Cheap to Chic

Solid raw pine pieces are easy to source cheaply from the likes of IKEA – the problem is, in their natural state, they usually lookincredibly cheap (and a little yellow) – however, a lick of bright paint or dark stain will have them looking fabulous (and more up-market) in no time flat.

As the pine is raw (and make sure it is raw, don’t buy pieces that have been sealed with a clear varnish, they’ll be too hard to prepare) all you have to do is give it a quick sand (just enough to rough up the surface to allow the paint or stain to stick) and then apply a couple of top coats – EASY!

This is a shot of my friend Jocelyn in her kitchen (taken by photographer, John Downs for Real Living) – Jocelyn painted these IKEA pine kitchen stools in Taubmann’s ‘Solar Burst’ – which contrasts beautifully with the dark cabinetry – the stools and paint cost under $60 each – and a shot of Sarah’s IKEA step stool, which she bought for under $15 and stained in a dark shade.