Decorative details PAINT TECHNIQUES

Looking back to the 1980s, I remember when interest rates were 15 per cent, money was tight, and my first property – a flat in north London – was in dire need of decoration. On the coffee table was a book, , by Jocasta Innes. Now an iconic 1980s self-help decorating manual, it literally revolutionised the way many of us addressed the interiors of our homes by explaining a multitude of faux - fake or imitation - paint finishes and effects. With a bit of flair and hard work, it was possible to change the look of any tired interior or piece of furniture and relatively cheaply, too. So began my love affair with paint techniques and interior design.