decorating - baptism of fire - help!

[Graphista]

I have an entire 2 bedroom flat to decorate in 2 weeks (approx) I have never done anything like this and have NO idea what I'm doing!

How do you measure a room for carpets, paint etc?

Would be VERY grateful for any tips/hacks

How do you choose carpets/Lino/paint/curtains/blinds?

Obvious mistakes to avoid?

I'd try to get hold of a steam stripper - massive reduction in work for small outlay (even if you end up buying one - though you might be able to borrow one).

Otherwise, you need to get the glue wet. If it's vinyl paper, that means you need to score the surface. And then get it soaked - it's marginally more effective with the stripper product, but I'd spend not a lot more money on a steam stripper.

Then once you've got the paper off, clean it with sugar soap. If that takes you back to bare plaster (rather than paint), then do your first coat very watered down (50/50 or so).

Oh and re dado, if it's been painted loads and you want to recover the sharp detailing, then you need to strip the paint off that too, which is a biggish job. Either with a hot air gun, or with peelaway or similar (nasty stuff, but much more effective than anything you can buy in a DIY store). If you're happy to leave it unstripped, then lightly sand it to get a key before you put new paint on. I prefer separate undercoat and top coat, but I'm fussy :) If you are going from dark brown to white, be prepared to need several coats.

I'm another walls then woodwork fan, btw. As previously mentioned, emulsion will spatter on the woodwork.

Been gifted b&q gift card £30

Have a wilko and b&m so have planned to get most things from there. Cheaper plus got colours I like.

Do I switch to b&q or get steam stripper, or good quality paint brushes? Or any other recommendations ?

OP, I think if you're going to start stripping paper I'm not sure you'll get it done in a couple of weeks. Depending on how old the house is the plaster might be crap underneath, you might open a can of worms taking all the paper off, I'm not saying don't take the paper off but just keep that in mind.

It's gotta come off already peeling

I have helpers

That's good you've got helpers. Is it and old place you are doing up?

Good quality paintbrushes last if you look after them. Sounds like you don't need investment paintbrushes though! You might get some hairs coming out if you get cheap ones, but I'm generally happy to pick the hairs out as I go and replace the brushes frequently.

Yes old Victorian tenement so very high ceilings and bay window in living room which I love.

Mum reckons I should get reasonably decent paintbrushes as I would likely use again. Plan is this is our long term home so it'll need a freshen up every few years.

How often do you redecorate?