A lifetime of decorating. A personal approach.
Hello, I'm Steve Tucker, the owner of Finishing Touches. I've spent my working life in painting, decorating and the building trade, and I'd like to tell you a little about how it all began.
From learning traditional decorating techniques in my family's London business to looking after homes across Milton Keynes, I've always believed that good workmanship and respect for the customer should go hand in hand.
Where it all started
I joined the building trade in 1979, when I was just 18 years old. At the time, I attended Willesden Technical College in North West London, studying for a City and Guilds qualification.
I began working in the family business, W.T. Hamilton Ltd, which was run by my father and grandfather. It had been a leading decorating company in that part of London for many years.
It was a very different way of learning a trade. I was taught traditional, old-school decorating techniques, together with the importance of preparation, patience and getting the details right.
Just as importantly, I learned to respect customers and their homes. Those early lessons gave me a proper understanding of the processes and applications involved in decorating, and they're values I still believe in today.
Started in the family business and studied at Willesden Technical College.
Started my own decorating business and began building a team.
Moved to Milton Keynes and began establishing the business locally.
From family business to prestigious London projects
In 1985, I decided to go out on my own. Over time, I grew the business with a partner, and between us we employed around four to six decorators, sometimes more when the workload required it.
Running a larger team gave me valuable experience of bigger contracts, managing projects and the business side of the trade. We worked on some prestigious homes in Central London, as well as commercial buildings and well-known venues.
Morgans Bank in the City, the Mayfair Hotel and the Mayfair Theatre.
Worked on the refurbishment of QPR's Loftus Road stadium during the 1990s.
The Valbonne club in Soho and the RAC Club in Piccadilly.
Decorating work at the well-known Skindles nightclub in Maidenhead.
During those London years, our customers included Sir Laurens van der Post, a mentor to Prince Charles; film director and food critic Michael Winner; actresses Jane Seymour and Patsy Kensit, along with her then husband, singer Jim Kerr.
We also worked for television personalities Trinny and Susannah, film producer and TV presenter Barry Took, designer Emily Todhunter and footballer Les Ferdinand, who was playing for QPR at the time.
Working on these different properties and projects taught me a great deal. Whether the job was in a private home, a hotel or a large commercial building, the expectation was always the same: a professional finish and work carried out properly.
Making Milton Keynes home
In 2001, I moved to Milton Keynes with my growing family. We wanted a bigger house and a better quality of life than we felt London could offer us at the time.
Moving meant starting the business all over again. I arrived without an established customer base or contacts in the area, so I had to build things from the ground up.
Since then, I've established Finishing Touches as a local decorating business, specialising mainly in residential painting and decorating , alongside selected smaller commercial projects.
I'm proud of the business I've built here, and I still take a personal interest in the quality of the work we carry out.
Good workmanship. Respect for your home.
I work with a small team of decorators, with the number of people involved depending on the size of the job. They're people I've personally chosen because they share the standards I expect from my business.
I expect a high-quality finish from everyone working with me, but I also expect them to treat every property with care and respect. After all, we're often working in someone's home, and that comes with a responsibility.
Quality finishes
Careful preparation, proper decorating techniques and close attention to the final details.
Clean and tidy
We make every effort to keep your home or workplace tidy throughout the work and when we're finished.
Helpful advice
Guidance on colours, paint finishes, materials and wallpaper to help you make the right choices.
We undertake all areas of painting and decorating, and I'm happy to consider jobs of all sizes. Whether it's one room that needs refreshing or a much larger decorating project, the same care and attention goes into the work.
Our aim is to deliver the kind of finish you'd expect from a genuinely professional decorator, without cutting corners or overlooking the little details.
I was recommended to a television production company and filmed hanging wallpaper in a house in Woburn Sands for a series of Channel 5's House Doctor.
Looking for a decorator you can rely on?
I hope you've found this website helpful and enjoyed learning a little more about me and Finishing Touches.
If you're thinking about decorating your home or workplace, please feel free to give me a call or get in touch through the website. I'll be happy to discuss your plans and provide a free quotation.
I look forward to hearing from you. Steve