Introduction before After The perfect accent Do you have a storage ottoman that appears to be tattered or just doesnt go with anything you own? Bring it back to life by wrapping it in new fabric. The fabric was dated in this second-hand treasure, but the structure was in good condition. W

before Step 1 Remove old fabric Use a flat-head screwdriver and pliers to remove the upholstery tacks and staples underneath. Dont throw away the fabric or cushioning, you can use them for the insoles. If the seats are different, number the bottom of the seat and the fabric you removed. St

Step 1 Strip old finish After removing the finish from a table or other piece of furniture, sand and clean it with mineral spirits or a wash to remove the paint. Mineral spirits will remove dirt, grease, and fingerprints and help reveal blemishes in the wood. Do not put metal on wood while cle

3 things to look for when shopping for retro These are the key elements of a genuine mid-century modern piece of furniture: 1. the wood. Most mid-century pieces are made of solid teak, rosewood, or walnut. You may find veneers on these species on tables and other flat surfaces, but that doesnt mea

Introduction Clean and sand the furniture Clean furniture with TSP to remove as much grease as possible. Then sand with 150-grit sandpaper so the peeling material adheres well to the wood. Use a tack cloth or damp cloth to remove sanding dust. Step 1 Apply the teardown agent Use a paintbr

Introduction Paint on the base coat Mask off the edges of the wall with painters tape. Apply a base coat of cream on the wall and let dry.. Step 1 Make the texture paint tool Create a texture painting tool out of cut suede fabric. Cut the suede into several strips, each about 2 by 4. Gather

Introduction Picasa Retrofit Patio Chairs When we found these old chairs, they were rusty, worn, and ready for the dumpster. We brought them back to life by cleaning off the rust, sanding them lightly, then applying primer and paint. Take a look at how easy it was. Step 1 Prepare the furni

Introduction Bring the beach to your backyard Bring colorful and graphic details to unpainted furniture by painting simple nautical patterns in blue and white. Step 1 Age the wooden bench Use a belt sander to give the edges of the bench an aged look. Sand until a rough, uneven look begins

Vintage-style flip bottles are easy to decorate and add charm to any table. Fill them with spring water, wine, or juice to allow guests to serve themselves at a dinner, brunch, or wedding reception. Tools and materials glass water bottle printable number templates scissors ballpoint clear cont

Introduction Prepare the coating Wear safety glasses and old clothes in case of paint splashes. Protect your hands as you will be dealing with chemicals. Tape areas such as windows, roofs, chimneys with painters tape. Remove the switch plate covers from the walls. Clean the panels with trisodiu

Introduction With the trend towards metallics, gold polka dots seem to be all the rage, and fabric printing is an easy and inexpensive way to get this look. Step 1 Microsoft Windows Photo Viewer 6.1.7600.16385 Insert foil Insert a piece of aluminum foil in the middle of the monkey, make

Step 1 Watch an overview video Step 2 Apply the base color Determine the width and direction of the stripes, keeping them in proportion to the room. Narrow stripes in a large room are lost and wide stripes in a small room look disproportionate. By alternating between flat and semi-gloss pa

Introduction We used a Mid-Century Modern color scheme, though the design of the piece suggests another era. This gave us a more interesting and eclectic look. Step 1 See the Before and After This chair is in fact an antique made of oak, a very stable material, which looks beautiful when st

Do your homework 1. Know the fundamentals of color. Your first stop when contemplating color schemes is the trusty color wheel. Think about high school art class, says The Color Palette Primer author Joann Eckstut, who explains that there are three basic color schemes: Monochrome:colors with the

Introduction Do you love the look of elegant designer rugs, but dont have the budget to match your style? Its easy to paint a plain rug the exact color and pattern you want. Step 1 Lay the rug Place the rug on a fabric or surface that you dont worry about getting painted. Make sure the rug

Introduction Ellen Foord Pick up supplies This project requires just a few materials, including a roll of craft paper, paints, a 1 paintbrush, and a paint tray. Step 1 Ellen Foord Measure and mix Measure a length of paper to fit the table. Instead of buying every color of paint, mix pri

Introduction We bought this old dresser for only $40. It had good bones but a bad paint job. With a vibrant coat of paint and a little floral detail, weve brought it back to life in a fun, retro style. Step 1 Prepare the piece Remove drawer pulls and hardware. Use sandpaper (goes with the

Introduction Sand surface and apply base coat Sand the desktop surface until smooth. Remove accessories, then apply base coat with a 6 1/2 seamless foam roller, then let dry. Step 1 Paint the hardware Paint the hardware with silver paint. Step 2 Apply polish and replace hardware Mi

Introduction Painting furniture in unexpected ways and adding a twist to classic motifs is a fun and unique way to dress up an old piece and bring color to a room. Using a landscape painting for inspiration, you can treat your antique furniture piece like a canvas and create your own ethereal land

Introduction Sun, rain, and seasonal storage can age an outdoor patio umbrella, leaving it dingy and dull. Bring it back to life, on the cheap, with a fun and creative coat of paint. Step 1 Clean umbrella Unroll that old umbrella and evaluate it. Are the seams intact? Are the umbrella mech