Dulux Trade Master – Rising from the Ashes
A Staines-based painter and decorator has gained national recognition for his outstanding work restoring a home which burnt to the ground following a vicious blaze in 2013.
Nigel Bennett owner of Bennetts Decorating Services Ltd, beat off entrants from across the UK to become a Dulux Trade Master, a title awarded to six of the UK’s most skilled decorators from across the industry.
Reconstruction work on the four-storey, grade II* listed Georgian townhouse in Windsor took over two years to complete following the dramatic fire, which had to be tackled by more than 80 firefighters called in from the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, London, Oxfordshire and Surrey regions.
The property, situated on an historic street surrounded by Georgian listed buildings, had to be rebuilt from the ground up to exactly replicate the style of its oldest neighbours, with Nigel being tasked with the job of redecorating the home to its former glory.
With over 34 years’ experience, Bennett’s specialty, creating a high specification finish, incorporating luxury wall coverings and using specialist spray-painting techniques, helped to create a stunning contemporary finish perfectly complimenting the home’s 19th century style. Nigel’s work caught the eye of the Dulux Masters judging panel, which marked his level of competence and professional skills as masterful and exemplary.
Bennett says of the project: “This must have been one of the most challenging and high-specification jobs we have ever done. The work involved a total redecoration of the whole exterior and interior of the house, a challenge that took four professionals, including myself, almost a year to complete.”
Nigel’s paintwork on the exterior of the house succeeded to make the property look old, yet feel new. He recalls: “The owners wanted a period look with a contemporary feel so we had to choose and blend colours that gave the impression of being lived-in but still looked modern and stylish.”
Nigel is ecstatic to be a Dulux Trade Masters winner. He says of his win: “I was incredibly surprised to find out that I had won. I had entered the competition with the faintest glimmer of hope, but never expected to actually win. It is great to see the industry giving something back to the decorators. It’s a fantastic achievement for my team and I.”
Dulux Trade Master – Rising from the Ashes
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