Our parents and grandparents knew the saying; “Use it, use it, do it or do without it.” In today’s cash-strapped times, anything that helps us get more out of the things we own is a good idea.
The box pieces are particularly fun to ‘upgrade’. The easiest way to change them is to simply get a darker stain than the one on the piece, paint it over with a brush, and rub it in. old time! For a little more fun, use your imagination and apply a lighter cream or gray color and rub it in. This gives the piece an aged or ‘cottage’ look and at the same time lightens it. Either way, the paint or stain fills in scratches, holes, dents, and worn spots, highlights the carving, and gives the piece a dramatic new look.
Painting a piece of furniture will give a totally different effect. This is not difficult, but care must be taken to have a piece that looks professional. Prep is almost as important as the actual paint and takes a bit of time, but it’s necessary if you don’t want something that looks like it was worn in a college dorm room.
Tighten any loose joints or screws, nails, etc. Clean the part well with a cutting solution of grease and oil. I like to use TSP because there are no fumes and only gloves are required. It is available at pharmacies and home goods stores.
Apply a ‘no sand’ type solution to improve adhesion and allow to dry well. If the wood is very dark or reddish, a good idea is a coat of sealer to prevent the stain from spilling, otherwise, a base coat of paint, light or dark, depending on the color you are going to paint with. the piece.
Next, a thin coat of your main color, followed by a second coat after drying.
At this point, you can apply streaks, sponges, decoupage, stencils, add trompe l’oeil, or any other interesting additions: wallpaper cutouts, fabric, faux fur, decorative trim, or molding – these are just a few of the possibilities. .
Finish with a coat of non-yellowing polyurethane or furniture polish and you have a great new piece of furniture. These techniques are good on anything from a side table to an entire dining room. I have painted pieces with veneers, laminates, and other inexpensive finishes.
The most important rule I always use is to allow time for the paint to cure, not just dry, between coats. I allow 24 hours between coats and 48 hours after final finish before putting back doors, drawers, handles, etc. Paint takes longer to fully cure, but the generous drying time helps prevent chipping and lifting.
If you’ve never painted furniture before, there are “how to” books in libraries and home supply stores. This type of project requires more patience and imagination than great skill or experience. Start small, plan the look you want, spend a generous amount of time getting the project done, and have fun. Sometimes the finished piece is a wonderful surprise.
Contributions to this article by ON THE GO 4 U design consultant Suzanne Copenhaver.
