SPECIAL SECTION // HOME & GARDEN
A lick of paint
Transforming a room is a breeze when you follow some simple steps
by RACHEL HALLIWELL
COSTCO CONNECTION
Costco warehouses sell white paint and a work platform . Paint brush and paint roller sets are available in Costco warehouses and at Costco . co . uk .
Painting a room is one of the most transformative things you can do when it comes to home improvements . But if you ’ re not a professional decorator , this kind of project can be daunting . It needn ’ t be . As long as you follow some simple decorating rules , you can achieve great results when taking on this DIY task .
Where do you start ? London-based professional painter and decorator and Costco member Desmond Cass , of D Cass and Son , who has more than 40 years of experience , says it ’ s all about the preparation .
Before you break out the first can of paint , meet every DIYer ’ s new best friend : masking tape . You can use it in several ways :
● Tape down dust sheets . Use 30-centimetre ( 12-inch ) strips and make sure you overlap the pieces so stray splashes of paint don ’ t get through to the floor .
● Get sharp lines , which is especially important if you ’ re creating a feature wall in a different colour .
● Tape the edges of the ceiling where the ceiling and wall meet , if you ’ re painting walls only .
● Tape around skirting boards , window frames and door frames , light switches and sockets too .
● Mask sections of the adjoining walls if you ’ re painting a ceiling .
Pro tip : Don ’ t wait for the paint to dry before you remove the tape — it might spoil the finish . Peel carefully , pulling the tape slowly but firmly toward yourself .
Pick the right paint finish and apply it with the right type of brush . A glossy , wipeable finish is good in kitchens . It ’ s also best for moisture-prone bathrooms , because it ’ s less porous . Satin and eggshell paints work well in living rooms . You need a narrower brush for painting around glass or window frames , going wider for skirting boards and
28 Costco Connection FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022