The previous owners of our house were overfond, some might say obsessed, with vinyl silk emulsion.  We wish to decorate over it using matt emulsion.  What preparation is required other than cleaning it down first?

[quote author=hamilton  link=1125861289/0#1 date=1125931140]A rub down with a map of the desert to remove most of the shine should do it. [/quote]
Thanks Hamilton.  I miss my late father in law at times  like this - he was a pro and did all my painting and decorationg even when we did not want him to  Used to drive my late wife mad but pleased me as I was always able to point out that it would be a shame to change the decor just after Wal had spent all that time working on it