Interior painting

Follow the light through the rooms

A tall front room and a quieter room at the back can read the same paint quite differently. Look at substantial samples in each position, with the curtains, flooring and lamps that will remain. Agree how the wall colour meets the ceiling, cornice and woodwork, so the transition between rooms is deliberate.

Give the joinery its own specification

Include shutters where present, window reveals, door panels, architraves and skirting in the surface schedule. Decide which edges and cupboard interiors belong to the commission. These smaller elements often determine whether a room feels complete; recording them also makes it clear which fittings will need removal or protection before preparation begins.

Inspect before covering

Open joints, unstable coatings and marks beneath a window need a decision before finishing. Identify the cause of any unresolved damage and distinguish decorative filling from repairs needing another specialist. In a listed interior, establish the appropriate treatment before sanding, stripping or changing a finish; protection extends beyond the street elevation.

Sources: Camden: listed buildings

Release a workable part of the home

For an occupied flat, a room must have somewhere to put its furniture and a route that remains usable. Agree those arrangements with the resident, together with storage and daily access. For a larger townhouse, work floor by floor only where that sequence preserves the facilities and circulation the occupants need.

Keep a record that can be used again

At the review, compare each surface with the agreed instruction and record any remaining work. Retain the accepted colour, product and sheen by room. Furniture and fittings should return in accordance with the finish manufacturer's guidance, so a completed paint application and a room ready for everyday use are treated as separate stages.