Dulux Trade, brand of AkzoNobel

Transforming a run-down pub into a sleek, modern restaurant and bar was made all the easier with the latest Dulux Trade ScuffShield Matt. With its unique formulation and ultimate scuff resistant technology, it’s perfect for maintaining that crisp, just painted look for longer. Paul Schofield Managing director of PA Schofield Ltd explained: “New Dulux Trade ScuffShield Matt is a great product that really works. It has really good application and absolutely no flashing at all. The clients are over the moon with the finish and durability of the product, and so are we. We will use it again without question.” As director of PA Schofield Ltd, based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Paul was given complete responsibility for conceiving and implementing all design decisions. For his starting point, Paul paired statement wallpapers with contemporary floor finishes. He complimented the wallpaper through a colour scheme that combined colours such as Coyote Grey, Perfectly Taupe and Winter Avenue. Ceilings were painted in Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt, while Dulux Trade Satinwood was used on the trim and Dulux Trade ScuffShield Matt on the walls, along with Dulux Trade Diamond Matt in some areas. Dulux Trade ScuffShield Matt is an ultra-tough formulation, designed to cope with the scuffs and everyday wear and tear of busy commercial spaces. And he identified a number of benefits from using it on the project, explaining: “It flowed really well on rollers and brushes and left an excellent finish overall. “And there was no flashing or colour difference from roller to cutting in. “It’s really brilliant for touching in, too. We’d often have to redo entire walls as spots we’d touched in stood out like a sore thumb, but there was none of that with the new Dulux Trade ScuffShield Matt.” Paul was supported on the project by Lee Crossland, Leeds and Yorkshire Technical Support Manager for Dulux Decorator Centre 360. Lee said: “I’d heard PA Schofields was about to start work on the high-end restaurant conversion so got in contact with Paul to let him know about our new product that would be perfect for him. “I talked Paul through the benefits of Dulux Trade ScuffShield Matt and that the appearance of the finish would be an ideal fit for the design he was looking to achieve, while explaining how the improved durability would allow the restaurant to look better for longer. From start to finish the process took 18 months. And Paul has been checking in to see how the Dulux Trade ScuffShield Matt has been performing. He added: “The clients are very happy that the paint cleaned easily without removing the paint from the plaster substrate. For more information visit: https://www.duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk/content/scuffshield

JPC Décor Ltd is an established contractor based near Blackpool. Founded in 2003, the company provides commercial and domestic painting and decorating services to clients nationwide. JPC Décor Ltd has been awarded a Dulux Connect Project Award for its sustainable approach to the work undertaken at the PZ Cussons offices.  The scope of worksPZ Cussons manufactures many health and personal care brands including Carex, Imperial Leather and Sanctuary Spa to name just three. JPC Décor Ltd was tasked with redecorating spaces over two floors of the PZ Cussons offices, including the reception area. The team also had the complex job of redecorating a large concrete column, requiring the team to work from height to apply specialist plaster and painted finishes.  Choosing sustainability Sustainability was high on the agenda for PZ Cussons, which tasked JPC Décor Ltd with ensuring the paints and coating used for the redecoration work adhered to its environmental goals. As such, the JPC Décor Ltd team recommended the use of water-based products that emit minimal levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs – which are gasses emitted into the air).In recent years, JPC Décor Ltd has moved across to using only water-based products. “We’re conscious of the environmental impact of the paint we use and have been moving towards water-based products for a long time,” explained John Cawood, Managing Director at JPC Décor Ltd. “We first started using water-based paints around 20 years ago. Since then, the products have vastly improved and I would imagine that in the next decade, solvent-based paint will be a thing of the past for us.“When we saw the original specification for the PZ Cussons offices, we recommended switching to water-based paints as we have plenty of experience and successful results with using such solutions. We used Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood on the interior woodwork due to its tough and durable finish that provides protection from scratches, stains, and grease. The water-based formulation is designed to be used in high traffic areas, such as corridors, stairways, and access areas. It has the added benefit of being quick drying with low odour. Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood also provides a professional finish and is non-yellowing meaning it will last for years to come.”John Cawood added: “We’re committed to sustainable decorating practices, and everything is moving towards this nowadays - it’s certainly the future of decorating. As well as appealing to prospective clients, there are lots of benefits to adapting your practices with the environment in mind. We ensure we efficiently use all of the paint in a tin, which is not only good for the environment, but also saves us money in the long term. We also recycle all our paint tins via Dulux Decorator Centre.” Colour and designThe JPC Décor Ltd team were also instrumental to the colour selection process. With so many areas requiring redecoration, the team worked with Dulux Decorator Centre Account Manager Allan Doyle to simplify the colour schemes and create a harmonious aesthetic across the large office space. They also colour matched to existing features. John Cawood said: “There was existing colour on the ceilings that proved a struggle to match, but with support from Dulux Trade and use of the Dulux Trade Specification Creator tool, we were able to source an appropriate product.”The team also used the Dulux Trade Expert App to create mock-ups of what the colours would look like in situ prior to the paint being applied.  The PZ Cussons office refurbishment has won several awards and received positive feedback from the client – including around the final finish of the paint. “It was a rewarding project to work on and it definitely didn’t look like your usual office space once complete,” concluded John Cawood.

