Even though almost everyone can paint furniture, it is often the choice of color which sets apart the amateur painters from the experienced professionals.  Careful choice of color and aging techniques can suggest that a piece of furniture is older than it looks.  Antique furniture is often much more expensive, and harder to find, which makes it highly coveted.  Everyone wants the expensive antique painted furniture promoted in magazines such as Veranda, but who can afford the price points that come along with antique furniture?   Painted furniture pieces can give you that antique look without breaking your budget.  When painting furniture, if you take the time to add additional steps such as distressing, glazing or adding extra faux finishes can add a lot of detail to painted furniture giving it that aged appearance.   

If you run into color confusion as I do, one book I would highly suggest is Colors For Your Every Mood: Discover Your True Decorating Colors by Leatrice Eiseman which you can pick up from Amazon used for under $8 dollars.  She details a variety of antique color combinations found in various parts of the world which will aid any avid painter in determining the right color choices for period furniture.

Getting back to Knack Studios, we recently interviewed Barb Blair and I think that you will find what she shared with us to be very enlightening....

Meranda: How did you get started painting furniture?

Barb : I got hooked on painting when I painted my kitchen cabinets about ten years ago! the rest is history:)

Meranda: Every painter has a unique story of how they began painting. What was your story?

Barb : I started very small painting pieces and selling them out of my home, putting together a spring show and a fall show. Then I started selling at an antique mall , six months later opened up a second antique store location and then six months after that I opened knack studio. I have since stopped selling at the first antique location, but have maintained the second, and have just relocated into a larger studio that is perfect for the growing knack needs! I am proud to say that knack is a debt free business that has been built on a cash only business plan.....and it feels great!

Meranda: Why is it worth it to find an antique than to shop new?

Barb: While there may be some good to new pieces on the market...typically the antiques are built much better, with attention to detail and aesthetic appeal.... which makes painting those that have become cast off even more desirable.

Meranda : How has your style merged over time?

Barb: With time comes experience and with experience comes a level of comfort and confidence in who you are as an artist/designer. So, for me my style has stayed the same, just broader.

Meranda: What are your biggest design tips?

Barb: My biggest design tip is to live with what you love, and don't feel tied to a specific set of design rules! let your space be a description of who you are , what you love, and who you are loved by! make it comfortable, inviting, and a haven for yourself and your family.....that is what home is all about.

Meranda: How can your home be different than every other home?

Barb: Your home will be different if it is a reflection of who you are..... such as collections, children's art work , found treasures, character pieces, and a low amount of mass produced objects:) buy local and handmade!

Meranda: What are some of your tips for painting furniture?

Barb: Always work in a clean well ventilated environment. proper tools are absolutely essential, so do your research on what works best for your particular project. remember that it's just paint, and have fun with it!

Meranda: Where do people go wrong with painting furniture?

Barb: Maybe they become impatient or expect perfection? the whole painted furniture concept is to see the beauty of imperfection.....when you can grasp that , painting becomes an adventure!

Knack Studios' - Lilly

Knack Studios - Barb at the Bottom

 

Knack Studio's Painted Furniture

Knack Studio's Painted Furniture

Knack Studio's Painted Furniture

Knack Studio's Painted Furniture

Knack Studio's Painted Furniture

Knack Studio's Painted Furniture

Knack Studio's Painted Furniture

Knack Studio's Painted Furniture

Knack Studio's Painted Furniture

Knack Studio's Painted Furniture

Knack Studio's Painted Furniture

Knack Studio's Painted Furniture

Knack Studio's Painted Furniture

Knack Studio's Painted Furniture

Knack Studio's Painted Furniture

Knack Studio's Painted Furniture

When his passion started becoming a full time job, he decided to open shop in Manhattan's East Village.  At the time, he hoped it would just pay the rent.  He remembers thinking the following at the time....

"Hey, if I sell a plate a day, that will help pay the rent."    

John Derian's Decoupage Plates

John Derian's Decoupage Plates

John Derian's Decoupage Plates

John Derian's Decoupage Plates

Metallic paint also called polychromatic or "metal flake" paint, is used on the majority of new cars as metallic paint can show off the  contours of bodywork better than solid paint.  Small metal flakes in the paint create a sparkling effect.  

Consider Painting Half Your Walls ~ Photo Credit Richard Goullet

Ralph Lauren Metallic Paint

Ralph Lauren Metallic Paint Samples

Ralph Lauren has the widest selection of metallic paint colors on the market.  His Regent Metallic collection features 40 paint colors to choose from.  Ralph Lauren Paints are no longer available at Home Depot, although there are plenty of stores in your local area which carry his brand. Visit the Ralph Lauren Paint Website for locations in your area which carry his line.   It is best to consider a base color very close to the metallic paint you choose.  If you do not choose a base, you will most likely need three or more layers of the metallic paint to get an adequate finish. 

Ralph Lauren Regant Metallic Collection

Ralph Lauren Metallic Paint Technique

Marcel Prins Metallic Painted Walls

Marcel Prins

Marcel Prins

Marcel Prins

Marcel Prins

Marcel Prins

Marcel Prins

Marcel Prins

The technique creates a marble type of look simply by using a thick plastic garbage bag.  I wouldn't use green, but perhaps a white beige color.  The finished look, gives a marble appearance, so when choosing your colors, look at authentic marble for a natural set of colors what would work in your home.

White Marble Examples

Marble Color Ideas

 This technique involves 2 basic steps.  To achieve a greater depth in the finished product, take the second step and repeat it adding more glaze and less paint.  The key to this faux finish is the glaze which gives a transparent finish. 

1. Paint your wall in a soft beige white.  Look at natural marble and pick the best color as your base coat.  Let the wall dry.

2.  The next step is adding the glazed paint which will be applyed on the wall using a garbage bag. 

Take a pre-mixed glaze of a darker color of your original color.  Yellows or shades of white with a bit of brown work well.  Work again with colors you find in marble.  Work in small sections to make it look like big slabs of marble.  Tape off large squares on your wall to break up the pattern. 

Take your paint roller, and roll on the glaze in a section of the square you are working in.  Let it dry a slight bit* Take your heavy weight garbage bag, and press it on to the wall.  Run your hands on the garbage bag, allowing the bag to be pressed into the paint.  Don't move the bag around, just simply roll your arm or hands on the bag, allowing the bag to stick to the wall.  Simply take off the garbage bag, and your left with a crinkled print on your walls. 

Additional thoughts......

-Be sure to clean off the paint mess in the next square when you are done.

-To create the marble veins, you could simply take a small paint brush and use brown paint and mostly GLAZE, and paint in the small veins found in marble ON THE WALL.  Take your garbage bag, and roll the glaze on the garbage bag, and press it on the wall. 

-Marble has milky layers to it.  So if you are adding additonal steps, allow your glaze  to be a bit of a milky white brown or yellow mixture.  Additonal steps should be more glaze and less paint, because you do not want the original pattern to be disturbed much.

Marble Techniques

Marble Technique

Painted Finishes For Walls & Furniture By Susan Goans Driggers

Painted Finishes For Walls & Furniture By Susan Goans Driggers

Painted Finishes For Walls & Furniture By Susan Goans Driggers

Additional Books I do Not Reccomend:

Faux Painting Books I Do Not Reccomend

How to Decoupage Furniture 101

1.  Make sure that your object is dry, smooth, and free from any kind of imperfections. I would always suggest slighly sanding your piece of furniture so that the glue has something to grab on to. 

