Painters and Decorators Chelsea | Hawkes Decor

Painters and decorators in Chelsea

Chelsea is a place of mansion blocks, terraced houses and mews streets, with a lot of listed and period property. Paintwork here is often on timber sash windows, corniced ceilings, panelled doors and walls that have been painted many times before. Getting a good finish is less about the topcoat and more about what happens underneath: washing down, filling, sanding, caulking and priming. We spend the time on preparation so the paint doesn't fail a year later.

Many homes are leasehold flats with managing agents, concierge desks and strict rules about working hours, noise and waste. We are used to working in occupied buildings, covering carpets, protecting common parts and keeping corridors clean. We can also work to block management specifications, including colour schedules and approved paint systems.

There is a strong rental market here, from pied-a-terre flats to family houses let on short or long tenancies. Landlords and letting agents need quick turnarounds between tenancies, with durable paint that can be wiped down and touched up. We offer end-of-tenancy decorating, including stain blocking, repairs to scuffs and marks, and repainting in neutral colours that photograph well.

Commercial work in Chelsea includes shops, restaurants, clinics and offices, often on the King's Road, Fulham Road or in the back streets. These jobs need to be scheduled around trading hours, with dust control and a clean finish that reflects the brand. We can spray or brush, depending on the surface and the level of finish required.

Our painting and decorating services in Chelsea

Interior decorating

We prepare and paint walls, ceilings and woodwork in flats, houses and commercial units. Every job starts with protection: dust sheets, masking and floor coverings. We fill, sand and caulk before any paint goes on.

Washing down and degreasing surfaces
Filling cracks, dents and nail holes
Caulking skirting boards, architraves and window frames
Spot priming bare plaster and filler
Two coats of emulsion on walls and ceilings
Eggshell, satin or gloss on woodwork

We use trade paints from brands like Dulux, Crown, Farrow & Ball and Little Greene, and can match any existing colour.

Exterior decorating

Exterior work in Chelsea is often on period facades, rendered walls, timber windows and front doors. The weather limits when we can paint outside, usually from April to October, but we plan around it.

Scraping and sanding loose or flaking paint
Filling and repairing timber
Spot priming bare wood and metal
Applying microporous wood finishes that let timber breathe
Painting render and masonry with breathable paint
Repainting front doors, railings and gates

We check the forecast before starting and only paint when the surface is dry and the temperature is right.

Wallpaper hanging

Wallpaper is popular in Chelsea period homes, from bold patterns in reception rooms to textured vinyls in hallways. We hang all types, including wide-width and paste-the-wall papers.

Stripping old paper and washing off paste residue
Sizing walls to control suction
Lining paper where needed for a smooth base
Pattern matching at corners, windows and doors
Trimming neatly around sockets and switches
Advising on paste and drying times

We always check the batch numbers before starting, so colour matches across rolls.

Woodwork painting

Doors, skirting boards, architraves, staircases and window frames take a lot of wear. We prepare and paint them properly, using water-based or solvent-based trim paints depending on the surface and the finish you want.

Filling and sanding to a smooth finish
Caulking gaps between woodwork and walls
Priming bare wood and spot priming repairs
Undercoating before topcoats
Applying eggshell, satin or gloss in your chosen sheen
Spraying or brushing, whichever gives the better finish

We can also strip and repaint previously glossed woodwork that has yellowed or cracked.

Kitchen painting

Painting kitchen units is a cost-effective alternative to replacing them, but the preparation has to be right or the paint won't last. We clean, degrease, sand and prime before spraying or rolling.

Removing doors, drawers and hardware
Degreasing and sanding all surfaces
Priming with an adhesion primer
Spraying or rolling a hard-wearing topcoat
Rehanging and adjusting doors
Sealing worktops and edges where needed

We use specialist cabinet paints that resist chipping, staining and moisture.

Rental property decorating

Landlords and letting agents in Chelsea need properties painted quickly between tenancies, without cutting corners. We work to tight schedules and leave the place ready for viewings.

End-of-tenancy repairs and touch-ups
Stain blocking for damp, nicotine or water marks
Repainting in neutral, durable emulsion
Painting woodwork in hard-wearing satin or eggshell
Wallpaper removal and re-lining where needed
Working around cleaning and inventory checkouts

We understand the importance of getting a property back on the market fast.

Properties we work on in Chelsea

Period terraces and townhouses

These often have high ceilings, ornate cornicing, sash windows and original woodwork. We take care to protect features while preparing surfaces and use paints that suit older buildings.

Mansion blocks and purpose-built flats

Leasehold flats usually mean working with managing agents, limited parking and rules about noise. We are experienced in these buildings and keep disruption to a minimum.

Mews houses and converted stables

Mews properties are often small, with awkward access and limited storage. We plan deliveries and waste removal carefully, and protect narrow stairs and courtyards.

