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Grind it your way: DIY salt and pepper

30 Jan 2025

Why settle for plain salt and pepper grinders when you can turn them into a vibrant statement piece for your dining table? With just a few of your favourite Resene testpot colours and a creative touch, you can transform everyday grinders into a pop of personality. Whether you’re going for bold colours, intricate designs or simple patterns, this project is perfect for spicing up your space – literally.  

You will need: 

  • Salt and pepper shakers or grinders 

  • Sandpaper 

  • Cloth or rag 

  • Resene Quick Dry 

  • Paintbrush 

  • Resene Aquaclear in a satin finish 

Step 1: Start by removing the salt and pepper from the grinders. Give them a good wash with warm soapy water to remove any grease and grime. Allow to dry then sand them with a medium grit sandpaper. Wipe away the dust with a soft cloth.   

Step 2: Paint the grinders with one coat of Resene Quick Dry. Remember to unscrew the grinder mechanism and paint the top and bottom pieces separately so that they don’t get painted shut. Once the primer is dry, paint on two coats of your chosen colourallowing dry time between coats. Fleur used Resene Optimist, Resene Bilbao and Resene Pohutukawa.   

Step 3:Embellish your paint work as much or as little as you like. Fleur applied simple lines in Resene Black.   

Step 4:Finish by applying two coats of Resene Aquaclear in a satin finish.  Allow the grinder pieces to dry separately before reassembling so that they don’t stick together.

Trims painted in Resene Rice Cake. 

project and images Fleur Thorpe 

Published: 30 Jan 2025