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Notes from the brush

Practical thoughts on decorating Brighton & Hove's homes and blocks. New posts land here regularly.

Restoring period woodwork in Brighton homes

How I restore period woodwork in Brighton homes, stripping old paint off skirting and cornice, repairing splits and finishing in eggshell.

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28 July 2026

Restoring a rotten sash window on a Brighton period home

How I repair a rotten timber sash window on a Brighton period home with wood hardener, Repair Care and a two-part filler, saving the original.

8 July 2026

Interior/Exterior Paint: Why Using the Right One Actually Matters

Interior and exterior paints look similar but behave very differently. Here's why choosing the right one matters for your Brighton & Hove home.

15 June 2026

Paint Walls or Woodwork First? A Decorator's View

A working decorator's guide to the order you should paint a room: walls before woodwork, when to flip that, and how to get clean lines either way.

9 June 2026

Exterior Paint Ideas for Homes in Brighton & Hove: What Works Here

Practical advice on exterior paint colours, finishes, and preparation for period and rendered properties in Brighton & Hove, from a local decorator with around 20 years' experience.

2 June 2026

Repainting a communal stairwell in Hove: what to expect

A quick walk through how I approach a communal hallway and stairwell repaint in a managed block, from prep to a finish that survives daily traffic.

1 June 2026

Internal House Painting: What to Expect and How to Get It Right

A practical guide to internal house painting in Brighton and Hove: why preparation matters, how to choose the right paint for each room, and what to expect from start to finish.

26 May 2026

Matt, eggshell or silk? Indoor paint by finish

A practical guide to choosing the right indoor paint finish for walls and woodwork, from a Brighton and Hove decorator who works with trade-quality paints including Dulux and Crown.

19 May 2026

How to Choose the Right Paint for a Brick or Stone Interior Wall

Exposed brick and stone inside a period property need a different product and approach than a standard plastered wall. Here is what to use, what to avoid, and how to prepare the surface properly.

12 May 2026

A decorator's guide to interior house paint in Brighton & Hove

A practical guide to choosing interior house paint, understanding finishes, and getting preparation right so the results hold up in Brighton and Hove homes.

5 May 2026

Exterior House Wall Paint: What to Use and How to Make It Last in Brighton & Hove

A practical guide to choosing exterior house wall paint for Brighton and Hove properties, covering substrates, preparation, and timing for a finish that holds up against coastal weather.

28 April 2026

Accent Walls: Do They Actually Work, and Are They Worth Painting?

A working decorator's honest guide to accent walls: which walls to pick, what colours and finishes hold up, how to get clean edges in period properties, and when it pays to bring in a professional.

22 April 2026

Designer Walls Without the Designer Price Tag

You don't need a designer budget to get walls that look considered and hold up well. The right finish, proper preparation, and a palette that works with Brighton & Hove's coastal light will do most of the work.

16 April 2026

Communal hallway colour schemes that hold up in managed blocks

Practical advice on choosing communal hallway colour schemes and paint finishes that stand up to heavy use in managed blocks and period properties across Brighton & Hove.

10 April 2026

Redecorating an occupied block without disrupting residents

A practical guide for managing agents and residents on how phased working, low-odour products, and good communication keep a managed block running smoothly during redecoration.