Painting smell stinking

Hi, I’m a professional Painter & Decorator and I’ve come across this situation before. Unfortunately, oil-based/solvent-based paint can have a very strong smell while it cures, especially indoors. The best approach is to keep the area well ventilated with windows open and good airflow, while allowing the paint sufficient time to fully cure. I would avoid trying to cover the smell with strong air fresheners, as this can make the air quality worse. Baking soda may help with odours slightly, but ventilation and time are the main solutions. If the smell remains unusually strong after the paint has had plenty of time to cure, I would recommend contacting the painter to confirm exactly what product was used and checking the manufacturer’s guidance for drying and curing times. Also, because you have a cat, I would keep the cat away from the freshly painted areas and make sure the rooms are properly ventilated until the smell has significantly reduced. In future, for interior work where possible, I would recommend using a good-quality water-based low-VOC system, especially for skirting, frames and other interior woodwork, as it generally has much less odour than traditional solvent-based paint. Hope this helps and I hope the smell clears soon.