Farnborough-based Oakdene Finishes Ltd is a well-deserved recipient of the Dulux Connect Project Award for Project Management. The team received the accolade for their role as principal decorators on the £1 billion transformation of the Old War Office in London’s Whitehall. A substantial project encompassing painting, decorating, and polishing, the Oakdene Finishes Ltd team used their expert knowledge and experience of producing high-end work to ensure the efficient and safe delivery of the project. They worked closely with Dulux Trade and Dulux Decorator Centre to ensure the correct paint specification and timely deliveries. The scope of worksConsidered an architectural masterpiece of the Edwardian age, the Old War Office building is spread over 770,000 square feet. It was built in 1906, using 26,000 tons of Portland stone, 3,000 tons of York stone, hundreds of thousands of Roman cube mosaics and more than 26 million bricks. Working with contractor Ardmore Group on this prestigious central London property, the Oakdene Finishes Ltd team has spent over three years on the site, with completion expected by mid-2023. The contract involved the sensitive restoration of the Grade II listed historic property - to include a 125-room, world-class Raffles Hotel which has seven floors below ground and seven floors above. 85 luxury residences have also been constructed and they range from studios up to five-bedroom apartments. There are also nine restaurants, three bars, a swimming pool, spa, gym, and ballroom. The importance of teamworkOperating on site with up to 120 painters, decorators and polishers at its peak, the project raised several challenges along the way - including working throughout a global pandemic. On a site so huge the team were able to continue with certain elements of the job, whilst keeping a safe two metre distance from colleagues. However, supply chain and labour issues faced across other elements of the refurbishment meant Oakdene Finishes Ltd had to stay agile. The team amended the programme as required to ensure progress continued. The specificationProtecting the building’s Heritage status was a huge priority. The Oakdene Finishes Ltd team worked closely with Ardmore Group to guarantee that areas of significant heritage were protected, and original features maintained. They also ensured that everything was completed safely and adhered to the tight project timeline. Dulux Trade provided most materials for the project, with Oakdene Finishes Ltd using a wide range of paints including Vinyl and Diamond as well as a number of Weathershield, Metalshield, Mouldshield products where more specialist paints were needed. Speaking about the materials used, Dan Higgs, Managing Director at Oakdene Finishes Ltd, said: “We recommended Dulux Trade for the specification, as we knew it would provide a quality product, with consistent availability at a good price. We worked alongside the Dulux Trade team from the beginning of the project - and several members of the team attended site to ensure the specification could meet the client’s decorative requirements. Dulux Trade assisted with colour matching to the original specifications, and provided quality products that ensured the high-end finish throughout the building.“With Covid causing material shortages across the UK, the Dulux Trade sales representatives and Dulux Decorator Centre team were incredibly helpful in sourcing the right products from across the UK for our use.”Preparation is keyWorking with contractor Ardmore Group on this prestigious central London property, the Oakdene Finishes Ltd team has spent over three years on the site, with completion expected by mid-2023. The contract involved the sensitive restoration of the Grade II listed historic property - to Prior to applying the Dulux Trade products, surfaces needed to be correctly prepared. This took hundreds of man hours and included the safe removal of layers of lead paint in some areas (due to the age of the building) and ensuring that any stripped features still fitted the property’s aesthetic once complete. As well as painting, the project also required miles of wallcovering, and restoration to century old oak panelling. An award-winning projectGiven the scale of the restoration and the number of workers involved, exemplary project management was a must. Daily planning and review sessions, a clear stakeholder management process and effective manpower, resource and material scheduling were all implemented. The Dulux Connect Project Award judges praised Oakdene Finishes Ltd for the use of technology to support the first-class running of the project. As well as on-site communication via handheld radio devices, WhatsApp was used to connect the various trade teams involved and allow supervisors to easily communicate with the head office. On top of this, the use of a bespoke digital project management software allowed for live internal and external reviews, management of resources and the support of cost reporting (including invoicing and employee pay). “It was one of the largest renovation works in Europe” continued Dan Higgs. “The refurbishment had to be carefully planned and managed from day one to ensure timely delivery and the proper restoration of rooms and features. The sheer scale of the project meant that we had to have a clear and robust plan and timeline throughout so that we could deliver. Our work at the Old War Office has led to more business for us, which is the ultimate sign of client satisfaction.” Feedback on the completed areas has been very positive from Ardmore Group, with the building on track to be finished by summer 2023. Oakdene Finishes Ltd has since received more projects from Ardmore Group, including the redevelopment of Chelsea Barracks and Cambridge House.  

Birmingham-based T.O.L Decorators Ltd has been providing high-quality painting and decorating services across commercial, residential, public-sector and heritage sites since 1960. It was the team’s vital role in reinvigorating The Grand Hotel in Birmingham that saw them take home the Dulux Connect Project Award for Excellence in Painting and Decorating.Originally opened back in 1879, The Grand Hotel has previously welcomed royalty and rock stars, with Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin just two of the distinguished guests to have stayed over the years. A brilliant example of Victorian grandeur, with luxury apartments as well as its iconic grand ballroom, the hotel had been closed for almost twenty years. However, following a £50million restoration and refurbishment programme, the hotel reopened its doors in 2021, with T.O.L Decorators Ltd proud to be involved with the regeneration. Today, the hotel has 185 bedrooms, several bars and dining areas, as well the breath-taking grand ballroom - and all were decorated by the T.O.L Decorators Ltd team.The project scope T.O.L Decorators Ltd were brought in to manage the sizeable painting and decorating requirements on the site, bringing a modern feel to the hotel whilst still maintaining its original features. In total the decoration process spanned 18 months with a crew of up to 25 on site at any one time, including decorators, paper hangers and French polishers.Due to the historic significance of the hotel, careful preparation was vital to ensure the exquisite details of the building were kept. On top of this, as the site had been abandoned for many years, it was in poor condition and therefore brought a plethora of challenges to overcome including mould, rats, asbestos and lead paint. This meant that the scope of works had to be adjusted at every stage to tackle the unforeseen site issues.It was therefore important for T.O.L Decorators Ltd to work closely with the main contractor to develop solutions and keep the works running to schedule. Collaboration with other tradespeople on the site was another necessary factor to consider, especially with lots of artisan plastering required on the project and delivery of furnishings.Managing challenges Due to the building being abandoned prior to the refurbishment works, damp had developed. The team therefore had to apply an anti-fungicidal wash, followed by a coat of Dulux Trade Mouldshield. Containing a special fungicide which inhibits the growth of fungi and mould inside buildings, Dulux Trade Mouldshield works to inhibit mould and fungi growth and ensures a long-lasting finish.The site also came with its logistical hurdles. As the lifts were not working and a hoist wasn’t available, all materials had to be distributed by hand. The pre-existing windows were also in a terrible condition so T.O.L Decorators Ltd were required to fill and putty these to bring them back to a good condition ahead of painting.SpecificationThe specification for this project was carried out by Synergy Architects. It was a big task to undertake with 35 different wall colours and eight different woodwork colours used. Seven different decorative wallpapers were also chosen.The main walls and feature staircase were finished with Dulux Trade Diamond Matt, bathrooms were coated with Dulux Trade Mouldshield, and any joinery required Dulux Trade Quick Dry Satinwood, with Dulux Trade Sterishield also utilised.Tim O'Leary, Director at T.O.L Decorators Ltd, commented on the project: “The new owners placed a heavy emphasis on quality and keeping faithful to the original look and feel of the hotel. As the hotel is a listed building, we had to be careful with how the building was renovated and what materials were used on this project. It certainly wasn’t your regular decorating job. Given the age of the hotel, there was always a new issue arising, so we had to think on our feet and adapt from room to room.“Attention to detail was essential. For example, the Grand Ballrooms had to be hand painted to ensure the fine detailing within the plaster wasn't lost. The client was happy with the end results and we’re incredibly proud to have worked on such a prestigious building in Birmingham’s history. It’s great that we can still visit the hotel and view the brilliant work that the team carried out.” The judges were impressed with the comprehensive preparation required on this project to counteract the years of neglect on this substantially sized building, as well as the high skill levels required to work on a heritage building of this type. The T.O.L Decorators Ltd team were commended for the attention to detail shown, particularly on ceilings and in the ballroom, with quality finishes noted across the board. 

