good table gone bad, the hand me down gets painted.
You know when your at that age when you get all those hand-me-downs from your older siblings? They are great. They fill your new bach-pad at no cost while your adapting to real life.
You know when your at that stage of life when your moving out of said bach-pad into your first place with boyfriend or girlfriend? Both bringing your combined collection of hand me downs and ikea purchases.
You know when your at that stage of life where the beloved hand-me-downs can be replaced with brand new items and its time to regift these hand-me-downs onto the next generation?
Well what happens when that next generation, true to form, haven’t moved out of home and you end up marrying a crazy lady who is convinced that paint can fix everything? Well your hand-me-down, dining room pine table, gets painted of course.
To-ing and fro-ing between a new dining table or a new couch we decided to put the money towards the couch. So one Sunday morning I decided the dining room table and its four faithful chairs should be black glossed.
Off I went to my friendly Home Hardware to pick their brains about the best paint to achieve this gloss. Since I had ZERO interest in sanding back the table and chairs first, I would have to prime it.
So primer was chosen for $23.95
For the black gloss I would definitely have preferred water based. Water based paint as it name would suggest, can be washed out of brushes and off skin with water. Oil based (shudder) needs turps or petrol to remove it.
My choice at the hardware was either: A. A water based paint with black mixed into it at a price of $45.99 or B. A black oil based high gloss at a price of $21.99. I shelved my laziness and bought the cheaper paint that would look better. duh.
So for this project you will need:-
1. Paintbrush $3.99-$12.00 2. Paint tray $4.00+
3. Master Prep Primer $23.95 4. Black Gloss paint. I used oil based (Cheaper with a beautiful finish). $21.99
5. Turps or something disgustingly similar to remove paint from anything.
6. Old towels to be placed EVERYWHERE.
Steps:
1. Ultimately you should get hot soapy water and wash your table first then allow it to dry fully.
2. Open your tin of your primer, stir and pour a small amount into your tray. Paint.
It will take you quite some time to paint your table and chairs, be patient, its worth it. Always follow the back of the tin for directions, but your primer should take 4-6 hours to dry fully. Wash your water based paint out of your brush and tray.
3. Ensure EVERYTHING is covered in towels and/or newspapers. Open your tin of Black liquid, 
carefully pour the inky black paint into your tray, dip in your brush and away you go.
This part of the process will definitely take you some time so make sure you have access to an inspiring show to be playing in the background. Any form of home improvement show or a money saving show 🙂 This will keep you motivated. I love: Channel 10’s Renovators, Nines The Block, Top Design or Andrew Winters Selling Houses Australia
4. Clean everything with your horrid smelling remover. Stand back and look at your black glossy success. Side note: Don’t let husband sweep near your now drying table. It needs to be left completely alone for the next 24 hours.
In this time take yourself off to Kmart, Big W or Target and purchase some great new table decorations!!
Total cost: $45.94 (I already had the paint brush, tray and horrid smelling turps)
Is all white alright?
I must admit I do have a bit of a fantasy of setting a white paint bomb in the middle of my living room and letting it explode all over everything and everyone.
There are but a few issues with this fantasy. Apart from the obvious issues using this ‘blow up’ painting method there are a few other things standing in my way.
The biggest and foremost issue being durability, and I don’t even have human children;
The aforementioned tradie husband doth not always shower before sitting on thy sofa.
Also, I am yet to meet a mother who agrees that all white is alright.
The other question on my mind before I buy up all of ikeas white slip covers is; “All white, a trend or a classic?” is all white really just too fashionable to be a classic?
My instincts tell me all white is actually not alright unless you can abide by 1 of the following stipulations:
1. You are a single female with impeccable organisation skills. Your only pets consist of a goldfish or a white cat and your girlfriends only drink white spirits or white wine. End of story. OR:
2. Your pad is big enough to make your white room the formal room. As in, “Oh that room? We never use it!” and honestly if you are to use it then the above alcohol rules must apply.
If you find the above rules to restrictive perhaps your all white should be confined to ornaments and cabinetry only.
Perhaps Shutterstock’s subject have it right. White wall (read: VERY washable), wipeable cream leather tufted seat and a bit of life and beautiful fengshui added into the corner
room201dotcom 
