Hall & Stairway Challenge
I was brought in to refresh both interior and exterior spaces at this Chesterfield property, setting out to transform the hall, stairs, and landing areas inside, along with seven doors with frames and spindled banisters. The exterior work covered two sides of rendered walls that needed weather protection and a fresh look. While I was pleased to find the surfaces in good condition, with previously lined interior walls, I knew achieving the premium finish my client wanted would require meticulous attention to detail.
Project Assessment & Goals
When I first assessed the property, I found the interior had existing green walls that the client wanted to update to a lighter shade. They were clear about their priorities – they wanted a thorough refresh of the hall, stairs, and landing while ensuring their exterior rendered walls maintained solid weather protection. I was particularly impressed by their emphasis on quality over speed – they wanted the highest possible finish, which aligned perfectly with my approach to decorating.
Technical Solutions for this Chesterfield Home
I developed my plan using premium materials that I knew would deliver excellent results:
- For the interior walls, I selected Dulux Vinyl Matt
- The ceilings would be finished in Dulux Ultra Matt (non-reflective)
- For all woodwork, I chose Caparol Satin
- The exterior would be protected with Dulux Weathershield Masonry Paint in Pure Brilliant White
I’m particular about my preparation process, using my Festool dustless sander for all interior woodwork – it’s a fantastic tool that minimizes cleanup while maximizing efficiency. I carefully applied fine finish filler to walls where needed, taking special care not to damage the lining paper. I also applied fresh caulk to all skirting boards, ensuring I could achieve those clean lines and professional finishing that I pride myself on.
Implementation & Workflow
The project needed flexible scheduling due to COVID-19, but I maintained my systematic approach throughout:
Interior Phase
- I started with comprehensive preparation – sanding, filling, and caulking
- Then moved on to painting ceilings (two coats)
- Followed by walls (two coats)
- Finally completing woodwork with one undercoat and two top coats
Exterior Phase
- I began by cutting back vegetation and preparing surfaces
- Thoroughly pressure washed the rendered walls
- Applied two careful coats of masonry paint
While the actual work took eight days, I completed it in phases to accommodate necessary COVID-related adjustments.
Achieving Quality Results
Despite the scheduling challenges, I’m proud to say I delivered exceptional results, maintaining my high standards throughout each phase. I was delighted when my clients were so pleased with the work that they immediately booked me for additional work in their kitchen and conservatory. What really made me proud was their recommendation to a friend, which led to new business – there’s no better testimony than word-of-mouth referrals.
Managing COVID-19 Challenges
My biggest challenge was managing COVID-19 disruption. I had to adjust my original timeline when my clients needed to self-isolate after exposure to a family member who tested positive. This meant reorganizing my schedule and breaking the work into phases around other commitments. I was fortunate to have such understanding clients – we worked together to find solutions, and their cooperation made a real difference. The summer weather was on my side too, staying ideal for both interior and exterior work throughout the extended timeline.
Professional Decorating Insights
This project reinforced several key insights for me. The Caparol paint system performed excellently on the woodwork, and I was particularly impressed with how the two-part system of primer and top coat delivered an outstanding finish. I also gained valuable experience in managing flexible scheduling and maintaining quality across interrupted project timelines.
Best Practice Recommendations
Based on my experience with this and similar projects, I always recommend:
- Scheduling exterior work during summer months for optimal conditions
- Never compromising on preparation – I’ve learned time and again it’s the foundation of a premium finish
- Investing proper time in surface preparation before any paint touches a surface
- Using premium products like Caparol for woodwork to achieve superior results
- Maintaining clear communication with clients throughout the project
As an experienced painter serving Chesterfield and surrounding areas, I take pride in delivering high-quality work that enhances both the appearance and protection of your property. This project exemplifies my commitment to excellent craftsmanship and client satisfaction, even when facing unexpected challenges.
Job Description
The dreaded Covid got in the way of this job. The original date booked in had to be changed as the customers needed to self isolate due to exposure to a family member testing positive. Luckily they were fine but it did mean the job had to be completed in sages fitting it in at around other work at a later date. We both worked together on this and they were really understanding which was a great help and we got there in the end. The customer wanted to stick with the same colour scheme but just freshen everything up. This was the first time I had tried the Caparol paint on the woodwork and it performed brilliantly, I am now a convert.
