Harris Icon paint brushes

A few months ago, I insisted — perhaps a little imperiously — that in considering what paint brushes to buy, it was high end or the highway. Purdy, Wooster, Corona: these are your friends, not the ne’er do wells to be found in multipacks in Poundland.

Well, while Poundland and their ilk remain firmly off-limits, it seems that David has something interesting to add to this debate. He writes:

“The Harris Icon Soft Tipped Paint Brushes from B&Q were particularly good when used in oil. I bought these as emergency brushes as I had left my good Purdys behind. Whilst being soft tipped brushes, I found they retained a certain uniform stiffness when applying paint — this was great for bristle control and accuracy.” 

(David implies a sound practice which you, too, will soon follow: matching different paint brushes to different types of paint.)

So there you have it: an affordable, if not filthy cheap, option of excellent quality. 

Harris Icon Brushes

Harris Icon paint brushes Read Post »

Benjamin Moore — Regal Select Flat

We wrote briefly last week about the relatively recent introduction to the UK of the paint range from the long-established American company, Benjamin Moore.

Our client Celine selected the paint, in Gravel Gray, and David used it this week on some newly installed joinery.

The verdict from David is that this — the Regal Select Flat — is a great paint, notable for its opacity, coverage and rich, saturated finish.

We can recommend it highly to all painters and decorators in London and beyond, and look forward to using it on future projects.

New front door before painting with Benjamin Moore

Celine's front door after being painted in paint from Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore — Regal Select Flat Read Post »

How to decorate, no.5: use a Brushmate

The Brushmate is as simple as it is effective: a sealable vapour box containing a pad impregnated with a clever proprietary fluid; it means you don’t need to clean your brushes after using them.

Finish using your oil paint brushes, store them for days — or even months — and when you come back to them, they’ll be ready to use.

Highly recommended.

The Brushmate 4 wet brush store

The Brushmate 4 wet brush store

How to decorate, no.5: use a Brushmate Read Post »