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

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.

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

Upcycle Your Secondhand Bargains into Stunning Statement Pieces Full of inspiring ideas for seasoned refurbishers and the know-how to get anyone started, Amazing Furniture Makeovers helps you give your antique pieces new life without losing any of their vintage charm. Jen Crider, founder of Girl in the Garage, breaks down everything you need to know about furniture makeovers—from basic chair reupholstery to remaking coffee tables into benches. There won’t be an article of furniture you can’t make more beautiful, functional, and personal. This book makes it easy to transform whatever old or wobbly furniture you have into something better than new. Each chapter walks you through unique projects to illustrate Jen’s straightforward approach to furniture styling and repair, and these techniques can be used on a variety of pieces. Learn to decoupage a bookcase with maps for a classy look. Transfer original images onto large-scale furniture for a style all your own. Dress up an end table with a distressed paint job to add farmhouse flair to any room. Every new technique will give you the confidence you need to get remarkable results on your first makeover—and every makeover after.

The function of the painted wooden object ranges from the practical to the profound. These objects may perform utilitarian tasks, convey artistic whimsy, connote noble aspirations, and embody the highest spiritual expressions. This volume, illustrated in color throughout, presents the proceedings of a conference organized by the Wooden Artifacts Group of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) and held in November 1994 at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in Williamsburg, Virginia. The book includes 40 articles that explore the history and conservation of a wide range of painted wooden objects, from polychrome sculpture and altarpieces to carousel horses, tobacconist figures, Native American totems, Victorian garden furniture, French cabinets, architectural elements, and horse-drawn carriages. Contributors include Ian C. Bristow, an architect and historic-building consultant in London; Myriam Serck-Dewaide, head of the Sculpture Workshop, Institut Royal du Patrimoine Artistique, Brussels; and Frances Gruber Safford, associate curator of American decorative arts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. A broad range of professionals—including art historians, curators, scientists, and conservators—will be interested in this volume and in the multidisciplinary nature of its articles.

Learn how to stencil with 35 bright and contemporary projects. Learn how to stencil with 35 bright and contemporary projects. Nicolette Tabram’s designs are inspired by her travels and textile designs of the world. She shows you how to work with a wide range of stencils, tells you all you need to know about repeating pattern, and includes tips for variations and how to develop your technique. Update your home with colorful pieces: create an inlay-effect painted cupboard; a graphic floral chair; a batik design denim apron; contemporary painted tiles; a Mexican-inspired canvas bag; a monochrome Dhurrie rug, and much more. Many of the projects would make great gifts, too, so why not make some Southwestern notebooks for all your friends, or Scandi-folk napkins for a dinner party. You will soon see the potential for embellishing surfaces with creative stencils wherever you go!

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