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🏆 WHAT A NIGHT! THE GOLDEN FINISH AWARDS 2026! 🏆

Wow… where do we even begin! ❤️

Last night I had the absolute honour of attending the Golden Finish Awards as finalists for English Decorator of the Year.

To be standing in a room with around 250 talented legend in our industry was honestly something special. The level of talent, passion, dedication and craftsmanship in that room was just unreal! 👏

We didn’t take home the award but do you know what? Not everything is about winning a trophy.

Sometimes it’s about looking around the room and realising how lucky you are to be part of an industry filled with such incredible people. People who work hard, take pride in their craft, push boundaries and inspire each other to be better every single day.

And can we just take a moment to appreciate the organisers at GFA? 🙌

From the food to the music the atmosphere the organisation and every tiny little detail… you guys absolutely smashed it! Everything was on another level. You could genuinely feel the effort, love and passion that went into making the night so special.

A massive congratulations to every single winner 👏 and everyone who was part of the evening. You are all legends in your own right! ❤️

Thank you, @gfa_awards for a night we’ll remember for a very long time.

Here’s to the people the passion and the craft that brings us all together! 🎨❤️

#painters #trader #talent #inspiration #goldenhour

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Five years ago, I didn’t even know if I was going to make it.

I was fighting battles nobody could see, trapped in addiction, losing myself a little more every single day. There were moments when I genuinely couldn’t see a future for myself.

But somehow, I kept going.

Today, I’m 19 months clean and sober, and I’m becoming the person I once thought I’d never get the chance to be.

Healthy. Present. Grateful. Driven. At peace.

I didn’t just get my life back — I built a completely new one.

So whenever I start worrying about how far I still have to go, I remind myself how far I’ve already fucking come.

Because if five years ago I couldn’t imagine the life I have today…

Imagine where I could be five years from now.

Keep going. Your future self is waiting for you. #addictionrecovery #addiction #sober #mentalhealth #reels

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I’ve been through things in life that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Things that broke me, changed me and forced me to grow in ways I never wanted to.

But now I look at my son and realise that maybe some of those experiences taught me something I can pass on to him.

I’m teaching him that courage isn’t about always doing what feels easy. Sometimes being brave means doing the things we don’t want to do. Facing the things that scare us. Getting back up when we’d rather stay down. Trying again when we feel like giving up.

Because every time we push through something uncomfortable, we become a little stronger. A little braver. A little more capable of facing whatever life puts in front of us.

I can’t protect my son from every difficult experience in life… but I can teach him how to face them.

And if my past can help give him the strength I once wished I had, then maybe none of it was for nothing. #proud #myboy #strong #confidence #reels

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🏁 PDUB CHAMPIONSHIP — ROUND 4 🏁

A huge thank you to @gest__mx for hosting Round 4 of the PDUB Championship and putting on another great evening of racing despite the terrible weather ⛈️

We were proud to provide the race T-shirts for the riders, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of the sponsors who helped make them happen.

A massive thank you to:

🤝 @dasimes_plumbingltd
🤝 @messymasonbinclean
🤝 @championsoutheast
🤝 @dragonfly_decorating
🤝 @cookconstructiongrowth
🤝 @pollanhq

Your support helps put something special back into the racing community, and we really appreciate you getting behind the kids and the sport. 🏁

If you haven’t already drop these guys a follow

Thanks to everyone at GEST, the organisers, marshals, parents and, most importantly, the riders for making it such a great day.

Ride FERAL. Run Wild. 🤟🏼

#feral #PDUBChampionship #PW50 #Motocross #MotocrossLife

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For your chance to win, head over to youtube and subscribe to the decorators den,
Share this everywhere
#painters #decorator #painting #podcast

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Everyone has a story, everyone deals with things differently. So many people have completely different differences and that’s absolutely fine. I recover loudly because I know exactly what it’s like to suffer in silence and I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.

I’m not perfect, I’m still not where I want to be, but my god am I way further than I was 2 years ago. This is isn’t a post to say I’m better than anyone else, this is a post because I recover loudly to help those who suffer in silence. And I’m not afraid to show the highs and lows, it’s okay to not be okay and we need to normalise that being at your lowest is fine, you’re not alone. Keep going. Give you’re younger self what you promised, and get ready for you’re future self to be proud.

#addiction #recovery #sober #mentalhealth #reels

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🏆 OFFICIAL GOLDEN FINISH AWARDS 2026 FINALIST

@dragonfly_decorating
James Young

From hundreds of outstanding entries, James has earned a place as an Official Finalist at the Golden Finish Awards 2026.

Reaching this stage is no small achievement. It reflects exceptional craftsmanship, unwavering attention to detail and a commitment to raising standards within our industry.

Every finalist has been selected because their work represents the very best our profession has to offer, and we’re incredibly proud to showcase their talent.

Congratulations, James ! We can’t wait to celebrate your achievement alongside the rest of this year’s outstanding finalists.

✨ Who do you think will be taking home a Golden Finish Award this October?

OUR SPONSORS

🏆 Headline Sponsor
@farrowandball

🥇 Platinum Sponsors
@arroworthyukdistributor
@arroworthy_ny
@allwaytoolsinc

🥈 Silver Sponsors
@mirkauk
@painttechuk
@go_paint
@q1_painting_solutions
@paintwarrior_
@the_talking_tradesman

#GoldenFinishAwards #GoldenFinish2026 #Finalist #PaintingProfessionals #Craftsmanship Decorator IndustryExcellence

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SOBRIETY

Anything is possible, and everyone’s journeys are different. You have to dig real deep to conquer your goals, a lot of people who have got themselves out of addiction is living proof it’s possible. And I’m one of them, asking for help is absolutely fine, not having everything figured out is absolutely fine, not being okay it’s absolutely fine.

Don’t give up now, you’re a lot further than you think.

#sober #addiction #recovery #mentalhealth #reels

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ADDICTION.

No one ever wakes up the day after and says “I’m so glad I over done it last night” some people can handle it and that’s okay, but majority of people struggle everytime they drink or get on the sesh, the things I’ve achieved being sober is worth much more that a 2 day bender. I love who I am these days and that is something I worked so hard on. If you are struggling please talk to anyone…

If you’re sober, drop in the comments how it’s changed your life… I’m proud of you.

#addiction #recovery #sober #mentalhealth #reels

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What a way to start the day! @monarchpaintinguk @Dragonfly Decorating 🖤💛 #fypシ #painting #fun #sunny #vibes

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Never ever ever give up on yourself, you know what you’re capable of, you know how hard you try to be better everyday. And sometimes it’s okay to not have everything figured out, but as long as you try your best that should be important enough to be so fucking proud.

#me #happiness #addiction #recovery #reels

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SurfPrep had the greatest time at the Paint & Decorators show in England this week!
🇺🇸✈️🇬🇧

It’s been lovely seeing old friends and making new connections.

Cheers to this beautiful country and community of decorators 🙌🏼

#decorators #paintersoftiktok #paintersanddecorators #decorating #surfPrep

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