Newer developments

Some parts of Chelsea have modern apartments with clean lines and large windows. We work to a crisp, contemporary finish, often using spray application for a flawless look.

Rental flats and pied-a-terre properties

These need quick turnarounds, neutral colours and durable paint. We can work while furniture is being moved or cleaned, and leave the property ready for photography.

Commercial premises

Shops, restaurants, offices and clinics on the King's Road and Fulham Road need to stay open or reopen quickly. We work evenings and weekends where needed, with dust control and a clean site.

How we work

Get in touch
Call or email with a brief description of the work, the property type and roughly when you want it done. We will ask a few questions about access, parking and any restrictions.
Site visit and quote
We visit to see the condition of the surfaces, measure up and discuss colours, finishes and timing. You get a written quote that breaks down preparation, materials and labour.
Schedule and colour choices
Once you accept, we agree a start date and a programme of work. We can supply colour cards, sample pots and test patches so you can see the finish before we commit.
Preparation and protection
We protect floors, furniture, carpets and fittings with dust sheets and masking. Surfaces are washed, filled, sanded, caulked and primed before any topcoat goes on.
Painting and finishing
We apply the agreed coats, allowing proper drying and recoat times. We work room by room so you can still use the rest of the property, and we keep the site tidy at the end of each day.
Snagging and handover
We walk through the job with you, touch up anything you are not happy with, and leave the property clean. You get advice on aftercare and how to keep the paintwork looking good.

Choosing paint finishes for Chelsea homes

The sheen level you choose changes how a room feels and how easy it is to clean. In Chelsea, many clients want a flat matt on period walls to hide imperfections, but a soft sheen in kitchens and bathrooms where walls get wiped down. Woodwork is usually eggshell or satin, which is harder wearing than matt but less shiny than gloss.

Water-based trim paints now outperform old solvent-based gloss. They stay white longer, dry faster and have less smell, which matters in occupied flats. But on old oil-based paint, we may need to use a bridging primer or a solvent-based undercoat to stop the new paint peeling. We will tell you what your surfaces need.

For exterior woodwork, microporous paints are the right choice on period sash windows and doors. They let moisture escape from the timber, so the paint doesn't blister or crack. Cheaper exterior paints trap moisture and fail within a few years.

Decorating a rental property between tenancies

Turnaround time is everything for landlords in Chelsea. We can usually paint a one or two bedroom flat in three to five days, including preparation, two coats on walls and one on woodwork, provided the property is empty and the surfaces are in reasonable condition.

We start by washing down walls to remove grease and scuffs, then fill dents, caulk gaps and spot prime stains. We use a durable matt emulsion like Dulux Trade Diamond Matt or Crown Trade Clean Extreme, which can be wiped down between tenancies. Woodwork is painted in satin or eggshell, which resists knocks better than gloss.

If there are damp stains, nicotine marks or crayon on the walls, we seal them with a stain blocker before painting. This stops the stain bleeding through the new paint, which is a common complaint from tenants and inspectors.

Getting a quote in Chelsea

Tell us the address, the type of property, roughly how many rooms and what you want done. If you have photos, even better. We will arrange a visit, measure up and send a written quote. Chelsea has parking restrictions on many streets, so let us know if there is a residents' bay, a loading bay or off-street parking. That helps us plan the job and keep costs down.

Services

Decorating services in Chelsea

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FAQs

Decorating in Chelsea — FAQs

Can't see your question? Call or send a message and we'll answer it.

Do you work in leasehold flats with managing agents?

Yes. We regularly work in mansion blocks and purpose-built flats where the managing agent sets rules on working hours, noise, waste and common parts. We can liaise with the agent or concierge and follow any specifications for paint colours or systems.

How long does it take to paint a two bedroom flat in Chelsea?

For an empty flat in reasonable condition, we usually allow three to five days for walls, ceilings and woodwork. This includes preparation, two coats on walls and one on woodwork. If wallpaper removal or extensive repairs are needed, it may take longer.

Can you paint the exterior of a period house?

Yes, we paint facades, render, timber windows, doors and railings. Exterior work is weather dependent, so we usually schedule it between April and October. We use microporous paints on timber so the wood can breathe and the paint lasts longer.

Do you supply the paint and materials?

Yes, we supply all paints, fillers, caulk, abrasives and protective coverings. We can use trade brands like Dulux, Crown, Farrow & Ball or Little Greene, and we will match any existing colour. The quote will show materials separately from labour.

Can you work while we are living in the property?

Yes, most of our work in Chelsea is in occupied homes. We protect floors and furniture, work room by room, and keep the site tidy at the end of each day. We can arrange to do noisy preparation work at times that suit you.

In Chelsea? Get a free quote

Tell us about the rooms or exterior that need decorating and where you are. We will come back with a sensible, itemised price.

Request a Quote 07936 591 478

Straight answers, fast
Priced on the job in front of us
Tidy, protected, finished properly