The Tobacco Warehouse at Stanley Dock in Liverpool was constructed in 1901. Located in the centre of the thriving city of Liverpool, the structure aimed to be “the biggest warehouse the world had ever seen”. This monument was a symbol of hard work and big dreams – but as industry evolved, the need for such a building diminished. To bring this iconic site back to life, the decision was made to convert the Tobacco Warehouse into a luxury apartment complex comprised of 181 two and three bedroom apartments, a large underground car park, reception areas and meeting rooms. Hills Decorating and Building Services, a family run business based in the Northwest of England with over 40 years of experience in the decorating and building industry, was perfectly placed to carry out the decoration work.Due to the scale of this project, it was vital that the team at Hills Decorating and Building Services worked as efficiently as possible. They had to work alongside multiple different trades on site, which required good organisation and flexibility to keep the work running smoothly and on schedule. As well as time management, it was vital that the team utilised products that they could rely on to deliver a long-lasting professional finish. To ensure the work could be completed to a high standard – and within tight budget restrictions – Hills Decorating and Building Services used Armstead products in light grey for the walls and white for the ceilings. The team opted for water-based solutions to ensure the quick drying times needed to work as quickly as possible. The range also offers high opacity for a defined, consistent colour. The expert team also used Armstead Trade Acrylic Eggshell in white for the woodwork. Due to the building’s end use, it was crucial that the coatings applied could withstand regular knocks and scuffs. Armstead Trade Acrylic Eggshell was the ideal choice as it delivers a durable, mid-sheen finish that lasts.Stuart Hill, Director at Hills Decorating and Building Services said: “This project has been a challenging one, with the sheer size of the job, number of various trades on site and time restraints. However, with good organisation and a great team we were able to complete the work on time. “We are so pleased to have won the Dulux Connect award for Project Management for our work to the Tobacco Warehouse – and this project has gone so well that we have been invited back for the next phase.”

London’s new countryside escape, Birch, dating back to the 15th century, has undergone extensive redecoration thanks to support from the Dulux Trade team and its Heritage Range. The grade II listed country escape hotel was built in 1763 and became the 140 bedroom Theobalds Estate hotel in the 1990s. The country estate was once a royal favourite for King James I, a Georgian family home and Sir Christopher Wren’s retreat, a WWII military riding school and is now one of Hertfordshire’s most socially engaged and creative hotels. To maintain the heritage of the estate with its new contemporary purpose, the designers chose the Dulux Trade Heritage Range to redecorate Theobalds Park’s hotel rooms, foyer and corridors in a variety of colours - as the hotel underwent a transformation and rebrand into Birch, a new city escape. The rich colour range was the ideal match for the hotel’s contemporary theme allowing the country mansion, surrounded by acres of fields, to maintain its classic elegance whilst incorporating modern escapism into its new interior design concept. A combination of Green Oxide, Buff and Potters Pink were used for the geometric design on the hotel suite and corridor walls, complemented by Green Oxide and Roman White throughout the project. The former De Vere Theobalds Estate hotel officially opened as Birch on 3rd August 2020. Birch, which is billed as a city escape that “looks like a hotel, feels like a festival”, is the brainchild of former Ace Hotel London MD Chris Penn and his business partner Chris King, will feature a growing farm, an interactive bakery, two restaurants in partnership with Robin Gill, three bars and co-working and wellness space, as well as a 25-metre Lido (opening later this year) and pottery, music, screening, and art rooms. Dulux Trade Technical Support Manager, Steve Plowman, worked closely with the hotel’s architects, Red Deer, to adapt the colour scheme and specifications to meet with the colour contrast requirements of the Equality Act Part M. This included particular consideration of Light Reflectance Values (LRV), to ensure that critical surfaces could be clearly distinguished, aiding navigation for those with a visual impairment. The team worked to match the design to colours in the Heritage Range, to ensure that the project was completed to achieve a high aesthetic and functional standard. To bring this vision to life, Dean Jones and his team of highly skilled painters at Broadway Painting Ltd worked tirelessly to achieve outstanding results. Dulux Trade Diamond Matt was used for the corridors, walls and staircases due to its high durability and effectiveness in masking wall imperfections. The paint is wipeable and scuff resistant to ensure these high traffic areas remain perfect for years to come. It also offers new anti-fade technology and superior stain resistance through its unique Stain Repellent Technology, which can be wiped clean repeatedly without polishing up, helping to extend maintenance for up to five years. Dulux Trade Diamond Matt was also used on the ceilings, while Dulux Trade Eggshell provided the finishing touch on the doors and trim. The local Dulux Decorator Centre in Enfield worked closely with the Dulux Trade team to ensure colour accuracy and stock supply throughout the project. This collaborative work, along with regular site visits from Steve Plowman, kept the project on track and meant that any issues that arose, could be resolved very quickly. Ciarán O’Brein, founder of Red Deer, said: “Our ethos in creating Birch was to sensitively restore and listen to the existing buildings as best we could. True sustainability meant to us removing and adding things to spaces only where necessary. To this end we relied heavily on working with furniture, sculpture and of course paint to install new moods and agendas across the Grade II Listed building, bedrooms and even the bathrooms. We worked with Dulux on this exciting project; a deep Dulux Yves Klein blue transforms a traditional stairwell, pastel kaleidoscopic colours adorn listed ceilings in the Screening Room and a dark green creates warmth in a Drawing Room overlooking the lawns.” Steven Plowman said: “The work completed goes far beyond a normal redecoration program. The design is matched throughout all rooms and hallways exactly - with no variation in Heritage colour. The attention to detail is outstanding and clearly shows how a stunning design alongside an effectively executed colour scheme transforms any area. “The bespoke contemporary paint finish has transformed the hotel interior into a work of art that will stand the test of time and many visitors.”