2.  Cut out your image first.  This is the most tedious and important part of the whole process.  You want to be patient to get a great cut. 

4.  Submerge your print in water which will allow you to manipulate the print on your furniture with ease

- Avoid decoupaging with thin paper because it overly wrinkles, and tears very easily.  Many copy stores now produce beautiful prints that can blown up to cover any large piece of furniture.  Do not use ink-jet photo copies as they will smear in water and with water based varish products.

4.Using a foam paint brush, and glue, apply glue all over the furniture area you are covering.   Work section by section.  Align the paper with the furniture edges, and carefully apply the cutout to the surface of the furniture.  

 Keep your hands wet or the paper will tear. Use a wet paint brush sponge and and work out excess glue, water, and air. Work  outward from the center using a foam roller to flatten the surface and even out the glue under neath your print.  

-Avoid bending or crumpling the print, as it gives the finished product a bumpy, ugly look.

-Within the first hour after the application, check your furniture piece to smooth out any air bubbles with wet fingers.  Let your furniture dry overnight.

5.  The next day after your piece is dry you will need to apply a sealer.  It is extremely important that your first coat is a water based polycrylic.  If you use an oil based polyurethane, it will leave spots in your collage, and potentially ruin it.  

Modge Podge is another option which seals collages which dries to a rock hard finish.  It can be used to glue your paper down and and seal your final piece.  Modge Podge is available in Gloss, Satin and Matte finishes.  Mod Podge also has an excellent line of fabric glue. 

A water based polycrylic is always the very best option on white painted furniture, as an oil based polyurthane will always turn yellow over night and keep getting darker in color over time.  Polycrylic comes in a satin and semi gloss, and gloss finish.  It also comes in a beautiful spray, which makes it much easier to produce a clean even finish.  The polycrylic or Mod Podge are excellent products will seal your furniture, but if you wish to additionally add an oil based spray lacquer, use it after you have applied 2 layers of polycrylic. 

If your collage is lightly colored, I would caution you against using anything but water based.  For darker prints, a polyurthane spray will be just fine after your water based crylic has dried. 

Acrylic lacquer avoids the yellowing problems associated with nitrocellulose lacquer.  Acrylic resins go on crystal-clear and stay that way over time.  The most widely used Acrylic lacquers is called CAB-acrylic lacquer, made with cellulose acetate butyrate and acrylic resins.

Blackbirds By Bryonie Porter Wallpaper Osborne & Little

Map Chest by Bryonie Porter

Faces By Bryonie Porter Using Cole & Son Wallpaper

Silver Bureau By Bryonie Porter Osborne & Little

Turqoise Willow By Bryonie Porter Wallpaper by Osborne & Little

Pink Desk By Bryonie Porter Wallpaper by xxxx

Pink Toile Chest by Bryonie Porter Wallpaper by Timorous Beasties – London Toile

Bluewillow By Bryonie Porter Using Osborne & Little

Blue Toile By Bryonie Porter Wallpaper by Timorous Beasties

1. Sponge Faux Finishes Fail When They Become Fantasy Finishes.

Paint applications are designed to replicate different materials found in nature. Have you ever heard of pink marble? Neither have I, so why would you paint it in your home? Faux finishes are created for the illusion of expensive materials or natural finishes found in nature without the cost of them.When Versailles was designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, the Opéra was constructed entirely of wood. Some areas consisted of marble, but much was painted to resemble marble in a technique known as faux marble. The furniture was made of real gold, but I suppose money cannot buy everything they wanted, so painting gave the illusion of the material they hoped to buy to complete architecture in their design.

One example of fantasy painting mistakes is the faux wood designs in odd ball colors.Wood rockers (click on the rocker to see product details) used to create faux wood are one of the very best tools any decorative artist should own. When this simple tool is used with the right colors, it can re-create the most realistic expensive wood that would other wise retail for thousands.  Faux wood doors, cabinets and whole wood rooms can be re-created using a wood rocker. The trick again is color.

Woolie Wood Graining Tool

Stained wood in odd colors such as blue and green just do not work well, because blue wood cannot be found in nature. Painting wood is entirely different.  Staining wood in odd colors isn't wrong, it just isn't a high end look.

The point of faux finishes are to be illusions to the eye and realistic to some degree. An excellent example of this is by artist Jean Pronovost, where real marble is mixed with faux marble. Odd colors are a dead give away that the finish is artificial. As you can see in their design, you wouldn't have known the tub surround was fake marble unless they pointed it out.

An faux artist never wants a viewer to figure out what tool they used to complete a faux finish, but rather to guess if the work is real wood, marble, or stone. Today fantasy finishes are a fad of the past. 18th century finishes which resemble the high end natural finishes have always remained popular.

Sponging can be used to create the beautiful Tuscan wall finishes you would find in Italy and Spain.  Sponging can also create beautiful lime stone walls, and natural elements you just cannot buy at home depot. Choosing the right colors can really go along way in creating a natural looking stone wall.

2. Sponge Faux Finishes Fail When They Don't Have A Lighter Base Coat.

Many people think that the sponge does the work in the overall finish, which is not true. In fact, your base coat is one of the most important elements along side the glaze in this finish.

(This is a perfect example of what you can create with a sponge and with a lighter color. Sponging can be very subtle and look fantastic! This most likely is stone, but you can achieve this overall effect with a sponge.  )

Most times an experienced painter doesn't have to tape off their walls, but in this finish, it is almost imperative to tape the corners and ceiling because you are forcing a sponge into corners which would create a mess without tape.   A base coat of paint in a solid color should be applied as your first step.

Great painters don't happen over night. I have had my fair share of bad sponging jobs! Oh ya!

One of the biggest mistakes I have made was working with dark colors as my base coat. I have noticed that the best sponging finishes are those with a lighter base color.  Working with a lighter base coat, allows your glaze be a shade darker than your base paint.  Working with slight shade differences gives you a more professional appearance, such as the natural stone range above.  Working from there, you can add in some additional toned colors using a entirely different tool to give it more of a natural look.

With a dark base color, the overall effect just looks like mud.  You then have no opportunity to add several layers of glaze.  

Great painters need to learn from their mistakes.  I got interested in decorting in my 20's, and helped an ex boyfriend fix up his condo.  I suggested we paint the door frames in silver.  I think back to that design idea and shake my head.  What was I thinking? 

I have made my fair share of bad sponging jobs, as every painter has.  I once used a burnt orange as my base color, and used the sponge to create an over all effect in brown. It was a disaster. Again, the choice of the base color was wrong, and unnatural. Lighter colors work the best which allow a lot of room to add more than one colored glaze.

(Below is our previous apartment which I taped off with painters tape, in hopes of creating a nice pattern.  The navy became too dark in our tiny apartment, so I decided to keep the tape on the wall and sponge over it. (which I would never suggest to anyone)  Someday that tape is going to be horrible to remove.  I never took pictures of the apartment set up because it never was a show home with my painting projects all over the place.  (My poor husband)  These pictures were taken on our way out of the apartment.  I should post the antique settee re-upholstered*  I was really pleased with the overall effect. )

3. Sponge Faux Finishes Fail When Glaze is not utilized as the second tool.

Almost everyone associates faux sponging with blotchy blemished effect which is what most people achieve with sponging.

