Your paint primer for the season ahead

Kya deLongchamps is looking forward to another winter coloured by the transformative power of paint

I ALWAYS feel extremely puffed up and ridiculously powerful when approaching the groaning cliff-face of a paint stand. I mean, in terms of visual impact and capital outlay, paint is cheap. We whinge and complain, but on balance, even the more pricey paint is relatively inexpensive — even as a transient two-year thrill. Covering acres of wall, woodwork, metals and even awkward surfacing like MDF — one day’s hassle can be utterly transformative. The boring part of painting is its most essential moment — preparation — so once you know what paint you need, get into your old clothes and tool up to perfect that essential, clean canvas in the right base-coat if needs be.