No-Spend Decorating

[Stig]

I've had success in tinting emulsion paint using artist's acrylics. Don't know how expensive artist's paints are though - nicked it off my son after his short-lived interest in painting had bitten the dust...

[Americanlady]

Hey Stig, great recycling!!!

[Linda S]

Hi A*L you sound like you have done a greatjob and got a lot of satisfaction out of it creating a lovely space for virtually nothing We did it alot even when we both worked bacause none of us were on very good wages and some of the shades were lovely, although some wernt to good and got painted under the stairs and airing cupboard for the next 20 years .Recntly i visited my favourite local hospice charity shop and got a roll of paper for the chimney brest and an unused lampshade for £1 each, they had been bought to match and then not used. Bargain for me Lindaxx

[Americanlady]

Good for you Linda! We do love a good deal.

[andywatson]

I've already posted this but I think worth a repeat:

Many specialist paints shops (ie Crown, Dulux, Johnstones Decorataing Centres) mix paints on site using a tinting machine and occaisionally get it wrong or rejected by the customer.

This paint which is perfectly usable and high quality is often sold very cheaply or even given away.

Obviously they don't shout about it so you need to ask what's available.

[Mo]

Good if you are sure there is enough there, might be hard to get more if the colour doesn't have a standard name.

[chookmike]

This thread made me laugh. I am supposed to be a 'professional' painter and decorator and do make a living at it. I had a friend who owns rental property who asked for the cheapest possible job in a couple of rooms in one of his slums. We mixed all the off-whites, magnolias, calicos, etc left-overs together and slapped it on. He looked around the rooms and said he liked the colour, asking what is was. I wasn't ready for this but the fella I work with saved the day:

'Misty Buff' he said

I don't think he'll be touching that up very successfully!

Cheers