Comments on: Getting e-motional

By: Tom White

Tom White — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:42:19 +0000

Yes, really nice site. I love the colours and it’s easy to use.

By: Dan Holgate

Dan Holgate — Tue, 27 May 2008 15:36:18 +0000

Hi Kate

I hope you found our telephone conversation useful.

Phase 1 of the EU directed Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) legislation came in at the beginning of last year, with phase 2 happening at the beginning of 2010. This will further restrict the VOC levels allowed in paints, varnishes and thinners.

All of the paint manufacturers are having to look at their recipes in order to meet the new legislation, but really the new law doesn’t go far enough to my mind. Even paints now meeting 2010 guidelines will off-gas for years, filling homes with toxicity, and affecting the sensitive humans!

It’s interesting - when I started painting and decorating 15years ago, I could paint all day with solvent-based gloss and feel OK. Now, having detoxed my body, the fumes from the paint make me tired and head-achey and even tripped-out if I don’t wear a decent vapour mask!

The UK eco-decorating market is growing I think, but you have to be careful of all the ‘greenwashing’ that occurs when companies jump on the environmental bandwagon saying what they do is ‘eco’, when all it actually is is less toxic than before. Less toxic doesnt mean eco!!!

As for further research areas, check out the ECOS website, linked on my non-toxic paint page, and the VOC legislation stuff found via a google search.

Good luck with your work Kate, I’d be interested in reading your study when you’ve finished.

All the best,
Dan, Love Decorating

By: Kate Stewart

Kate Stewart — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:17:34 +0000

Hi,

I am a student currently studying MsC Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies at the Centre of Alternative Technology, Wales and I am currently looking at the toxicity of paint as an essay. With the swell in popularity of home decorating since the mid 1990s I am intrigued by the impact our “if in doubt paint it neutral” culture may be having on people’s health with regards to off-gassing etc. Having undertaken some brief research, one thing that has particularly struck me is that the UK appears to be lagging massively behind the USA with regards to toxicity legislation.

I would be interested in your views of the UK market for “eco” decorating (from your own experience) and any research avenues you think maybe of help?

By: Joanna

Joanna — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:00:50 +0000

In common with everyone else who has commented, am loving the fab, fresh and funky website. Am lucky enough to live in the Love Decorating zone, met the lovely Dan this morning and am looking forward to quote and some painting action this spring!
Big appreciation in advance to team, and website people, for doing what you do

By: Sarah Dyke

Sarah Dyke — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:38:19 +0000

Hi I am after some advice.

I am a recently self employed decorator (after being made redundant) near Brighton and was thinking of taking the organic route for my work to enable me to stand out frome the norm because as far as I can find there is no service such as this in sussex and I also believe there is a growing market for this, with the current concentration on “saving the planet”.
I was wondering how you have found the response and whether there is a great amount of demand for using organic paints. Also whether the price and quality of the paints have made a great amount of difference to your work.

Many thanks for your time,

I look forward to hearing from you

Hi Sarah, Dan here.

Well done for going the non-toxic route. It’s definitely the way to go for you, your health, the health of your customers, and the planet!

Hows going non-toxic been for me? There certainly is demand out there - over half of the work I have booked in now is for all non-toxic paints. I have done jobs where people want me to use the non-toxic wood paint, but have asked me to use Dulux on the walls…. It’s just a matter I think of whether you can afford to go completely non-toxic or organic, and wait for the work to come in, or whether you carry on taking on toxic jobs until you have built up enough work to make the switch. All the time I am using Dulux (or similar) I am educating those customers!

Certainly the upcoming legislation aroung VOC levels in paint will help raise awareness, and should favour those who already have experience of using low or zero VOC paints.

As for price, although the ecos paints, say, are certanly dearer, the paint content of a job price is so small that on a job price it may only make 15% difference. Performance-wise, they go on great but sometimes need an extra coat to cover, especially the white wall paints. I have ecos matt wall paint throughout my home, the finish is beautiful, and it wipes over really well.

I hope that’s all useful. Please contact me again if you need to, and sign up for the newsletter. Maybe this could be the beginning of an eco-decorator’s association!

All the best,
Dan

By: Tom Rosier

Tom Rosier — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:58:26 +0000

Hi Uncle Dan! This website is great and I like the pics of you and your mates. I can’t wait to see you again and for you to decorate my room! Everyone at home says hi. Keep up the good work!

By: JACK SANDERS

JACK SANDERS — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 13:22:29 +0000

YOU CAN COME AND PAINT MY SOFFITS ANYTIME.

By: Holly Rosier

Holly Rosier — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:39:58 +0000

This website is great! I am 11 years old and my Uncle Dan has been painting round our house. He is very professional and is constantly working to a great standard. He is fun to talk to and is a good person to laugh with. I would recommend Dan to everyone because he is brilliant!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 22:16:31 +0000

Nice website, shame you’re at the other end of the country from me as I have lots of fencing around the croft that needs to be painted and am considering ECOS rather than creosote as I’m trying to go organic…not sure there’s anyone around here that would take the task on! Guess I just have to get my hands dirty myself!!!

By: Sam Allberry

Sam Allberry — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:12:29 +0000

Hi Dan,

Website looks great, as does mum and dad’s place!

Hope all goes well!