lovely thanks, got a local shop who sell it, am going to get duck egg for some furniture in the dining room and living room, i actually did get a pot of b&q any surface paint in'fog' grey which worked great!
If you don't fancy wax, try clear matt or satin acrylic varnish.2 to 3 coats will be needed but it dries fast and is easy to apply. Water soluble so easy to clean up. No more than 3 coats though or it goes milky.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Beau's Mum, I've just read back on this thread and seen last year's pics of your garden. It's gorgeous! And how lovely to have more time to spend on it now... I echo the remarks from others about not knowing how you fitted in time to work! It's like getting a new lease of life, in which YOU can choose what you really want to do.
Rosemummy, my daughter is also a stay-at-home mum and would totally sympathise with you! Why do folk consider looking after children and home, not to be "work" unless you're paid for it??
Not sure if I qualify to post on here. Most of my house is "shabby" without the "chic"...
Last edited: 14 January 2017 11:27:31
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
yes our house is heavy on the shabby and light on the chic! Have painted wardrobe, chest of drawers and fireplace in my son'd room, all just b&q any surface paint and they all look fab! next on the list is our scruffy hallway, orange monks bench will be duck egg blue by the weekend!
I definitely need inspiration for this house. We have a tiny "hallway" about 3ft square, filled with coats & shoes, with a glazed doorway into the living room. Straight in front of you as you enter the "hallway" from the front door is the staircase, walled on both sides so pretty dark by the time you get to the top. We painted everything with matt emulsion (very pale cream walls, white ceiling) when we moved in, and have a "pale as we dare" fawn carpet on the stairs, but it's really dull (in both senses - boring as well as dark!). I think we need something more reflective on the walls, either silk emulsion (maybe different colours on the 2 sides) or even paper on at least one wall... must make decisions!!
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Paper can be torn or scratched as people pass by so I'd go for silk emulsion and a couple of mirrors - not directly opposite each other - to bounce light about. Hang a few bright or strongly coloured pictures or photos on one wall.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Thank you very much for the hints, Obelixx. I reckon you're right about wallpaper, especially with a cat in the house. Must see if I can find a couple of nice mirrors and try the effect...
OH was fine helping with decorating when we moved in, ten years ago, but as long as it looks clean and tidy he can't see the reason to paint it again. I think I might just have to go out and buy the materials. If it wasn't the staircase I could manage it on my own, no problem, but my head for heights isn't the best!
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Posts
Hi rosemmmy
loved your description of lady of leisure 
don't want to mislead you but I'm a full time dog mumm 
i have grey painted furniture in the bedroom and used Annie Sloan which i love as you don't need to sand down the surfaces!
All you do is seal it with wax after
think it is called Paris grey
lovely thanks, got a local shop who sell it, am going to get duck egg for some furniture in the dining room and living room, i actually did get a pot of b&q any surface paint in'fog' grey which worked great!
If you don't fancy wax, try clear matt or satin acrylic varnish.2 to 3 coats will be needed but it dries fast and is easy to apply. Water soluble so easy to clean up. No more than 3 coats though or it goes milky.
Beau's Mum, I've just read back on this thread and seen last year's pics of your garden. It's gorgeous! And how lovely to have more time to spend on it now... I echo the remarks from others about not knowing how you fitted in time to work! It's like getting a new lease of life, in which YOU can choose what you really want to do.
Rosemummy, my daughter is also a stay-at-home mum and would totally sympathise with you! Why do folk consider looking after children and home, not to be "work" unless you're paid for it??
Not sure if I qualify to post on here. Most of my house is "shabby" without the "chic"...
Last edited: 14 January 2017 11:27:31
yes our house is heavy on the shabby and light on the chic! Have painted wardrobe, chest of drawers and fireplace in my son'd room, all just b&q any surface paint and they all look fab! next on the list is our scruffy hallway, orange monks bench will be duck egg blue by the weekend!
I definitely need inspiration for this house. We have a tiny "hallway" about 3ft square, filled with coats & shoes, with a glazed doorway into the living room. Straight in front of you as you enter the "hallway" from the front door is the staircase, walled on both sides so pretty dark by the time you get to the top. We painted everything with matt emulsion (very pale cream walls, white ceiling) when we moved in, and have a "pale as we dare" fawn carpet on the stairs, but it's really dull (in both senses - boring as well as dark!). I think we need something more reflective on the walls, either silk emulsion (maybe different colours on the 2 sides) or even paper on at least one wall... must make decisions!!
Paper can be torn or scratched as people pass by so I'd go for silk emulsion and a couple of mirrors - not directly opposite each other - to bounce light about. Hang a few bright or strongly coloured pictures or photos on one wall.
Thank you very much for the hints, Obelixx. I reckon you're right about wallpaper, especially with a cat in the house. Must see if I can find a couple of nice mirrors and try the effect...
OH was fine helping with decorating when we moved in, ten years ago, but as long as it looks clean and tidy he can't see the reason to paint it again. I think I might just have to go out and buy the materials. If it wasn't the staircase I could manage it on my own, no problem, but my head for heights isn't the best!
Try just the mirrors and pictures first. You may not need to paint again, especially if you can organise the coats and clutter.
Plenty more tips and ideas if you google "decorating small hallways"
Thanks.