Painting!
I enjoy painting. Or, rather, I enjoy the results created by paint. Paint is the cheapest way to remodel your house and give it a fresh look.
And I don't mind the actual painting itself. I find it soothing. However, I've learned over the years that I will be patently unhappy (read-obsessively) with the results if I don't take the time to do the part I don't care for all that much: the prep work.
Ugh.
So first, I take the before picture. I'll want to remember how transforming paint can actually be. You might need this motivation to get through the prep part.
Then you need to do two things. Remove EVERYTHING. And clean EVERYTHING.
This is the boring part. So I usually do one section at a time. Right now, I took all the decorative objects and curtains down and removed the hardware. Then, I'm going to give it all a good cleaning. I personally like TSP (or a TSP substitute) because it's a degreaser and deglosser and it really cuts any crud that would make your new paint not stick nicely. However, it is a chemical and you need to wear gloves with it. There is a probably a non-chemical alternative involving vinegar, but I just haven't bothered to investigate that yet.
After I've washed the walls, I can go back and spackle any holes or dings or scratches in the parts of the walls that have dried. Sand down the high spots and bubbles from the last paint job. Wipe down again.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
It helps to either listen to one (or several) of your favorite movies or your favorite music. Enlisting company helps, too!
Reward yourself after this step is done. It's the least fun and it makes everything look worse before it looks better, but it's sooooooo important. Did I make that clear enough?
