Donate SIGN UP

Decorating Advice Needed

Avatar Image
wolf63 | 10:03 Wed 30th Nov 2022 | Home & Garden
23 Answers
I am trying to plan what I want to do with a flat that I am moving into in January.
It has to have some work done on it before I move in and then other stuff as I go along.

The whole place needs to be painted, - two bedrooms and a living room.

I want it all the same solid colour (something like Duck egg blue or lilac or purple or ...). When I find a decorator will he have colour charts or how do I find out what colour I want? I am not picky - the colour doesn't have to be exact.

Travelling to my local Wickes is almost impossible for me to do at present.

The heating is by electric storage heaters, are they bad or just not the best source of heating?
Gravatar

Answers

1 to 20 of 23rss feed

1 2 Next Last

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by wolf63. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
Have a look in here Wolfie. It's how I chose my paint colour.

https://www.wickes.co.uk/paint-selector


There are colour charts on line - pick the colour you like & discuss with your decorator. He can probably match it from the trade colours he prefers to use.
If there is no gas to the property electric heaters may be the only option. They are clean & maintenance-free. Modern ones will be better than older types.
Question Author
Thanks, Ladybirder - I will look after I actually get some sleep.

Davebro - there is Gas nearby but I am not sure if it can be used in the flat. The electrics are being checked before I move in so I will check if the radiators are older models.

My head is ready to explode.
Your painter should have paint charts, I wouldn't recommend choosing your colour by looking at samples online, it will simply not be an accurate depiction of the colour.
You could phone Wickes and ask them to post a few colour charts out, they may be willing to do that but your decorator will have his favourite supplier and brand of paint.

This company sends out free colour charts but I don't know if they charge postage https://www.paint-direct.co.uk/c/colour-cards

You should contact decorators now if you want your new flat decorated in January
Hi, its a really good idea to paint the whole of your flat the same colour as it does make the place seem larger. Duck egg blue would be my favourite as you can warm it up or cool it down with soft furnishings, cushions, curtains etc. I once rented a flat with electric storage heaters, and they were very expensive to run. The newer electric heaters that can be individually turned up or down are supposed to be the same to run as gas, but as we know nothing is cheap these days. I would book the decorator now and expect him to come middle of January earliest, as most take 2 weeks off at Christmas, sometimes longer.
Duck egg blue, would be my choice Susan .
For me - but then that's my favourite colour - I would do the whole flat pale green - you know white with the subtle of green.

My brother had it done and I always found it a very comforting colour. Just pick your own colour that you like. That's good news - a new flat - enjoy x
With a bit of luck Ken4155 (who often posts on AB) will see this and be able to offer professional advice - he's an experienced decorator and might even be able to suggest how much you could expect to pay.
Question Author
I fell asleep after my last post!

I hope to get the keys on ninth of January, but it MAY be sooner once I have submitted some documents to the solicitor.

If Ken posts I will see what advice he can add to all of the good answers above.
I am away to start packing the ornaments that survived the cats. :-)
Old-type storage heaters are rather inefficient compared to modern electric panel heaters.
And they tend to run out of steam in the evening, when you really need them (unless you adjust them to restrict their output, but that means they do a lot less warming during the day.)

German (or copies) "clay radiators" seem to be the way to go.
They have a clay core but they're not storage heaters. The core just helps give a quicker return when they come on. The secret is in the controllability. Old storage heaters are just random hit & miss.

They are quite expensive though, but worth it if you don't need too many. They're not usually on "off-peak". They just plug into a normal socket.
"off-peak" these days is rapidly losing its advantage because of the higher "day rate".

Anyway... "Fischer" are one of the best German brands. "Sunflow" is one of the similar British makes (same clay core technology.)
Question Author
Builder
These are the heaters in the bedroom and living room https://postimg.cc/gallery/8Gm1V4h

I just want to move in. I need to get the bathroom fixed (bath out and walk-in shower in), and painted first. Then see how much money I have left before considering changing the heating. I am overwhelmed with stuff to do.


I've gone for duck egg blues in my flat. First I had it in my bedroom as an accent wall...now that room is a colour called jaded teal...Wilko. All my paint is Wilko...goes on well and is good value. I can carry one if necessary. Often on offer. They do deliver. There should be a colour chart online.
Back to duck egg...I painted my whole kitchen in it last year. Cabinets and walls. I can't remember if it was medium or dark...there are 3 shades. I also used the palest version in my loo. I then stenciled a very pale fern pattern on one wall. I love it...a very soothing colour. I'm now considering it for the box room. A very sunny room with lots of plants. The green looks gorgeous next to the blue.

Googled wilko duck egg...

https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&;client=tablet-android-samsung-rev2&source=android-browser&q=wilko+duck+egg+paint
If that's your flat it looks humongous
Question Author
JJ
It isn't 'mine' until the paperwork is finalised.

The location is ideal for me, but I think that it puts folk off. This is it https://postimg.cc/TpYjs50M#

The lounge and big bedroom are 4.41m x 4.28m, the other bedroom is 4.28m x 3.06m, the kitchen is weirdly shaped and is
3.22m x 3.05m at the widest point and the bathroom is
2.89m x 1.55m.

It is right above a bakery (not Greggs but similar) and I can wander around all night without bothering the downstairs neighbours.

The only real downside is that I have to tidy and clean my flat before I can put it on the market.

Pasta - you are artistic, I am not. If you think that duck egg is a good colour I am reassured.

As you can see I am mega excited by this all. I can see a manic attack way off on the horizon.
It looks absolutely lovely. Love the windows. Thank goodness it is above bakery but you may be wandering all night with the delights of the smells of the bread otherwise.
Pay somebody to clean your flat and get furniture boxed. One less chore

Maybe not the right time to ask. Will you get A kitty
Question Author
JJ - maybe a cat, depends on how my mental health survives all this.

I haven't had a really bad spell of mania or depression for a few years but I am getting a bit hyper about all this. My doctor wants to speak to me about a report from my renal consultant and has said that she will phone me on Friday.

We shall see. There may be a kitty or two in my future.
That's great
Two wee heartbeats to look forward to
Wolf, i have never given advice on what colour of paint or what pattern of wallpaper - i don't have to live with it, the customer does:-)
As for price? All depends on which part of the country you live in, but i would say, outside London, the going rate is around £20 per hour. Your decorator will have an idea how long the job will take and will price it accordingly. And he/she would most likely prefer it to be unoccupied for the duration of the job.

1 to 20 of 23rss feed

1 2 Next Last

Do you know the answer?

Decorating Advice Needed

Answer Question >>