Anna Lloyd
When did you become a painter and decorator?
I’ve been doing it for 10 or 11 years now.
What made you take up the profession?
I wanted to do something that worked around my son Ellis, as I’m a single mum. I enjoyed doing DIY and painting and was pretty good so I thought why not do it for a living. I did a City and Guilds course then started advertising locally and it all took off from there. My parents own the furnishings shop Sitting Rooms in Totnes (and used to have a shop in Foss Street), so I guess improving homes is in the blood!
What kind of jobs do you take on?
All sorts, from wallpapering one room in a house to painting the whole exterior of a mansion. A lot of the jobs I do require scaffolding.
What’s your favourite part?
I like renovating old windows; I always think they look great when they’re finished. I enjoy being out in the sunshine; I’m not good in the cold! I also like working flexible hours.
Is there a colour trend at the moment?
Lots of people like the fashionable greys and duck egg blue, usually Farrow and Ball. I love colour so I get quite excited when someone wants a bright yellow or purple wall!
Do you ever get lonely working on your own?
No, I enjoy listening to the radio and just getting on with the job. Sometimes I team up with others, at the moment I’m working on a big house renovation in Blackawton and there are lots of builders and other workmen and women around. We each work on our separate part and take our tea breaks together.
Do you often reach for a biscuit?
I really do try not to as we get offered so many. I eat quite healthily as a rule and usually bring my own food and snacks. I usually start the day with a homemade smoothie throwing in things like orange, spinach, bananas and pineapple.
What gets you through the day?
Tea and Radio 1 and 2.
Were you creative when you were young?
I often played around with fabrics designing something or other, or creating all sorts of things out of lego!
What do you do when you aren’t in your work dungarees?
I’m into my sport – I ski, go wakeboarding, I’m part of Dartmouth Rowing Club and I taught myself to surf over the summer. I did an Iron Man challenge last year on Exmoor. I also have a license to free fall sky dive!
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Travel – everywhere! I get itchy feet.
What can’t you live without?
My bed – I like sleeping!
What would be your special skill on Britain’s Got Talent?
Putting my foot in it!
Contact Anna Lloyd on 07919 107683
First published in By The Dart magazine October 2018