Ready, set, paint

Whether your style is more pale and serene or dark and decadent, or perhaps like me a little of both, a fresh coat of paint is always rewarding. Either to refresh the existing colour or add something exciting and new.

Full-on decorating including woodwork and ceilings is time consuming, but painting walls can be done in a couple of hours. Depending on the type of paint you use, you may even be able to spruce up a room and be using it as normal that evening!

I tend to favour Farrow and Ball for their many colours, wonderful depth and finish and the fact that - apart from the eggshell - they are virtually odour free. Throughout the house we currently have Dimity, Green/Blue, Manor House Grey, Pavillion Grey, Plummett, Downpipe, Hague Blue, Almost Black and Railings and we recently revamped the kitchen with the fabulous Madison Grey from Abigail Ahern.

Depending on your budget and the things that are important to you, there are now so many options to choose from. For the eco-minded, brands such as Farrow and Ball, Edward Bulmer, Earthborn and Little Greene are appealing, while brands like Dulux offer an unlimited choice of colours and colour matching on a budget.

So, as we face the start of a new year, where we will hopefully be able to entertain more in our homes, why not spruce up your space in time for all those long-awaited dinner parties.

Much love, Lucy and Nicky xxx