Pool Room Makeover

Several weeks ago on Burke's Backyard we completed one of our best makeovers ever. A weed-infested site was cleared and then planted with fabulous tropical fruit trees and colourful foliage plants. An aviary resembling a Thai temple was built and filled with brightly coloured African lovebirds.

The owners of the house should have been able to sit back and look out at their beautiful new garden, but there was a problem. The room overlooking the backyard was filled with junk. Most of the space was taken up with a pool table, there was no seating and heavy curtains obscured the view of the aviary and garden. Also, the room didn't function well as it was adjacent to the kitchen. To solve the problem Rita Hill decided that what was needed was to re-arrange existing furniture so that the house functioned better, and to use any old bits of furniture that weren't being used to their potential. She relocated the pool table to a TV and games room in another part of the house. She then redecorated the area to tie in with the design of the garden. Now the room is a stylish living and dining space for the whole family to enjoy.

How it was done

The room was cleaned out completely so that Rita could start with a clean canvas. The walls were prepared for painting. Holes were filled with cornice cement (tip: cornice cement dries very fast, quicker than other wall fillers, so the area is ready to paint in about an hour). Areas that needed protection from paint splatters, such as skirting boards, windows and doorframes, were dusted then covered with masking tape. The walls were given a light sand. Rita applied a paint effect to the wall using 'Leaf', an acrylic limewash pentimento from Murobond (tip: with these painted effects, everyone's technique is a little different so it's a good idea for one person to do the whole job). Maintain a wet edge while painting, so you finish an entire area at a time. The ugly built-in cupboards were also painted with Murobond 'Leaf', so that they would be less noticeable. Once dry they were given a coat of clear lacquer. Before going out and buying furniture, Rita had a look around the house for suitable pieces. She found a dining table and chairs in the games room that matched the décor perfectly, and an old icebox found in the garage was revamped and turned into a dresser. A Kenya two-seater sofa was purchased from Freedom Furniture, along with scatter cushions, Pillar candles and a vase. The heavy curtains were replaced by 'Bianca' roll-up blinds from Freedom. The natural coloured fabric allows light into the area, and the wooden runners tie in with the room's cool, tropical theme. The floor was covered with a large jute mat (Noor Rug 270 x 360cm) from Freedom. A bamboo palm in a large glazed celadon pot from the Pottery Shack completed the look.

Stockists

Murobond Pentimento Limewash 'Leaf' costs $54.60 for 4 litres. For your nearest Murobond stockist phone (02) 9906 7299 Freedom Furniture: for your nearest stockist phone (02) 9882 9000 The Pottery Shack: phone (02) 9517 2675 Speedymask tape is available from hardware stores and paint suppliers. Cost: from $29.

Further reading

For more details on this makeover, see Rita Hill's article in the September edition of the Burke's Backyard magazine. It is available at newsagents for $4.60.

Copyright CTC Productions 2001