So What Can You Do With Paint?

Words: Pattie Pegler

Images: Photography by Christopher Drake © CICO Books

If you’re looking for a quick way to revamp a room – paint is often the go to solution. Whether it’s painting a feature wall or, as Dorothy did recently, painting a concrete floor – a lick of paint can transform a space. (By the way – a tip from Dorothy – if you are painting a concrete floor make sure you wax it when you finish).

But you can do a lot more with paint beyond just popping it on a wall and Annie Sloan Paints Everything will give you some ideas. First thing to note is that she really does paint everything – lampshades, curtains, cushions, chairs, shelves…you name it, Annie Sloan has probably painted it.

In this book she starts with the basics – with info on equipment and her own triangular colour wheel. Then moving on to rollers, brushes, waxes and stencils. 

When it comes to the actual projects they are all broken down step-by-step. And they come in varying degrees of difficulty – although it’s probably important to be realistic about your skills. So, I think I could do a reasonable job of painting a coffee table. I don’t think I am ready to try my hand at a stencilled rug.

But this is a great book – that will give you a ton of ideas of ways to transform your space or furnishings without breaking the bank. So, whether you want to paint your curtains or upcycle that old chair – grab a copy.

Annie Sloan Paints Everything by Annie Sloan, published by CICO Books.

Available locally from The Fabric of Society, Rangiora.