Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Create Aged and Distressed Wood Finishes
Regardless of whether you are refinishing a piece of furniture or a wood floor, the antiquing and distressing process can transform the look and feel of wood. New furniture can be made to look old and newer wood floors can be aged to reflect years of wear and tear. The process of distressing wood is much the same, regardless of the surface, and takes a small amount of time. Most of the supplies needed for this project can be found in your local hardware or home improvement store.
Step 1
Place some miscellaneous nuts and bolts in a canvas bag that closes. Close the bag and hit the surface of the wood with the nuts and bolts. This will produce indentations in the surface of the wood. Do this in a random manner; you don't want to create a predictable pattern.
Step 2
Use a chisel and hammer to create more distress in the surface of the wood. In a random manner, hit the surface of the wood with the chisel and hammer; create gouges and marks throughout the surface. Concentrate on surfaces that tend to see the most wear, such as edges and legs of furniture, or in the middle of a floor.
Step 3
Apply a water-based stain to the wood with either a paintbrush for a small area or a paint roller for a large area such as a floor. Make sure to fill in the gouges and marks that have been added with the nuts, bolts, hammer and chisel. These marks will then stand out because they are slightly darker from the stain. Allow the stain to dry thoroughly.
Step 4
Create rings on the surface of the wood. Fill tin cans of various sizes with hot water and place them randomly on the surface of the wood. Let them sit for about 10 minutes. This process will produce dark rings on the surface of the wood.
Step 5
Apply a coat of clear polyurethane sealer with a paintbrush or a paint roller, depending on the size of the surface. Allow to dry completely.
Skill
Moderately Easy
Things You'll Need
Nuts and bolts
Canvas bag
Chisel and hammer
Water-based stain
Paintbrush or paint roller
Metal cans
Clear polyurethane sealer
Step 1
Place some miscellaneous nuts and bolts in a canvas bag that closes. Close the bag and hit the surface of the wood with the nuts and bolts. This will produce indentations in the surface of the wood. Do this in a random manner; you don't want to create a predictable pattern.
Step 2
Use a chisel and hammer to create more distress in the surface of the wood. In a random manner, hit the surface of the wood with the chisel and hammer; create gouges and marks throughout the surface. Concentrate on surfaces that tend to see the most wear, such as edges and legs of furniture, or in the middle of a floor.
Step 3
Apply a water-based stain to the wood with either a paintbrush for a small area or a paint roller for a large area such as a floor. Make sure to fill in the gouges and marks that have been added with the nuts, bolts, hammer and chisel. These marks will then stand out because they are slightly darker from the stain. Allow the stain to dry thoroughly.
Step 4
Create rings on the surface of the wood. Fill tin cans of various sizes with hot water and place them randomly on the surface of the wood. Let them sit for about 10 minutes. This process will produce dark rings on the surface of the wood.
Step 5
Apply a coat of clear polyurethane sealer with a paintbrush or a paint roller, depending on the size of the surface. Allow to dry completely.
Skill
Moderately Easy
Things You'll Need
Nuts and bolts
Canvas bag
Chisel and hammer
Water-based stain
Paintbrush or paint roller
Metal cans
Clear polyurethane sealer
How to Paint Over Formica Cabinets
If you are stuck with old, outdated Formica cabinets, you might be wondering just how to reinvigorate them. Replacing them may be expensive, but painting them might do the trick. A quick coat of paint can completely change the look and feel of your Formica cupboards and take them from drab and dingy to renewed and beautiful. Most of the supplies for this project are available at your local home improvement or hardware store.
Step 1
Remove the hardware from the cabinets, including hinges. Place cabinet doors and drawers in a well-ventilated area.
Step 2
Clean the surface of the Formica with clean water and a sponge. Dry completely. Put on your safety goggles.
Step 3
Sand the cabinets with fine-grade sandpaper to rough up the surface. Roughing up the surface of the cabinets allows the paint to adhere properly. Remove all dust with a soft cloth. Tape any areas you don't want painted with painter's tape.
Step 4
Apply one coat of primer paint with a paint roller to all of the cabinet surfaces. Allow to dry completely.
Step 5
Apply a coat of latex paint to the surface of the cabinets and allow to dry thoroughly. Apply one more coat if desired and allow to dry. Once dry, remove the painter's tape carefully.
