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Decorating glossary

Every term your decorator might use, explained.

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A watered-down first coat of emulsion that seals new plaster.
Painting a sharp line by hand where two surfaces meet.
A low-sheen, durable finish for woodwork and walls.
A primer that stops water, smoke or nicotine stains bleeding through.
Painting walls, woodwork and ceiling the same colour.
A breathable traditional paint made from lime.
Flexible filler for gaps between woodwork and walls.
Sanding a surface so new paint grips.
A coating that lets timber breathe.
A thin finishing coat of plaster.
A moulding around a room at waist height.
A mid-sheen woodwork finish between eggshell and gloss.

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