Tess’ tool kit Part 3 - Prepping, painting and finishing

Tess' Tool Kit: Part 3 - Prepping, Painting and Finishing

It's incredibly important to prepare the surface of your walls and furniture before you begin painting them to get the best results.

Sandpaper and sanding block

Ideally, you want a combination of a rougher grit paper such as 180 with one that is a smoother grit like 240.

Sugar soap

Will remove any built-up dirt and grime, I like to use this one.

Paint

Generally speaking, use emulsion paint on walls and eggshell paint on furniture. I would recommend buying the large swatch decks from different paint companies so you can see the different colours on offer.

I particularly like:

• Edward Bulmer Natural Paint
• Farrow & Ball
• Little Greene
• Benjamin Moore Paint sell sample pots of eggshell paint
• water-based acrylic paints

Primer

I swear by the Zinsser 123 - it's the best primer I've come across.

Transparent glaze

Scumble is highly recommended, and was also used a lot in traditional decorative painting - now available as a water-based product. As well as forming a stain-resistant surface, it also increases the drying time of your paint to give you a longer time to work with it.

Decorators varnish

The Dead flat finish is completely invisible, whereas the Satin clear finish is more glossy and slightly more durable.

Colourants

These can be added to the varnishes to alter the colour of the paint beneath. I like the Raw Umber and Burnt Sienna shades, as they help to mute the brighter tones for a more antique feel.

Paint kettle

To mix large quantities of paint - any clean bucket will do.

Sourcebook

Powered pigments from L. Cornelissen & Son in London, or Magasin Sennelier in Paris.

UK paint and primer stockists

• B&Q
• Brewers
• Homebase
• Johnstone's Decorating Centre
• Benjamin Moore Paint sell sample pots of eggshell (woodwork) paint