Dulux Trade Scuffshield serves up fine dining makeover

Transforming a run-down pub into a sleek, modern restaurant and bar was made all the easier with the help of Dulux Decorator Centre and Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt. With its unique formulation and ultimate scuff resistant technology, it’s perfect for maintaining that crisp, just painted look for longer.

Decorating contractor, PA Schofield Ltd, has transformed the Thirsty Man pub in Mirfield, West Yorkshire into a high-end restaurant with a modern feel. The refurbishment of the Capri restaurant saw the client completely gut the property and undertake extensive building work, including an extension. An upstairs function room was also added alongside an outside dining and drinking area. From start to finish the process took 18 months.

On the design of the project, Paul Schofield, managing director of PA Schofield Ltd explained: "We didn’t want to do anything run-of-the-mill. We tried to make this different from anywhere else.

“Before our client bought it - it was just a tatty old pub that hadn’t been renovated for ages. Our brief was to give it a thoroughly modern feel. We started with the wallpaper and floor finishes and took it from there."

As director of PA Schofield Ltd, based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Paul was given complete responsibility for conceiving and implementing all design decisions. Working closely with the Dulux Decorator Centre team at the specification stage of the project, Paul was introduced to the benefits of Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt. He was supported by Lee Crossland, National Sector Manager for Leisure at Dulux Decorator Centre.

Lee said: "I’d heard PA Schofields was about to start work on the high-end restaurant conversion so contacted Paul to let him know about our new product that would be perfect for him.

“I talked him through the benefits of Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt and that the appearance of the finish would be an ideal fit for the design he was looking to achieve, while explaining how the improved durability would allow the restaurant to look better for longer.

“PA Schofields also undertakes decorating work for many high-class projects throughout the country and specifically the London area, which could all benefit from using Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt."

Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt is an ultra-tough formulation, designed to cope with the scuffs and everyday wear and tear of busy commercial spaces. Paul was provided with a supply of the product to trial by his local Dulux Decorator Centre store in Wakefield, West Yorkshire and he identified a number of benefits from using it on the project. He said: "It flowed really well on rollers and brushes and left an excellent finish overall. And there was no flashing or colour difference from roller to cutting in."

"It’s really brilliant for touching in, too. We’d often have to redo entire walls as spots we’d touched in stood out like a sore thumb, but there was none of that with the new Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt."

Paul continued: “Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt is a great product that really works. It has really good application and absolutely no flashing at all. The clients are over the moon with the finish and durability of the product, and so are we. We will use it again without question.”

Ceilings were painted in Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt, while Dulux Trade Satinwood was used on the trim and Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt on the walls, along with Dulux Trade Diamond Matt in some areas.

To ensure a professional finish, Paul also paired statement wallpapers with contemporary floor finishes. He complimented the wallpaper through a colour scheme that combined colours such as Coyote Grey, Perfectly Taupe and Winter Avenue.

Paul has been checking in to see how the Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt has been performing. He added: "The clients are very happy that the paint cleaned easily without removing the paint from the plaster substrate. I’m really glad Lee got in contact and offered us the chance to try the Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt. It was perfect for the job."

Since this project, PA Schofield Ltd has also completed full interior design and decorating works for another Capri restaurant in Stourton, Leeds. The team transformed eight shipping containers into a stunning restaurant space using Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt for the walls and ceilings and Dulux Trade Satinwood for door frames and skirting.