Emperor Experts: Meet Ria Kirby
We’re delighted to introduce Ria Kirby, aka The Female Touch, as one of our Emperor Experts. With over 22 years of experience in the decorating industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge, skill and passion to every project she works on.
From painting tips and tricks to preparing an exterior like a pro, Ria draws on years of hands-on experience to share practical advice and guidance with others.
We sat down with Ria to learn a bit more about her journey, her favourite projects and her tips for DIYer’s planning on their exterior transformation.
A day (off) in the life
Even on her days off, Ria’s routine stays rigid – “I’m up at 6am, no matter what!”. Her day starts off with a trip to the dog park with Enzo, her French Bulldog, where they enjoy a good run together. After that, its admin time – catching up on paperwork and sorting out her work van. She loves to cook, so spends a lot of her days off in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes.
Family is a big priority for Ria, she has a 13 year old son and they often go to the indoor snow centre for a bit of skiing or snowboarding. If that’s not what they’re feeling that day, they’ll enjoy a few rounds of top golf, bowling or even indoor go-karting! “It’s all about making memories and spending time with my son”.
Starting in the industry
Ria’s path into the world of decorating was a natural one, “I’m a third generation decorator”, “My dad was taught by my granddad, and then my dad taught me the ‘old-school apprentice’ way”. They worked together under the name Myles & Daughter until she decided to start her own business as ‘The Female Touch’. The name came from a consistent compliment she has received from clients, “You just have that female touch”.
What started as a family trade turned into a lifelong love for the craft, “I’ve never looked back, I’m still learning every day”.
A love for exterior projects
Ria’s passion for exterior work shines through, especially when the sun does, “it’s hard graft but it keeps me fit”, she says. “I love being outside and I’m not afraid of heights, so ladders are never a problem”. Ria also attributes this love for exterior work to the challenge and variety it brings with each surface requiring its own approach, preparation and technique. Whether it’s brick, silicone render or intricate woodwork, the process of assessing what each home needs and applying the right method to get the best, long-lasting results all adds to the satisfaction at the end of the project.
Ria explained that there is something incredibly rewarding about bringing an old, tired exterior back to life, her favourite part of the whole transformation is the final result. “When I restore an exterior and it becomes the best-looking house on the street, it’s such a great feeling”. She also admits that she loves the feedback from passers by too, especially when they stop to compliment her work.
Ria’s methodology
Her favourite projects are those that require special attention to detail – “It’s all about precision and preparation, and the result is something that’ll last for years”.
When it comes to a lasting finish, Ria swears by proper preparation. “The job is 90% prep,” she stresses. “If you skip this part, you won’t get a lasting finish.”
As for breaking rules, Ria admits she’s guilty of spending a little more time than planned on a project. “I get carried away doing what I love. I end up staying an extra hour or so just to make sure it’s perfect.”
Advice for DIYer’s
For those looking to take on their own exterior transformation, Ria has one key piece of advice: “Do your research on products”.
It’s all about using the right products to get the best results according to Ria, she goes onto explain the importance of using products that are specifically formulated to suit each other, “Emperor Paint has a full system, from mould removal to primers and paints”.
She also stresses the importance of checking temperatures before painting, “Paint doesn’t like it when it’s too hot or too cold – it affects application and drying times”, she adds.
As an Emperor Expert, Ria will be sharing her decades of hands-on experience through professional tips, advice and inspiration to help you tackle your own exterior project with confidence. Ria’s guidance is all about helping you avoid common pitfalls, achieve a longer-lasting finish and feel proud of the results every step of the way.
For plenty of helpful advice and project ideas, make sure to follow Ria on Instagram via @the_female.touch, and keep an eye on our own channels too, where we’ll be sharing her expert tips, behind-the-scenes content and real-world advice to help guide your next exterior project.
