“[The] step-by-step instructions are clear and practically foolproof . . . an essential guide to DIY restoration and antiquing.” ?Publishers Weekly (starred review) Whether you dream of restoring an heirloom to its former beauty, or just want to modernize a flea market treasure, Amy Howard has the design and refinishing secrets you need. Here are all the furniture finishing recipes, techniques, and tips that have made Howard’s beloved classes sold-out success stories, and made Howard herself the go-to guru of refinishing and “use what you have” redecorating. Try your hand at unique painted and faux finishes, and experiment with gold leaf, distressing, and marvelous graining effects. Along the way, you will learn a treasure trove of techniques, as Howard shares before-and-after makeovers from her studio and offers impeccable step-by-step instruction in all that is needed to achieve each look.

"Step-by-step photo instructions for popular and new ways to decorate furniture with paint. Includes decorative paint techniques, faux finishes, and surface embellishments on chests, chairs, shelves, tables and more. Basics section covers types of paint,p

Beautifully illustrated, comprehensive study of women's painted furniture, a long-lost art that sheds light on women's lives in the early republic

Transform tired furniture into stunning showpieces: “A fabulous how-to volume for everything from sanding to decoupage and beyond.” —The City Sage blog You’ll never look at a hand-me-down dresser the same way again! This book offers twenty-six easy-to-follow techniques that can be applied to all different types of pieces, from bookshelves to desks: painting, applying gold leaf, wallpapering, distressing, dip dyeing, and more. In addition to the core techniques, author and Knack Studios founder Barb Blair shares thirty beautiful before-and-after makeovers from her studio and outlines how to achieve each look. With helpful step-by-step photographs, a visual glossary explaining all the tools and materials needed, and a lovely contemporary aesthetic, Furniture Makeovers is a treasure trove of ideas and instruction for the home decorator. “Her amply illustrated book shows why her repurposed furniture is in demand.” —Publishers Weekly

The extensive style directory contains over 60 specially designed decorated pieces of furniture, creating a library of decorative techniques and how to use them.'

Find the right interiors recipe for your ideal home with Annie Sloan. World renowned paint effects guru and color expert Annie Sloan considers what makes a successful interior. Style and color lie at the heart of the matter, but both can be stumbling blocks for the amateur decorator. Annie explains how to achieve your chosen style by creating moodboards and analyzing key factors, such as scale, focus, display, and layout. She examines nine popular styles: French Elegance, Neoclassical, Traditional Swedish, Vintage Floral, Modern Retro, Boho Chic, Coastal Style, Rustic Country, and Warehouse Style. Discover, too, the key techniques you'll need to recreate these styles in your own home: color theory (Why do some colors work so well together? Why can the same color look dramatically different in different rooms?), using storytelling with pictures and collected treasures, style fusions (combining your favorite styles), and, of course, paint techniques. With stunning photography and packed with practical advice, this will soon become your interior style bible.

A definitive guide to the 18th- and 19th-century painted furniture that has dominated recent antiques shows. The authors consider the elegant painted furniture from major East Coast style centers. An impressive array of works by prominent craftsmen are highlighted. 350 full-color photos. Major reviews.