JOHN MCCONNELL – PAINT ADVISOR, FOY & COMPANY, LETTERKENNY
John McConnell has worked at Foy and Company for 10 years.
Tell us a bit about yourself
Before I began working in Foys, I worked for 12 years as an Architectural Technician, where I spent most of my time drafting buildings and checking their construction on site. This experience has been beneficial to my current role in the Paint and Décor Department in Foys. My work now focuses on the completion and finish of all types of buildings and their upkeep and redecoration. Having lived in Donegal all my life, I really enjoy meeting people from all over the county and helping them with their painting projects and queries.
John can advise you on interior and exterior paints from all the leading brands
How long have you worked in Foys?
I’ve worked in Foys for the past 10 years. We have seen a lot of change in the last decade in the paint and décor department. Foys has grown to become one of the leading interior and paint experts in Ireland, and we stock an extensive range of paint – available in-store and online – from the top brands such as Dulux, Colourtrend, Fleetwood and Little Greene. Our in-house team of experts has over 20 years’ experience in interiors, specialising in residential and commercial interior design. Our high level of dedication and expertise in the field has helped us build a solid reputation for providing high quality advice and products to complete any job. If you are taking on a new project and need advice, we also offer free remote paint consultations online to answer any of your questions.
The Contemporary Collection from Colourtrend Paints
What are the common mistakes people make with paint?
In my opinion, failing to select the correct paint or primer for the job they are doing is the most common mistake. When painting wood outside, the most important thing to do before painting is to ensure the wood is clean and dry. In this country it is sometimes difficult to get outside wood such as decking dry enough for painting.
John can mix paint to match your preferred shade
What gives you great job satisfaction?
When people tell you – which they often do – that the colour or product that you advised them to use has worked perfectly in their home, and they are very happy with the finished job.
Foy & Company stocks all the leading brands including Little Greene Paint
Do you have a favourite shade of paint or colour?
One of my favourite shades at the moment is Subtle which is a nice soft grey which compliments a variety of other colours. Mussel is a nice dark blue which works great as a feature colour on a wall, to divide rooms, or on wall panelling and kitchen islands.
Subtle from the Contemporary Collection from Colourtrend Paints
Are you noticing any trends at the moment?
This year, in particular, there was a huge focus on getting outdoor spaces ready. We also saw an increase in people wanting to paint wood, from revamping old kitchens, to upcycling indoor furniture, painting garden furniture, fences, sheds, and decking. Painting any of these areas with the right paint can really transform a room or garden into a great space. We love seeing the transformations when customers share their before and after images with us.
Summer 2021 saw a huge demand for exterior paint
John’s Top Tips for Painting
It’s all about using good quality paint and painting equipment. A lot of people think they cannot paint, but in reality, it’s often the poor-quality brushes and rollers they are using which let them down. A good quality brush will make all the difference. The same must be said about the paint; a good quality paint will cover in less coats and give you a better finish. Getting expert advice from the outset is also key! We get great feedback from our interior design consultations – they are a great place to start to get the advice you need to create your dream space. Our team of experts also offer home consultations, within Donegal, for a fee of €75, which is redeemable against purchases in Foy & Company over €500.
John’s Top Tip: ensure you use good quality brushes and paint.