Furniture painting to update an old table or dresser top

I think everyone has an old workhorse piece of furniture that they love.  A well made table, a sturdy dresser, and they work well, they're just dated and worn.  Here's a great way to give the tops a face lift and get a great texture too.  Create a neat herringbone pattern using painters tape, a rubber graining comb, two colors of latex paint (oops paint works well and use eggshell or satin instead of flat for an easier time) and a clear acrylic glaze.

Start by sanding the top. I filled holes with wood putty so my pattern would be smooth. I primed the table and also used a base coat so I could see the color I wanted through the glaze.  Once the base coat was dry, I found the center of the table and using painters tape, made equal stripes across the top. Lay the tape side by side then peel every other row off so you get perfect spacing.  You can use 2" or 3" tape widths depending on the size of your top and how wide you want the stripe. Press the tape down firmly to seal the edges so you don't get bleed. 

The glaze is whatever color latex paint you like mixed in equal parts with a clear acrylic glaze. I had Benjamin Moore on hand so that's what I used. Roll on your glaze in the same direction as the tape. Using a rubber comb (Amazon.com), pull it across the glaze at a 45 degree angle to the tape.  I go all the way across the top to make the lines even, but if you  make an error, re-roll and pull again. I remove tape when the glaze is still tacky.  When the first pull is dry, tape over the stripes you made and roll on more glaze. This time, pull the comb at the opposite 45 degree angle to create the herringbone pattern.  Since the glaze is pretty durable, you may not need a protective coat of urethane.  I use satin spray by Minwax for tabletops that get used often.

Update an old dresser yourself!

It's the time of year we all like to update and refresh...SPRING!  Me too. Rather than shopping and spending money on something new, I like to find pieces I have or thrift shop finds, and spend time getting precisely what I want. Here's my formula.  Give it a try and let me know if you like it!


Materials

1. Flat latex paint in contrasting shades - one will be the base coat and one the top coat
2. Primer
3. Crackle medium
4. Buckets
5. Paint brushes 
6. Top coat of urethane or wax- optional

Start by lightly sanding your piece - unless you want bumps and blemishes for character.  Prime it and let dry fully. Paint the first coat of color that will be the one to show through your final color coat. This one is a deep rust color.  Let dry 24 hours.  Pour the crackle medium into a bucket and stir gently.  Using a clean brush, apply a thick layer but do not overwork it. Let this coat dry 1-2 hours (if you go too long the mixture will cure and the next coat will not crackle. Use another clean, dry brush for your topcoat - this one is a creamy beige. As it dries, the crackles appear.  For a worn look, you can lightly sand the edges of doors, drawers, and the box. I like to apply a light coat of Briwax rather than urethane, so I can enrich the sheen many times with ease.

De-clutter now for a more organized 2012.

We all have 'things' that we need on a weekly - often daily - basis. They're functional but oh so unattractive.  How to hide them is always a creative challenge. Try these tips.

1. Charging station:  Charging phones, I-pods and the like is a must! If you can hide the cords and chargers,  it will neaten your space. Many console tables and nightstands have power outlets behind them. If they have a drawer, drill a small hole in the back and mount a power strip inside the drawer. Run the power cord through the hole to the outlet. Plug in your devices, close the drawer and everything's out of sight. Some devices produce heat, so don't leave them in too long - most need 2 hours to fully charge.  If that's not an option, use a basket on a shelf and tuck them away! 

2. Mail storage: Whether it's in an office or left in another room, this 'clutter' element is much-needed. Out of sight can often lead to forgetfulness.  Create a permanent space with an attractive letter sorter, decorative box, or even a pretty folder. The simple habit of always placing it in the same location 

3. Keys, wallets and change:  Your partner come home from work, their pocket is full...after unloading keys, change, a money clip and other paraphernalia, there is a pile of stuff in the kitchen, entry...somewhere. Hiding in a drawer is a reasonable idea, but a more practical solution is a small box or flat canister that works with your decor and is easy to access; on the kitchen table, on the counter, in the entry, or by the bedside.

4. Toilet paper:  One of the simplest and aesthetically pleasing storage solutions, for those small baths without room for a cabinet, is a lidded box sitting on the toilet tank. Where possible, a great wall-mounted cabinet will hide many rolls, cleaning supplies and hand towels. If you don't have a tank, add a small glass shelf and then your pretty storage box or basket.

5. Laundry:  Some homes have a laundry room that hides baskets and sorting. If you don't have a dedicated space, try something other than a wicker hamper...how about making an old dresser into a laundry hamper by  joining the drawers together and creating ONE deep one?  Can you hinge it out as well?  This takes a bit of doing, but if you can update and re-purpose that old dresser it can serve as a great hallway piece...add a lamp and art...voila.

6. Toys:  A great idea for toys is a dual function ottoman/storage cube. They are inexpensive ($50-100), come in squares and rectangles, the cover is light enough for most 5 year olds to lift, and they can be used as seating.