Nursery to Teen Dream

From Nursery To Teen-Dream Retreat

Bedrooms will inevitably require updates over time, whether that's due to changing tastes or the changing ages of those inhabiting them. From nurseries to kids' rooms, through to sophisticated teen abodes; bedrooms see a lot of life, so keeping them fresh is crucial.

Given that kids' bedrooms will see their fair share of grubby fingerprints, hectic sleepovers and rushed mornings before school, choosing a paint that can withstand the signs of daily life is top of the priorities list. Dulux Wash&Wear+PLUS Anti-Bac helps maintain the room's breathability and has antibacterial and washability qualities, so you can feel safe knowing your walls will be protected and resist bacteria and the development of mould that may trigger allergies or asthma.

Dulux Wash&Wear+PLUS Anti-Bac contains 101 Barrier Technology, which creates a hard-wearing finish that allows most common marks, scuffs and stains to be easily wiped away with a wet cloth – ideal for kids' bedrooms!

Dulux Colour Expert, Andrea Lucena-Orr, says "One of the great things about revamping your child's room is that it's the perfect space to experiment with colour and personalisation, given they are separated from the main living areas in the home." "Decorating a child's nursery is a magical time for both parents and their little ones. This space needs to be warm and tranquil, peaceful and inviting, while of course having a bit of fun with the design and interior accessories. For foolproof schemes, try Dulux Post Boy or Dulux Domain on an accent wall with a cooler white, such as Dulux Lexicon® Half."

Over time, a child's personality will develop along with their style, so a more imaginative room décor may be desired to reflect their changing tastes. Kids' rooms can be bright and fun, with clever storage solutions to hold their growing collection of toys and other belongings.

"Choose a palette that encompasses your child's favourite shades, where you can play with complimentary and contrasting tones, pattern and texture through use of bedding, furniture, accessories and artwork," Andrea says.

"If you're feeling adventurous, you can create a two-toned accent wall to create a visual masterpiece. Work with colours with the same undertone, such as Dulux Pelican Bill Half and Painted Clay set against a crisp foundation white, such as Dulux Vivid White™."

Finally, a more mature bedroom design can guide your kids into their late teens and young adult years. Andrea says, "A teenage bedroom should be the ultimate sanctuary to escape the stresses of young-adulthood and study, providing a peaceful space for relaxation and contemplation – think of utilising mints, teals, blues and deep aquamarines to help elicit calming feelings. Dulux Antarctica Lake and Dulux Duck Egg Blue are two perfect shades that will help create a relaxing atmosphere."

Refreshing and updating the bedrooms in your home can be a simple and straightforward project that can be accomplished in a weekend. Here are some ideas with steps on how to get started:

Walls/Accent Walls:
Follow the preparation steps on the back of the Dulux Wash&Wear +PLUS Anti-Bac can and gather your painting supplies. Dulux 1Step Prep can be used for a prep coat.
Start by cutting in around the edges of the wall with a brush.
Load your roller in the tray with a reasonable amount of paint.
Start rolling the wall in an 'M' pattern. Start closest to the natural light source. Continue over the same section until the wall is evenly covered.
Using an unloaded roller (begin in the top left corner of your wall) gently roll down the roller to the baseboard in a straight line with no pressure. A lightness of touch will prevent new roller marks from forming. Repeat this action, only this time slightly overlap your last movement, so your roller rubs away the line created by the previous stroke. Continue this across the area you have painted. This is called laying off.
Reload your roller and repeat until the wall is complete.
Allow first coat to dry and repeat the total process again with a second coat.

Ceiling:

Clean your ceiling. Remove cobwebs with a clean broom and wash the area with Selleys Sugar Soap.
Tape around cornices, edges and any down lights and gather your painting supplies, including your can(s) of Dulux Ceiling White +PLUS Kitchen&Bathroom.
Just like a vertical wall, begin by cutting-in where the roller won't reach. Using a paint brush, paint around down lights and edges to create a border.
Once you've loaded your roller evenly, begin in one corner and move fluidly in a parallel motion. For best result, work in one metre sections painting across then down. Roll as far into the previously brushed sections as possible.
While paint is still damp, begin laying off the paint. This is a crucial step in achieving a smooth and consistent finish. Using an unloaded roller, begin in the top left corner of your ceiling and gently pull towards you in a straight line with no pressure. A lightness of touch will prevent new roller marks from forming. Repeat this action and slightly overlap your last movement so your roller rubs away the line created by the previous stroke.
If your ceiling requires two coats, wait two hours for it to dry and then repeat steps 4-6.

Doors And Window Frames:
Follow the preparation steps on the back of the can of Dulux Aquanamel and gather your painting supplies.
If your door or window frame has already been painted with enamel, give it a light sand until the shine has become dull. Wipe off the dust.
Use Dulux 1Step Prep to prime before applying a topcoat.
For the door, using a synthetic brush, start by painting the front panels. Then, fill in the vertical sections between the panels; followed by the horizontal sections at the top, middle and bottom; and finally, the outside panels. For windows, begin by taping around the frame with masking tape to avoid marking the surrounding walls while you paint.
Once you've completed an area, while paint is still wet, lightly smooth over the painted section with long brush strokes. Do not reload the brush when you do this, a few brush strokes should be enough to smooth the surface.
Allow 2 hours to dry, then give the surface a light sand with 400 grit sandpaper.
Repeat steps 4 and 5 for a second coat.

For more information about simple interior painting projects for the home using Dulux Wash&Wear, visit www.dulux.com.au