In the kitchen

The icy days of winter provide ample time to add decorative touches to the home, bringing character and charm to an otherwise plain corner. A door leading to the pantry in the kitchen can be given a lift when wooden panels are painted with colourful pictures. Here, the panels have been embellished with images of patterned crockery, pretty flowers and hanging vegetables, which help to give the illusion of depth, while fitting comfortably within the kitchen setting. The wood can also be decorated with découpage using cut pages from a favourite magazine. The door should be sanded first before applying the pages. Once complete, the wood can be given a fresh lick of paint in a bright colour, such as lemon yellow. This will help to lift the pictures and make them stand out.