Revive a retro relic with an affordable makeover
Choose to spend your cash on the areas that are going to achieve the biggest and best impact – think walls, cabinets and benchtops. Here are ways to get fab results with the most bang for your buck.
1. If your cabinet laminate is still in good nick and just out of date, renew it with a splash of crisp white paint. First, rub doors down with fine-grit sandpaper, then wipe away any dust. Use a mini roller and small brush to apply a shellac-based stain blocker and let dry before painting with two coats of hard-wearing enamel, allowing to dry between coats. To finish, lightly sand any timber trims, then apply two coats of clear varnish.
2. Retro revival! The 70s splashback was a fond reminder of hours spent in the kitchen with generations past. If you can’t bear to rip it out, roll with it! The tiles were inspiration for the bright light fitting and were accentuated, rather than hidden.
3. For stone-look benchtops at a fraction of the price, try a Rust-Oleum Countertop Transformations kit. Here, in Diamond White, the topcoat has a hint of sparkle to brighten up any dull space.
4. So it’s always on hand, mount a timber paper-towel holder to your wall. It’s as easy as screwing the base directly to a wall stud or plugs if the wall is masonry.
5. While you’re on a roll, craft a utensil hang-it-all from a rolling pin – an ideal spot for spoons, whisks and more! To re-create this idea, drive two large cup hooks into the underside of your cabinet, spaced to suit your chosen rolling pin. Screw a row of small cup hooks to one side of the rolling pin, then slot it in position on the large cup hooks.
6. Tired, chipped and a little tatty – the bottom edge of under-bench cupboard doors often fall victim to kicks and bangs. After doors have been given a makeover (holes filled if necessary, sanded and painted), cover up rough edges with timber moulding. Trim lengths of 20 x 8mm moulding to the width of each door, sand cut edges and apply two coats of clear varnish. Fix timber in position with contact adhesive.
7. Transform a standard batten fix light into a pendant in a few easy steps with a pendant suspension-cord kit and shade of your choice. With the power off, simply clip in the bayonet fitting as you would a light bulb. Slide over the cover, here in a chrome finish, then secure with the screw fitting attached. At the other end, add a shade and new light bulb, then flick on the light!