The extensive capabilities and technologically-advanced formulations of Dulux Trade products proved essential in the successful £60million transformation of one of London’s most iconic landmarks. The Old Admiralty Building forms the backdrop to the annual Trooping Of The Colour ceremony. Home to Winston Churchill when he was First Lord Of The Admiralty, it is instantly recognisable the world over. But after being occupied by the Foreign And Commonwealth Office for a number of years, it required an extensive refurbishment to bring it up to today’s standards - and make it fit for purpose for its new occupants - The Department For Education and its 1,600 staff. Extensive engagement with Historic England and Westminster Council took place throughout the project to ensure the transformation of the Grade II-listed building was undertaken sensitively and with the use of products that would preserve and enhance its historic fabric. Dulux Trade Specification Team Andrew Cleaver, Steve Darnell and Anthony Bell worked with contractor Primetone Builders to advise both on the selecting and application of products that were used to transform the interior and exterior of the 23,000 sqm landmark across a range of surfaces including timber, intricate cornicing and masonry. Primetone Builders Founder Kevin Rabbitte commented: “Helping to transform such an iconic building was a real privilege and honour. “I’m immensely grateful for all the support and expertise that Dulux Trade provided on this complex and challenging project. “From initial site visits onwards, their specifiers were critical in helping my team of expert decorators get the very best out of all the products used.” The project also proved a showcase for the strengths of Dulux Trade water-based products, which have a positive environmental impact due to their low level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and contributed positively to maintaining air quality on site throughout the process. Among those used were Dulux Trade Diamond Glaze. Up to ten times tougher than conventional varnishes, it was applied to the building’s historic natural timber staircases. Intricate cornices and trim were carefully cut in using Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood. Quick-drying, it comes into its own in high-traffic zones, such as corridors, stairways and access areas. The interior wall and ceiling surfaces benefited from one of the most technologically-advanced products Dulux Trade has produced - Dulux Trade Evolve Matt. The high opacity emulsion is made with 35% recycled paint content - offering a lower carbon footprint than traditional alternatives. Meanwhile, Dulux Trade Weathershield Exterior High Gloss System and Dulux Trade All Seasons Smooth Masonry Paint combined to give a high-quality finish to the external elements of the building, while the fungicide they contain also inhibits mould-growth. Kevin added: “We were tremendously impressed with the performance of the water-based products that we used on the project. They flowed exceptionally well and there were no problems with coverage. The environmental impact of these large projects can be significant, so it was also really welcome that we could keep ours down by using recycled products like Dulux Trade Evolve Matt. “I look forward to collaborating with Dulux Trade using more new product innovations on many more projects in the future.” Steve Darnell, Specification Development Manager South London, Dulux Decorator Centre 360 commented: “We’re delighted to have used our expertise to support Kevin and his team of expert decorators on this historic project. “From limiting environmental impact, to maintaining the historic fabric of this iconic building and ensuring an all-round high-quality finish that lasts - there were a host of considerations that went into specifying the products for this project. “Happily, the extensive range of products Dulux Trade offers, combined with its commitment to technological innovation, means we could fulfil this brief and provide the materials to breathe new life into this London landmark.”

When Purbrook Park School needed an upgrade, Hampshire County Council enlisted the help of Dulux Trade. The brief was to take this old, but cherished Grade II listed building and bring it into the modern era with the clever use of colour - whilst still satisfying the heritage and conservation needs. Together they selected a tasteful colour scheme that embraced the building’s rich heritage. The resulting scheme blended cream and earthy hues: Chalk Coast, Oxford Blue, Warm Ash and Grey Tweed in Weathershield Masonry Paint, Weathershield Exterior Gloss and Undercoat, to give a more modern, fresh feel.

One of London's most high-profile exhibition and conference spaces, Olympia, has been given a makeover thanks to the Dulux Trade team. Olympia is an exhibition centre, event space and conference centre in West Kensington. The venue is host to a variety of international trade and consumer exhibitions, conferences and events. Dan Burford of LPC Contractors, who carried out the refurbishment, says: “We had 14 days and two teams of 15 appliers doing 12 hours shifts. One team would do a shift 8am-8pm, and the other from 8pm-8am. The labour cost around £130K. “We painted the walls and columns in the Grand Hall, the upper gallery area and the west and upper west wings. These spaces are regularly used for events and the organisers were commenting that it looked a little run-down, so it was important to keep it looking fresh. “The classic shade, Spindrift, a very pale blue, was used for the grand hall and stairways, a simple refresh of the existing wall colour. The product used was Dulux Trade Diamond Eggshell. The previous Dulux Trade coating had lasted 10 years, so the team were confident that the paint’s durability would make it the right choice once again, especially with latest stain resistant formulation of Dulux Trade Diamond Eggshell. Lenny Jones, F/M Operation Manager at London Olympia, adds: “Because of Dulux Trade Diamond’s superior durability and long-wearing power, it’s the only paint formulation I would feel confident in specifying for London Olympia. Since the refurb we’ve held three events and, every organiser has commented on how bright and clean the space looks now.”

A decorating contractor has praised Dulux Trade SmartShield+ after they were able to transform the exterior of a block of flats with the new product. The residential building in Loughton, Essex, had been suffering with the effects of water ingress and pollution over the years which has damaged both the exterior of the building as well as leaking inside. Cracks had appeared to the render of the building causing the water to leak into the fabric of the building. Contractor Armour Hart Group Ltd were tasked by The Square’s management firm Moat Homes with maintaining the cyclical decorations and associated repairs to the building and on identification of the issues consulted with partners Dulux Trade. Following an inspection from Dulux Trade the contractors agreed to use a specification containing Dulux Trade Plus SmartShield+ Exterior Clearcoat on the stonework to deliver the job. The first task was the cleaning and repair of the render and decorative edging after they had become infested with moss and lichen and this was adding to water ingress throughout the building. Both areas were cleaned and repaired before the waterproofing coating of SmartShield+ was applied to the decorative stone work throughout the property. Due to the specially formulated Dulux Trade Plus SmartShield+ the substrate was able to breathe and dry out after the repairs and coating had been completed. The pediment detail to the front of the building had also picked up grime over the years - and had been saturated during bad-weather and so repairs and cleaning of this area was also performed. Dulux Trade carried out inspections throughout the process and all of the cracks were repaired, sealed, coated and then painted to bring the whole building back to life. Armour Hart Group Ltd made the final checks to make sure the coating was waterproof - and were happy to report Dulux Trade Plus SmartShield+ passed the test. Phil Long at Armour Hart Group said; “Dulux Trade has supported us throughout this project so we were able to provide the best maintenance job possible to our clients. “Years of water damage was really starting to affect the building both aesthetically and physically - so it was important we targeted it properly. Cleaning the areas first really revealed the extent of the damage. It was so valuable to us to be able to use SmartShield+ as a coating - and then carry on working on other areas while it dried and sealed the exterior of the building.” Steve Plowman, Technical Support Manager at Dulux Trade said: “We’re glad we have been able to see this project through with Armour Hart and had such great feedback from them on how the product is working. SmartShield+ is a great product that really stands the test of time.” For more information, visit: www.duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk/content/dulux-trade-plus-smartshield

