TIME TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY!

Oh come on, I have let you off lightly over the last issues, easing you gently to doing some actual decorating.  So this issue we are going to tackle the actual practical task of decorating.  There have been several emails asking HOW do I decorate my room, so here we go.  Take a deep breathe and read.  If you are new to decorating and it appears daunting, read, breath, make a cup of tea and read again.  If you feel you are not going to make it alone, ask a friend to support you and then reciprecate and help them with something.  If you are truely not going to make it, get looking for a decorating and at least get some quotes!

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• Don't be scared!  It's just paint and it can be changed

• Be prepared, do not attempt to decorate in chaos, clear and move what you can.  If the items are large and can not be moved elsewhere, into the middle of the room is best

• Remember Health and Safety, check ladders etc to make sure they are sound, do not attempt to use chairs etc to stand on! Or paste wallpaper on your bed!  Oh yes I have seen it

• Make a list prior to starting and make sure you have everything you need for the task

• Look at on line tutorials (easy ones, step by step please)

• Prepare: If you are painting wood work (doors, skirtings etc) rub these down with a sanding block, I find a wet and dry (the shop will know!) is the best option, much less dust

• Wash all paint work down with warm water and a touch of washing up liquid, if they are particuarly bad use sugar soap (again the shop will know), wear protective gloves.  Do not use too much detergent as it will leave a residue and the paint will not adhere properly

• I fully understand that you should paint woodwork first, especially if using oil based paint, however in practical terms this is not always possible, because you will need to allow 8 hours drying time

• Oil based paints will provide a more durable finish on woodwork, but do have an odour, me I love the smell of paint, so I don't care, but if you have allergies, small children you may not wish to use oil based products, in this case I would suggest water based options for woodwork.  Do take into account that if water based paint is going onto previously painted oil based surfaces you will need rub down really well prior to painting

• HOW DO I TELL IF IT IS WATER BASED OR OIL BASED PAINT?  You can ask in the store, but the easiest way is to look on the back of the tin.  Read where it says how to clean brushes, if the brushes clean in water it is a water based paint, if it is an oil based paint it will need to clean in white spirit 

• Get some plastic dust sheets, these can then be thrown away after use, cover what you need to especially if you need to paint the ceiling

• Paint the ceiling, if you are new to decorating, why not choose a colour which can be used for the walls and ceilings, this way no trying to cut in (meeting two surfaces together)

• Use the correct equipment, extension poles, correct size rollers and brushes (again view on line simple tutorials)

• If you start with the walls you will begin to see a result very quickly, which motivates and inspires you to continue, once you have finished the walls, depends if there is more than one person doing the decorating, you could probably go around again and  do the second coat, this means all walls done in a day.  You could then energy allowing apply one coat to woodwork, this means by the next day this will be dry.  If your paint work is not bad, you may get away with one coat, you can also buy one coat paint for woodwork

• If you are a novice decorator why not choose a colour which can be used for the ceiling also, this way no dripping onto walls etc

• Clear up as you go! Get a packet of cheap baby wipes, these work wonders.  Leaving the clearing up to last when you are tired is a rubbish idea, you will not want to do it properly.  

• REMEMBER ITS ONLY PAINT, IT CAN BE CHANGED!!