, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
How to paint like an expert
OK, so you're finally ready to paint. That still doesn't mean picking up a paintbrush right away.
Here are some set up tips:
Use masking tape to tape skirting boards to the floor and around the windows, door frames and ceiling.
Before painting, use decorators' caulk to fill in any gaps between the skirting board and walls, and down the side of window frames.
Then prep the walls by rubbing them with sandpaper and dusting them off with a brush - try to get one with a lily bristle.
If you are sanding the ceiling, use a pole with a pad on top, covered with sandpaper. Or use a tall ladder to get up close..
After sanding, apply a miscoat of white emulsion (like a white wash) to the walls, which gives a blank surface to start on and see where to fill any imperfections. For the miscoat, take an empty bucket and one part emulsion to three parts water. To fill any holes, mix up your powder filler on the wooden board, make a hole in the middle, add water and mix it into a paste. After the filler has dried, sand the wall down and then dust it off. Use the filler to help when painting edges, too: run filler along the edge at the top and bottom of walls, then rub it down. You're left with a nice clean edge to brush in.
Top tips to finish like a champion
1. Cutting in
When you are painting the internal corner of a wall, where the wall meets the ceiling at a right angle, it's best to use a painting technique called "cutting in". To cut in, paint along the top of the wall in a horizontal line, keeping the edge of the brush tight to the ceiling using firm and steady strokes to give you a nice straight edge. "This technique is particularly handy if the ceiling is one colour and the wall another" says property developer Phil Turner, who has appeared on numerous DIY programmes. "It prevents any paint spilling over and gives you a nice edge to paint the rest of the wall from. Use the technique along skirting boards and windows too."
2. Pantyhose preserver
You'll find when you open a tin of paint that a top layer of skin has formed. Remove this by straining the paint. Place a piece of old stocking, cheesecloth, tights material or pantyhose over your paint bucket and strain the paint through. You can also try turning the paint upside-down for a few seconds while it's still in the tin, (obviously with the lid on tight).
3. High roller
Before you begin painting the ceiling, it's worth buying an extension handle for your roller. These are easy to get hold of. Being so high up, you won't want to lug a heavy paint tin up the ladder, so transfer some of it into a smaller container (eg, a big yoghurt pot).
4. White magic
White paint can be tricky because it's hard to keep track of where you've painted. Luckily there is such a thing as magic white paint. It goes on pink and then fades white as it dries. Try Dulux Magic.
5. Look after your paint
Keep your paint overnight in an airtight container. Make a note of the colour and room it is being used in so you don't get confused. Don't store paint in your garage; it will get cold in winter or too hot in summer and paint doesn't survive well in extreme conditions. Stop your paint from drying out: cover the tin with a layer of clingfilm, before putting the lid back on and store upside down.
Happy DIY
Then prep the walls by rubbing them with sandpaper and dusting them off with a brush - try to get one with a lily bristle.
If you are sanding the ceiling, use a pole with a pad on top, covered with sandpaper. Or use a tall ladder to get up close..
After sanding, apply a miscoat of white emulsion (like a white wash) to the walls, which gives a blank surface to start on and see where to fill any imperfections. For the miscoat, take an empty bucket and one part emulsion to three parts water. To fill any holes, mix up your powder filler on the wooden board, make a hole in the middle, add water and mix it into a paste. After the filler has dried, sand the wall down and then dust it off. Use the filler to help when painting edges, too: run filler along the edge at the top and bottom of walls, then rub it down. You're left with a nice clean edge to brush in.
Top tips to finish like a champion
1. Cutting in
When you are painting the internal corner of a wall, where the wall meets the ceiling at a right angle, it's best to use a painting technique called "cutting in". To cut in, paint along the top of the wall in a horizontal line, keeping the edge of the brush tight to the ceiling using firm and steady strokes to give you a nice straight edge. "This technique is particularly handy if the ceiling is one colour and the wall another" says property developer Phil Turner, who has appeared on numerous DIY programmes. "It prevents any paint spilling over and gives you a nice edge to paint the rest of the wall from. Use the technique along skirting boards and windows too."