Why does this happen?

A. The sponge is often overloaded with paint that it looks blotchy. One way or another you will have to pay for this mistake. I remember very well the days it took me to sand down the finish on our bedroom walls from applying too much paint instead of glaze.

B. Don't work on a faux finish if you don't have the energyto take it slow. Everyone wants quick results, but this is a finish that you want to take your time with.

A faux sponge roller allows you to get the finish on the wall, and use a different medium such as a hand broom, or rags to break up the patterned finish.  (Click on the picture to get to the product)

C. Get your paint pre-mixed with glaze. This prevents you from dipping your sponge right into the paint and then into the glaze, which always turns out saturated with paint than a translucent finish.

One of the most important secrets to sponging is to only have your base coat in straight paint. ALL the rest of the applications should be with glaze. Either using a trowel, or a rag, or a sponge, your application should be using glaze.

What is glaze exactly?

Glazes are binders which only minimal paint is added which makes the overall color more transparent. The more glaze that is added, the more transparent the finish. When working with glazes, be aware that they tend to dry quickly, so have some water in a pie pan easily available to make some corrections.

 Best Look Faux Finish Glaze

Blend & Glaze Decorative Painting Liquid

Ici Paints RL2420 04 QT Faux Int Ltx Glaze

There are two types of glazes: water-based and oil-based.

A. Latex or water-based glaze is very easily to work with and can be cleaned up with soap and water. If you are working with glaze for the first time, take a sample board and try out a couple techniques before attempting your walls.

B. Oil-based glazes are more durable, but they also need much more time to dry.  Oil based finishes will have been used with paint thinner in order to work with the glaze. 

4. Sponge Faux Finishes Fail When ONLY The Sponge is used.

One application tool sometimes isn't enough when an artist is trying to re-create stone. Different methods are used to apply paints, glazes, and texture when an artist is trying to create faux stone, wood, and other natural surfaces. A variety of paintbrushes, sea sponges, putty knives, and rags can be used to create different textures.  In the past I have used plastic packing material to create texture.  At one point I was using my kitchen broom. Look around and see what you can use from what you have.  Take a bunch of rags and elastic bands, and attach them to your roller. 

Don't be afraid of picking up a hand broom and moving your glaze around. Multiple tools are going to provide a more natural look than one simple application using your sponge.

Layering on colors are time-consuming, but well worth it. The most important part is to carefully choose colors that work well together. You want to work from lighter base coats to shades of the same color which are darker.

Floppy Faux Roller - Floppy Faux Roller
Wagner Spray WallMagic 4-Inch Rag Roll Dual Roller Covers

Purdy 031925-003 6-Inch Large Sea Sponges
Complete Faux Finish Kits - 14320 Rag Faux Kit
Wagner Spray Tech. 0510161J Wall Magic Dual Roller Kit

Woolie Glaze Donut Paint Tool

Another technique involves newspaper. Pressing paper into glaze and removing can create a beautiful finish.

5. Sponge Faux Finishes Fail When The Design Is Not Muted.

The biggest trick to sponging is to allow your overall finish to be muted, and subtle. Just like you began with an over all base coat of paint, you want to finish with an over all coat of glaze. A day after you have completed your overall sponged effect, use a roller and paint every area (ceiling to the baseboards) using a mixed glaze in the color you sponged with. It is amazing what this will do to tone down your obvious brush effects, making it much more subtle. You will not see the overall effect until the glaze dries. This step pushes amateur painting techniques into professional ones.

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Princess of Shadows

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By K RiM Startimes 2

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Textur

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Tomoe89

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Good Textures

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Good Textures

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Endlessdeep

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Light Hiruma

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By FantasyStock

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Firesign24

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Ingeline Art

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Places By Pecchio

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Ssjgokuy2k

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Malleni Stock

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Peace of Art

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Peace Of Art

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Lucretia Stock

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Startimes2

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Adaae Stock

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Redwolf518stock

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By SD Stock

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Texturepack

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Limewashed wall

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By DocDStock

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Shadow of the Light by Gilad

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Nlr4

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Razikimzungu

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Wingmar

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Mstargazer

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Gimp2u

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Mstargazer

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By TuscanSon

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Sun Textures

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Startimes

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By DocDStock

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Aimi Stock

Painting Texture Examples and Ideas By Svelle

Awards

2006 The Malaysia Book of Records-Largest 3-D mural in Malaysia: Malaysia

2002 Signs of the Times Competition: Wall Murals-Best in Show & First Place: Liberty Remembers Mural

2001 American Legion-Red, White & Blue Award: Liberty Remembers Mural

1998 American Institute of Architects-Design Award: Cornerstone Square Parking Facility

1998 Signs of the Times Competition: Wall Murals
First Place: Century of Heroes Mural
Second Place: Ohio and Erie Canal Mural
Third Place: Cornerstone Square Parking Facility
Fourth Place: (tie) Niagara Mural
Fourth Place: (tie) Gateway to Steubenville Mural

1997 Signs of the Times Competition: Wall Murals
First Place: Cornerstone Square, Ohio Bureau of Employment Services
Second Place: American Hop Museum Mural
Third Place: Steel Mural
Fourth Place: Port Orchard Centennial Mural
Fifth Place: Centennial Arch Mural

1994 American Institute of Architects
Design Award: Cornerstone Square, Ohio Bureau of Employment Services

Faux Painting Mural Artist Eric Grohe

Faux Painting Mural Artist Eric Grohe

Faux Painting Mural Artist Eric Grohe

Faux Painting Mural Artist Eric Grohe

Faux Painting Mural Artist Eric Grohe

Faux Painting Mural Artist Eric Grohe

Faux Painting Mural Artist Eric Grohe

Sloan's freehand motifs featured on page 97 were very inspiring. Many of these free hand motifs could be used to create the painted finishes that are often found on early American colony furniture.  This book is a little dated, but does have a few great tips within it.  The faux Marquetry techniques found on pages 116 -117 are absolutely genius. Sloan details a simple way of re-creating traditional marquetry using decoupage techniques. Most everyone has access to drawer lining paper in their local stores which often come in faux woods such as burl, oak, and mahogany.  Sloan's idea of cutting out traditional floral designs out of these drawer liners is a way of achieving a higher end look with very little money.  Marquetry is often found on antique bombe chests, and french commodes, and with her technique a person could create a fabulous entry table, or a painted bombe chest can have the potential to look like an expensive antique.  I do look forward to reading some of her many books on decorating and painting, as her newest book just came out in April 2010. I hope you enjoy some of excerpts from her book Inspirations In Painted Furniture....