Step 6
Reattach hardware and hinges to the cabinets. Reattach cabinet doors and drawers to the cabinets.
Skill
Moderately Easy
Things You'll Need
Screwdriver
Water
Sponge
Safety goggles
Fine-grade sandpaper
Soft cloth
Painter's tape
Primer paint
Latex paint
Paint rollers
Step 1
Remove the hardware from the cabinets, including hinges. Place cabinet doors and drawers in a well-ventilated area.
Step 2
Clean the surface of the Formica with clean water and a sponge. Dry completely. Put on your safety goggles.
Step 3
Sand the cabinets with fine-grade sandpaper to rough up the surface. Roughing up the surface of the cabinets allows the paint to adhere properly. Remove all dust with a soft cloth. Tape any areas you don't want painted with painter's tape.
Step 4
Apply one coat of primer paint with a paint roller to all of the cabinet surfaces. Allow to dry completely.
Step 5
Apply a coat of latex paint to the surface of the cabinets and allow to dry thoroughly. Apply one more coat if desired and allow to dry. Once dry, remove the painter's tape carefully.
Step 6
Reattach hardware and hinges to the cabinets. Reattach cabinet doors and drawers to the cabinets.
Skill
Moderately Easy
Things You'll Need
Screwdriver
Water
Sponge
Safety goggles
Fine-grade sandpaper
Soft cloth
Painter's tape
Primer paint
Latex paint
Paint rollers
Decorate Ball Canning Jars
The original Ball canning jar has become something of a legend in American folklore. Used originally for canning purposes, canning jars today holds all sorts of items--from sewing supplies to cookie mixes. Decorate canning jars to set them apart from each other. Decoupage, painting and covering with cloth are just some of the options used to decorate Ball canning jars today. Jars decorated in various ways make great gifts for a special person in your life, or even yourself.
Step 1
Clear out the jars and make sure they are clean and dry.
Step 2
Create decoupage on the canning jar. Tear up decorative papers, such as gift wrap, tissue paper or magazine paper, into small pieces of between 2 to 5 inches. Apply a layer of white glue with a small paintbrush to the exterior part of a canning jar. Lay the papers one at a time onto the glued jar, smoothing down as you go. Overlap areas and continue to smooth to prevent bubbles. Cover the entire jar, except for where the lid fits on. Apply another layer of white glue over the paper pieces on the jar. Let dry completely. Apply one coat of clear sealer to protect the decoupage.
Step 3
Paint decorative designs on the canning jars with decorative glass paints. These may be applied with a very small paintbrush, or alternatively, they may be applied by using a squeeze tube of glass paint. This type of paint will provide a three-dimensional effect. Make a checkerboard pattern, paint daisies or ivy. Paint hearts in different colors for a romantic gift.
Step 4
Cut out a fabric round. Place the jar lid on some fabric and cut out a round shape. Add 2 inches all around. Glue this fabric round on top of the canning jar lid and secure with twine, yarn or ribbon. Make fabric labels to identify the contents of the jar. Make rectangle shaped labels and write on them with fabric paint. Glue to the side of the jar. This is great for cookie and soup mixes.
Step 5
Glue buttons on top of the jar lid. Use the jar as a sewing kit. Create a pin cushion on top of the jar by adding some quilt batting to the lid and gluing fabric over it. Trim with ribbon and place on top of the jar.
Step 1
Clear out the jars and make sure they are clean and dry.
Step 2
Create decoupage on the canning jar. Tear up decorative papers, such as gift wrap, tissue paper or magazine paper, into small pieces of between 2 to 5 inches. Apply a layer of white glue with a small paintbrush to the exterior part of a canning jar. Lay the papers one at a time onto the glued jar, smoothing down as you go. Overlap areas and continue to smooth to prevent bubbles. Cover the entire jar, except for where the lid fits on. Apply another layer of white glue over the paper pieces on the jar. Let dry completely. Apply one coat of clear sealer to protect the decoupage.
Step 3
Paint decorative designs on the canning jars with decorative glass paints. These may be applied with a very small paintbrush, or alternatively, they may be applied by using a squeeze tube of glass paint. This type of paint will provide a three-dimensional effect. Make a checkerboard pattern, paint daisies or ivy. Paint hearts in different colors for a romantic gift.
