From Drab to Fab

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Our good friends at Porters Paints were moving to their new premises at New Farm and we at Darren Slater Painter & Decorator were privileged to be given the task of transforming their new store. What a compliment it was for Porters to approach us at Darren Slater Painter & Decorator.

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From a dark slate grey to a beautiful bright white, this store definitely went from “Drab to Fab” with a coat of paint. The emphasis obviously had to be on the quality and finish, because that’s what Porter’s Paints are renowned for, and so are we.

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Inside their new store they have built this amazing curved wall which we used to showcase all of Porter’s unique finishes…yep, the sample wall, where you can see and feel the texture along with the quality of their products. It has taken me years of practice and application to become an expert in these decorative finishes and I offer advice and assistance to other professional painters in these unique products.

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Lime wash floor finishes are so popular at the moment and Darren Slater Painter & Decorator are experts in the application of the Porter’s Products to produce all the modern finishes for your floor.

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From floor to ceilings…if you’re looking for inspiration, then this is definitely the place to visit. We were enthusiastic when we were given the task to showcase their products and our skill as painters and decorators. Yes, we even hung the wallpaper and painted the pots!

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Porter’s were so happy with our finished project that they allowed me to sign it!

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Thanks Porter’s for giving us awesome products to work with and for allowing Darren and Slater Painter & Decorator to be a part of your new store.

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HOME SHOW

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The HIA, Sunday Mail Home Show

was held on the 9-11 September 2016 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre was a great 1st show for Darren Slater Painter & Decorator.

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Our aim is to get the brand Darren Slater Painter & Decorator to be the first you think of when wanting a quality painting job for your home, office, boat, shed or furniture. The difference between a paint job and a Darren Slater Painter & Decorator paint job is not only the quality of the products used, but the service and the professionalism of our tradesmen.

Our stand at the Home Show was bright, colourful and full of professional pride. Our stand was overflowing with samples of great faux finishes and ideas. We included a lot of information and items in our stand, because at Darren Slater Painter & Decorator we have a lot to offer.

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With Darren Slater, Luke Barrett and James Christoforou, just some of our professional staff, on hand to offer great advice and encouragement to all the guests visiting our stand and attending the Home Show.

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Guests were invited to enter the draw to win Planters, which were hand painted, in a selection of amazing finishes. I am sure that the 9 lucky winners were thrilled with their new planters.

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With this being the first Home Show experience for Darren Slater Painter & Decorator, we were excited and are encouraged by the positive results that we received. You will definitely see us at the next Home Show. We are already thinking up new ideas for the next one…keep your eye out.

 

Man Cave Make-Over

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When the MAN CAVE needs a Make-Over

Follow the journey of this much loved room as it is transformed.

You know when you’re sitting there in your man cave, knowing it really needs some TLC and a bit of a make-over!

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The walls are bare, you are looking for inspiration and your mind is blank. Well check this out, the result will be a MAN CAVE that is not only modern and fresh, it will be masculine and textured…just as a man cave should be.

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It is important to protect the area, so spend time laying the drop sheet, covering windows and taping the architraves and door jams, as the application of the chosen product is not the standard brush and roller application.

Using Porter’s Fresco, also known as polished plaster, the technique and application are difficult, but definitely have a result that is worth the effort.

The colour of the Fresco is called Double Stone Age, with 2 coats required for the ultimate finish. The product is applied with a trowel for the two coats, and the technique is similar to the application of concrete render.

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Great work doesn’t just happen overnight….so watch this space to see the stunning result of this Man Cave in the coming weeks.

 

 

New Life For Old Furniture

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Furniture Revival

Old pieces of furniture have an aura of history, nostalgia and are irreplaceable, but how do they fit into our homes when they are worn and unappealing?

A recent client has just experienced this dilemma. Finding the perfect pieces to go with her classic home was proving to be impossible, but with a little bit of imagination, the perfect pieces of furniture were just a pot of paint away. One call to Darren Slater Painter & Decorator and Darren had Luke ready to give this old furniture new life.

