I have a theory, and I’m not 100% sure if i’m right, but I put it to you, dear readers, that interiors nuts, home-birds and people that rather like being by themselves (me) are cat lovers, whilst fans of the great outdoors, fresh air and company are dog owners. What do you think? Is this a load of crap? Or am I onto something here?

It will be no surprise to see I’m a cat mummy. I really couldn’t hack the needs of a dog. I like dogs, don’t get me wrong, but i’d never want to walk own one. Despite my son, aged 3, saying we should take Chooch back to the “animal shop” and get a refund and buy a dog instead. Because she stood on his foot the week before. Fair enough.

Our recent Garden Makeover from earlier this month

Chooch was rescued from the RSPCA on my 30th birthday, eight years ago now and she makes me laugh (and curse) every day. She’s put up with a lot over the last few years. Moving house, learning to live with a baby, learning to live with my hubby, a kitchen knock through and most recently, a loft extension. So it was time to give her a little treat. She’s an indoor cat really, but does like a waddle around outdoors from time to time, so she has a little cat kennel (on the very left in the pic above) incase of weather emergencies.

*Note Chooch laid out under the conifer in the background

But it was a bit of a mess and looking ready for the skip. Luckily for both me and Chooch, Sandtex® got in touch to work on a little makeover and very kindly sent me some paint from their brand new Rapid Dry Plus Gloss range.

They had just the colours I needed to give Chooch’s little outdoor shelter the boost it needed; Cranberry Swirl and Cotton Tree.

I opted for the Rapid Dry paint because i’m impatient, the quick drying time and low odour being a big plus. Despite it being water based, it went on just like a solvent based paint. A really good thick application with plenty of working time before it started to dry and cure. Only time will tell if it performs the same as an oil based paint, but I was impressed with the level of shine on the finish, very glossy indeed, something you don’t normally achieve with water based paints.

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Sandtex offer a range of wood and metal paints which are suitable for outdoor projects. And in a range of pretty cool colours too.

Rapid Dry Plus Soft Satin

Gentle Blue – Bay Tree – Cotton Tree

10 Year Exterior Satin

Gentle Blue – Oxford Blue – Collectors White

10 Year Exterior Gloss

Hot Mustard

I was very tempted by a bit of ‘Hot Mustard’ how good would your front door look painted in that? But as our garden has mainly claret, stone and heritage green as its palette, I think I chose the right colours for Chooch’s wooden, garden palace.

And here it is, après makeover:

Ta-da!

See the kind of activity I was referring to before. A slow and steady stroll. Unfortunately, Chooch was not digging the new position of ‘Chateux Cat’, so I moved the property to the worst part of the garden, because that’s where she likes to hang out. Somewhere that gave her a better vantage point for the magpies and her food bowl in the kitchen.

The jungle end of the garden. Don’t judge me.

I also chucked some Dreamies in the kennel so she squeezed her big bum into shot. The things we do eh?

How pretty does that look now it’s all clean, bright and shiny again? The hubby cut a new piece of timber to replace the bit that had rotted to smitherines. Then I gave it two coats of Cranberry Swirl and Cotton Tree on the trim.

She even stayed in once she’d polished off her snacks, which means she was definitely happy. As am I.

If you’ve got any outdoor projects still to sort this year (i’ve still got all the pots to do) then take a look at Sandtex® Wood and Metal Paints. But for today, i’m outta here….

…. like Chooch the cat.

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Sponsored post – This post was written in collaboration with Sandtex®, but all words and opinions are my own and I only ever work with brands I really like and think you guys will like too.