We received our new wooden-framed windows and shutters last month. These will be fitted on the first floor of the house, as the old windows, despite their charm, are single-glazed and rotten through and through. The downstairs bay window with its old double-glazing will have to wait, but with a lick of paint, it will do nicely. With the joiner already booked in, I have my work cut out if I want to have everything painted and ready to fit by then.

I start with sanding the windows as they came varnished. I use 3M anticlog sand paper, very efficient for removing paint and varnish.

Then on with some all surface, all weather type of undercoat.

Finally, I paint two coats of Farrow and Ball Exterior Eggshell in Brassica on the casements and Pelt on the frames. You might have noticed by now, that I use Farrow and Ball paint a lot. I have to admit that I simply adore their colour palette and the quality of their paint. I am never disappointed with them, whether it's in colour or texture, as I have been in the past with other brands. Paint can be daunting to use because it can soon become an expensive mistake, so I suppose once you find a brand you like to work with, you tend to stick to it!

I also recommend using a synthetic paint brush to apply paint. It gives a smooth finish avoiding brush strokes showing once the paint has dried, and you won't get any stray hair for a more precise application. On with the shutters.

And here's the result. A mauve and aubergine front door and windows. In the words of a passer-by: "What a lovely colour! It's a bit mad, but it's lovely!" I agree! I shall now eagerly await next spring to see it framed by purple plants and flowers. I might even add window boxes...

But for now, I shall pack my suitcase, close the shutters and leave for a well-deserved break in France. I'll be checking out my favourite junk shops while I'm there, so I expect I'll be bringing lots of goodies back...