Interior design - painting one wall in room - views?

[mumoverseas]

what do people think about having just one wall painted in a lounge/dining room?

My DH and I are abroad at the moment due to his work and we have people looking after our house. (a professional company) We authorised them to put in a new tv as we needed a new one and went with their suggestion of a flat screen fitted on the wall. We knew they'd need to move the furniture slightly for this to work which was fine.

We have however now got an email from them to say whilst they were there, they decided to paint the whole of the back wall of the lounge/dining room (large open plan room). They have painted the back wall where they have mounted the tv and to my shock and horror have painted it dark green (I really don't like green) they also wanted to do lots of other 'home improvements' ie covering our sofa, cushions, dining room chairs but thank god have not done that without our permission.

I am so upset they've done this. We only had the lounge and dining room painted around 18 months ago a lovely cream colour and from the one photo I've seen the painted wall is 'duck sh** green'. I think it looks horrid and wonder what other people think on just having one wall painted.

Would you be really pi**ed off and insist they paint it back? (No doubt they will be billing us for the painting too!)

[SmacOnTheLipsUnderTheMistletoe]

I like a 'feature' wall but if it's not to your taste then I would be furious!
Are you renting the property out or is it just sitting empty? If it's empty then recovering sofa etc shouldn't be necessary, if it's been rented and things have got grubby/worn/stained then fair enough.
The company seem to be creating work for themselves and taking advantage of the fact you are out the country.

[llareggub]

I would be furious that they did this without permission. WHen I had tenants in my flat any work would be agreed in advance before being carried out, unless something small like a replacement kettle.

Sounds like the wall needed re-painting. Perhaps they did a poor job on the wall and needed to cover-up the botched work?

[mumoverseas]

Smac thanks for your prompt answer.
It is being rented out but even so, the sofas were brand new less than 2 years ago and its only rented for a few months a year so not too much wear and tear. Friends of ours were there 2 months ago and said all was fine. We'd already said we were replacing the dining room furniture next year when we are home for a few months.
I don't think they were saying about recovering everything because they are worn/grubby, its because they have a new 'interior designer' on board and she thinks it will look nicer.
Great, but we haven't got money to throw away and its hard enough finding money to pay all the bills without paying stupid money to cover cushions and make valances (their other suggestion)
I keep wanting to cry when I look at the photo, it is truly awful

[SmacOnTheLipsUnderTheMistletoe]

In that case mumoverseas I think you need to be very firm with them and say that the dark green feature wall is not to your taste and currently you have no plan to recover sofa/cushions/dining room chairs. And that if circumstances change then you will be in touch rather than them making significant changes without your permission.
Like I said before it sounds like they are wanting to create work for this 'new designer' - with the recession and all that they are probably short of work and are trying to gee up a few clients into spending money.
Be firm ! It's your house and your money.

[mumoverseas]

Thats exactly what I thought Smac. DH however is a bit softer and although has said he doesn't really like it doesn't want to rock the boat.
Wonder how he'd feel if someone painted his stupid car a different colour

[SmacOnTheLipsUnderTheMistletoe]

but you are paying for their services so you should be happy with what they are doing. Imagine if you went to the hairdresser and asked for a tidy up/trim and they completely ignored you and decided to change the colour entirely just cos the hairdresser 'thought it would look nice'. You are the customer, they are providing a service which you are paying for so you should be happy, not feeling coersed into stuff and definitely not putting up with stuff so as not to rock the boat. I would do stuff with family 'not to rock the boat' but when it comes to paying for services no you need to be firm. There will be other companies offering a similar service if this one doesn't work out. You need to show them you won't be walked over.

[ChasingSquirrels]

I would insist that they put it back in it's original condition at their cost (if it needed painting to repair following the fitting then I think that should be part of the cost of the fitting, but only if this was necessary - not as an extra interior design thing that you didn't authorise. And if this was the case they should have repainted in the original colour).

[mumoverseas]

Thanks for your coments ladies.
No it wouldn't have needed painting after the fitting as the new tv would have been fitted over the holes that would have been drilled.
I want it repainted in the original colour (cream) but am now concerned that it won't match as they will have to paint over the very nasty dark green.
Smac, totally agree they are walking over us but DH still doesn't want to rock the boat as we are so far away.

[NoseyNooNoo]

They need to reinstate it to original colour so that all 4 wallks match. If these means the 3 other walss need to be repainted then so be it - at their expense.

[mumoverseas]

I agree. They have done a few little things before, ie new shower curtains, new kitchen stuff etc before but never anything on this scale. Am still so bloody fuming with them and funny old thing, they are not answering our emails

[NoseyNooNoo]

Sorry for my atrocious post by the way - had child bouncing on my lap at the time...

[mumoverseas]

I normally have one bouncing on my lap or under my top when I'm posting too

[dreamingofsun]

have you checked your contract? I can't imagine they can paint this without your OK and therefore you can refer to this - keeps it nicely black and white/professional. i imagine it also says what should happen if people damage stuff (which is arguably what they have done) I would be fuming if one of our tennants painted without checking with us first - they always have as a curtesy

[fanjolina]

I would go apeshit. I hate 'feature' walls.

[TheHappyCat]

That's shocking, totally shocking and I cannot believe they are contractually entitled to do that. I would be seriously concerned about their abilities and judgement to do a proper job if they have done this without checking.
Are you looking for tenants? Because everyone says, neutral is best... our lettings agents told us to repaint our top bedrooms cream - they were very pale blue and pale green but they swear neutral is best! If you are looking for tenants a lot of people could take an instant dislike to it.