Bumping your question :-)

Here’s some 5 quick tips on choosing paint: Don’t always default to the most expensive. Whilst the most expensive paints have some fabulous pigments in them, there are also some good quality alternatives, see e-paints to compare colours from the most expensive to some good quality trade options. Buy sample pots. Don’t make the mistake of buying a large pot of paint if you haven’t tested out whether or not it will work in the room it is destined for. The light in the room can make the paint look darker or lighter than you expect, and change over the course of the day or not match your existing furnishings. Test the paint colour out. Paint the sample onto a large piece of white cardboard paper and hang it up in the room you wish to paint to see if the colour works – if necessary move the cardboard painted sample around the room to see how the light hits it in different places. Buy the right paint type. If in doubt, get advice from your paint shop. If it’s for a kitchen or bathroom you’ll need a paint that can cope with steam or if it’s for a high traffic area, something more durable will be needed. There are also different paints for wood and metal work, interiors and exteriors. Prime and prepare the surface! Before you paint, ensure the surface area is clean and smooth then apply the undercoat or primer before painting the chosen top coat. If you’re still in doubt talk to a professional interior designers like us as we are used to putting together colours to suit all rooms, and furnishings. Read more on our journal post Do you have any other tips you like to share?

Kristine, ours is MDF and so is the skirting. We chose it so there are no knots. We purchased it from one of our suppliers (we are in the joinery trade) but now they have discontinued it, so you’d have to look online to see who does it. There are various heights and some different patterns. We just chose a plain one. Haven’t noticed any scratches at all. We opted for it because after applying Monocoat it never has to be touched again so low maintenance. The doors were prefinished so again no maintenance. We just don’t want it now we’re clocking on 😂.

I've never tried it but painting may not be as bad as you think...