The Power of Paint

It's not just for walls

I was recently interviewed for an upcoming design podcast and was asked about the best way for someone who is hesitant to attempt DIY to dip their toe in the water. After a moment of deliberating and scrolling through a mental catalogue of potential tools and projects, I heard myself say “Painting”.

In the days that followed I would occasionally remember my answer and berate myself for saying something so basic. Like that classic scene in Dirty Dancing where Jennifer Grey’s Baby says to Patrick Swayze’s Johnny “I carried a watermelon” and then keeps repeating “I carried a watermelon?” after the cringe moment.

But today I looked around my house and realised maybe it wasn’t such a basic idea after all.

I post a lot on Instagram about the work I’ve been doing on my house and last night when I was out for a drink, the most common comment from people (new friends) who follow me on social media was about me handling a drill, spoken in a tone that suggests “I could never…”

Drills and saws and most power tools scare a lot of DIY newbies. Paint brushes? Not so much. So today I stand by my podcast interview reply that painting is a relatively easy and un-intimidating way to begin your journey to being a DIY pro, or at least moving a few steps beyond a total amateur.

In all of my books I’ve written about the positive impact of paint on an interior. Much like Jamie Oliver and his insistence on including yet another roast chicken recipe in every one of his 8 million cookbooks, I can’t help myself, because paint (and roast chicken) is always a good idea.

The Power of Paint (Create), Paint is your friend (Life Unstyled), Paint it bold (Be Bold), Pattern & Colour (Bohemian Modern). Modern Rustic is the only one of my books where we didn’t discuss paint in great detail because the focus was more on natural materials. Although peppered throughout are images of a more understated way of using paint in more muted tones.

The thing to remember about using paint in your home is that it’s not all about the walls. In fact in my current home my walls are mostly textured, not painted - raw plaster, patterns left from stripping off wallpaper, my DIY version attempt at lime wash painted walls. To counterbalance this roughness, I’ve used paint on doors and their frames, window sills, skirting/baseboards.

The following are just a few things I’ve transformed with paint in the last year or so:

Rather than buying ‘proper’ flooring or carpet I painted the bare chipboard sheets the builder laid up here. I had some pale blue paint in the garage and it did the job nicely.

My attempt at a lime wash effect - watered down paint applied in haphazard strokes with a rough brush. Notice also the painted door and skirting to offset the raw walls

A simple lick of green paint makes this little window (added to bring light into the new, tiny shower room on its other side) pop

This little step stool left by the previous owner was headed for the rubbish when I rescued it and gave it a new life with paint and stapled on fabric. Everyone who visits comments that their granny used to have one and it brings back such memories for them. What can I say, Nouveau Granny Style is my thing.

Raw plaster ceiling (with one bit already needing repair), fresh white walls and my favourite plaster pink-beige paint on the doors and skirting. I should probably paint the coving the same. I love the way this looks against the concrete floors with my florals. This hallway epitomises my style to a tee and it’s how I knew I’d decorate my house years before I bought it.

The door to the pantry/washing machine in - you guessed it - green paint. With this whole room finished -or not finished depending on your point of view - in raw plaster, it needed some pops of soft colour for contrast.

Painting only the window trim in green stops the kitchen, with it’s neutral finishes, from feeling too flat

I decided to paint the skirting a similar colour to the plaster so it blends in with it and also contrasts with the white walls. I like the subtle effect. Also, the mirror - shabby chic grey when I bought it and updated with a sample pot of Farrow & Ball’s Charlotte’s Locks

The pièce de résistance. My total facelift of the bungalow - fresh white paint and rich green on all the old windows.

From my book Create, two wonderful homes and paint ideas from Margate and The Netherlands (and more)

More ideas from Create from Bristol, Berlin and Ramsgate

There have been so many other objects, doors, walls that I’ve painted with this renovation and over my entire career/life as a designer and homeowner/renter, going back to the early days when my kids were little, 20 years ago, and I’d paint any piece of wooden furniture within sight.

If you’re looking for a project to kick start your life as a DIY-er, painting something is simple and satisfying and totally achievable. Maybe don’t start with the full house exterior renovation though. Start with a picture frame and work your way up :)