Wealden Times | WT171 | May 2016 | Restoration & New Build supplement inside

WT Supplement
Generally the older properties tend to stay with heritage colours
on the walls and eggshells and flat oil finishes on the woodwork
where in a modern home gloss finishes and brighter colour
schemes can work just as well as the old.
Paint manufacturers nowadays have a full range of period and
modern colours in their palettes in all finishes from flat matt,
eggshell through to gloss. Little Greene are a personal favourite of
mine right now with a great range of heritage colours and finishes.
Striking patterned wallpaper fits
perfectly alongside furniture and
decor from various decades
Marc Scott, of Bushell & Scott
What makes people choose wallpaper over other finishes?
Many factors come in to play when deciding on wallpaper over
other finishes, whether it is a cost effective easy fix to cover
unsightly damaged walls or to add another dimension to a room
giving much needed depth and warmth with a multitude of
colours, shapes, images, textures and luxurious finishes to choose
from. In these modern times, digital imagery can help create
illusions be it of a brick wall without the disruption of stripping
back the plaster or wood cladding to create the feel of being in
a log cabin – we have even hung paper that gives the illusion of
books on a bookshelf.
Are there different finishes/styles recommended for
old and new properties?
In this day and age, mixing modern with old and keeping in
tradition with period colours and finishes is very common
practice. Period colours are very popular right now and can look
great in a modern property as they do in an old property. There is
so much choice on offer with water-based, oil-based, scrubbable,
matt, silk….the list goes on.
What are the most challenging kinds of projects/jobs?
Most jobs create their own challenges in one way or another,
which is why we do what we do and are good at it. We have
plenty of years’ experience in knowing ways of overcoming these.
My pet hate, and I guess the same goes for every tradesman, is
working in small spaces; wallpapering a small wash room for
example, fiddly pipe work to navigate with hardly any space to
move about and make the precise cuts necessary. The same goes
for wallpapering uneven walls where no edge is plumb and the
ceiling waves up and down like the rolling sea throwing any
patterned paper off kilter. Yet the end result has to look flawless.
Knowing a few handy techniques helps us get over these issues –
though at times they cause some serious head scratching.
Bushell & Scott, Painting and decorating services,
www.bushellandscott.com
Choosing paint shades is never
easy – there’s so much choice!
Alan Kent Specialist painter
What type of finishes/effects do you specialise in?
I specialise in marbling, wood graining, all broken colour
effects, trompe l’oeil, gilding – all decorative finishes
Are these finishes and effects suited to old and new houses?
The paint finishes and effects are suited to the restoration of
historic buildings as well as in new and modern houses.
What are the most challenging kinds of projects/jobs?
The most challenging part of my job is matching up my work
to existing wood graining or marbled columns, panels or
fire places. Antiquing is a very important part of my work. I
prepare my own glazes and work with artists’ oils. Some of the
more intricate wood graining is achieved using water colour.
Alan Kent has worked as a specialist painter since 1973 and trained
with the world-renowned decorative artist Leonard Pardon.
Alan Kent, St. Leonards-on-Sea,East Sussex, TN38 0TR
01424 439860, 07951 887009 www.alankent.co.uk
21 www.wealdentimes.co.uk