Fantastic and fanciful designs, simple and irresistible techniques, and projects that give new life to old or unfinished furniture: all it takes is paint, stain, and paper to decorate to your heart's content. Nothing could be more fun than watching these wonderful pieces emerge from your paintbrush. A sea-blue chair dazzles with an ocean full of smiling fish, while a crackled and distressed metallic table features dragonflies in flight. Daisies and ladybugs adorn a charming miniature chest. Patterns and easy-to-follow instructions for chairs, tables, chests of drawers, cabinets, and children's furniture make each project easy. 8 1/2 X 11. all in color

“[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.

The most beautiful patterns and creative techniques for furniture painting are right here, all broken down in detail. Find out how to do a variety of brushstrokes, personalize each piece with unusual motifs, and use color effectively. Great projects include a gothic-style table and dcoupaged chest, plus brilliant ideas for chairs, trays, and more.

'A glossary and a chapter of tips on conservation, restoration and care of painted furniture makes this a useful handbook as well as a beautifully illustrated encyclopedia of an enduring style.' ---Chicago Tribune

This title provides colour photographs, step-by-step instructions and patterns for making ten projects from flea market finds. These include a floral footstool finished with a sponging technique and a potting table created from a vintage sewing machine cabinet with a top that opens to reveal a sink.

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.'