Fancy up your Fireplace

Sometimes adding a smidge of colour to some woodwork or creating a decorative trim or two is enough to transform an entire space. Here’s how to …

FANCY UP YOUR FIREPLACE

with Plascon Spaces magazine

Before:

A dining room gets the royal treatment when the fireplace becomes a jewel trimmed feature.

After:

WHAT DO I NEED?

PAINT Plascon Cashmere Misty Mountain (G4-E1-4); Velvaglo Dusk of Day (B6-E1-2); Plascon Universal Undercoat

OTHER Sandpaper, cloth, masking tape, drop sheet, Hamilton’s Wool Pro 225mm

roller brush, Hamilton’s 50mm paint brush, Hamilton’s artist brush

THE PREP

■ Give the fireplace and skirting a fine sand.

■ Wash down the walls to get rid of any dust that might have settled.

■ Mask around the fireplace and shelves to protect the edges and lay a drop sheet to cover the floor.

■ Prime the skirting with one coat of Plascon Universal Undercoat.

GET THE LOOK

Time needed: 4 hours

STEP 1 Use the roller and paint brush to paint the feature wall and skirting with two coats of Plascon Cashmere Misty Mountain (G4-E1-4). Allow drying time between coats and be sure to cut around the bookshelves and fi replace. The muted green gives the room an oldbworld appeal and extending the colour onto the skirting board creates a polished finish.

STEP 2 Paint the fireplace surround with two coats of Plascon Velvaglo Dusk of Day (B6-E1-2). The blue looks regal against the green wall and brings the fi replace to life.

STEP 3 Above the fireplace, create an extra trim with paint. Measure and mask out your design. Then use a Hamilton’s artist brush to paint between the masking tape with Misty Mountain. When the paint is dry, paint over it with the Dusk of Day. Applying the base coat first will allow you to get a straighter and ensure that the final colour doesn't bleed under the masking tape.

STYLE TIP:

TRIM AND TONE

A “trim” is usually a skirting or a decorative moulding, such as a picture or dado rail, attached to a wall. It’s easy to create your own with paint – as we did for classical, old-world appeal above the fireplace. Painting the trim in shiny Velvaglo on a matt Cashmere wall adds further texture and drama to the look.

Check out the latest Plascon Spaces magazine for more DIY projects for your home.