I spent 32 years transforming my council house into the Sistine Chapel on a budget – now I’ll never paint again
A MAN who spent two decades decorating his council house like the Sistine Chapel has revealed he will never paint again.
Robert Burns, 75 who lives with his wife Linda Russel, 67, in Brighton, East Sussex, hit headlines for decorating their council home in Renaissance-style paintings, for 32 years.
But since completing the mammoth project and fully decorating every inch of the couple's home in Renaissance-style paintings in 2021, Robert has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and is no longer able to continue his passion.
He spoke of his heartbreak - and pride of completing such a mammoth task - to Fabulous.
The project began two decades ago when Robert became determined to transform their lifeless home.
Robert explained: "When I moved into the home in 2003, I felt the home was very bland and simple throughout.
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"I used to visit car boot sales in Lewes, and I found a book that had pictures of the Sistine Chapel and remember thinking, what an amazing place that is.
"I started buying even more books from charity shops and I built up a collection of beautiful books that I took inspiration from.
"You can decorate council houses in whatever way you want, and this is how I chose to make it my own."
Amazingly, Robert says he had no idea of his ability to paint until he began decorating.
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He explains: "I only truly discovered my talent for painting when I began redecorating the house, but I do wish I had discovered it when I was younger as life as an artist would have been great fun.
"We won't ever move out of this home and the next people that do eventually move in can choose to paint over it all if they wish to."
It isn't only Robert who is passionate about their home.
While many wives may not have been thrilled with the prospect of having their home transformed into the Sistine Chapel, painted in Vatican City by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512, Linda instantly fell in love with it.
She says: "When Robert first told me that he wanted to start painting renaissance style paintings in the house, I was happy for him to give it a go.
"As a retired decorator, he has always been into painting and art, and I used to love oil painting too, so I was never against his idea, and at the end of the day, you can’t stop someone from doing something when they get an idea in their head.
"Robert did the first painting in our house back in 2003 and has since covered all the space possible. I loved the first painting he did, but he wasn't too happy with it and has painted over it since then.
"I feel like it's been a real privilege to live in a house with so much character, and that is full to the brim of paintings done by my husband, who I love dearly.
"Sadly, Robert was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2021, and as the condition progressed, he has pretty much lost the use of his right hand and he can no longer paint.
"It's heartbreaking that he can no longer do the thing he loves most. He misses it so much.
"He can't even sign his own name anymore.
"I've never had to help Robert with any of the paintings in the past, because he is so much more creative than I am, but I wish that he would try to paint again, and I'd be more than happy to help where I could."
Linda has never disliked any of Roberts's paintings for which he has taken inspiration from some of the world's most famous artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Sandro Botticelli.
Every wall, ceiling and hallway of the couple's three-bedroom council house has been carefully painted by Robert after he felt the home was too bland when they moved in two decades ago.
Robert did the first painting in our house back in 2003 and has since covered all the space possible
Linda Russel
Linda said: "Robert was a painter and decorator before becoming a window dresser. He has always been so creative.
"I never had to help Robert out with any of his painted, or even offer any advice. He was so clever at doing it and had a much better imagination than I did.
"He knew what would look good where, and I love how he made our house look.
"One of my favourite pieces is the nativity painting that is on the ceiling in the dining room because I love the scene of the mother and the baby.
"I like to lay on the couch and admire it. It puts a smile on my face.
"I also love our bedroom because it is full of relaxing colours, like oranges and greens, and I love to admire all the pictures surrounding me while I am lying in bed.
"I've always been supportive of his project, and I love it just as much as he does.
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"I am so used to living surrounded by all of his art now, it's only when people come to the house who haven’t seen it before, and they can't believe it. It makes me realise how wonderful it is all over again.
"From the outside, you'd never imagine what's on the inside."
When he ran out of room on the walls of his house, Robert moved on to canvas' which he stacked in one of their spare bedrooms before he stopped painting.
Linda said: "When Robert completed the whole house after twenty years, it was lovely, and we were so happy.
"He then started painting on canvas' until he could no longer use his right hand. If he could still paint now, he would be.
"It's devastating that Robert's condition has forced him to stop painting, but I am so grateful for all of the amazing artwork around our home and that he managed to complete the house before he had to stop.
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It's heartbreaking that he can no longer do the thing he loves most
Linda Russel
"I have to help him a lot more now, for example with the cooking, and things like getting his shoes and coat on. However, it’s not a problem.
"I love Robert dearly, perhaps even more so since his diagnosis as he needs me more than ever now. It used to be the other way around as he would be the one taking care of me."
