Do It Gorgeously: How to Make Less Toxic, Less Expensive, and More Beautiful Products (10 page)

HOW TO

1.
Pour milk into a large container and let it warm up (by standing on the counter) until it’s room temperature.

2.
Stir in the vinegar. Allow it to stand in a warm spot overnight. Stir occasionally. You will see the milk solids begin to separate.

3.
Place your color pigment in a container and add an equal amount of water. Mix into a paste.

4.
Place the lime powder in another container and very slowly mix in 1½ cups of water (you want to do this slowly to avoid any of the powder puffing up into your eyes). Stir until it’s a creamy paste.

5.
Line the colander with half the cheesecloth and pour in the separated milk mixture. Rinse the curds with cold water and drain. However, don’t squeeze the cheesecloth, as you still want a little water to remain in the curds.

6.
Transfer the curds to a paint bucket and mash down any large lumps.

7.
Add the lime/water paste and stir well. If you still see lumps, leave the mixture for 15 minutes, then stir again.

8.
Stir in your color pigment. The consistency should be like light cream. If it’s too thick, add a little more water. Strain through the other half of the cheesecloth into your second painter’s bucket.

9.
Now you’re ready to paint. If your walls are super-absorbent or have an existing darker-colored paint, make a primer by diluting a third of your paint 20% with water. This will be your priming coat. You can then decide whether to paint one coat or two.

10.
Once you’re finished painting, I recommend that you use an earth-friendly finish. If you want a totally matte finish, which is better if you are going for the old Tuscan look, you can use a finish called Zero Gloss, and if you want a buffed and polished finish, you can use Black Bison Paste Wax. Both are available from the Earth Pigments Company.

How to Paint a Room Perfectly

Until I came to live in America, I always used to paint my own home. It’s hard work but immensely satisfying, and the more you do it, the better you become. When I moved to Los Angeles, most of my friends used painters and decorators, thinking there was no way they could do a good enough job on their own. Not true. If you follow the simple guidelines, you’ll end up with a very professional-looking job.

The key is to get
all
the tools listed on the following page. If you skimp on your tools, you’ll end up with an amateur-looking job. Also, don’t rush the stages. I’m preaching to myself, because I’m very impatient and every time I’ve tried to rush a job, it ends up having to be done again.