Decorating

Damn the decorating! Why do people "cover things" up?
I've taken the paper off the Living room ceiling - at last - it was awful. I knew I had to mend the hole caused by the leak from the central heating last year but now the holes are visible where they moved the lights. Also the paint doesn't cover. A brown stain has come through. How many coats will it take to cover. 3 so far and still going.
Hey ho.