Habitat bright ideas with Fleur Thorpe – DIY projects
Paint a bright picnic basket for a special occasion. Fleur Thorpe shows you how.

Step 1: Start by using masking tape to tape off your pattern. Fleur did a simple triangular/geometric pattern. (Photo 1).
Step 2: Apply two coats of paint to your taped-off section, allowing for the first coat to dry before applying the second coat. Fleur alternated the colours Resene Deep Teal and Resene Ming along the top triangles and repeated Resene Salsa for all the bottom triangles. Take care not to brush towards the tape, but rather brush away from the tape so that you don’t force paint under the tape. Brushing away from the tape will give you a crisper line. (Photo 2).

Photo one

Photo two

Photo three
Step 3: Carefully remove the tape as soon as you have finished painting and while the paint is still wet. (Photo 3).
Fill with your favourite picnic treats/food!
Top tip: Get your family involved and create a combined picnic masterpiece that has all the colours your family loves. Let each family member choose a favourite Resene testpot colour, then agree on a design and each person can paint a piece of the design.
Project and images by Fleur Thorpe. December 2021.