Dulux Trade has undertaken a historic project, breathing life into Alexandra Palace’s old BBC Transmitter Hall. The leading paint brand teamed up with the Alexandra Park Palace Charitable Trust and a range of industry partners to offer their expertise, skills and labour in the transformation of the space. As part of a £28 million renovation project to restore the Eastern part of the historic building used by the BBC as a TV transmitter facility, Dulux Trade took on the brief to design a space for vulnerable users. Each week the space is used for specialised programmes for hundreds of people including young adults with learning difficulties, musical workshops, mindfulness workshops in partnership with the NHS mental health support and a wellbeing cafe to support loneliness. Carefully selecting colour to enable those living with dementia to navigate their way around the old transmitter hall, the space has been created to make the now hundreds of users per week feel comfortable and at home, whilst offering an uplifting space for young adults with learning difficulties. The team applied the principles around healthcare colour scheme research to create a space that has a connection to the outside world - that was calming and inspiring. Earthy ‘Distant Haze’ greens and spiritual ‘Niagara Blues’ and lilacs were selected to produce a rich and verdant collection of shades - with the end user carefully considered. Points of difference were carefully managed between surfaces and space to make the rooms easier to navigate for people with visual impairment and dementia meeting the requirements of the Equality Act. The space was made to feel more intimate by artificially lowering the ceiling height through clever use of colour and design and the light and airy ‘Adobe Pink’ colour chosen, allowed for the perfect environment for the number of groups now using the Transmitter Hall. Colour blocks have been used behind the bar area, adding interest and eliminating the mirrors which can cause stress to people with dementia. Alexandra Palace is part of the Haringey Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) which aims to unite local organisations and improve the lives of people affected by dementia. There are over 1,600 people living with dementia in Haringey and programmes like these support people with dementia and their families to live and connect through the power of music. The new Transmitter Hall was a result of months of hard work by Dulux Trade and parent company AkzoNobel - taking 290 man hours - in conjunction with various other partners including Tarkett Flooring, Willmott Dixon, Speedy Hire, Southgrove Painting Contractors, Lucas Specialist Finishers, Horizontal Ltd and Winchmore. As well as working alongside partner firms, Dulux Trade enlisted the help of the AkzoNobel Research & Development teams to provide labour on the project and Dulux Decorator Centre in nearby Islington to provide workwear and materials to the AkzoNobel ‘Let’s Colour’ team. Dulux Trade has long since recognised the growing global health trend which will see over one million people in the UK diagnosed with dementia by 2025. Working on research led projects with healthcare specialists and the British Research Establishment, the brand has been able to gather evidence on how colour and design can transform spaces and therefore the lives of the people who use them. Using their research, the Dulux Trade Commercial Colour Services team designed an inclusive space within Alexandra Palace which uses the application of colour to enable occupants to more readily identify different areas of the entire space - for example the use of a colour contrast doorway or corridor, and colour, design and textures that discourage access to private areas within the space. In total over £3,000 worth of paint and decorating materials were donated to the project - which saw parts of Alexandra Palace renovated after many years bring the space back to life. Products used for the project included Dulux Trade Supermatt on the ceiling, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt on the walls and Dulux Trade Durable Flat Matt on the columns. Sarah Norton, project lead at AkzoNobel said: “This project has been a labour of love for Dulux Trade. To be involved in the restoration of a building with such historic value has been fantastic. We were able to put our knowledge and research regarding using colour to positively impact occupant wellbeing to good use, including aspects of design that are more considerate of vulnerable guests visiting the space. In this way, we’re pleased to have contributed to making the Transmitter Hall an inclusive, multi-functional space for many people in the local area.”

Midlands-based S&C Painting Services Ltd was founded by Steve Bennett over 14 years ago. The company has showcased its versatility with the recent external decoration of the Old Smithy Cottage in Brewood – and has been awarded the Dulux Connect Project Award for excellence in painting and decorating for the project. Old Smithy Cottage is a 14th Century property, which needed a welcome refresh to revitalise its appearance and encourage the sale of the building. A team of five worked on the project and were commended for their use of materials and care to the traditional appearance of the building. Two of the team were apprentices taken on by S&C Painting Services Ltd. It was the first time they had worked on a historical site of this nature, providing valuable skills to aid their future development.The works undertakenGiven the age of the property and with work not carried out for several years, a lot of preparation was required before the exterior was ready for painting. The S&C team were careful not to use any products that would alter the traditional look of the cottage, with specialist fillers used on the doors and windows ahead of decorating. Once ready, the exterior walls, metal gutters and windows, doors and iconic Tudor beams were all painted.  Ahead of working on the project, Steve Bennett met with the Dulux Trade team at the site to discuss the most suitable products for the task. After consultation, the Dulux Trade team recommended they specify Dulux Trade Weathershield Smooth Masonry on the render thanks to its ability to maintain a superior finish and provide protection from mould and algae. Dulux Weathershield Undercoat and Gloss were used for the metal gutters and windows, offering 8 year all weather protection. For the beautiful Tudor beams, Dulux Trade Ultimate Opaque (black) was used to provide a water-repellent satin finish with 10-year Weathershield protection. Dulux Ultimate Opaque (white) was used for the doors and window shutters. The S&C Painting Services Ltd team are regular users of the Dulux Trade products and were impressed by the good coverage offered by the Dulux Weathershield range for this particular job. Enhancing the building aestheticEnsuring the original look and feel of the property was maintained was essential during this project. One challenge was the window shutters, which were in a poor condition. For these, the team decided to use a satin finish rather than gloss once the shutters had been scraped and prepped to ensure the best result. Steve Bennett, Managing Director, at S&C Painting Services, explains why: “Opting for a satin finish for the shutters worked well as we were able to provide a beautiful finish that hid the blemishes left after years of being exposed to the elements – whereas gloss would have highlighted them.”Steve added: “We had to be careful to choose the right paint for a building of this type. We worked with the Dulux Trade team to ensure the materials used would maintain the character of the building and showcase the old features of the cottage.” Location, location, locationAnother challenge was the location of the building. It was close to the road, which meant the team had to employ measures to keep themselves and passers-by safe – and minimise disruption. Barriers were used to provide the team with enough space to work and for the mobile tail lift to be operated. The cottage also has a small, cobbled drive, which had to be fully boarded and protected before the cherry picker - used to get close to the windows and chimney - could be introduced. “Preparation was key for this project given the age of the building,” continues Steve Bennett. “Not only did the property itself need work carrying out before we could start painting, but we also had to carefully plan how the team would safely work on this project, with the property situated right up against the pavement and road.”Feedback from the owner was incredibly positive with the client delighted with how the exterior restoration turned out. The refreshed property is set to feature in an issue of Town & Country magazine. The team also had lots of nice comments from passers-by saying how lovely the building looked upon completion. “I’m really proud of the team for their work on this project and it’s fantastic for them to receive such positive feedback and get the recognition they deserve with the Dulux Connect Project Award for excellence in painting and decorating,” concluded Steve. 

