www.womanthismonth.com 59 September 2015 fun as the things inside. If you have some extra paint left over, consider using it on non-traditional objects, like chairs or picture frames. This paint will take at least a week to dry and cure. It is best if you don't remove any tape until it has finished drying, as this can lead to unexpected results depending on the state of the paint when you lift it. You will also need to purchase high-quality dry-erase markers. The ordinary ones don't write well and will be a huge disappointment when your kids are all ready to go Picasso on the walls. DOORS AND CABINETS There’s a plethora of choices in the market that you might want to try for your doors and cabinets. However, before you start, you need to decide the colour scheme and if you want the cabinetry to lead or follow the space composition. Once you’ve decided the palette, the finish should be your next concern. For wooden surfaces, most manufacturers offer painted, stained, glazed, antiqued and distressed finishes. Stains come in a variety of pigments and allow the wood's natural grain to show. A glaze is a semi-transparent wash of colour applied over a paint to add dimension and depth. Glazes offer heavier contrast and less consistency and appear darker in the crevices, highlighting detailing. You can even go for an antiqued patina, which is hand-rubbed for added character, allowing cabinetry to appear old beyond its years. If paint is your choice, picking the right one is key. Traditionally used oil paints, though tough to clean, dry harder than latex, providing a more durable finish for trim and moulding on kitchen cabinets. A new, waterborne alkyd formula is becoming increasingly popular for this purpose as well. These go on like an oil paint (smooth flow and levelling), have the low VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and clean up like latex with just soap and water instead of paint thinner or mineral spirits.
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