Oh, the many updates you can do to your home with just a can of paint

The last couple of years, and for reason we all know too well by now, my family and I have take the the time to fully evaluate our home belongings. First, we took full inventory of what we have; then we went ahead to work on reducing it by mostly donating or selling some of the pieces that no longer work for us anymore. Once that is done, we finally got the chance of tackling the repair/needs tweaking pile. 

Just like how, in my professional life, properly rehoming a piece gives me a sense of accomplishment, I also really enjoy the feeling of successfully repairing all sorts of things at home. Most of those repair projects are done together with my husband and daughter over the weekends. This is how we discovered the amazing power of a simple pot of paint. You see, after spending a few hours on YouTube watching countless videos on DIY painting projects, I decided to start with small projects before moving on to the more “complex” ones. You can now count me in as totally hooked on the power of a fresh coat of paint.

Paint has definitely come  a long way from the time when you need it to prepped, painting many layers, time between the layers and, of course, dealing with the smell and the mess. These days, you have paints that require little to no effort for application. Plus point: they also do not smell at all, and drying takes just a few hours maximum.

One of my favourites is chalk paint. Not only is it super easy to use, but it is also considered as a non-toxic paint and therefore safe around kids and pets. It does not have a strong scent at all, which means that you can create some DIY projects with your little ones while re-decorating your home.

Like I like to say: Start small, build strong and don’t hesitate to involve other members of your family.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• Paint : I recommend chalk paint as it is so easy to use. I personally use the ones from Annie Sloan as well as the one from French Chic. You can choose them in any colour you fancy.

• Wax and Finishes: This purchase is optional as it will depend entirely on your project. We only used the outdoor lacquer by Annie Sloan.

• Brushes: I would recommend splurging on good brushes as they make alot of difference on your stroke. If you are worried about the price of those, know that if you clean them properly and dry them well after each use, they will be with you for years. We made the mistake of getting average brushes previously. Now, we have decided on splurging on Annie Sloan ones and let’s just say we will be going back for more.

• Sand paper: I also got a sandpaper holder as I really don’t like the feeling of sand paper but that is really up to you.

• Protective mat: I personally use one that I purchased for my daughter’s arts and craft project years ago and loved the fact that I can use the same one over and over again (see picture below)

• Glass container: I use an old jam jar over and over again

• Towel: an old one will do as well

• Some time ;-)

• Optional: Download a good podcast or audiobook to keep you company while attending your project, if you are a solo painter, and a good playlist will do if you are doing it as group project.

THE PROJECTS

As I was saying earlier, I started with super small and easy projects and I started them with my daughter as I thought it would be a fun “useful” arts and craft time together. Over the years, I have been received many orchids that came in pots as gifts. As a result, I find myself with many pots of different shapes and colours that simply didn’t work in my home. I kept them as I didn’t want to throw them away as they are perfectly functional. This was the beginning of how I decided that a simple coat of paint in the colours that fit my interior could do the trick. And, yes, IT DID. 

What I loved about this project is that it was super easy, takes a few hours and by unifying all the different shape of pots with one colour, they finally get the space they deserve in my interior. 

Just like your fashion style, your home decor will change with time and as a result you will find yourself with items that can still be used but they just don’t work visually. For me, this was the case of a RIBBA frame from Ikea. The brown just didn’t do it for me anymore and after seeing a an IG reel of @alexandra.stedman, I decided to give a try. This project took literally no time at all and the result is pure love. 

Around December 2021, for some reason, we decided to change the entire look of our balcony furniture. We wanted something that was more homogeneous of how our living room looked like as the two are adjacent.

After creating a full moodboard on Pinterest and selling our existing outdoor furniture, we went ahead and hunted for our next one (all secondhand, of course). We ended up with 3 big planters that simply didn’t work in the overall new look. We didn’t imagine ourself parting with our plants as they have been with us for more than 10 years.

So, for this project, we decided to pick different shades of blue to complement the rest of our new outdoor decor. After a few layers of paint plus the outdoor lacquer, we found ourselves with new planters that worked with the new mood

As we had some leftovers of paint that we didn’t want to go to waste, and because with chalk paint it seems that little goes a long way, we decided to tackle an old bench that we used as a plant display rack. Not only were we super pleased with the final results but this specific painting project tied the entire look of the balcony together. 

So there you go. We now keep a paint box well- stocked at home and are always in the lookout on how to “rejuvenate” some of the existing pieces we have. Even when we are hunting for new ones on the secondhand market, we know now that with a little bit of work, we can not only give them a second life but truly make them blend in our style. 

Our next home project? To stencil and then repaint some white drawers that still functions well but have seen better days. Oh and we all got so hooked on painting that over the Christmas holidays we (husband and daughter included) repainted a wall at our parents’ home from green to blue just in time to start the new year. 

If you have any questions or tips leave them bellow :-)