Inspirations In Painted furniture Annie Sloan

Book Review From --Amy Handy -Open the first half of this volume to any page and you'll find multiple treatments of the same basic item type (beds, cupboards, chests, candlesticks, trays, frames, lamps), along with descriptions of the methods used on each one. The book's second half explains equipment and surface preparation, then offers extensive step-by-step coverage of many paint techniques, including all the expected ones (sponging, marbling, stenciling, graining, and the like) plus some unusual looks (incising, liming, tortoiseshell, faux marquetry). Even the common approaches are often given a twist, such as stamping with found objects, creating a tartan effect with combing, or using compositional decoupage for a narrative scene. Some of Sloan's examples require a degree of experience, but many (particularly those on smaller objects) can be tackled by the novice. 

Inspirations In Painted Furniture (1999) Painter Author Annie Sloan

Inspirations In Painted Furniture (1999) Painter Author Annie Sloan

Inspirations In Painted Furniture (1999) Painter Author Annie Sloan

Inspirations In Painted Furniture (1999) Faux Wood Techniques Painter Author Annie Sloan

Inspirations In Painted Furniture (1999) Faux Marble Painting Techniques Painter Author Annie Sloan

Inspirations In Painted Furniture (1999) Faux Marble Painting Technique Painter Author Annie Sloan

Inspirations In Painted Furniture (1999) Painter Author Annie Sloan

Inspirations In Painted Furniture (1999) Painter Author Annie Sloan

Inspirations In Painted Furniture (1999) Painter Author Annie Sloan

Inspirations In Painted Furniture (1999) Painter Author Annie Sloan Inlay Ideas - 1865 French Napoleon III Canapé w Mother-of-Pearl Inlay Dealer Antiques on Old Plank RoadHere is a beyond exceptional Inlay Settee from Old Plank Road Napoleon III Canapé Mother-of-Pearl Inlay Dealer Antiques on Old Plank Road Close Up Details

Pair of French 19th century companion marquetry drop-side tables Seller Connoisseur Antiques

A Dutch marquetry bombe shaped commode Daniels Antiques

Brass-Mounted Mahogany & Holly Marquetry Butler's Tray By Dealer Pat Monroe

Sloans Faux Marquetry Technique

Sloans Faux Marquetry Technique

CYLINDER TOP, MARQUETRY AND PARQUETRY 2 PART SECRETARY Dealer Martell Suffin Antiques

Parc Monceau Antiques

Queen Anne Period Marquetry Chest of Drawers Dealer Jayne Thompson Antiques

 

Painted furniture is extremely popular in coastal decorating, and painted furniture pieces can be especially useful when combined with natural wood elements and a heavy use of metal. Brass is one of my favorite accessories on furniture, so I am always inclined to combine it with my painted furniture to some degree. With the particular dresser above, I felt the framed drawers happened to be the perfect design for a dramatic bold print. The natural wood was so spectacular on this chest, it would have been a sin to paint the entire dresser, so the classic nautical stripe seemed to be the perfect fit for this antique beauty.

How did I achieve this striped nautical look?

I started by slightly sanding the dresser, and then adding an extra wide tape to the dresser by starting in the middle of the dresser and working my way out. I would always suggest spraying your dresser when doing this technique, as brush painting will always create a raised paint line which you want to avoid. In addition, flat paint is always the best idea when buying a spray paint, but gloss or semi gloss may be all that is available and will work almost just the same.  After spraying your dresser, remove the tape an hour later, revealing the beautiful design.

Before PaintingPainted Furniture ~ Nautical Coastal Style

In Progress

My finished Coastal Nautical Chest Dresser

My Coastal Nautical Painted Chest Dresser

I found the most difficult part of this process was sealing the design. Many times with wood furniture, spray painted lines will react differently to different products. I would NOT suggest a flat or matte clear spray paint enamel which will blister your stripes. Clear gold leaf sealer also blisters the paint. Polyurethane is about the only safe clear paint that will work well with this type of technique. It will produce a glossy effect even using the satin finish products that are available. Some of the clear sprays I had tried blistered my chest, causing me to redo some of the areas, so I greatly encourage you to try out a small area before spraying your entire furniture. I found by slightly sanding my piece after the stripes were dried, that a water-based clear polycrylic sealer worked the best. I did buy a nautical wheel to go into the center of the dresser which originally inspired me to go the nautical route with this particular piece. It is not shown on the pictures. The dresser turned out spectacularly, and is one of my favorite pieces thus far.

If you are considering other painted furniture, do consider white or cream painted furniture. If the piece has an upscale french feel to it, consider a white gloss combined with brass. If antique is your style, consider something painted with more of a distressed look to give it the feel of years of use on the beach or out at sea. Getting the right furniture pieces is really key if you are shooting for a nautical theme.

Ralph Lauren Nautical Coastal Looks Spring Summer 2010

Coastal Style Home Decorating Ideas Inspired by Seaside Living

Coastal Style: Home Decorating Ideas Inspired by Seaside Living

Coastal Living by Stanley Furniture

Coastal Living by Stanley Furniture Coastal Living Table Desk, Coastal Living by Stanley Furniture Reunion Console Set

Coastal Living Wayfarer Side Chair - Multiple Colors & Fabrics

Maurice Chandelier Inc.

Vintage Brass Items LA Moderne

Ralph Lauren French Chair Nautical Home Decor

The nautical color palette usually consists of white, khaki, navy, or sea blue, and classical pops of red or yellow combined with metals and woods. A classic couch upholstered in a solid color, or a distressed leather chair goes a long way in bringing a nautical theme together. Patterns should be left to your accent chairs, while solid sofas give the opportunity to change your scheme with bold patterned throw pillows. Adding one or two pieces in bold contrasting colors such as yellow or orange can help to give the eye direction among all of the blue and white.

When choosing decorating elements, don't stray too far from your nautical decorating theme or it will become a confusing design. For an authentic nautical design, finding the best antique furniture and accessories is the key to creating the ultimate costal look. Nautical decor should include elements that you would naturally find on a boat such as metal anchors, paddles, oars and ship wheels. Other must haves are vintage glass, antique lanterns, old wooden chests and aged books. Consider a few luxuries to sit on table tops such as brass spyglasses, or transferware. Other appropriate touches for any nautical-themed room are model sailboats, lighthouses, and model ships encased in glass.

Coastal Seagrass Rug - Sage/Khaki, Cotton Binding

Upholsery and decorative pillows go a long way in any design, and could spice up your decor.  Canvas is a traditional material that can be used for draperies.  Try to buy patterns and fabrics that are all different with one matching element to tie together your nautical-themed room.

I wish the you best of luck as you try to bring together your own nautical-themed design!

Ralph Lauren Nautical Coastal Interior Design Spring Summer 2010

Nautical Coastal Decorating Fashion Trends

Nautical Ship Wheel

18" Ship Wheel Wooden: Pirate Boat Nautical Fishing

Brass Porthole Clock 11": Nautical Decor
Sextant Nautical Brass 4" With Wooden Box
38" Brass Telescope Harbormaster: Nautical Ship
Brass Triangle Sundial Compass 6"  Nautical Decor Desk Compasses

Nautical Decor

Ships Wheel Tide Clock - Nautical Boating
Nautical Solid Brass Porthole Quartz Clock Rope on Solid Wood
Nautical Solid Brass Thermometer & Hygrometer on Teak Wood
Table top clock 7" Nautical Decorative Solid Brass Home Nautical Decor

Kittery Bay Cottage Awning Nautical Stripe Chest By Bassett

Ralph Lauren 2010 Nautical Coastal Interior Decoration

Nautical Decor

Nautical Coastal Decorating & Upholstery

Outstanding Nautical Painted Furniture From Design Sponge

Ralph Lauren 2010 Nautical and Coastal Decor

Nautical Design

Stenciled Wall Featured From Royal Design Studio

Designamourfeatured this outstanding picture of an entry way using Royal Design Studio's Moorish Trellis stencil using black on black.  This is a popular approach to using stencils, and one of the most elegant patterns and the easiest.  Not only does it look timeless, but it is fairly simple to accomplish using any color.   

