Our Sustainable Approach to Painting & Decorating

Minimising Waste at Source

The best approach to waste is not to create it in the first place. We achieve this through careful measurement and ordering, ensuring we purchase only the paint and materials needed for each project with a modest allowance for touch-ups and future maintenance.

Leftover paint in good condition is offered to the client for future touch-ups. Any surplus beyond this is donated to community repaint schemes that distribute usable paint to community projects, charities, and low-income households.

Packaging & Sundries

We recycle all cardboard, plastic, and metal packaging through appropriate waste streams. Roller sleeves and disposable sundries are minimised by using washable, reusable tools wherever possible. Our team uses high-quality brushes and rollers that are cleaned and maintained rather than discarded after each job.

Paint Disposal

We never pour paint down drains or into the soil. Water-based paint residue is allowed to dry and solidify before being disposed of with general waste. Solvent-based paints, chemical strippers, and other hazardous products are collected separately and disposed of through licensed hazardous waste carriers in compliance with environmental regulations.

Stripping Waste

Paint stripping generates waste that may contain lead or other hazardous substances, particularly from older Chelsea properties. All stripping waste is tested, categorised, and disposed of through the appropriate waste stream. We maintain waste transfer documentation for every project and can provide copies on request.

Earthborn

Earthborn paints are made in the UK from naturally sourced minerals and ingredients. They are virtually VOC-free, contain no acrylics or oils derived from petrochemicals, and are highly breathable — making them particularly suitable for period properties with lime plaster walls.

Their Claypaint range has a uniquely soft, ultra-matt finish that looks beautiful on feature walls and in period rooms. Earthborn also offers a washable emulsion for higher-traffic areas and a specialist nursery-safe formulation.

Edward Bulmer Natural Paint

Edward Bulmer produces fully natural paints with zero petrochemical ingredients. Every pigment is mineral-derived, every binder plant-based. Their colour range is designed by Edward Bulmer himself, a heritage colour consultant, and each shade has a depth and subtlety that synthetic paints struggle to match.

Graphenstone

Graphenstone paints are carbon-absorbing: they actively remove CO2 from the air as they cure, thanks to a lime-based formulation enhanced with graphene technology. Over a litre of CO2 is absorbed per litre of paint applied, making them one of the few genuinely carbon-negative building products available.

We have used Graphenstone successfully on both interior and exterior projects in Chelsea. The finish is excellent, the colour range is growing, and the environmental credentials are unmatched. For clients seeking the most sustainable option available, Graphenstone is a compelling choice.

Mainstream Brands Going Green

It is worth noting that our primary partners — Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, and Benjamin Moore — have all made significant strides in sustainability. Farrow & Ball now manufactures with 100% renewable energy, Little Greene has achieved carbon-neutral status, and Benjamin Moore’s Natura range is certified zero-VOC. Choosing premium does not mean choosing against the environment.

The Most Sustainable Building Is One Already Built

Chelsea’s period properties represent centuries of embodied carbon — the energy and materials that went into their original construction. Maintaining and restoring these buildings is inherently more sustainable than demolishing and rebuilding them. Every sash window we restore rather than replace, every stucco front we repair rather than re-render, and every original timber door we strip and refinish is a small but meaningful contribution to reducing construction waste and embodied carbon.

Breathable Finishes for Historic Fabric

Using appropriate, breathable paints on period buildings is not just good conservation practice — it is also environmentally responsible. Non-breathable modern paints can trap moisture in historic masonry, leading to deterioration that eventually requires energy-intensive repairs. By using lime washes, mineral paints, and breathable emulsions, we help preserve the building fabric for future generations.

Longevity Over Frequency

The most sustainable paint job is one that lasts. By investing in thorough preparation, quality products, and skilled application, we extend the interval between redecorations. A properly prepared and painted room can look excellent for 8-10 years, while a rushed job with cheap materials may need attention within 3-4. Over a building’s lifetime, the difference in paint consumption, waste generation, and disruption is substantial.

Repair Before Replace

Our default approach is always to repair before replacing. We fill and restore timber rather than fitting new boards, we strip and repaint cast-iron radiators rather than recommending replacements, and we restore original architectural details rather than installing modern reproductions. This philosophy reduces waste, preserves character, and respects the resources that went into the original construction.