With a visit to the local Porters store, Luke purchased the Porters Paint Chalk Emulsion and some Antique Bees Wax. These products were the best choice to achieve the expected outcome for this furniture, which was a white shabby chic look. The Chalk Emulsion leaves the furniture with a soft chalky appearance.

Our client chose her favourite fabric and now the lounge is ready for the upholsters to recover, and when complete, it will be a valued piece in our client’s furniture collection.

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Picture2 Before & after and with a sample of selected fabric.

Now for that hall table…

The hall table was worn and marked. Applying the same products (along with a new piece of granite for the top) has given this hall table a bright and fresh shabby chic look.

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So whatever the painting project, our team of qualified, experienced tradesmen can help you achieve your creative ideas. You are only limited by your own imagination. Use this cooler weather to get the projects completed to have your home ready for spring entertaining!

 

 

 

Do you stand out from the pack?

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Make the most of your business location!

Eye catching results are just a phone call away.

One of our clients has a great location for their building with great traffic flow past their premises, but they were concerned that their building didn’t stand out from the surrounding businesses and buildings.

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With some great ideas discussed, they decided on this striking effect.

The black and white stripes are eye catching and certainly add that little something to grab the attention of all that traffic flowing by. The whole project which included the entire exterior of the building was completed successfully by just some of our team including Graeme, Brendan, Chris, Jake and Simon and the striped effect will last 10-15 years.

The product used was Dulux Atex Roof Membrane and applied using rollers to an existing colour-bond bull-nose roof. The straight lines were achieved by free hand cutting in.

IMG_0353 (after..the results speak for themselves)

So don’t just blend with the others stand out from the pack, contact Darren Slater Painter & Decorator to discuss options to help you make the most of your location and position.

Darren offers a free – no obligation discussion, quote and colour consultant; with more than 25 years experience, Darren has built a reputation that has stood the test of time. Being a member of the Master Painters Association and a Dulux Accredited Painter ensures that you are dealing with a professional, call Darren on 1300 857 019, for further information.

It’s Worth Paying Extra for a Quality Paint Job

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Painting a house or an office can be an expensive job and some would prefer to call a mate or opt for a cheaper painter to get the job done. However, it’s important to remember at the end of the day, it’s worth paying a little bit more for a quality paint finish from a reputable painting company (like Darren Slater!).

A good painter will also offer honest, professional advice and provide you with options if you’re under a tight budget. It’s all in value-adding and we make sure you’re getting bang for your buck years down the line!

I’ve been painting for more than 25 years and I’ve seen it all and know what it takes to get the job done right. Myself and the team at Darren Slater take pride in what we do in every project we take on and we do our very best to make sure the client is happy with the finished job. And once we clean and tidy up to leave the job one last time, our work is on show for years to come. We never want to disappoint clients with a bad job – but please let us know if you’re unhappy about something so that we can rectify and know what to be aware of next time.

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You may be thinking what’s the difference between what we do and what the mate of a mate down the road can do for a cheaper cost? For one, we are very strict on the process in quoting, preparing and organising the team together to get the job done well and efficiently as possible with minimal disruption to your day. I train my guys to go above and beyond the call of duty on a job and ensure the Darren Slater brand is reflected in the work. We will never cut corners and never just leave a job thinking that it ‘looks alright’ or ‘it’ll do’. We should all be thinking ‘that looks brilliant the client is going to love this!’

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Paying a little extra for quality work done right the first time reduces the requirement for us to come back to touch up the job the second time. Though in saying that, I hope you do give us a call the second time to work on a new project!

You should never have to question if the job was done correctly once the painting team leaves. The team at Darren Slater love having repeat clients – but for all the right reasons!

I hope that clears up the cost conundrum when it comes to paying for a painter. And don’t forget to give us a call for your next paint job!

At Darren Slater, we have over 25 years experience in residential, commercial and decorative painting servicing the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast regions. Check out our Gallery and see our latest work! Or follow us on Instagram at @darrenslaterpainter

We’re attending the Dulux Trade Expo in Melbourne!

