When homeowners invest hundreds of thousands of pounds renovating a period property in London, they tend to focus on architects, kitchens, marble, lighting and bespoke joinery. Yet according to experienced decorator Simon Lipson of JRSL Interiors, one of the most important decisions often receives the least attention: choosing the right painter.
“The painting is the final layer people actually see every day,” Simon explains. “You can spend a fortune on a renovation, but if the decorating is poor, the whole property feels unfinished.”
In London’s luxury property market, where expectations are exceptionally high and many homes are decades — or even centuries — old, painting and decorating is far more complex than simply applying colour to walls. It requires technical expertise, patience, collaboration with other trades and an obsessive attention to detail.
In this interview-style feature, Simon shares the common problems homeowners face during high-end renovations. He explains why experienced painters are essential to protecting both the beauty and value of expensive homes.
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Renovating older London homes presents unique challenges. Many properties in areas such as Chelsea, Kensington, Hampstead and Notting Hill contain decades of structural movement, hidden damp issues and layers of previous decorating work.
“People often underestimate how much preparation is involved,” says Simon. “On high-end projects, the decorating is usually the most visible part of the renovation, but most of the work happens before a single top coat goes on.”
According to Simon, one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is hiring decorators based purely on price.
“A cheap quote often means corners are being cut somewhere,” he explains. “Usually that’s preparation, materials or time allocated to the project.”
And in expensive homes, poor preparation quickly becomes obvious.
Simon says experienced decorators regularly encounter:
“In period properties especially, nothing is ever straightforward,” Simon says. “You need decorators who understand how old buildings behave.”
For Simon, preparation is the defining difference between average decorators and true professionals.
“Anyone can open a tin of paint,” he says. “The skill is in creating surfaces that look flawless under every type of lighting.”
In luxury homes, imperfections become far more visible due to modern lighting design, large open spaces and premium finishes.
“A wall might look fine during the day,” Simon explains, “but once feature lighting is installed in the evening, every imperfection suddenly appears.”
That means extensive preparation is essential.
Simon describes a typical preparation process on a high-end renovation:
“You can’t rush quality decorating,” Simon says. “A lot of what we do is invisible when the project is finished — but that’s exactly the point.”
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One of the biggest challenges in luxury renovations is coordination.
Decorators must work seamlessly with builders, kitchen installers, electricians, flooring specialists and interior designers, often under significant time pressure.
“Good decorators don’t just paint,” Simon explains. “They manage relationships and sequencing on site.”
For example, decorating too early can result in damage from ongoing construction work. Decorating too late can delay final installations and move-in dates.
“You need experience to know the right timing,” Simon says. “On large projects, one mistake can create expensive delays.”
Simon believes communication separates experienced contractors from inexperienced ones.
“We’re constantly speaking with site managers, clients and other trades,” he explains. “Luxury renovations are collaborative.”
This becomes particularly important when unexpected issues arise.
“Sometimes you uncover damaged plaster or hidden moisture halfway through the job,” Simon says. “You need the experience to solve problems quickly without compromising the finish.”
According to Simon, high-end decorating requires high-end products.
“There’s no point spending millions renovating a home and then using cheap paint,” he says.
Premium paints offer:
Simon says the difference becomes especially noticeable in darker colours and specialist finishes.
“Luxury paints behave differently,” he explains. “They flow better, level better and create a much richer finish.”
But using premium products properly also requires technical skill.
“Some specialist paints are unforgiving,” Simon says. “Without the right technique, they can look terrible.”
In London’s luxury property market, presentation matters enormously.
A beautifully decorated property creates an immediate emotional response for buyers and guests alike.
“When people walk into a home, they notice the finish instantly,” Simon says. “Even if they can’t explain it technically, they feel the quality.”
Poor decorating, however, has the opposite effect.
Visible brush marks, uneven walls, flashing, cracking or poor cutting-in can undermine the perception of an otherwise expensive renovation.
“It affects how people value the whole property,” Simon explains.
Simon encourages homeowners to think long-term.
“A proper decorating job should last,” he says. “Done correctly, it protects surfaces and keeps the property looking exceptional for years.”
That’s particularly important in busy family homes where durability matters just as much as aesthetics.
“We always think about how the home will function day-to-day,” Simon explains. “It’s not just about making it look good on completion day.”
The Emotional Side of Renovating a Home
Luxury renovations are often stressful for homeowners.
Budgets are substantial. Timelines can stretch. Unexpected problems emerge regularly.
Simon believes experienced decorators help reduce that stress.
“Clients want reassurance,” he says. “They want to know the people working in their home genuinely care about the result.”
Trust becomes especially important when working in occupied homes filled with valuable furnishings and delicate finishes.
“You’re not just decorating,” Simon explains. “You’re looking after someone’s home and investment.”
According to Simon, professionalism matters just as much as technical ability.
That includes:
“These details make a huge difference on high-end projects,” he says.
After years of working on premium homes across London, Simon says one lesson stands out above all others:
“Quality always shows in the end.”
Homeowners may not immediately see the difference between average and exceptional decorating during the early stages of a project. But over time, the gap becomes obvious.
“Cheap decorating deteriorates quickly,” Simon says. “Cracks appear, paint fails, finishes wear unevenly.”
By contrast, carefully executed decorating continues to look refined years later.
“That’s what clients are really investing in,” he explains. “Longevity, consistency and craftsmanship.”
Before hiring a decorator for a luxury renovation, Simon recommends asking several key questions:
Why does painting matter so much in a luxury renovation?
Because it’s the finish you see every single day. Even the most expensive renovation can feel underwhelming if the decorating isn’t flawless. High-end painting creates the polished look that brings together kitchens, lighting, flooring and bespoke joinery.
Is it really worth paying more for experienced painters?
In most cases, yes. Experienced decorators spend far more time on preparation, use better materials and know how to avoid costly mistakes. The result usually lasts longer, looks better and protects the value of the property.
Why do luxury homes need so much preparation before painting?
Because older and more expensive homes often have uneven walls, historic repairs, cracks, moisture issues or delicate original features. The smoother and more refined the final finish needs to be, the more preparation is required underneath.
How long should a high-quality paint job last?
A properly executed decorating job using premium products can look exceptional for many years. Longevity depends on surface preparation, paint quality, environmental conditions and the skill of application.
Why do dark paint colours show imperfections more easily?
Dark colours reflect light differently and highlight uneven surfaces, roller marks and poor plasterwork. That’s why luxury decorators spend extra time preparing walls before applying deep or rich shades.
“Anyone can promise a good finish,” Simon says. “The important thing is understanding the process behind achieving it.”
As London’s “don’t move, improve” trend continues, more homeowners are investing heavily in renovating existing properties rather than relocating. But successful luxury renovations depend on far more than beautiful design concepts.
The final finish — the part homeowners live with every day — often determines whether a project truly feels exceptional.
And according to Simon Lipson, that finish depends heavily on choosing experienced painters who understand the demands of high-end homes.
“Great decorating should feel effortless when it’s finished,” he says. “But achieving that takes experience, care and an enormous amount of preparation.”
If you are planning a high-end renovation in London and want experienced decorators who understand luxury homes, contact JRSL Interiors.
JRSL Interiors
Phone: 07788 516436
Email: info@jrslinteriors.co.uk
