The experience behind our decorating work

MAR Decor is the trading identity of Mark Anthony Ravenhill Decorating. The business grew from Mark’s established decorating work and later operated under the Leeming & Ravenhill name before developing into MAR Decor. The original lrdecorating.uk domain was retained because of its history and established links; today the public-facing brand is MAR Decor.

For clients, the important part of that story is continuity of experience and a practical understanding of properties. Decorating is not treated as an isolated final coat: a successful result depends on substrate condition, repairs, preparation, correct product choices and the sequence of work. The aim is to bring those considerations into the conversation from the outset.

A premium finish is created long before the final colour appears. Scraping back failing coatings, identifying cracks or staining, filling and sanding in a controlled way, selecting suitable primers and allowing coatings to cure are all part of the job. Skipping those steps can leave an attractive photograph on the day of handover but a less convincing result over time.

Different properties require different decisions. New plaster is not treated in the same way as old lime plaster; hard-wearing commercial circulation areas have different requirements from a formal drawing room; and existing timber finishes should be understood before repainting. We discuss what the work involves rather than presenting every surface as identical.

Owners of significant properties want to know how a contractor will work around furniture, other trades, visitors, family life and access arrangements. We encourage an early discussion about which rooms are in use, what needs protecting, any fragile finishes and how the work might be phased. The project should feel organised and properly considered, not like a succession of surprises.

For a commercial client, that same clarity applies to operational hours, health and safety arrangements, access to rooms and the point at which spaces need handing back. We believe a clear scope and a realistic programme are just as important as the choice of paint.