Words by Gina Waldman-Balkind. Photography by Andrea Caldwell. Article from the Garden and Home Magazine July 2015.
Whether it’s a mini spruce-up or a major makeover, paint is one of the easiest ways to update your home.
1 Precious Metal
Want to instantly up the glamour factor in your home? Emphasise the detailing on a piece of furniture with metallic paint or wax, which reflect light and give it a more luxurious feel. Paint effect by So Us.
Top tip: Make sure you pick the right paint. Translucent metallic paint works best for painting over an already painted dresser, while opaque paints will give you a brushed metal finish. This is often best left to the experts. Try water-based Plascon Paint Effects in gold, silver, bronze or pearl.
2 Dressed to grill
Concrete built-in braais tend to look dull and basic. Give them a bit more style and incorporate them into your patio scheme by painting them in a neutral colour. Before painting, use Plascon Concrete Floor Prep. Here a soft wash blends the cooking area with the shabby chic look of the rest of the patio. Paint effect by So Us.
Top tip: Add detail to cupboards with decorative mouldings, available at hardware stores.
3 Two’s company
Modernise a rustic wooden table by painting the legs and leaving the top in its natural state. White is best, but the effect works just as well in other colours. Paint treatment by So Us.
Top tip: No surface priming is required with the Annie Sloan range of Chalk Paints. These paints can be used on most surfaces including metal, melamine, tiles and wood.
4 Full of character
Give your kitchen a French industrial feel by painting a piece of furniture a charcoal shade and personalising it with a vintage inspired stencilled detail. Paint effect by So Us.
Top Tip: Before painting metal items, check for rust. If there’s rust present, paint the affected areas with a converter like Plascon’s Metalcare Rust Converter & Primer.
5 Mirror mirror
Stuck with outdated gilt-framed mirrors? Update them with a coat of chalky neutral-coloured paint. This one was painted by So Us.
Top tip: If you have a collection of different sized mirrors, paint the frames the same colour and group them together. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint works well on gilt frames as it clings to most surfaces without priming.
6 It’s a white wash
Facebrick not your style? Soften its appearance with whitewash. Dilute white PVA paint (one part paint to one part water), so it’s quite watery. Dab the mixture over the brick surface with a brush and wipe immediately with a rag to catch the drips. Paint treatment by So Us.
Top tip: This can get messy, so cover the floor and surrounding area with drop cloths.
7 Stencil style
Use stencils to replicate the effect of expensive wallpaper with very little outlay. This takes a bit of effort, so it’s ideal for small spaces like powder rooms. Practise on a piece of board first to get the hang of it, and keep the stencil in place with non-permanent spray glue so it doesn’t slip. The best results are achieved with a chunky stencil brush and metallic wax. Paint effect by Interior Wall Creations.
Top tip: Leave at least 24 hours between painting the base coat and starting to stencil. The Stencil Company in Cape Town stocks a wide range of decor stencils.
8 Earn your stripes
Painting stripes on a wall is a clever way to add interest to a room while still keeping the look clean and uncluttered. First paint the wall a base colour and let it dry for at least 24 hours. Then divide the wall into equal stripes using a pencil and a steel ruler. Use a spirit level to ensure they are straight. Using masking tape, tape off the lighter sections before painting the contrasting stripes. Wall treatment by Interior Wall Creations.
Top tip: Vertical stripes make the ceiling appear higher, while horizontal stripes make a room feel more spacious.
9 Personal style
By painting simple items like a basin stand and a medicine cabinet, you can easily create a bathroom that reflects your personality. These were painted by So Us.
Top tip: Lightly sand furniture after painting to give it a rustic country look.
10 Good as new
Give an old chair a new lease on life with a fresh coat of paint. If it’s upholstered in places, remove the fabric in that area before painting, or protect it with masking tape and plastic. Painting by Interior Wall Creations.
Top tip: This works especially well on wicker and old ball-and-claw chairs, but make sure the item you’re painting isn’t an expensive antique as it could lose its value.
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