Décor dilemma

Q: I’d like to spruce up my melamine kitchen cabinets with paint as they have no personality. They’re still in good condition; removing them would be expensive and unnecessary. What steps should I take to paint them? Is chalk paint an option? – Alida Pretorius, Oude Westhof Retirement Village, Bellville

A: Chalk paint is the best solution because you usually don’t have to sand your cabinets before you paint them. It’s only necessary to sand the cabinets lightly if they are shiny and you’re worried that the paint won’t adhere properly. Tjhoko Paint chalk paint has a builtin sealant, but we recommend that kitchen surfaces are sealed with Tjhoko Clear Glaze to protect against dirt and steam. Follow these steps:

PREPARATION

Clean all surfaces thoroughly with lacquer thinners; repeat on very dirty spots.

Wait for 40 minutes for the surfaces to dry before you paint.

PAINT

Use a 110mm sponge roller on flat surfaces for a light, even application and a 50mm Hamilton’s Ensign brush where the sponge roller can’t reach.

Tip It takes a little practice to work with a sponge roller but it gives a lovely durable finish. On large flat surfaces, a 225mm

Hamilton’s mohair roller can also be used; these rollers are not as temperamental as a sponge roller.

SEALANT

Allow the paint to dry overnight, then seal it with Tjhoko Clear Glaze so that you can clean the cabinets without any concerns. Mix three parts glaze with one part water and apply in circular motions with a damp microfibre cloth.

Tip Make sure there is good light in the room so that you apply the sealant evenly.

Wooden items by Hiep Projects The original pendants were removed and replaced with a striking wooden installation. Plywood was cut into strips and attached to the ceiling panel, after which new pendants were installed.

Two of the kitchen cabinet doors were removed and the interiors lined with plywood – a smart idea for open shelving!

After the walls above the counters were painted with Tjhoko Paint Da’vid and sealed with Clear Glaze, vinyl tiles in a Paris&metro design, also from Tjhoko Paint, were used as a splashback. They look just like wall tiles but there’s less dust during installation and they’re easy and affordable to install! They can also simply be replaced if trends change. New with paint