Decorating questions - help needed

[dUnKle]

Looking to get my hall, stairs and landing painted today and tommorow before the new floor gets put down (fingers crossed) in next few days

We are painting it all - Walls magnolia and then glossing the skirting etc

However we also have the banister and balistrade on the stairs and doors to a couple of cupboards. These are currently glossed. Now have sanded down the gloss as best I can (although paint is still there, just not as shiny) and got rid of all the previous drips that where there

(1) Can I just paint over gloss ?
(2) Whats a good white paint that gives a nice clean fresh smooth look, but without being glossy and can this be painted on top of gloss ?
(3) The magnolia for the walls is (obviously) very stark - to me it looks like its not even been bothered with but the other half likes it - anyone able to recommend a suitable alternative ?

Im sure more questions will follow

[pave]

You could try this , gives a nice satin finish, ..

http://www.crownpaint.co.uk/help-and...solo-satin.htm

Or just use an Eggshell, Depending on the wear and tear that might occur, not sure if you have Kids,but , ideally you should give them an undercoat first, this will adhere the paint better, it will be fine, but may chip easier with the odd knock....

As for colour, maybe an apple white, or a shade similar, but it all depends on your surroundings, i.e. carpet, furnishings.....anyway, Hope all this makes sense....................

[kavanf1]

Originally Posted by dUnKle

Looking to get my hall, stairs and landing painted today and tommorow before the new floor gets put down (fingers crossed) in next few days

We are painting it all - Walls magnolia and then glossing the skirting etc

However we also have the banister and balistrade on the stairs and doors to a couple of cupboards. These are currently glossed. Now have sanded down the gloss as best I can (although paint is still there, just not as shiny) and got rid of all the previous drips that where there

(1) Can I just paint over gloss ?
(2) Whats a good white paint that gives a nice clean fresh smooth look, but without being glossy and can this be painted on top of gloss ?
(3) The magnolia for the walls is (obviously) very stark - to me it looks like its not even been bothered with but the other half likes it - anyone able to recommend a suitable alternative ?

Im sure more questions will follow

1) As long as the surface has been keyed well - ie roughened up with a good sanding - then yes, you can paint over gloss.

2) If you don't want gloss, but still want a shine, you should probably go for a silk emulsion - these give a good sheen. Be warned, it is unusual to paint wooden surfaces with emulsion, and because these are usually subject to heavy traffic (dirty hand-prints, shoe scuffs, etc), gloss is usually the best option. (Gloss can be wiped clean, whereas silk emulsion, though often sold as "wipe-clean" more often than not will need regular coats to keep it white - it's okay on walls, not so much on bannisters and the like).

3) Perhaps you could put up a dado rail (usually at a height of 30-36") or picture rail (usually at a height of 7-8') to break up your room - works well if you have high ceilings. If using a dado, you could either wallpaper or use a contrasting (darker) colour on the lower section of wall, and magnolia the upper half.

[27neth]

Hi,
I agree with pave, undercoat then use eggshell. Dont use emulsion on woodwork, you will painting it weekly. Also dont use a one coat paint.
Why dont you wallpaper one wall and just paint the rest. Thats what i have done.

john

[Woodywizz]

On our hall, stairs and landing we have a beige/taupe colour...bit darker than magnolia and looks really nice and classy

[funkyspider]

Not really any help but eggshell paint is useless for lifting fingerprints off. Our business premises got broken into and the police fingerprinty man told us - we touch the door day in day out and there was virtually nothing he could get off it.

Just thought I'd pass on that useless snippet of information

[RottenFox]

undercoat and satin agreed,would be a good way to go.
hammerite(white in your case) also works well on wood,either smooth or hammered.
no need for an undercoat,2 coats of hammerite,is enough.
looks really good when put on with a roller/pad,not glossy at all,more a satiny finish.

[27neth]

heres a couple of photos of the hall stairs and landing, with wallpaper and paint

john..

[Woodywizz]

Originally Posted by 27neth

heres a couple of photos of the hall stairs and landing, with wallpaper and paint

john..

Like the wallpaper, we have very similar on the two walls either side of the chimney breast in the living room. It is completely black with a satin black pattern in it - rest of the room is brilliant white.

It's a brave man who uses black wallpaper...but it works