December in South Africa means one thing – it’s time to throw open the doors, fire up the braai, and welcome friends and family into your home. Before the festive chaos begins, there’s a perfect opportunity to give your home that summer inspiration. Whether you’re hosting a festive season lunch or New Year’s celebrations, a fresh coat of paint can transform your space from tired to terrific.
Let’s walk through the key areas that need attention and, more importantly, when and how to tackle them so you’re not still painting when the first guests arrive.
Timing is everything
Here’s the thing about painting before the holidays – you need to plan. Painting needs proper drying and curing time, and the last thing you want is guests brushing up against tacky walls or inhaling paint fumes over the pudding.
Aim to complete your painting at least two weeks before your first gathering. This gives the paint adequate time to cure, odours to dissipate completely, and you enough breathing room to tackle the remaining to-do list.
If you’re painting multiple areas, start with interior spaces first, then move to outdoor areas. That way, if the weather doesn’t play along (because let’s be honest, summer rains is a South African thing), you’ve still got your indoor entertaining spaces looking beautiful and elegant.
The entertainment hub: Refreshing your braai and patio areas
Your outdoor entertainment area is about to become the heart of your home this December. Between braais, afternoon swims, and sundowners, this space will see more action in a few weeks than it has all year.
Walls and surfaces around your patio and braai area see exceptionally high traffic over the holidays – smoke stains, splattered braai sauce, sticky fingerprints from the kids, and general weather exposure all add up. What you need here is a paint that can handle the heat (literally) and clean up easily when things get messy.
This is where Medal Professional Trade Low Sheen Acrylic PVA becomes your secret weapon. It’s specifically designed for both interior and exterior use, making it perfect for those covered patio areas. The low sheen finish gives any space a modern, sophisticated look without the glare of high gloss, and here’s the real beauty – it’s fully washable with excellent dirt and stain resistance.
Spilt some red wine during the New Year’s countdown? No stress. A quick wipe-down and your walls are back to brilliant. The paint offers exceptional scrub resistance and high hiding power, which means you’ll get excellent coverage without needing multiple coats. With an impressive 8-year guarantee, you’re not just painting for this December – you’re living spaces are protected for many festive seasons to come.
Application tip: Use a lambswool roller for walls and larger surfaces to achieve that smooth, professional finish. Allow 4 hours between coats, and try to tackle this project on dry days. Summer humidity can extend drying times, so keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Show your wooden patio furniture some love
While you’re sprucing up the outdoor area, don’t neglect that wooden patio set that’s been weathering the elements all year. December sunshine is harsh on wood, and nothing looks more depressing than faded, splintery garden furniture.
Start with the proper preparation – this is where many people cut corners, but trust us, it makes all the difference. Give your wooden furniture a good inspection. If the surface feels rough or the old varnish is peeling, you’ll need to sand it down first. Use medium-grit sandpaper (around 120-grit) to remove any loose varnish or rough patches, then finish with fine-grit (around 220-grit) for a smooth surface. Wipe away all the dust with a damp cloth and let everything dry completely.
Once your wood is prepped and ready, it’s time to apply Medal Quality Wood Varnish. A good varnish doesn’t just make your furniture look stunning – it creates a protective barrier against UV rays, moisture, and all the daily wear and tear that comes with outdoor entertaining.
Apply thin, even coats with a quality brush, working in the direction of the wood grain. Two to three coats usually do the trick, allowing proper drying time between each application. The result? Furniture that looks like you’ve just brought it home from the shop, ready to seat your guests in style.
The heart of the home: Protecting your kitchen
When the family gathers, the kitchen is where the magic happens – the cooking, the chatting, the sneaky taste-testing before dinner is served. But kitchens work hard, especially during December when you’re cooking up a storm for every gathering.
Kitchen surfaces face a unique challenge: they need to look good while standing up to heat, moisture, cooking splatters, and constant cleaning. Ordinary paint simply won’t cut it in these conditions.
Enter Medal Quality High Gloss Enamel – the unsung hero of kitchen makeovers. Enamel paints are specifically formulated for high-traffic, high-moisture areas, and the high-gloss finish isn’t just about looks (though that mirror-like shine is gorgeous). It’s about creating an ultra-durable, washable surface that can handle whatever your kitchen throws at it.
The benefits of enamel for kitchens are substantial:
Superior durability: Enamel forms a hard, protective coating that resists chips, scratches, and the general bumps that happen in busy kitchens
Exceptional washability: Grease splatters, food stains, sticky handprints from helping hands – they all wipe away easily without damaging the paint
Moisture resistance: Steam from cooking, condensation, spills – enamel handles it all without bubbling, peeling, or growing mould
Long-lasting beauty: The high gloss finish maintains its shine and doesn’t fade, keeping your kitchen looking fresh year after year
Perfect for painting cupboards, door frames, windowsills, and any wooden or primed surfaces in your kitchen, enamel paint transforms these hardworking spaces into showpieces that are as practical as they are beautiful.
Pro tip for kitchen painting: Proper ventilation is crucial when working with enamel paints. Open windows, use fans, and if possible, tackle this job when you can keep the space well-aired for 24-48 hours. Also, remove all cupboard doors and paint them flat rather than while hanging – you’ll get a much smoother, more professional finish.
Bringing it all together
Getting your home December-ready doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on these three key areas – your entertainment spaces, outdoor furniture, and kitchen – you’re tackling the zones that will see the most action during the festive season.
Your game plan:
- Start early – aim to complete painting projects at least two weeks before hosting
- Prep properly – clean surfaces, sand where needed, and ensure everything is dry before painting
- Use the right products – Medal Professional Trade Low Sheen for entertainment areas, Medal Wood Varnish for furniture, and Medal High Gloss Enamel for kitchens
- Allow proper curing time – don’t rush the process; let each coat dry completely
With Medal Paints’ range of quality products, you’re not just giving your home a quick touch-up – you’re investing in protection and beauty that will last well beyond this festive season. These products are formulated for South African conditions, designed to handle our intense summer sun, humidity, and the unique challenges our homes face.
So grab your brushes, choose your colours, and get started on creating a home that’s not just December-ready, but celebration-ready all year round. Your guests will notice the difference, and you’ll feel that quiet satisfaction of knowing your home looks its absolute best.
Get In Touch
For more information on these and other products in the Medal Paints range, visit www.medalpaints.co.za, email hello@medal.co.za or call 0860 063 325.