Using a suggested eggshell or flat paint as your base, and using the same color, stencil in your pattern in a gloss paint.    Lauren uses the same technique on a serpentine secretary and finishes the interior in a faux tortoise shell. 

Stenciled Walls and Window Treatments

In the past I have made my own stencils  to achieve unique looks I wouldn't have otherwise been able to purchase in the store.  To make your own stencils, first search out a design you love.   Free resources such as free spray paint stencil catalogue, the Clipart from ETC, and rare 15th century free images  found from Old Books are some resources worth looking at.  

Don't discount the common patterns you find in your local retail stores.  Napkins often feature the newest designs, and are quite inexpensive to purchase.  Your local fabric store will also have an array of different geometrical patterns that can be large enough to trace on a blank stencil sheet.   

Chinese Lattice Wallpaper From Bob-collins

Great French Bombe Decorator Painted Commode Dresser Ebay Seller Lake view Style

How do you go about making your own stencil? 

1.  Using a small tip permanent marker, transfer your pattern on to a Blank 
Airbrush Stencil Template. Using a  Black Sharpie Permanent Marker, Ultra-Fine Point  copy the pattern you intend to use on to your blank template.  Sharpie pens are excellent pens for transferring patterns because most of them are permanent.   You can also find blank Stencil Templates at {most} craft stores.  They usually come in thick clear sheets without patterns.

2.  After your pattern is transfered, use a Cutlass Stencil Cutting Kit tool which heats up and with its fine point, cuts your designs as you trace away at your pattern.  Be sure to use a piece of glass under your transfer sheet.  Using an X-ACTO Stencil Knife Set can create sharp edges, but comes in handy for small details that are hard to get to.  Use the heated cutting tool for the majority of your cutting.  It will save you lots of energy and time in detailed stencils.  Stencil knives should also be available at your local craft store, or buy all your items at Amazon in one bulk purchase. 

3.  Transferring the paint from your brush to your wall or furniture piece can be a little tricky. 

A: One way of  transferring your stencil is to use spray paint.  Obviously you would have to dry off your stencil with a paper towel in between two or more uses.  This is a quick way of getting the stenciled image  done quickly.  This trick also only works with flat surfaces, so you may have to let your piece dry and do the curved parts by hand.  By spray painting, be sure to cover your furniture and floors with a old sheet.  The overspray from the paint will be very noticeable after you are finished.  Spray paint is ideally an outdoor solution than an indoor fix.    

With any stenciling project, there is going to be mistakes with the color going outside the stenciled area.  After your piece is dry it will need to be touched up with the original color.    

Stenciled Fabrics Creative Home Magazine 05

Creative Home Magazine 2005

B.  Using a Wood Handle Stencil Brush, you can hammer in the paint with your stencil.  I have found in the past, that using a spray glue to keep the stencil in place only causes the finish to be messed up later as you use glaze and antiquing techniques.  ALTHOUGH, most people use spray adhesive, because it is very hard to keep the stencil in place. ( Use what is best for you. ) When I mention hammering,  you are apply the paint with your hand going vertically with slight force.  

C.  You can use a Foam  Stencil Ink Fountain Roller to roll on your paint.  This might be one of the easiest ways to stencil.  Each of these ways are easier, and do have limitations.  Figure out what works best for you to finish your small or large stenciling  job.

If you have more than one color for a complex pattern using a number of colors, do not try to do it all at once.  Let your project dry, and add the next layer. 

Stenciled Animal Print Bombe Dresser ~Source Unknown

To paint with stencils,  many people would recommend using latex paint or artists paints.  I have used oil in the past, but with oil it is very thick and will cause your stenciled area to be slightly raised.  You will have to sand down your pattern with a hand foam sander if your paint turns out a bit thick.  Sanding can give you a slightly distressed look, which can be nice, but again, it is what looks best in your eyes. 

The biggest trick to stenciling is to remove most of your color on to a paper towel before applying your paint brush to the stencil and on to your surface.  

Why? 

When you apply too much paint, your color will bleed outside the stencil.  

Antiqued Chocolate Chest Blue Cottage Floral Accents Ebay Seller Mellery Hall

Stencil Includes 10 Stencils, Notably The Houndstooth, Chain links and Lattice

Stencil 101 Décor: Customize Walls, Floors, and Furniture with Oversized Stencil Art

Stencil 101 includes 10 reusable stencils.  1- Houndstooth 2- Butterflies
3- Polka dots, 4- Honeycomb hexagons, 5- Chain links (interlocking ovals)
6- Birds on a wire, 7- Lattice (interlocking squares) 8- 3-d Effect "stair steps"
9- Moroccan petals and 10- Quatrefoil 
Each design is meant to be tiled simply line up each corner's registration marks to get a paint-your-own wallpaper effect.

The Encyclopedia of Monograms Great For Any Painted Dresser

The Encyclopedia of Monograms: Over 11,000 Motifs 

Geometric Patterns and Designs

Geometric Patterns and Designs for Artists and Craftspeople

Painting is the quickest ways to transform a room or a piece of furniture, BUT just as quick and highly underestimated is upholstery.  One of the best tools a designer can use to transform a room from an amateur design to a professionally designed room is fabric.  The combination of carefully thought out fabrics will give you a high impact professionally designed appearance.  

One easy upholstery project that any person can undertake with minimal upholstery experience is dining room chairs.  Upholstering your dining room chairs is one of the simplest ways a home owner can give a room a whole new vibe.   At first, I didn't know anything about upholstery, and I started by simply recovering dining room chairs, which got me going with upholstery.  Over time, I got better with practice.  

If you plan on upholstering chairs which may be used quite frequently, be sure to use heavyweight upholstery fabric.  The key to upholstery is to have your fabric as firm (tight, not loose) when stapling your fabric down.  Sometimes it takes a bit of muscle to pull the fabric tight, but it is well worth it in the end.  

In my post  Making Over Your French Headboard I list some great upholstery supplies.  Nail head trim can be found for affordable prices on eBay.   

A simple accent chair at the end of a hallway or in the corner of a room can be one of the prettiest pieces in your home.  A simple chair can become a statement piece in your home.   When I am all out of ideas to paint furniture, I look to silk scarves for inspiration because they often feature geometrical designs which can transfer to furniture.  Silk scarves feature carefully designed geometrical patterns or like-minded shapes which can give you ideas for painted furniture.  

Whether you have a ranch home with contemporary-neutral colors, or have a rococo inspired home with pastels and high impact colors, there is a silk scarf for you.  In fact there are hundreds of silk scarves all with different scenes and interests. 

