TURN TRASH INTO TREASURE

WANT your unsightly dustbin to match your smart kitchen? There’s no need to buy a new one, or chuck your old bin in landfill. You could even upgrade it as a cool recycling bin to keep all your unsightly plastic waste out of sight. Designer and upcycler Anna Jacobs (inset) says: ‘This is a great project, not just to salvage an old dustbin, but you can also use up your leftover paint or tester pots.’

YOU WILL NEED

Metal primer undercoat Paintbrush

Four or five hard-wearing silk finish paints or tester pots

Acrylic paint pens

Varnish

TO DO 1. Wash the bin inside and out with soap and water.

2. Prime the outside with a metal primer undercoat, or the appropriate one for whatever your bin is made of. I used Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus which is amazing.

3. Once the bin is dry, paint it all over in your base colour in a hard-wearing silk finish. I used Tahitian Vanilla by Valspar. Allow to dry.

4. Paint abstract shapes in three or four different colours, in different sizes and with some overlapping. Copy mine – or be creative. I used Marine Splash by Dulux mixed with various whites and greys for contrasting shades, plus Back by Popular Demand by Valspar.

5. Once dry, paint a solid outline of three different plant or flower shapes in three different colours. I used Bizzy Lizzy by Valspar, Mustard Blanket and Mountain Moss by Dulux. Let it dry.

6. Paint another layer of block colour on each plant, but only so it partially covers it – this will give it some depth. I used Back by Popular Demand by Valspar, Alexandria by Crown and Belize Blue by Valspar.

7. Use acrylic paint pens to add the delicate detail on top of the leaves or flowers.

8. Once all your handiwork is completely dry, varnish over it using a hard-wearing silk finish.

To book a place on Anna’s course, Create Colour Magic In Your Home, with an early bird discount including one free lesson, visit annajacobsart. com or follow her on Instagram @annalysejacobs