Step 4
Cut out a fabric round. Place the jar lid on some fabric and cut out a round shape. Add 2 inches all around. Glue this fabric round on top of the canning jar lid and secure with twine, yarn or ribbon. Make fabric labels to identify the contents of the jar. Make rectangle shaped labels and write on them with fabric paint. Glue to the side of the jar. This is great for cookie and soup mixes.
Step 5
Glue buttons on top of the jar lid. Use the jar as a sewing kit. Create a pin cushion on top of the jar by adding some quilt batting to the lid and gluing fabric over it. Trim with ribbon and place on top of the jar.
Farmhouse Style in the Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home. Whether you are updating an old farmhouse kitchen to coordinate with a contemporary lifestyle, or adding old farmhouse style to a modern kitchen, the casual and comfortable farmhouse style makes any kitchen warm and welcoming. Add earthy colors, soothing textures, and aged or antique furniture to bring the farmhouse style into your kitchen.
Colors
Various colors work well in farmhouse-style kitchens. Paint walls a natural, buttery yellow for a serene backdrop. Saffron yellow walls add a sense of vibrancy and energy to a farmhouse kitchen. Pair yellow walls with white cabinetry and dark hardwood floors for a sense of balance and visual interest. Accent pieces in aqua or blue provide a nice counterpoint to yellow or warmer hues. Barn red tones are often used in farmhouse kitchens, adorning the walls and even old, roughly textured furniture. When paired with black accents and teal accessories, red makes a stunning statement.
Antiques
Antiques are a welcome addition to a farmhouse kitchen. Opt for a whitewashed antique sideboard that can be used for storage. Vintage ranges, while not always operational, provide an unusual option for storage with plenty of nooks and crannies to hold kitchen supplies. Repurpose antique jelly cupboards to store pottery and glassware. Hoosier cabinets that date from the 1930s that are painted and restored give plenty of storage and structure to a modern farmhouse kitchen. Many antique furnishings can be found at flea markets and garage sales as well as traditional antique stores.
Accessories
Infuse country character into your farmhouse kitchen with the addition of colorful, old accessories. Now is the time to showcase the items that have been collecting dust in your closet. Display milk glass pieces, carnival glass and other treasured, breakable items in cabinets with glass doors. Keep like colors together for a cohesive look and more impact. Enamelware comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, from pitchers to bowls, and looks lovely when displayed. Fresh flowers add color and a sense of nature and life to a farmhouse kitchen. Groupings of baskets not only provide textural interest but provide storage as well.
Colors
Various colors work well in farmhouse-style kitchens. Paint walls a natural, buttery yellow for a serene backdrop. Saffron yellow walls add a sense of vibrancy and energy to a farmhouse kitchen. Pair yellow walls with white cabinetry and dark hardwood floors for a sense of balance and visual interest. Accent pieces in aqua or blue provide a nice counterpoint to yellow or warmer hues. Barn red tones are often used in farmhouse kitchens, adorning the walls and even old, roughly textured furniture. When paired with black accents and teal accessories, red makes a stunning statement.
Antiques
Antiques are a welcome addition to a farmhouse kitchen. Opt for a whitewashed antique sideboard that can be used for storage. Vintage ranges, while not always operational, provide an unusual option for storage with plenty of nooks and crannies to hold kitchen supplies. Repurpose antique jelly cupboards to store pottery and glassware. Hoosier cabinets that date from the 1930s that are painted and restored give plenty of storage and structure to a modern farmhouse kitchen. Many antique furnishings can be found at flea markets and garage sales as well as traditional antique stores.
Accessories
Infuse country character into your farmhouse kitchen with the addition of colorful, old accessories. Now is the time to showcase the items that have been collecting dust in your closet. Display milk glass pieces, carnival glass and other treasured, breakable items in cabinets with glass doors. Keep like colors together for a cohesive look and more impact. Enamelware comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, from pitchers to bowls, and looks lovely when displayed. Fresh flowers add color and a sense of nature and life to a farmhouse kitchen. Groupings of baskets not only provide textural interest but provide storage as well.
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