 I thought we’d move to the living room this month.
With a slumping economy comes the increased desire to scrimp and save.
If you’re in the market to update furniture in your living room, this is a great time.
Stores like Crate and Barrel and other “big box stores” are having massive sales.
These will only continue through the holiday season. However, if you can’t bring yourself to buy anything new, maybe now is the time to have fun with old furniture.
We’ve seen gorgeous lacquered pieces appearing in living room photo spreads.
Why not make one for yourself?
This is a bit harder to do in an apartment, but it’s possible.
You’ll need the following: (1) sandpaper (not too fine a grain) (2) Primer (optional) (3) the color paint you want to use (4) lacquer (5) paintbrushes (6) something airtight to put your paintbrush in betwen coats of paint! (7)vacuum cleaner of some sort
Lay down newspaper
and put the piece you’re working with on top.
You need to take the top layer off the piece of furniture, usually a light coat of lacquer.
This works for any piece of wooden furniture, even Ikea particle board stuff!
Once you’ve sanded, clean off with a paper towel.
Then, you’ll need to begin painting.
It may take 5-10 coats of paint to cover up the original color.
But you’ll have what feels like a brand new piece of furniture.
You’ll need to allow time for the paint to dry between coats.
Put your paintbrush in a little plastic bag (grocery bag is fine).
Also, don’t forget to close the paint can also- a flathead screwdriver will let you pry off the paint can each time.
You can push the paint can closed or close it well with a hammer, a knock a few times around.
Once you have a uniform coat of the color(s) you like, let it dry for a day.
You can usually get this stage of painting done on one weekend day.
The next day, apply 2-3 coats of the lacquer!
That’s it.
It’ll look like a gorgeous store-bought piece.
I promise you!
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