Redecorating projects

Members consult us when decorating because:

• We have a contact book full of tried and trusted tradesmen and can source specialists, saving members' time and providing expertise.
• Our experience of supervising painting and renovating projects helps us to guide members through the process as painlessly as possible.
• The team has expertise in everything from colour advice for the nursery to specialist techniques for a wall mural. Members call us to get new ideas.
• We can sort out small jobs, such as retouching a marked wall, and large projects such as redecorating an entire house.

Our home improvements expert Roberto Crovini says: 'Finding a good decorator, getting quotes, choosing colours and clearing possessions can leave people grim-faced and time-pressed. The home improvement team talks members through their projects and takes as much of the stress out of the job as possible.

'Many members use us to organise an entire redecoration project while they go away. One of our members went away on holiday for two weeks in August and his whole house was repainted while he relaxed in the sun. It's the ideal solution. We arranged a key-holding service so the member didn't have to get involved at all - apart from coming back to enjoy it on his return.'

Insider tips:

• Don't be put off getting interior design advice just because you're not having a top-to-toe overhaul. Our suppliers can advise on smaller projects, such as a lighting scheme in a study, choosing paint colours and curtains to suit a room, or fitting out and decorating a nursery.
• Do some research before you decide on colours and schemes. With big projects, it's useful to put together a file of clippings and ideas that you've seen and liked. This can help you to make decisions in shops and with builders.
• If you're not moving out during decorating, it's possible to avoid smelly oil-based gloss or eggshell paints. Gloss and eggshell sheens are available as water-based acrylic paints, which are quick-drying and don't have the same unpleasant aroma.
• Many members want to use environment-friendly paints. Dulux has created a new eco-range and Farrow and Ball offers low-odour, environmentally-sound formulations. Earthborn, Biofa and Ecos also have good selections.