Simon Nobs

Experienced Painter, Decorator & Heritage Crafts Instructor

Based in the Southeast of England, I have been providing a high-quality painting, decorating & traditional paint effects service for 35+ years to clients across the UK and Europe. My journey began in the family bakery and patisserie, where I was encouraged to join the business. Following the sale of the bakery, I made the decision to move to Switzerland and soon found myself in Saas Fee setting up as chef pâtissier in the Walliserhof, a newly built five-star hotel. This turned out to be the best decision, and I have fond memories from those days. At one point, a film crew for TV AM arrived at the Walliserhof to film Roland Rat’s Winter Wonderland and I found myself on breakfast TV being interviewed as Roland’s British ski instructor.

On returning to the UK, I bought a Cornish stone cottage on the outskirts of Newquay and began renovations. At the time, I was working as a bakery manager, but having experienced the high standards in Switzerland, the work here failed to excite me. Inspired by my renovation project, I decided to retrain in painting and decorating, enrolling on a City & Guilds course. My tutor was highly skilled in decorative paint techniques, and this marked the beginning of my new career path.

In 1987, I launched my own decorating business, specialising in decorative paint techniques—both traditional and contemporary—as well as specialist wallpaper hanging services. I offered clients a wide range of services from paint restoration works to the conservation of historic properties and homes and later expanded to include bespoke contemporary design finishes for clients seeking something unique.

Having moved back to the south-east coast, Folkestone and Hythe, where we still reside today, I am perfectly placed for travel and have undertaken commissions across Europe, most notably in my second home of Switzerland, as well as in the South of France and Germany.

After almost 40 years, I continue to deliver a high-quality painting, decorating and traditional paint effects service to clients. With faux marbling and wood graining now listed on the Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts, I see it as my responsibility—much as my tutor did years ago—to pass these skills on to others. In 2025, the SCS Academy in Hythe, Kent was established, and we have welcomed additional venues in Surrey, Sussex and Oxfordshire over the past year. I personally teach at each venue and offer online courses to reach a wider audience.

All my courses have been developed to inspire a new generation of conservators & restorers, painters & decorators, artists and craft enthusiasts. Everyone is welcome, regardless of experience or ability, and I am passionate about sharing both the artistry and heritage of decorative painting with others across the UK and beyond.