Smiths Painting and Decorating

20/10/2026

Restoring a period property? Don't make this common decorating mistake!

If your historic home features traditional lime plaster, choosing the right finish is essential. Sealing traditional walls with modern, non-porous vinyl emulsions can trap moisture, quickly leading to blown plaster, peeling paint, and serious damp issues.

In our latest comprehensive guide, the experts at Smiths Painting break down exactly how to approach painting lime plaster to protect your home's structural integrity and heritage charm.

Inside the blog, we cover:
* Why using breathable paints and microporous finishes is critical for historic homes.

* Step-by-step preparation for both freshly skimmed and older, fragile lime walls.

* How to choose the best heritage paint products, from traditional limewash to advanced mineral, clay, and chalk paints.

Whether you are tackling a full heritage property restoration or simply refreshing a single room in a traditional cottage, using the correct breathable decorating materials will ensure a flawless, long-lasting finish.

Read the full expert guide on our blog to ensure your next restoration project stands the test of time:
👉
https://www.smithspainting.co.uk/post/painting-lime-plaster-how-to-prepare-and-choose-the-best-breathable-paints

16/10/2026

Watch this room transformation come together! 🎥
In this video, I am tackling a complete room refresh, starting with my professional Dust-Free Sanding setup to ensure perfectly smooth skirting boards without covering the house in dust.

After prepping the woodwork with Zinsser 1-2-3 Primer, I applied a base coat of Dulux Trade Supermatt to get the walls completely uniform.

For the topcoat, I moved on to the Premium Paint Application, finishing the walls in a beautiful Little Greene Intelligent Matt Emulsion (Pearl Colour 100).
The woodwork received 2 coats of Little Green Eggshell (Slacked Lime).

Whether you are looking for durable, everyday finishes from Dulux or specialized heritage colours from high-end brands like Little Greene and Edward Bulmer, I pair my professional certifications and training with the best materials to deliver a flawless result.

If you are in Ottery St Mary, Exeter, Sidmouth, or the surrounding areas and want to elevate your living space, get in touch to discuss your next decorating project! 🖌️✨

09/10/2026

I just finished up this freshly lime plastered stunning attic room! 🎨

When working with traditional lime plaster like this, getting the preparation right is absolutely crucial. Lime plaster needs to breathe, and using standard modern paints can trap moisture, causing the plaster to blow, flake, or fail down the line.

To create the perfect breathable base, I started by prepping the bare walls with Edward Bulmer Plaster Primer. Diluting it correctly ensures it perfectly binds and seals the porous surface without suffocating the wall underneath.

For the ceilings and sloped overheads, I applied Dulux Trade Supermatt in Pure Brilliant White. It provides a flawless, flat finish and is highly permeable, making it the ideal choice for traditional or newly plastered surfaces where moisture needs to escape.

Finally, I brought the room to life using Edward Bulmer Natural Paint for the walls. The rich, earthy orange applied to the side walls is 'Malahide', and the calming blue-grey tone around the fireplace is 'Welmish Blew'.

The depth of colour in these natural, plant-based paints is incredible, and they perfectly complement period features while keeping the whole system completely breathable.

If you have a period property in the Exeter, Ottery St Mary, or Sidmouth area that needs the right professional touch, send me a message to discuss your next project!

11/09/2026

Respecting your home, your air, and your time should always come as standard.

​👉 Read the full guide on the blog:
https://www.smithspainting.co.uk/post/why-dustless-sanding-is-a-complete-game-changer-for-your-home

​Planning a refresh for your space?

Send a message to Smiths Painting and Decorating to chat through your next project.

22/08/2026

Restoring a Classic Period Look: My Latest Bedroom Transformation! 🎨✨

Take a look at this complete room makeover I recently finished! Say goodbye to the old pink ceiling—I worked to bring back a timeless, period feel to this space using classic colours.

How I achieved this look:

* The Perfect Statement Shade: I painted the walls in Little Greene Hicks' Blue—a striking, authentic period colour that adds incredible depth and character.

* Framing the Period Features: I used Little Greene Slaked Lime on the ceiling, coving, and woodwork to create a crisp, elegant frame around the deep blue walls.