{Ralph Lauren Silk Scarf Plaid}

Silk scarves are generally quite small, but large enough (depending on the scarf) to upholster a small accent chair.  Designers like Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Coach or Burberry are designers who have mass produced a pattern that can be fairly simple to find duplicates of on ebay. 

Draw your inspiration from the scarf you choose to figure out what you want to do with the chair frame.  If you choose a contemporary equestrian silk scarf, a natural wood chair frame  may work best with the colors in the scarf.   

Gilt metal chair frames work elegantly with virtually any color.  Contrasting colors against gold have high impact.  Colors such as purple, mango,and apple green look outstanding with gold.  Adding some sort of metal touch to your chair will create a higher-end looking chair.  Adding ormolo hardware will go a long way to creating a statement chair. 

If you do plan on working with silver or gold consider gold leafing.  Working with gold leaf can be tricky, but there are simpler methods of getting the finish to replicate real gold.  Gold leaf accents dark and bright silk colors beautifully.     

Silk is not recommended for upholstery, so in order to make your scarf durable to use on a chair, you will need to purchase iron-on interfacing.  Interfacing is a durable fabric with glue on one side which when heated will fuse together this durable fabric permanently with your scarf making your fabric much tougher.  Be sure to try it on an extra "throw away scarf"  before trying it with the fabric you intend to use.  I use interfacing on all my upholstery projects.  Below are examples of interfacing. 

Fusible Non-Woven Interfacing- 15 Inch W x 3yds

Medium Weight Iron-On Fusible Interfacing- 20 Inch W x 1yd

If you enjoy french furniture as much as I do, and love the vibrant colors of silk scarves, why not give one chair in your home a spectacular make over?  Below I have collected some spectacular silk scarves  that would look dynamite on any fabulous accent chair.    

Coach Legacy Neckerchief Silk Scarf

This chest is one of the most spectacular painted chests I have seen.  The designer Delphine Groult is known for her life size pop art and her brightly colored wooden furniture.  Delphine Groult was selected to represent France at the world fair in Aichi in Japan. Her beautiful furniture can be found here.  Delphine Groult Coporation

Here are some additional patterns which would look outstanding painted on furniture.......

Burberry Plaid Spring Handbag

Coach Silk Scarf

Astor Place

COACH Stripe Muli Legacy Colors Silk Scarf Ebay Seller Sassyamcouture

HERMES SIlK SCARF 'Raconte-moi le Cheval' Rare Signed

Ralph Lauren Pink and White Scarf

TRUSSARDI Made in Italy Silk Scarf Ebay Seller Vividgemz

GianFranco Ferre Designer Pure Silk Square Scarf Ebay Seller Izdihabroutique

Echo Silk Scarf  Paisley

Gorgeous Vintage Gucci Silk Scarf with Flowers

Gucci Bamboo Silk Scarf

Vintage Gucci authentic silk scarf horses stirrups Silk Scarf

Hermes Silk Scarf FAMOUS EX-LIBRIS PURPLE

Hermes Silk Scarf FAMOUS EX-LIBRIS PURPLE

Here is antique Gossip Telelphone bench which was painted and covered with a nautical silk scarf.  Below are pictures of a before and after.  The original photo was not mine, but the exact same bench.  With mine, I just sawed off the telphone part of the bench, painted it white, and recovered the seat.

Sears and Kmart stores began selling the Martha Stewart Everyday home line in 1997, but in October of this year Sears and Martha Stewart did not extend the contract. Martha Stewart Living reported that 43 percent of its merchandising revenue in 2008 came from the Kmart line, but as Kmart lowered its royalty payments, so did MSL's revenue.  Martha Stewart Living's agreement with Lowe's ended Sept. 1 as well.

I'm thrilled to be working with The Home Depot to provide consumers with a beautiful paint palette inspired by nature and unique objects," said Martha Stewart, Founder of MSLO.

 Talking with a home depot paint associate a few days ago, about the switch from Ralph Lauren to Martha Stewart was one which Home Depot was more on page with.  The associate commented that Ralph Lauren was a "clothing designer, not really a home improvement guru".  This was not an official statement of Home Depot, just the inside chatter of their associates.  Ralph Lauren was always the nicest paints in Home Depot, but many people by-passed their paints, for something less expensive.  Ralph Lauren's paints generally were 10 dollars more expensive, and after adding the savings up, no body blames the customer for saving a 60 dollars on average.  

Ralph Lauren up to this point has been the best paint to be offered through Home Depot.  What has made Ralph Lauren's line special is they have carried the specialty products such as Faux glaze options, a wide range of metallics, and other finishes such as candlelight paint, swede finishes, and River Rock, which will no longer be available as they are clearing their shelves to make room for Martha Stewart.   They didn't offer a million choices like Behr, but rather hand picked great colors, than every shade under the sun.  Ralph Lauren also did an exceptional job of organizing their paint chips for their customers into several different categories which they called Lifestyle Colors, such as Thoroughbred, and Vintage masters which were among my favorite.   With Ralph Lauren, they offered something for every customer, such as colors for the bright California home, modern colors for the New York Formal Loft, and also classics for the Equestrian Connecticut Ranch.  I think we are all interested to see where they go next.   

So what do we have to look forward to withMartha Stewart?

Martha Stewart has exceptional taste, who can deny that?  She knows how to pick the best colors for the greatest impact.  The Martha Stewart Living paint palette will consist of 280 handpicked colors created by Martha Stewart and the MSLO design team.  All their colors can be mixed for indoor and outdoor use.  Samples will be available in 8-ounce samples, enough to take home and test on the walls.  Interior paint will be available in 4 sheens, and exterior paint will be available in 2 sheens.  12 of "Martha's Picks" will be available pre-tinted paint.  The Martha Stewart paint line will be manufactured by Dutch conglomerate AkzoNobel, which has its U.S. headquarters in Strongsville.

{PhotoCredit Apartment Therapy}

Martha Stewart Living's deal with Kmart ends in January and will be available at The Home Depot stores across the U.S. and Canada in March 2010.

"Partnering with Martha Stewart on a new brand of paint allows us to continue our efforts in enabling our customers to easily coordinate décor and design elements when taking on home improvement projects, all while staying true to our commitment to value and everyday low price," said Gordy Erickson, senior vice president of Merchandising, Decor. "We are also excited to announce the addition of Martha Stewart Clean to our cleaning category. Martha Stewart Clean will offer consumers an environmentally friendly yet effective option in cleaning."

This ad featuring Martha Stewarts Paint Colors is a wonderful visual map of her signature colors. 

The Porcelain Green walls and Coral Blue Guinea ceiling were inspired by an antique bowl and a length of silk ribbon. The gilt mirror adds a rich accent against the pastel colors.

"I don't paint window frames white anymore because the bright trim interrupts the view outside." Martha Stewart

Classic Swedish Colors such as the muted yellow, grey and beige make this room a classic antique room

Martha Stewart Paint and Decorating Ideas

This mudroom shows pastel colors using paint color Araucana Olive above, and Ameraucana Moss below. The floor is Araucana Teal.

Painted ceilings can open up spaces than close a space.  Many people are too frightened to paint the ceiling in a different color in fear that it will make their space smaller.  In this room, Araucana Turquoise was used on the ceiling, while a rich cream, Silkie White, is painted on to the trim work. The floor, in Crevecoeur, has the fine gloss of dinnerware. Hallway walls beyond are Araucana Green.  This is a perfect example of how beautiful a ceiling that is painted can look. 