When it comes to student accommodation, skilful use of colour and design is essential for creating environments that inspire and energise occupants, while supporting their wellbeing during a time of great change.For accommodation provider Urbanest, their aim is to provide students with a home away from home, with comfortable bedrooms and studio apartments, complete with flexible work spaces and facilities, situated in highly desirable and social areas of London.To help them achieve this end, McLoughlin was tasked with decorating Urbanest’s recently-built 32-storey student accommodation block on Miles Street in Vauxhall, on behalf of main client Balfour Beatty.McLoughlin used contrasting shades from the Dulux Trade range to seamlessly zone areas for specific functions - such as whites and light browns in calm spaces for study and bright reds and greens for vibrant social hubs - while painting every aspect of the building, from ceilings and walls to woodwork and staircases.“For students, the rooms are a bit like a blank canvas, so they're usually neutral or white,” explains Charlotte Page, Procurement Officer at McLoughlin. “But the communal areas tend to involve more colour so they are bright and welcoming spaces for them.”As well as using water-based paints such as Dulux Trade Diamond Matt, applied by traditional brush and roller methods, McLoughlin used cutting-edge technology to apply digital one-piece murals of the London landscape in each of the 454 cluster bedrooms and studio apartments in the building.For the clear mastery of design principles and skilful colour choices demonstrated by the team, while adopting innovative, specialist techniques, McLoughlin won the Dulux Connect Award for Best Use of Colour And Design.“The one-piece murals were digitally-printed iconic photos of the London skyline, including London Bridge, Tower Bridge and The Gherkin,” Charlotte says.“Because it’s a seamless one-piece, you don't have two rolls you need to match together. It's new technology compared to the standard rolls of wallpaper and it gives off a better finish because you don't have any lines.“It looks better, it won't peel off and will last a lot longer.”To enable McLoughlin to apply the murals, the team’s wallpaper expert received specialist training, which was held by Vista Digital, the company that makes the coverings.As well as demonstrating precision and technical skill, McLoughlin’s team of 10 painters and decorators finished the project a month before they were expected to complete it, thanks to their hard work, professionalism and dedication.“It all ran smoothly,” she says. “We had the right balance of people on site, and our team and supervisors were working well together.”Charlotte says the team were “really happy” to win the Dulux Connect Award for the work they carried out at Ubernest Miles Street project, because they were “proud” of both their use of technical expertise and working on such a large-scale project.“We have painted various student accomodation for Urbanest before, so we are used to doing projects like this, but this one was on a much larger scale and also they have never included wallpaper coverings before,” she says.“Everyone was really impressed by them. We’re very happy.” 

John Lewis Kingston has revamped its store using Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt to ensure long lasting scuff protection in their busy retail space.John Lewis Kingston has revamped its store using Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt to ensure long lasting scuff protection in their busy retail space. The Scuff Resistant Technology is perfect to guard against the potential damage from bags, shoes and other items that bump against the walls - all too inevitable in a crowded store. After attending an online launch webinar in July 2020, Nicola Bover, Partner & Design Interiors at John Lewis, felt that Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt would be ideal for the upcoming work planned at the Kingston store. She said: “The new Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt paint is perfect for our stores. Not only does the redesign make our interiors more interesting and appealing to our customers, but the resilience of the paint means that it will last longer in our stores.”“The team at Dulux were incredibly helpful when we looked to redesign using their paint. They listened carefully to what we said we needed from a visual point of view, and how we wanted our store to operate. But most importantly, we felt they really took on board how we wanted our customers to feel and the experience they have in the shop. We’re renowned for our service, quality and attention to detail - from our staff to the buildings we work in - so it’s important that our suppliers understand that. As a result, Jayne and her team gave us superb advice about how to optimise our design through the specification and colour scheme ideas, making the whole experience as easy as possible.” The team chose a striking shade of blue, Heritage Deep Ultramarine, to enhance the link bridge between two internal sides of the Kingston John Lewis store. The flagship Dulux Trade product has been precision-engineered to provide the ultimate in scuff resistance - offering performance up to six times better than standard matt wall paint and up to three times better than a standard durable matt - meaning maintenance cycles can be extended.Its durability and superior scuff resistant formulation can also help drive down costs in the long-term, as it doubles the length of the maintenance cycle in comparison to standard emulsion. Jayne Roughan, National Sector Manager Retail recommended Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt for this project. Jayne said “Using the correct paint for high traffic areas of the store is vital. Customers want to be in an environment that feels clean and luxurious, and ensuring the finish consistently gives this impression is crucial. “Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt provided a new, additional option for this retail space because it is so robust and can take knocks in its stride”.For more information visit: https://www.duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk/content/scuffshield.

The Battersea Arts Centre has been enriching the lives of the local community for approaching half a century. But a devastating fire in 2015 forced it to close its doors, landing a significant blow to the cultural landscape of London and its countless visitors from across the capital and beyond.In 2017, London-based painting contractor KML Decorators were brought on board by main contractor 8Build to help bring the venue back to life.They carried out all interior and exterior decorating, including the letter writing of external signage, on the Grand Hall gallery and the turret on the top of the building - ensuring the highest environmental standards were at the heart of the process.KML Managing Director Simon Knowles explains: “Focusing on sustainability is the way we approach every project.“We recycle our paint and we dispose of it responsibly. We weren't just throwing cans in the skip, we were collecting them and returning them with the Dulux Decorator Centre can recycling scheme.”To ensure the project was as sustainable as possible, KML also used low-VOC and water-based paints, such as Intercryl 525 protective coating from AkzoNobel’s International® brand, which contains fewer pollutants and at the same time results in better air quality for those who are applying it.This approach resulted in KML being awarded the Dulux Connect Award for Sustainable Approach To A Project.KML’s Kay Adams adds: “Winning the Dulux Connect Award is a recognition of the things that we work hard to do as a business in being environmentally sound, and sustainability is part of that.“Year on year, sustainability becomes more important and talked about and the targets the construction industry has to meet are quite clearly set out, so we have to keep that in mind with every project.“Going forward, we're trying to be more aware of it, so we do more recycling now and the products we use are also getting better, with lower VOCs and helping to clean the air, and there’s more availability to us to lessen the environmental impact in the industry.”The team at KML also received fantastic feedback from both 8Build and Battersea Arts Centre on the finished project, which they completed in July 2018.Simon recalls: “At its peak we had about 20 people on site.“We had to do spraying work so we had a spray team on site, we had sign writers and general decorators.“In some areas they wanted to leave the fire damage to show the history of the centre. The areas we were in were newly plastered areas, so there was a real mix of new and old in the building.“The Battersea Arts Centre was very happy with the work that we did. “It was used as a community space and it's gone from a fire-wrecked building to being back open so everyone's very happy with it - it's a very community based project.”

