The contemporary trend for up-cycling pre-loved furniture or creating a new bespoke decorative piece continues to grow! Whether it’s a junk shop find, a helpful donation from a friend, an old favourite that needs revitalising or just something which doesn’t fit in with a colour scheme the chances are we all have something in need of a little TLC. Creating a new look combines our growing desire to recycle the unloved or unwanted, saving both our pockets and the environment, into a unique expression of utilitarianism and beauty…
There are many easy ways to transform the look of a piece. The simplest is just to paint it in a new colour using either a brush applied trim or spray paint. Once painted the piece can then be customised further if you wish, by adding a contrasting vibrant colour on the interior, highlighting mouldings in a different colour or adding a freehand, stamped or stencilled design. Taking painting a stage further, you could create the vastly popular shabby chic look using paints and wax, oil or varnish. There are various methods for attaining any look but experimentation is an enjoyable and key part of the creative process to obtain the particular finish you wish to achieve. Clay or chalk paint lends itself beautifully to creating the perfect shabby chic look owing to the softer chalky effect of the finish. Generally two colours are applied as a base and topcoat with the topcoat being rubbed or sanded back when wet or dry in areas that would naturally experience wear to reveal the basecoat underneath. Clear or coloured wax, oil or varnish applied over the paint may add to the final look and will provide a durable protective finish.
Graining, sponging, dragging, bagging and rag rolling techniques use paints, scumble glazes and colourants to create a multi-layered alternative to a solid finish. Translucent coloured waxes, varnishes and stains will alter the colour of wooden pieces whilst retaining a natural grained look. Glitter, metallic and pearlescent finishes and varnishes create a luxurious and opulent look whether covering an item completely or used in small areas. For something a little different you could use magnetic, neon or glow in the dark paint. Finally crackle glaze and craquelure are interesting alternatives to achieve a cracked or crazed finish. You could of course combine more than one effect on an item to create a ‘statement piece’. Finally, treating handles, knobs and hinges with a new coating will provide a polished finishing touch.
To create some decorative effects most standard tools and brushes will be sufficient, although there are a number of specialist decorative tools also available to help you including low-tack precision masking tape, sea sponges, graining rockers and combs, floggers, softeners, stipplers and stencil brushes.
If you have a project in mind and would like to know more about the techniques involved in creating decorative effects or the looks that can be achieved, we would recommend visiting some of our helpful suppliers’ websites. www.polyvine.com manufacture an excellent range of decorative finishes and have developed a chalk paint maker to convert any ordinary emulsion into chalk paint; www.earthbornpaints.co.uk provide details on how to paint furniture with clay paint or visit www.rustoleumspraypaint.com to find inspiration using both decorative and spray paints.
Get in touch with your creative side and turn your ugly duckling into a beautiful swan….
Happy up-cycling!!
There are many easy ways to transform the look of a piece. The simplest is just to paint it in a new colour using either a brush applied trim or spray paint. Once painted the piece can then be customised further if you wish, by adding a contrasting vibrant colour on the interior, highlighting mouldings in a different colour or adding a freehand, stamped or stencilled design. Taking painting a stage further, you could create the vastly popular shabby chic look using paints and wax, oil or varnish. There are various methods for attaining any look but experimentation is an enjoyable and key part of the creative process to obtain the particular finish you wish to achieve. Clay or chalk paint lends itself beautifully to creating the perfect shabby chic look owing to the softer chalky effect of the finish. Generally two colours are applied as a base and topcoat with the topcoat being rubbed or sanded back when wet or dry in areas that would naturally experience wear to reveal the basecoat underneath. Clear or coloured wax, oil or varnish applied over the paint may add to the final look and will provide a durable protective finish.
Graining, sponging, dragging, bagging and rag rolling techniques use paints, scumble glazes and colourants to create a multi-layered alternative to a solid finish. Translucent coloured waxes, varnishes and stains will alter the colour of wooden pieces whilst retaining a natural grained look. Glitter, metallic and pearlescent finishes and varnishes create a luxurious and opulent look whether covering an item completely or used in small areas. For something a little different you could use magnetic, neon or glow in the dark paint. Finally crackle glaze and craquelure are interesting alternatives to achieve a cracked or crazed finish. You could of course combine more than one effect on an item to create a ‘statement piece’. Finally, treating handles, knobs and hinges with a new coating will provide a polished finishing touch.
To create some decorative effects most standard tools and brushes will be sufficient, although there are a number of specialist decorative tools also available to help you including low-tack precision masking tape, sea sponges, graining rockers and combs, floggers, softeners, stipplers and stencil brushes.
If you have a project in mind and would like to know more about the techniques involved in creating decorative effects or the looks that can be achieved, we would recommend visiting some of our helpful suppliers’ websites. www.polyvine.com manufacture an excellent range of decorative finishes and have developed a chalk paint maker to convert any ordinary emulsion into chalk paint; www.earthbornpaints.co.uk provide details on how to paint furniture with clay paint or visit www.rustoleumspraypaint.com to find inspiration using both decorative and spray paints.
Get in touch with your creative side and turn your ugly duckling into a beautiful swan….
Happy up-cycling!!
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