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Hi everyone, Darren here! It’s not often I get to hang out with a group of painters and do a bunch of awesome activities, but July has presented two opportunities for me to do just that!

On the 23rd, 24th and 25th of July I attended the 14th Dulux Accredited National Conference. This years theme is ‘Be Different’. As consumers, I’m sure you are more than aware of the overwhelming choice you are faced with when it comes to products and services in the painting world. Here, at Darren Slater painting we try our best to stand out from the crowd with the unique skills and services we offer. And that is exactly what this years conference is about: how to stand out among sameness. Although we tend not to think of our work as same-same, we’re excited to attend and learn!

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Attending these expos gives us the chance to seek inspiration, Moncler outlet broaden our professional network and (hopefully!) stay ahead of our competition. Each year these conferences help us improve our customer experiences, moncleronline enlighten us to new insights from leading industry professionals and instill an overall sense of excitement in our business’ growth.

As well as the Dulux Accredited National Conference, I’ll also be attending the Dulux Trade Expo on the 28th of July in Melbourne representing Dulux and Porters Paints. On the theme of being different, there are so many unique and exciting ways to utilise paint; that’s why I relish these opportunities to let fellow painters in on the latest painting innovations.

Will you be at any of these? Let us know, or come and say hi!

At Darren Slater, we have over 20 years experience in residential, commercial and decorative painting servicing the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast regions. Check out our Gallery and see our latest work!

Darren Slater’s Top 5 Painting Tips

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Hi everyone, Darren here! I often get asked from clients and colleagues my top tips when it comes to painting. Below are my top 5 painting tips from all of us at Darren Slater Painter if you’re thinking about DIY-ing your next paint project.  But as always, if you’re ever unsure about anything make sure you call professionals for help! 

Tip #1 – Prime your walls before painting

Applying a layer of primer before painting will help you achieve professional and high-end finish. Many homeowners opt to not prime when they do it themselves but end up with drab-looking results. Priming your walls before you start painting assists in smoothing out ridges and creating a nice even base for paint to adhere to.

Tip #2 – Masking

Masking before painting will help you get that sharp, clean edge on your walls. Don’t use regular masking tape to prep your work as normal masking tape can leave a sticky residue on your paint when you peel it off. Make sure you purchase trade painter’s masking tape, available at all good hardware stores like Bunnings and paint stores, and press the tape down with a putty knife to ensure it adheres well to the surface.

Tip #3 – Use canvas sheets to protect floors

At Darren Slater we strive to leave a lasting impression for our top-notch painting skills, but not a permanent one by staining your carpets or floors! Protect your floors by covering them with cotton drop cloths instead of plastic ones. Cotton drop cloths repel paint spills and avoids slips and falls unlike their plastic counterparts. It also avoids getting work boots covered in paint and trailing it into other areas you don’t want paint to be on like wooden floors! 

Tip #4 – Paint the ceiling first

The best order to paint is to go from top to bottom: start with the ceiling, then walls, doors, windows, skirting and then trims. It’s recommended to start by painting the ceiling first so any residual drips will fall onto the wall – and you would go over to cover up when you paint the walls next.  

Tip #5 – Cover paint rollers when not in use

When you’re not using paint rollers, make sure you cover them with plastic wrap, plastic bags or tin foil to reduce air exposure and keep them fresh when you get back to using them. We look after our tools to make sure they last so that we make sure we get that high-end finish you’re after when you call upon a member of Darren Slater’s team.

If you are ever unsure about anything it’s best to leave it to the professionals like Darren and his team to avoid a disaster and it could end up costing more than your originally budgeted for. Nevertheless, painting can be fun!  It’s takes a bit of practice to get it right but it’s worth taking the time to do it.

At Darren Slater, we have over 20 years experience in residential, commercial and decorative painting servicing the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast regions. Check out our Gallery and see our latest work!