I'm trying my luck at painting and well its not going exactly how I'd like. The whole flat is just in one big magnolia blob, yes not particularly original, but then I'm quite a minimalist person and short of re-painting it brilliant white or wall papering with gold leaf style, then I plan to keep to a magnolia theme at the moment. However I've recently stripped the textured wallpaper in the hall which was also painted over in magnolia.

The walls are pretty much smooth, but I'm struggling to get a smooth paint finish. I've got Dulux One coat magnolia matt finish, and it just seems too thick. I've tried diluting it a touch with some water, its better, but you can see noticable brush marks and air bubbles, or even little ditches where the paint won't spread evenly. I'm assuming its a decent brush, very fine bristles and expensive as well. But just can't get that elusive smooth and even finish. Any tips as to what I'm doing wrong? Thinking of calling in a decorator now...

Have you tried using a roller? You'll get through it much quicker and can roll over it to thin it out. Hopefully when it dries it will look ok.

Yes I have tried a roller but again it still kind of separates and bubbles.

Is it still bubbly once its dry?

I hate that one coat stuff - it's a nightmare to clean off your brushes.

Try asking on the DIY forum - Jinxx the decorator will sort you out!

And if you fancy a touch of something different but still magnolia I saw a wall in a magazine feature - it was behind the bed and one strip of textured lovely paper was down the wall behind the centre of the bedstead. It was painted the same as the rest of the wall and looked a really nice, subtle touch.
I imagine this will work equally well down a fireplace etc. and I plan on trying it!

I agree, if Jinxx is around on the DIY forum she will be great help.

But I can tell you the first thing she will say - DON'T use a Once-type paint. Too thick and difficult to get a good finish. She uses a good quality regular matt emulsion like Dulux and she even waters that down, and does at least two coats. A few thin coats are better (but more bother) than one thick one.