A pale mint covers the walls as different hue's play off one another in this room.  The black chinoiserie features a simple blue fabirc while the gentle  rug pattern takes the spot light.  The gold tole lamp and simplistic gold coffee table add rich elegance to this room.

Green is a classic paint color for furniture.  This room works well, as the sheen is different on the furniture than on the walls. 

Three different tones accentuate the paneling; the console is painted to match.  Martha Stewart also adds green in hanging lamp, glass vessels, and sconce's mirror which play off the walls. 

Orange and Blue work well together if they are within the classic pastel colors.  The wood tones and the gold act as neutrals pulling the rooms together.

Martha's Bedford home features antiques which make for interesting design.  The color scheme is classic reds, black, gold and wood colors. 

English prints and this chinoiserie chest add a lot of detail in this red glamorous themed room.

Martha Stewart Pink and Oranges Make this Room Beautiful

A black painted bamboo chest works perfectly with the dark gray walls.  A collection of silver platters line the walls and work perfectly with the paint color

The lighter gray works great as a historical Swedish color.  The plaid accent covers, and window shades work perfectly as various surrounding colors are lighter and darker than the wall colors. 

 Martha Stewart Collection 8053 Blue Hubbard Photo Credit James Michael Howard

When I saw a listing for a bombe set in our local area I jumped on the sale.   A year before I found my set, I had kept a picture of a Widdicomb bombe end table in my favorites picture file and it happened to be that today I have the exact same set.  I debated what I wanted to do with the set for almost a year because we paid so much money for the set and I wanted something that was dramatic.  I was in the process of painting some other pieces in faux burl so I decided to do the same with this Widdicomb  chest.  I lightly sanded the original white manufacture finish, and faux paint it in burl wood.  Please do check out several of my other posts of how to faux finish burl wood.  I haven't attempted chinoiserie finishes, so possibly that will be my next project when I attempt to paint the matching end tables.  See the pictures below, and be sure to comment on what you think. 

About Widdicomb Furniture:

Widdicomb furniture has been known for style and quality.  George Widdicomb immigrated from England and settled in Grand Rapids Michigan, and gathered around him twelve craftsmen with whom he set up a small cabinet shop. The business was put on hold until after the Civil War, when George was joined by his four sons, John, Harry, William and George, Jr. Ralph Widdicombe a nephew of Jon, was awarded first prize for his Modern bedroom suite at the Paris Exposition in 1900. Known for his classical designs influenced by European designs, Ralph Widdicombe introduced Louis XV Provincial designs, which were the first of their kind to be made in the United States. It started off the popularity for French Provincial that still continues.

In May of 2002, the John Widdicomb Company closed its Grand Rapids doors and now operates as a division of the renowned L. & J.G. Stickley, Inc., John Widdicomb is now manufactured in Manlius, New York. The John Widdicomb line includes nearly one hundred French, Italian, English, and Russian reproductions. The Widdicomb name has been internationally known for over one hundred forty-five years.

 Here are some lovely Widdicomb pieces that were found through the net.  You can see how beautiful their pieces resemble the genuine antique french pieces that are worth thousands. 

My piece to begin with was a plain white, nothing as fancy as the white washed dressers above.  You can see the same dresser shape is the same in most of the pieces.  Here is my Chest: 

In this picture I had already sanded, primed and painted my first color on the dresser when this picture was taken.  I had finished the sides and the top in the faux burl finish as you can see.  

Using a inexpensive chip brush I cut out (small) notches in the brush which will give you the small curvy intricate patterns you see in burl wood.  Using paint thinner, it is a matter of adding the oil paint and thinner in a small bowl and getting the right consistancy on your brush which gives you a translucent effect when you create the patterns with your brush.  The best tip is to go ahead and try it. You will not get it perfect the first couple of tries, but you will find what works after about 15 minutes.  Since it takes days for the oil paint to try you can make some corrections with your paint thinner compared to regular paint and glaze. 

Winton Oil 200ml Burnt Umber, Klean-Strip ''Green'' Lacquer Thinner, Quart, Wood Chip Brush -- 4 Inch

In person you can see the lighter and darker areas created with the oil paint.  I am pleased with the finish except for the drip marks on the one area of the chest.  Overall, it looks tremendous for a fake finish. 

If you look close at the hardware in this picture you can see the regular handles and the additional ornaments I was beginning to ad.  Louis style key holes or escutcheon's are very hard to find, so sometimes I make my own if I do not find the set I want elsewhere.

I used a product called "Oven Bake Clay" which doesn't dry out in the air but rather hardens in the oven.  You can finish molding your pieces and leave them for weeks and they will not harden like regular clay.   

When my pieces have been baked, I finish them off by spray painting them gold and then apply "simple" gold leaf which looks like real brass.   My suggestions from ebay are below.  Even though I buy the sculpey clay  brand in black you could use any color because you are most likely to spray them gold or silver.  On ebay they are much cheaper than the prices in craft stores.

I begin making a mold of the item I want to duplicate.  I have found what works best for me is to warm up the clay only for a few moments in your hand, but not over doing it. by making it very soft and plyable.    If the clay is a bit harder it allows a better release of the item you are planning on duplicating. 

When you have your piece of clay evenly spread out on your suface, sprinkle on some baby powder which gives you an easier release of your item.  I use a sharp knife and start at the side of my piece and gently use my hands to release the item from the mold.     

Della Robbia Oven Bake Clay 4lb

Sculpey III Set of 10- Pearls and Pastels

Simple Leaf Leafing Sheets 5.5 Inch x5.5 Inch -Gold

 These are duplicates of the orginal dresser pulls made from the oven bake clay. 

The key holes were also made from clay which was then finished with gold leaf foil. 

Update- Here is what I did with the Bombe Nightstands.  I tried a french green color, but because we haven't moved into our new home, and I don't know our color scheme, I decided to sell them, so I went for the classic gloss black which goes with everyones interiors.  I changed the single handle to a double handle which is typically what you find on french bombe chests.  They turned out lovely~ 

Popular decor items are pillows made of vintage barkcloth fabric, vintage linens, chenille bedspreads, vintage chandeliers, and anything with roses on it. It is a soft, relaxed romantic way of decorating that looks comfortable and inviting.

Pink, mint green, and soft aqua are also popular colors seen in accessories and fabrics. Colors like Yellow, white, Grayish-Green, lighter pastels are very popular paint colors used on furniture.

Swedish Paint techniques and Paint techniques for Shabby style are the same, athough the style of furniture are often different.

- Distressed looks are achieved by painting your furniture 2 colors. After the last paint dries, you can sand down revealing the first coat of paint. This technique looks amazing when starting off with a darker color such as black, and using your top coat a lighter color such as white.