2. Pantyhose preserver
You'll find when you open a tin of paint that a top layer of skin has formed. Remove this by straining the paint. Place a piece of old stocking, cheesecloth, tights material or pantyhose over your paint bucket and strain the paint through. You can also try turning the paint upside-down for a few seconds while it's still in the tin, (obviously with the lid on tight).
3. High roller
Before you begin painting the ceiling, it's worth buying an extension handle for your roller. These are easy to get hold of. Being so high up, you won't want to lug a heavy paint tin up the ladder, so transfer some of it into a smaller container (eg, a big yoghurt pot).
4. White magic
White paint can be tricky because it's hard to keep track of where you've painted. Luckily there is such a thing as magic white paint. It goes on pink and then fades white as it dries. Try Dulux Magic.
5. Look after your paint
Keep your paint overnight in an airtight container. Make a note of the colour and room it is being used in so you don't get confused. Don't store paint in your garage; it will get cold in winter or too hot in summer and paint doesn't survive well in extreme conditions. Stop your paint from drying out: cover the tin with a layer of clingfilm, before putting the lid back on and store upside down.
Happy DIY
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Colour Your Mood
|
In certain environments, colour can be a vital tool to promote specific moods and behaviour.
For example using particular colour combinations in work environments can help to influence creative expression and positivity.
| Yellow Confidence, optimism and brightness; ideal for living rooms | |
| Orange Stimulating, passionate, warm and friendly. Ideal for kitchens and leisure areas | |
| Red Physical courage, strength, warmth, energy and stimulation. Red is the primary colour that promotes conversation and creativity. Dark reds are particularly good for use in dining rooms | |
| Purple Elegance, quality, importance. Often used to indicate Royalty and historical influences | |
| Blue Intellectual, calming, communication. Blue as a primary colour promotes clear communication and has a calming effect, perfect for use in offices | |
| Green Harmony, environmental awareness, rejuvenation. This primary colour helps to promote feelings of security, ideal for use in bedrooms |
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Latest Stella Feeedback!
"Very many thanks for getting our paintwork corrected. Paul is a very good worker. We will contact you again when we need any other paint work done."
M. Faber SW 19 London
"We were delighted with the work paul did in our house. He worked quickly and effeciently, and did a really good job. He was also very pleasant to deal with. We definitely plan to use your company again, and would have no hesitation in recommending Adam's Decorators to others". C.R TW11
M. Faber SW 19 London
"We were delighted with the work paul did in our house. He worked quickly and effeciently, and did a really good job. He was also very pleasant to deal with. We definitely plan to use your company again, and would have no hesitation in recommending Adam's Decorators to others". C.R TW11
Friday, June 3, 2011
Great tip for home decorating if you have a baby!
We recently redecorated our own house It reminded me how much a lick of paint can make such a HUGE difference in the appearance of your home.
Here is an excellent tip if getting your main areas painted. We have a toddler and I am allways wiping the walls clean so when we redecorated we used Johnstone's Acrylic Durable Matt. It is is a premium quality emulsion formulated for interior use on walls and ceilings. It is a low odour paint which is washable and wipeable, providing a tough finish that is resistant to condensation, yellowing and most household stains.
So goodbye to Joshuas marks on the walls!
Here is an excellent tip if getting your main areas painted. We have a toddler and I am allways wiping the walls clean so when we redecorated we used Johnstone's Acrylic Durable Matt. It is is a premium quality emulsion formulated for interior use on walls and ceilings. It is a low odour paint which is washable and wipeable, providing a tough finish that is resistant to condensation, yellowing and most household stains.
So goodbye to Joshuas marks on the walls!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Genuine Customer Ratings
We have been rated by our customers as: 5 out of 5 for Quality, Value and Reliability.
These ratings - based on quality, value and reliability - have been provided by real customers through Rated People - learn more.
