poliphilo: (Default)
poliphilo ([personal profile] poliphilo) wrote2011-12-08 02:23 pm

Job Done

I've finished decorating the front room. Yesterday I painted the area above the picture rail (which involved standing on top of the step-ladder and strrrretching). Today I gave selected areas a second coat. 

[identity profile] lblanchard.livejournal.com 2011-12-08 02:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Congratulations.

It's interesting to me that folks in England use the word "decorating" to denote activities we'd call "painting." We former colonials reserve "decorating" for a comprehensive overhaul including paint/wallpaper, carpets, window treatments, furniture, and bric-a-brack. Some of said overhaul may include a decision to retain the existing whatevers, and decorating need not involve repainting.

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2011-12-08 02:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Interesting. "Decorating" is a fairly loose word. I use it interchangeably with "painting" but I might also use it to include those other things you mention.

[identity profile] lblanchard.livejournal.com 2011-12-08 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I've known other English folks who've told me that they're having "the decorators" in and then I learn that they're having their houses or flats painted.

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2011-12-08 09:47 pm (UTC)(link)
That's right. The word decorator conjures up the image of a guy in overalls with a paint brush in his hand.