-White Washing (this technique is very easy and is called by many names) It is simply by applying a opaque (see-through) glaze or by painting then rubbing away the paint, or sanding away the top coat to show the wood or base coats. This technique allows you to see the beauty of the grain but still have the beauty of a painted piece

Shabby Chic Swedish BY Country swedish.com

Hand-painted Green Pedestal Table VW Home

Shabby Chic Keith Scott Morton

Late 19th C. Louis XVI Style Hand Painted Demilune Commode Ruby lane

Pair of Shabby Chic Swedish Tea Tables Cupboards & Roses Swedish Antiques

Rococo Writing Desk Cupboards &Roses Swedish Antiques

Beautiful Green Shabby Chic Dresser Chest Steven Randazzo

Painted Kitchen Cabinets

Painted Kitchen Cabinets

Painted wood buckets from the 19th century Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Shabby Chic Style Distressed Yellow Cupboard Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Magnificent French painted Sideboard Louis XV-style Ebay Seller Beautifulfrench

19th-century Scandinavian Colors Michael Luppino

Black Distressed Cottage Shabby Style

Horchow

Distressed Shabby Chic Style Robin Stubbert

Distressed Shabby Chic Style Keith Scott Morton

Outstanding Beautiful Yellow Painted French Bombay Desk

Period Bow Front Commode Cupboards & Rsoes Swedish Antiques

Outstanding Yellow Painted Chest By Country swedish.com

PAINT BOMBAY BOMBE CHEST BUREAU COMMODE VANITY ITALIAN Ebay Seller Antique Brodie

Fancy Carved Italian Venetian Painted Bed Ebay Seller Norwinda

Turquiose Chest - Outstanding Shabby Chic Chest

Shabby Chic Dresser Chest MAINE BLANKET CHEST Seller Jeff R Bridgeman American Antiques

Outstanding Yellow Swedish Chest. Country Swedish.com

Just a slight touch of color! I love it! Notice everything else is neutral

Shabby Chic Style Gridley & Graves Bright Colors

People are multi-purposing furniture orginally meant dining room furniture and switching it for entry tables and new flat screen tables. The Provincial lines add a bit of curve than the modern straight lines, and you can go wild with the color as well, painting it to fit your decor. Photo Credit - Meza Specialty and Gourmet Food

Somerset Bay

Vintage Bird cages has sit popularity again as the unique colors and shapes appeal to decorative use, as well as a practical cage for your bird that is part of the family. Vintage bird cages are made of a variety of materials. Traditionally, vintage cages are made of steel or wood, strong bark, acrylic, and even iron. Depending on what your décor is like, most always you can incorporate a bird cage in any look.

Michael Smith

Karl Juengel

Creative Home Winter 08

Here is what I would do. (Try this finish first on a discardable lamp than on the ones you spend a lot of money on)

The lamps would need a good primer first.

What I have used in the past to create texture is nail filler. I have used the premade wall nail filler in the past from Home Depot for some art work, and it worked out sensational.

What you could do --is trowel it on to your lamps. After you have it on, and it is fairly smooth following the lines of the lamp is - lightly create some dents into the filler and then smooth it over again. It looks to me, like the lamps themselves are pretty smooth, but they do have a concrete look to them. Not like a sandy concrete, but a roughness look to them. So in other words I would make them fairly smooth with a few interesting pits, or small interest points.

Let it sit over night

Next, It looks like the bottom coat is like a metal that has rusted.

I would go with TaKahe-TH37 Ralph Lauren for that base coat. I have used this color plenty of times as a rust color, and it works really well.

Let it dry.

What I would do next is trowel on the cream colored that is shown on the top. You have to have some sort of grit, (but not to sandy)

You could use a bit of plaster of Paris with your paint. I would use a scraper to apply it on. So you would want do mix up a little at a time, not being runny, but more of a peanut butter like texture. This way you still get a bit of your rust color showing.

Let it dry.

The top color you could use
HaystackVM85 Ralph Lauren, or Cobblestone-UL39...

After that, I would imagine you can sand it slightly. It would reveal even more of the darker rust areas

Also you could apply some sort of a glaze, because you would have a lot of pits. May be a tea colored glaze...??

Any Faux artists willing to share some wise wisdom?

Wisteria- Swedish Gray with a White overcoat

In the following pictures you will see the brown paint I have used to create the lines in the paint.  I cannot recall the exact paint color, but a comparable color is Behr's Olympic Bronze.  Next, you will see a series of pictures that show the dresser in a striped finish.  What I used to create the lines was a soft window washer brush.  These brushes are often used to wash windows at your local gas station.  I took the rubber part and cut rectangular indents, so that when you wipe off the paint you get stripes.  Be careful NOT to add a lot of paint.  A good tip is to add glaze, as you do not want your piece to have bumps in the final finish.   Next, comes the hand painting.  I used an overhead projector to paint the zebra stripes.  I painfully cut out my own small striped stencil in the past, but there is no way you can stencil a shape this big.  I suggest buying or renting an overhead projector for a finish like this.  At this point you can either stain it, or (glaze it with a brown glaze to antique it- to get the picture to the left), or stain it with polyshades walnut stain, or bombay stain, depending on the look you are after. 

Check out the pictures.... 

Meranda

Painted Dresser

By Mernada

Check out these articles on Louis Desks here and here

Here is how to do it:

The easiest way to explain how I have found success in painting wood finishes, is to start with this paint color coat. - Paint your entire piece of furniture Olympic Bronze from Behr. 

Second- Once it is dry and well covered, you can paint your entire piece with Old Maple Gloss from Polyshades. 

Third- After it is fully dry, you want to use paint thinner as well as painters oil paint in Burnt Umber.  If you go to your local Michaels craft store you can find it there.  Any oil color in Burnt Umber. 

Next, you just paint a pattern that is squiggly.  It is really just an experiment, so don't be afraid.  The nice thing with the oil paint is it takes several days to dry, so you have time to get your pattern correct.  I found the less oil paint I have on my brush the better, so have paper towel handy.  It is a complex pattern. If you have a picture of burl, .....that may help, but try not to focus too much on replicating it.  Go with what looks natural, as you move around your brush. Remember even the lighter areas will come alive with the stain you paint over it. 

Another way of painting burl is to paint your furniture Olympic Bronze from Behr. Then, skip the Polyshades, and after your Olympic Bronze is dry, dry brush your entire piece, (or sections of your piece) straight from the oil paint in Burnt Umber. Don't use paint thinner. (THE less oil paint the better) You want mostly orange showing through.   Let it dry a good 5 minutes or so...... Make sure it is even, but don't get too complicated, because you will be dipping your (SMALL) paint brush in paint thinner and creating the pattern, moving around the paint creating a burl finish.  (Dip your brush in the paint thinner, but, dab it off on a paper towel)

The best advice is just to try it, and see what you come out with.  It takes a bit of practice, but as long as you have the base coat, and the oil paint, and the thinner, it is just creating designs that would look realistic. 

After you are all finished, let it dry for a week.  The oil doesn't dry fast.   Paint on a wood finish, such as Maple Gloss, or walnut from polyshades, and your done. 

My piece turned out a bit more orange than I wanted, but I love it! I have another couple of end tables I painted up in faux burl, so I may try finishing it with a walnut wood finish from Polyshades. 

Check out my pictures.

Meranda

You can see the dresser I have in the background.  It was one of my first burl experiments.  You can see I drew on the lines that would form a burl pattern.  It didn't work out at all.  I am still working on that dresser, and it is turning out beautiful!  I will post some pictures once it is finished.