WHITEWASHING

WITH RESENE MARKETING MANAGER KAREN WARMAN

> Floor type Most solid-wood floors can be whitewashed – it really comes down to the look you are trying to create. If the floor has a nice wood grain then whitewashing is a good option as you will still be able to see the grain when it’s finished.

> Prep and planning Resene Colorwood Whitewash or Greywash may be applied over an existing clear-finished floor without the need to strip back to bare timber. These products have the tinter in them so you don’t need a separate staining coat as you do with blonding, so the process is much quicker (especially as there is no sanding either).

> Timeframe An average-sized room could be done and dry in a day.

> Cost A litre can of Resene Colorwood Whitewash is enough to paint around 12 square metres with one coat. You will probably need 2-4 litres for most rooms. The cost of the paint per square metre for one coat is around $5 (depending on colour).

> Recommended products Resene Colorwood Whitewash or Resene Colorwood Greywash. Traditionally the Whitewash has been very popular but we are finding that the greyer tones of the Greywash are perhaps a little more forgiving in a busy family home because the colour tends to hide dust and dirt better than the whiter finish.

> Professional vs DIY Most products are now water-based and can be easily applied by home decorators. Resene Colorwood Whitewash or Greywash is easy to apply; you just need to take care that you don’t end up with thin and thick patches.