Regarded as one of the most beautiful library spaces in the world, the Picton Reading Room in Liverpool Central Library boasts a magnificent domed ceiling that has awed visitors for over a century.But having remained untouched for two decades, it was in serious need of restoration.The North West Branch of painting and decorating company Bagnalls were chosen to carry out the work, but were soon confronted with a series of logistical challenges that they overcame with aplomb.“It was a requirement that the contractor had to carry out the work in a very tight timescale because the library was completely closed to the public whilst the works were being undertaken,” Joanne Gualda, Group Marketing Director at Bagnalls, explains.“They also had to make sure the contractor would be very sympathetic to the environment and protect various aspects of the reading room. In the middle we had to shield a central light fitting so it didn't get damaged and all the shelves had to be protected properly.“We have a reputation for professional project delivery, so everything was done properly and in agreement with the customer and in line with what the customer wanted. Nothing was too much trouble for our site team.”For their stand-out skill in managing such a complex brief, Bagnalls were awarded a Dulux Connect Award for Project Management.With a timescale of just four weeks, the team of four decorators - supervised by Kevin Travers - used cherry pickers to allow for precise, close-up decorating and to ensure high levels could be safely accessed by the painters. To get the machinery into the building, external scaffolding and a crane were erected to allow them to be lifted to the library’s higher platforms, which Bernie Smith, Senior Contract Manager at Bagnalls, says was the most challenging aspect of the job.“Getting the access equipment in there required careful planning because we had a crane involved, scaffolding erected outside of the building and road closures in place - logistically it was a nightmare,” he says.The team then carried out plaster repairs to ceiling bays before the ceiling and mouldings were spot primed and given two full coats of Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt paint. Dulux Heritage was used for a like-for-like match of colours already on the dome - essential when painting listed buildings.By extending their working hours, the team finished the job with time to spare - and without compromising on quality.“We actually completed the project in three weeks, which they were happy with because they could get the library up and running again,” says Bernie.The feedback received from the library was incredibly positive, with the Manager of the Central Library and Archive commenting: “The room looks magnificent once again and the work carried out should last for many years to come.“All of the planned work has been completed successfully, including repairs to the plaster at high level, full repainting of the dome and other areas using the original colour scheme, deep cleaning of the carpet, cleaning of the oculus and cleaning throughout at all levels, and re-lamping.”And Bagnalls were “delighted” when they found out they had won the Dulux Connect Award for Project Management.“I notified the team involved with the project and every single one of them was over the moon to be recognised for the project management side of the contract and not just the paint finish,” Joanne says.“The logistics that Bernie and Kev had to organise to make sure every aspect of it would be on time, with good safety levels and to meet customer expectations had to be done so correctly.“The final painting, even though it's beautiful, is almost the easy part for us, so the award for project management is a really nice accolade and something that we really appreciate from a painting contractor point of view because we don't normally get recognised for that aspect.”Bernie adds: “Me and the guys are absolutely delighted to win. I've been at Bagnalls for 33 years now and in 33 years, that's the most iconic job I've ever done.”

Uni campus gets makeover to help students work and play What colours best enable a learning environment? That was the challenge laid down to Ryder Architects and designers Smith Bros.design for a student-centred project at Northumbria University in Newcastle. The uni’s five floor Student Central building opened in 2017 on the City Campus site in Newcastle and is a place for the university’s 26,000 students to mix, revise, unwind and socialise. This was a multi-million pound investment by the university, revamping the original 1969 library into a light and airy space, containing all of the facilities that today’s students need.The finished space - Student Central - is now the ‘go-to’ location for students to get information, guidance and support from a range of student support advisers, including Student Support and Wellbeing, Faculty, Careers, Finance, Accommodation, Library and Course Enquiries.In keeping with a modern facility, the look and feel of the space is equally bright and modern - with a colour palette chosen in association with Dulux Trade.A palette of ten soft pastels drawn from Dulux ColourFuturesTM palettes were chosen by the expert colour team at Dulux Trade designed to enhance the light and airy feel of the space. The range of blues, lilacs, greens, reds, yellows and greys such as Wooded Solace, Twisted Bamboo and Gooseberry Fool 4 are subtle and allow the users to switch seamlessly between the serious business of study to letting their hair down.The soft and earthy tones of Pebble Drift 3 created space that is calming and allows students to focus and work in a flexible environment.This bright and versatile colour scheme was followed through into a full range of matching soft furnishings, carpets, lighting units, light shades, desks, and booths.Helen-Hampson Smith, from Smith Bros.design, says:"This project followed a successful first phase within the basement of the library where we refurbished a large study and social space. We were very pleased to be called back to continue the great design in the remaining areas of the building.Working alongside Ryder architects as their interior design consultants, and with key members of the faculty, we developed the dynamic design to form a creative yet welcoming feeling throughout.The Dulux Trade colour palettes were perfect for us to use in key areas to create focus points and accents, while giving harmony to the full scheme."Rob Pace, Dulux Trade Emerging Sector Manager, says:"Our ColourFuturesTM palettes are a great starting point for professionals to create schemes for multi-use areas like Student Central. They provide a flexible and easily adaptable starting point that can help achieve different outcomes for occupants depending on the purpose of each space within the building.It’s great to see Smith Bros.design use them here as a springboard to create a space that is helping ensure students are able to feel both comfortable and focused as and when required."

Dulux Trade products helped to transform a busy hospital ward with a bold colour scheme to boost the mood of patients - designed by legendary British fashion figure Sir Paul Smith. The revamp of the Caspian Ward at the Park Royal Centre for Mental Health, in London came as part of The Nightingale Project - an NHS charity initiative which uses art and music to “humanise” hospitals and health centres.Caspian Ward is a psychiatric intensive care unit at Park Royal Mental Health Centre. It provides mental health care and treatment for people whose acute distress, absconding risk, and suicidal or challenging behaviour needs a secure environment beyond that which can normally be provided on an open psychiatric ward.Icon Sir Paul Smith assisted with the design alongside Harry Well and Jen Cogley.The Dulux Decorator Centre at Staples Corner, London provided support for the redecoration by supplying all the paint, as well as specifying which products to use. The work was carried out to the highest standard by painting contractors, Altered Images - West London account. Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt was used on the main areas of the ward to ensure designs were low sheen and remained resilient and free from any scuffs or marks that might happen during busy shifts with plenty of activity from visitors, staff and patients.Its hard-wearing formulation will help drive down long-term redecorating costs as it needs to only be reapplied every eight years.It also eliminates the need for touch-ups as marks and scuffs can be easily removed by prompt cleaning.Strong blocks of colour were used in a bid to make the site less institutional and more welcoming - as part of The Nightingale Project’s mission to ensure that stressful conversations about health shouldn’t take place in stark, institutional environments.Dulux Trade Diamond Matt was used on the feature walls, while Dulux Trade Ultra Matt was used on the ceilings and Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood was used on all the trim areas.Dr Nick Rhodes, Director of The Nightingale Project, said: “Like many NHS units, this ward’s interior design has not been prioritised over the years, and the patients and hard-working staff had been used to an environment that was stark and institutional.“With the designers on board we left behind the typical NHS off-white corridors, and implemented a bold and vibrant nine-colour scheme.“The idea was that in each area - the dining room, the sitting area, the recreation room, the de-escalation room and the corridors - several of the colours from the palette would be used in different and unusual combinations, creating different effects in each space through the way that the colours played off each other.“The patients have commented that the effect makes their ward ‘feel less like a hospital’ - this is a key achievement because patients sometimes spend an extended period in hospital and it’s important to make it feel less clinical in order to assist in their psychological recovery.“The colours used in the interior can be invigorating, creating what the Nightingale Project has called ‘the anti-depressant environment’, which in turn reflects the fact that our mental health is affected by many factors in our lives including the physical environment we inhabit.“Design and colour can, in other words, be health giving; the environment is part of the treatment.“Our collaboration with Dulux included some detailed work sourcing the exact shades of colour that the designers required for the space; the team worked closely with Harry and Jen to home in on the right shade of blue from their database for the corridors, for example. “Dulux Decorator Centre were kind enough to donate the paint used in the ward, to keep the charity’s costs low.”Paul Lawrence, Senior Technical Support Manager at Dulux Decorator Centre, provided technical input by advising which paint products were best suited for the ward’s redesign, as well as working with the Staples Corner team to mix paint to required colours and picking up or delivering the paint to the ward.He said: “We viewed the ward, understood which colours were to be used and then put together a technical specification for the contractors to follow and that's when we utilised products like the newly-launched Dulux Scuffshield.“Performance and looking good for longer was a priority, hence why Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt sat really well as it’s a super-durable emulsion product for the walls which will keep things looking good for a long time.”Andrew Cleaver, National Sector Manager at Dulux Decorator Centre, said: “The Nightingale Project is doing such outstanding work at making NHS buildings and wards pleasant spaces to be for staff, patients and visitors.“Using the correct paint for this type of work is crucial. It’s really important to take into account the finish of the paint for the area and the patients which, in this case, meant using a highly durable matt finish.“Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt fitted the bill perfectly for the main areas of the ward as, not only is it low sheen, but it is ideal for keeping high traffic areas looking good for a long time thanks to its durability. We totally support the ethos that the environment itself should also be considered part of the therapy within healthcare spaces, and that’s why we’ve created a range of evidence-based colour schemes that support the Procure22 Construction Framework, where schemes for Mental Health wards can also be accessed.“We are also incredibly proud of the work our Dulux Decorator Centre in Staples Corner has done for such a deserving cause.”

