Literature review 4 - Traditional paints and finishes

Traditional paints and finishes
--How to use natural materials and authentic techniques in today’s decorating

Fashion in decoration is always moving on, and the trend today is towards a rediscovery of traditional paints and paint effects. Their softer, subtler colors enable today’s homes to reclaim the look of earlier times. As these paints become increasingly available, more people seek instruction in their use.

This book meets all the needs of the do-it-yourself decorative painter. This comprehensive guide for the novice and the experienced reveals the classic techniques used by house painters, furniture paints, artists, and restores. It provides step-by-step instruction in the traditional skills and materials used in wall coating, decoupage, lime washing, and glue painting, as well as more complex techniques for fresco, decorating with bronze powders, oil-gilding, and lacquering.

In addition, it provides information on the paints that are available today and how to obtain them. Starting with how paints are made and which paint is suitable for each task, the book demonstrates the wild variety of colours and textures that are offered. It gives detailed instructions for making patients from natural pigments and other basic ingredients, and included a list of artists and suppliers.

I know that doing DIY is very popular in Britain, and there are lots of TV programmes which show people how to improve their homes.

Some people stick to simple decorating – putting up wall-paper and painting walls. But there are all sorts of DIY projects that some people decide to take on, from laying new flooring, to plumbing, such as putting in a new shower, or tiling walls.

Unfortunately, some people bite off more than they can chew, and start doing a job which ends in DIY disaster. For example, it’s recommended that anything electrical should be done by a qualified electrician, but many people ignore this warning and put themselves in danger.
There is also a huge market for flat-pack furniture which you put together yourself with a few basic tools. Often people who are not very savvy about DIY find the supposedly simple instructions impossible to follow, and it's easy to build a piece of furniture which is unstable or just not very attractive!

Gardening is also popular, and a good way to enjoy the weather on a sunny Bank Holiday. But it’s not as simple as planting plants and doing some weeding. More complicated work such as building a new patio or some decking can cause some stress and back-ache!

So why do people do it? Who knows, maybe we are so used to working that we aren't very good at relaxing. One thing’s for sure, though a lot of DIY or gardening projects will be started with the best intentions during the Bank Holiday weekend, many of them may not get finished!