Thursday 12 March 2009

Chaos

Bored stiff and couldn't work outside as the weather was c**p, I decided to tackle a task that has been staring me in the face for the last ten years (I don't hang about!!!!!!!!!). Yup! I'm finally repainting the kitchen!
Out came the sugar soap bought especially for this 8 years ago. Out came the lovely Dulux White Vinyl Silk Emulsion imported from the UK at the same time for the same purpose and we're off! As I type I've done all the walls, apart from the back wall you can see in the photo - the one where the paper was pulled off by my friend Joy some years ago now. I'm tackling that wall this afternoon. Being the lazy person that I am, I decided not to strip the horrific Laura Ashley Sweet Pea wallpaper (I ask you! Who on earth would put THAT in a kitchen!), but instead washed off 10 years of cooking fat and grime with the sugar soap solution, rinsed and painted. 2 coats later the sweet peas are barely visible. Why, do you ask, am I using English paint and not French? Have you seen the price of French paint? Horrendous! A 5 litre tub of watery paint costs about 25 Euro, if not more. It is like painting with white water. Ok it is supposed to dry well and look good, but in this day and age we have to use what we've got (that's a quilter's mind for you!) and I think I'd prefer to try to get paint on the walls and not on me, the floor and everything else. Even more chaos!
Sorting out the scrap bins into colour and type of fabric - polka dots, plaids, solids, etc. Plastic bags everywhere and trying my hardest NOT to start piecing crumbs. Oh so difficult, but the paint brush is more important at the moment. We had a whoops! Apparently the photos weren't showing up (Picasa's fault not mine). Hope they are now.

9 comments:

Joyce said...

For some reason I can't see your pictures but only on this post. Painting is one of my least favorite activities. Esp with all the cleaning and taking down things before you can start. It's nice in the end to have it done though.

Twisted Quilts said...

Good for you! I did the same thing last year. I took down wallpaper and my daughter, her boy friend at the time and I painted my kitchen a lovely orange. I love it. Believe me it is definitly worth it.

Fiona said...

You are a woman after my own heart - having had the kitchen 'done' over a year ago I still haven't painted the walls. So good to know there are others out there like me (hang on a minute, you're not like me - you've painted your wall!).

Browndirtcottage said...

oooouuuu girl....better YOU...than
Me on the painting job!!

Sharon said...

Good for you! It will be worth it when you're done.
We've been in this house almost 2 years now. Had the entire house painted right before we moved in. I'm supposed to be stenciling in many of the rooms, but most especially the kitchen. Haven't done a one yet. What's my excuse? I'd rather sew! I think I really need to tackle it this summer.

Anonymous said...

I know exactly what you mean re French paint. After 5 coats of white, (trying to paint over a lemon wall I was losing the will to live.

Hurrah for Dulux!

GG

PS You'll feel noble when it's done and you can get back to your sewing.

Holly said...

How fun! I enjoy seeing pictures of your kitchen. Good for you. Painting is such a big job but it sure is rewarding when finished.

jovaliquilts said...

Painting the kitchen -- wow! I'm impressed. I understand the taking 10 years, as we've been discussing getting new carpets for 3...
And good luck sorting scraps. I just picked up some plastic bins for that purpose.

Carol E. said...

In our previous house we remodeled the kitchen and then stopped when it got back to the useable stage. Finally painted the walls and made it look lovely when we were ready to sell the house.. never got to enjoy that lovely kitchen ourselves. And I'm doing the same.. sorting through stuff and having a devil of a time NOT sewing it.