Sadiyah
SW6
11 Feb 2011 15:56
Internal Painting & Decorating in Tooting
"Work completed in the agreed time. First class painters. Worked quickly and tidied up afterwards. Definitely recommend this company."
Jeff
SW13
08 Feb 2011 09:57
Internal Painting & Decorating in Mortlake and Barnes Common
"I was very pleased with the results. Polite, punctual, and very good. Had walls made good, lined, and painted. Competitive very detailed quote. Will definitely recommend."
Thursday, February 10, 2011
From a Happy Customer.
Dear Adam,
" Now that the jobis finished i can express my satisfaction with the work done by your painter, Peter. Peter was able to complete the painting of both the inside and the outside of the house within the two weeks we had allowed for it, and not by cutting corners or rushing. I have not come across a single paint sopt anywhere.
Peter was most courteous and pleasent throughout and I was most grateful whenever he lent a hand with heavy items to help restore order once a room was finished.
I would most certaintly be able to recommend your firm to anybody wanting good workmanship".
Yours sincerely
Mrs C.H.E. Blofeld - Middlesex
" Now that the jobis finished i can express my satisfaction with the work done by your painter, Peter. Peter was able to complete the painting of both the inside and the outside of the house within the two weeks we had allowed for it, and not by cutting corners or rushing. I have not come across a single paint sopt anywhere.
Peter was most courteous and pleasent throughout and I was most grateful whenever he lent a hand with heavy items to help restore order once a room was finished.
I would most certaintly be able to recommend your firm to anybody wanting good workmanship".
Yours sincerely
Mrs C.H.E. Blofeld - Middlesex
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
6 Tips for increasing your home’s value
1. Keep it clean. How your house appears goes a long way to increase house value. If you are looking at two identical homes, but one has trash in the yard, stains on the carpet and a strange odor, which one would you pay more for?
2. Repair highly visible problems. If the paint is flaking off, the screen door is hanging crooked and there are holes in the walls from doorknobs, the value of the house will significantly drop. Keep up on minor repairs and you will not be hit with a huge price tag to tidy things when it is time to sell.
3. Paint those 1970s era yellow and orange walls. Keeping colours up to date is a relative cheap way to increase house value. Replacing aged Formica and floor tile will help increase house value as well.
4. Add value by upgrading your countertops: Any room you have countertops – kitchen, bathroom, bars, or utility rooms the more money you can spend into a higher end countertop the better. Plastic laminate countertops are considered the lower end grade, solid surfacing, concrete and granite is considered to be the higher end grade. Consider overlay countertops that are made from composite granite/resin combination for the look of granite at a fraction of the cost.
5. Master bedrooms should feel like a retreat: The master bedroom or suite as some like to refer to it is a high commodity for home buyers. Upgrade flat ceilings to raised tray ceilings and allow for several lighting options. Recessed lighting with dimmers, lighting wall sconces help create an ambiance that has a high value in appeal and for the value of your home.
6. Paint inside and out. A fresh coat of paint always increases home values. Use earth tones, like muted greens, soft browns, rustic reds and soothing blues. Bold is not the way to go if you're trying to add value.
Monday, January 17, 2011
PAINTING WINDOWS
Painting next to the glass:
The most common problem people encounter is not achieving a good paint edge next to the glass, but don’t be tempted to use masking tape. It is best to paint the wood next to the glass as straight as can. If it’s not brilliant, it can easily be tidied up afterwards using a bladed window scraper.
The paint should lap onto the glass by a fraction to seal the junction.
Order for painting a window frame:
There is a strict order of painting to follow if you want to get good results.
Remove all the window ironmongery first. Tap a small nail into the underside of the bottom rail. Wind a short length of an old wire coat hanger around this to form a temporary stay. This can be hooked into one of the screw holes in the frame as needed.
Many people are confused as to which part of the frame belongs to the inside and which to the outside when painting. The answer is the same as for doors, all frame edges up to and including the one against which the window closes belong to the outside.
Remember too, that the hinge edge of the opening part belongs to the inside paintwork.
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