Come the warmer weather, there’s nothing we enjoy more than escaping to the great outdoors – especially when it’s our own back garden! If like us you’re planning to make the most of the blossoming blooms and glorious sunshine, now’s the time for a much-needed garden overhaul before summertime rolls around. With the allure of alfresco dining and summer soirees on the horizon, sprucing up your garden with a few flourishes will certainly make all the difference and you’ll look back on all your hard work with appreciation.
First on our overhaul agenda is refreshing any old garden furniture and giving it a brand new lease of life. A simple weekend task that’s easy on the purse strings, we enlisted James (our Digital Designer) and his DIY know-all to revamp his old picnic table and bench, of which were beginning to look a little worn and weary.
Using our specially formulated Garden paint range, James shares with us his handy guide to bringing a splash of candy coloured hue to his outdoor space with a simple lick of paint! Over to you James…
Always on the look out for a new DIY project, you’ll often find me in the garden whether tending to my veggie patch, pottering around in the shed or up-cycling old pieces of furniture. This time around, it was my weather worn picnic table (which I fashioned together out of reclaimed pallets last summer) and bench, both of which were in desperate need of some tender love and DIY care.
Bringing a cheery feel to my outside space, I chose the sunshine-hued Primrose shade as well as the Pale Seaspray which definitely brings a coastal feel. The Garden Paint also provides all-weather protection, so it will last all year around.
Before I began, I made a DIY sanding block made from a medium grain strip of sanding paper, a discarded wedge of wood and a few screws. Then I gave both the table and bench a thorough sanding in order to prep the bench and get the best finish possible. Roughing up the wood also helps the paint attach, ensuring a better finish overall.
Armed with my paintbrush and overalls, I made sure to stir the paint before I began to ensure it was mixed together well. I also unscrewed the top panels of wood from the bench in order to make it easier to paint. I did experiment using a mini-roller to paint, however I found that a good old-fashioned paintbrush was more successful in getting into the grains and cracks in the wood.
Miffy, my trusty feline DIY partner in crime then inspected the first coat and once given the all clear, I proceeded to finish with a second lick of paint once dry. Overall, I found the paint extremely easy to work with and two coats was more than enough to provide the perfect finish. I also pleasantly surprised by how vibrant the paint colour was and how evenly it dried.
Not only has it given my bench a new lease of life, but it has also transformed my garden. All I’ll have to do now is make a mental note to avoid using them as work benches!
Quite the makeover indeed! It’s amazing what a simple lick of paint can achieve. Available in five striking shades, including our popular Duck Egg and Pale Amethyst hues, why not take a peek at our Garden Paint collection here and plan your next DIY project.
For the finishing touches, we suggest James dresses his picnic table for the ultimate alfresco feast using some of our brand new tableware additions for SS15…
Topaz Square Lantern | Summer Stripe Table Runner | Clear Glass Water Bottle | Ava Seat Pad | Primrose Garden Paint | Duck Egg Garden Paint | Tropical Leaf Salad Servers | Tropical Leaf Salad Bowl | Set of 6 Glasses
Will you be springing over your garden in time for the warmer weather? We would love to know your plans in the comments below!
For more DIY paint inspiration, take a look at our Laura’s Lick of Paint challenge using our brand new furniture paint here.
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