In "The Great Paint Makeover" story from the June 2005 issue of Real Simple, paint is used to transform nearly any surface in your home. Here, a guide to how long each of the projects should take, and what they will cost.

Fireplace tile surround

Prep: one hour
Prime/paint: 2 hours
Dry: 24 hours for primer plus two hours for each paint coat
Cost: about $78
Learn how to makeover a fireplace tile surround with paint.

Coffee table

Prep: 30 minutes
Paint: one hour
Dry: one hour
Cost: about $17
Learn how to makeover a coffee table with paint.

Hardwood floor

Prep: 6 hours
Paint: 2 hours
Dry: 48 hours
Cost: about $105
Learn how to makeover hardwood floors with paint.

Rattan and wicker

Prep: one hour (if you need to sand)
Paint: 2 hours
Dry: 2 hours
Cost: about $19
Learn how to makeover rattan and wicker furniture with paint.

Painted furniture

Prep: one hour (depends on the shape of the furniture you start with)
Prime/paint: 2 hours
Dry: 24 hours for primer plus 2 hours for each paint coat
Cost: about $55
Learn how to makeover painted furniture.

Lamps and shades

For lamps:
Prep: 0 hours
Paint: 1 hour
Dry: 1 hour
Cost: about $5
Learn how to makeover lamps with paint.

For shades:
Prep: 15 minutes (measuring and taping)
Paint: 10 minutes
Dry: 2 hours
Cost: about $9 (for fabric) $16 (for paper)
Learn how to makeover shades with paint.

Rugs

Prep: 30 minutes
Paint: 30 minutes
Dry: 2 hours (latex) 24 hours (acrylic)
Cost: about $40
Learn how to makeover rugs with paint.

Throw pillows

Prep: one hour
Paint: 15 minutes
Dry: 24 hours
Cost: about $20
Learn how to makeover throw pillows with paint.

Plastic trays

Prep: 0 hours
Paint: one hour
Dry: 2 hours
Cost: about $5
Learn how to makeover plastic trays with paint.

Mirror frames

Prep: one hour
Paint: 30 minutes
Dry: one hour
Cost: about $17
Learn how to makeover mirror frames with paint.

Unfinished wood furniture

Prep: one hour (if knotty)
Prime/paint: 3 hours
Dry: 3 hours
Cost: about $96
Learn how to makeover unfinished wood furniture with paint.

Curtain rods

Prep: 30 minutes (if you need to sand)
Prime/paint: 2 hours
Dry: 3 hours
Cost: About $7 ($34 if you need to prime)
Learn how to makeover curtain rods with paint.