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We’re finally starting to see a bit of progress on our spare bedroom makeover. This weekend, as well as trying to finish stripping all the wallpaper (you can read more about it here) and stripping the old and chipped layers of paint of the skirting boards (you can read more about it here), we’ve also started working on the cornice.
We’re really lucky to still have a few of the original period features, like the cornice, so we really want to make the most of them. Except for being covered in loads of layers of glossy paint and just a few cracks, it’s all in a really good condition.
We’d like to eventually paint the cornice with the same emulsion as the ceiling but in order to paint over the gloss, the cornice needs a bit of preparation, as if you just paint straight over the gloss with emulsion, the shininess of the gloss paint will end up shining through again.
About two years ago, when painting the living room we were faced with the same issues and came across a great and easy solution to deal with the problem – Super Grip Primer. (You can read more about painting our living room cornice here). It worked really well, so we decided to use the same method for painting the cornice in the bedroom, too.
To start with, we cleaned the area with some sugar soap and water.
Then, when everything was completely dry, we primed the cornice with a super grip primer.
It just needed the one coat of paint, so was fairly quick to do and the best bit – no sanding required!
It’s amazing how much cleaner the small primed area already looks.
There’s still a huge amount to do, and the next few steps of the makeover include sorting the electrics, replacing the radiator and window. I’m really excited though, as Jan has officially given me permission to rip up the laminate flooring – this week! I can’t wait!
Are there any DIY jobs that you just can’t wait to start?
darlene says
Thanks so much for your quick response! I feel better going on with this project.
darlene says
Getting ready to refinish our stairway and foyer. It is very old and has lots of very shiny paint. We,ve lived in this house for 20 yrs. and it has been a work in progress! I,ve sanded so much woodwork and what a mess. Hoping to find a better solution for restoring this next project. Sounds like these products are what I need. Where can you find sugar soap and super grip primer? Also I’m repainting with high gloss paint. Any help would be appreciated.
Christine says
Yep, DIY can sometimes be such a mess! Just remember it’ll be worth it in the end, Darlene!
We bought the sugar soap at our local DIY store. You should be able to pick up sugar soap pretty much anywhere (it comes in liquid or powder form). We picked up the super grip primer at our local Dulux Decorator centre (you could just order it online though). If you are painting over gloss with more gloss, you won’t need the super grip primer – you only need that, it you want to paint over gloss with matt paint. Just give everything a good clean and light sand with some fine (around 240 grit) sandpaper before painting.
Good luck with your staircase.
Cx
MarieRoxanne says
He doesn’t look too happy posing for that picture… he seems to be saying ” hurry up already” Glad you decided to keep the original cornice, it is beautiful.
Christine says
Aww. He really wasn’t too happy – you should have seen the other shots ;-) We’re really glad the cornice is still in one piece, especially as the people that owned the house before us removed the original fireplace and picture rail.
Cx