* Bespoke Carpentry: Outstanding custom wardrobes supplied and fitted by C.Hill Carpentry —completing that authentic, high-end period aesthetic.

* Top-Tier Prep & Finish: I power-sanded the walls and original woodwork with full dust extraction to guarantee a flawless, silky-smooth finish.

If you're looking to restore character to your home with a professional, high-end finish, I’d love to help bring your vision to life!

💬 Get in touch with SMITHS Painting and Decorating today!

📱 Message or call: 07888194550

20/08/2026

Thinking about replacing your front doors?

🚪 Stop right there! You can have them professionally painted for less than half the price of a full replacement.

Check out this recent transformation I completed. Take a look at the before and after photos to see the amazing finish!
Here is the exact process I used to get this flawless result:

* Preparation: I started by applying a high-adhesive Dulux UPVC primer to ensure a rock-solid, durable base.

* Perfect Match: Next, I used a mixed Dulux Trade Weathershield. I had this custom colour-matched to Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016) to perfectly match the new fascia and soffits.

* Finishing Touches: Finally, I added brand-new door furniture to completely modernise the entrance.

Why pay for brand-new doors when a professional paint job looks this good?

If you are looking for a cost-effective facelift for your home's exterior around Exeter, Ottery St Mary, or Sidmouth, send a message to Smiths Painting and Decorating today to get a free quote!

16/08/2026

⚠️🔹️🔷 WARNING PUBLIC NOTICE 🔹️🔷️⚠️

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE NEW BLOG ON HOW TO AVOID THIS DEVASTATING ISSUE.

https://www.smithspainting.co.uk/post/the-peeling-paint-nightmare-how-to-properly-prep-and-seal-new-plaster

14/08/2026

Transforming This Space with a Pop of Colour! 🎨✨

I absolutely loved working on this living room makeover! I took this space from a dark, moody navy to a vibrant and fresh look using the stunning shade 'Canton' by Little Greene, and it completely changed the energy of the room.

Here is a behind-the-scenes look at my process for this project:

* Flawless Preparation: I always say a great paint job starts with perfect prep. I used my Maxxt sander paired with a Nelfisk extractor for a virtually dust-free sanding process.
It keeps my clients' homes clean while giving me the ultimate smooth canvas to work on.

* Premium Materials: For a rich, durable, and flawless finish, I proudly applied Little Greene Paint in their gorgeous 'Canton' finish. The coverage and colour depth are simply unmatched!

* Expert Application: From the initial priming to the final roll, I made sure to get crisp, clean lines around the beautiful white trim and fireplace.
*
The result? A bright, welcoming living area that perfectly complements the natural wood floors and stylish decor.

I couldn't be happier with how this turned out!

Ready to breathe new life into your own home? 🏡👇

As a local sole trader, I take personal pride in every project I complete across Exeter, Ottery St Mary, and Sidmouth.

📩 Send me a direct message today to get a free quote on your next painting and decorating project!

Send a message to learn more

10/08/2026

⚠️🔷️🔹EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FEATURE WALLS! CHECK OUT THE NEW BLOG ON THE LINK BELOW ️🔹️🔷️⚠️

https://www.smithspainting.co.uk/post/feature-wall-vs-l-shape-feature-wall-which-is-right-for-your-space

09/08/2026

✨Beautiful Blue Bathroom Transformation! ✨

What a difference the right colour and preparation can make. I recently wrapped up this project, taking this space from plain white to a warm, modern sanctuary. 💙

Here is the exact breakdown of the high-durability trade finishes I used to keep this bathroom looking fresh and protected against moisture for years to come:

🎨 Walls: Dulux Easycare Bathroom in Denim Drift — moisture- and steam-resistant while bringing out the beautiful warm wood tones and stone tiles.

☁️ Ceiling: Dulux Trade Super Matt blended with Dryzone Anti-Mould Inhibitor — essential protection against condensation and mould growth in high-humidity areas.

🪵 Woodwork: Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood — an ultra-durable, scuff-resistant, and sleek finish for all trim.

Swipe through the photos to check out the Before & After! 📲

Thinking about giving your bathroom, kitchen, or living space a fresh new look?

📩 Send me a direct message today for a free, no-obligation quote!