The Dulux Trade Commercial Colour Services team has been hailed for their expert design support on a council owned social housing regeneration programme that saw residents take a lead role in decision-making.The initiative by Exeter City Council followed the principles of their Better Homes For Local People strategy that promises full and transparent consultation and involvement with those affected by building and renovation projects from the outset.The process ensures there must be support from social housing residents for proposals at every stage of the process - placing them at the heart of decisions about the ongoing management and future of their estates.It’s a core element of the council’s ambition to deliver better homes and communities around Exeter.John Harris, from Exeter Council, was instrumental in defining the objectives of the regeneration project whose main objective was to boost the wellbeing of residents and the wider community by breathing new life into the buildings, at the same time as injecting a sense of connection with the outside space, through the use of exterior colour.And so, a collaborative taskforce of Exeter Council, contractors CLC Group and the Dulux Trade team - led by AkzoNobel Specifier Development Manager Bob McLellan - set itself a project to replace the existing magnolia and brown palette of a number of properties for their residents with something more uplifting.A range of schemes were devised to optimise space, improve aesthetics, and help to promote better outcomes for residents, who collaborated in the project and were invited to choose the one they liked best.The result was an enriching colour palette featuring cool whites and a range of nature inspired blues and greens, mixed with contemporary greys. As part of the process the Dulux Trade team considered Exeter Council’s entire social housing stock in a bid to ensure the schemes can be used to streamline future maintenance programmes as well.At the request of Exeter City Council the work was timed to coincide with the general maintenance of the properties to keep disruption for residents down to a minimum.The initial phase started with the exterior works, which were completed using the newly upgraded Dulux Trade Weathershield range.The interior phase will be completed at an appropriate point in the near future, which will see the internal walls, doors, ceilings and handrails redecorated, using products including Dulux Trade Pyroshield, Dulux Trade Quick Dry Gloss and Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood to further enhance their environmental credentials.Contractor Wayne Cavilla from CLC Group explained: “Our task is to bring enhancements to properties during our fabric maintenance and upgrades, and the right colours and designs are crucial to this and so this is where we got Dulux Trade involved. We asked them to rethink the approach and design a completely new colour scheme.“The Dulux Trade team carried out site visits, they took photographs, and we gave them selections of the type of pre-finished items we could get, the types of windows and the types of doors etc, while they provided us with bespoke product specification.”The Dulux Trade Commercial Colour Services team initially created colour schemes influenced by the building's exterior fixtures. But, due to lack of availability of windows and doors over the first Covid lockdown, new specifications had to be made and the team were able to pivot and quickly adapted the schemes in line with the newly specified windows and doors.

Penfield Decorating Contractors Ltd win Dulux Connect Award for re-vamp of Absolute Collagen’s Birmingham site - completely transform the business’ interior using Dulux Trade’s Diamond Matt in Sulphur Sunrise. Founded in 2015, Absolute Collagen produces collagen supplements for the hair, skin, and nails. To help them stand out from the crowd, the team wanted to update their premises in Birmingham by changing the previously grey interior to a bolder, brighter yellow – and they approached the team at family-run business, Penfield Decorating Contractors Ltd (PDC), to carry out the work.The PDC team visited the site in December 2021 to view the premises and provide a quote – and returned in January of 2022 to complete the project. Within just a few days, the team were able to completely transform the business’ interior using Dulux Trade’s Diamond Matt in Sulphur Sunrise. Darcy Laceby, Co-Founder and CBO at Absolute Collagen, said: “I approached the PDC team during the busy Christmas period with a job requiring a very quick turnaround. The team came out between Christmas and New Year to quote and were able to start the first week in January. The quote was very reasonable, and they got the job done to a high standard.”As well as meeting the client’s exacting colour requirements, Diamond Matt in Sulphur Sunrise enabled the PDC team to create an eye-catching space that is aligned with Absolute Collagen’s brand look and feel. What’s more, to ensure a professional finish and enhance the interior further, the team applied an additional coat to make the premises look its very best. Diamond Matt also contains Anti-Fade Technology, ensuring a truly long-lasting colour.In addition to colour, it was also important for the paint to be durable; as the site experiences high footfall, the paint used needed to be tough and stain resistant. Diamond Matt contains unique Stain Repellent Technology that prevents stains from setting into the surface. It also makes cleaning easier, ensuring that the professional finish applied can be easily maintained. The team also needed to be able to complete the work quickly and cause minimal disruption to the team at Absolute Collagen. Thanks to its water-based formula, Diamond Matt can be re-coated within just 4-6 hours. This enabled the team to turn the job around in good time.Carl Penfield, Managing Director at PDC, said: “Darcy knew what she wanted from the get-go, and it was a joy working with her to update the interior of the Absolute Collagen site in Birmingham. Dulux Trade’s Diamond Matt was easy to work with, offered the bold colour choice that was in keeping with the Absolute Collagen brand and provided the durability needed for this project. “We are so pleased that our work has led to us winning the Dulux Connect Award for Colour and Design.”