Painting and Decorating Furniture - Softcover

McGraw, Sheila

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1552093808 ISBN 13: 9781552093801

Publisher: Firefly Books, 1997

Synopsis

"...quite probably, the best general instructions on furniture decoration that exist."
- Booklist

Painting and Decorating Furniture is the definitive book on reviving old or unsightly furniture with simple craft techniques. Sheila McGraw shows how to breathe new life and color into old wood, metal or plastic laminate cabinets, desks, dressers, tables, chairs and cushions.

With more than 1,000 step-by-step color photographs to guide the reader, and concise easy-to-follow instructions, the author demonstrates original treatments and techniques, including new stains and faux finishes, decorating with found materials, and inventive uses for fabric, posters and baskets.

Popular treatments such as dragging, smooshing, block printing, metallic leafing, crackled varnish, faux plaster, antiquing, découpage, and other fine art and furniture finishes enhance furniture with freehand, decorative and folk painting. The stenciling and other projects all include patterns.

With expert descriptions of tools and materials, McGraw generously shares her extensive knowledge and years of experience. Projects are easy-clean-up, fast-drying and use water-based paints and environmentally friendly primers, stains, varnishes and strippers. Painting and Decorating Furniture is fully cross-referenced and indexed. The "Read This First" sections prevent mistakes, and complete Materials Lists avoid frustration.

Enormously popular, this new paperback edition of Painting and Decorating Furniture will introduce more buyers to its strong formula of excellent content, beautiful production and indisputable value.

About this title

About the Author:

Sheila McGraw is author of Papier Mâché Today, Gifts Kids Can Make, Papier Mâché for Kids, Dolls Kids Can Make and Soft Toys to Sew. She is the illustrator of the best-selling children's books Love You Forever, and Lightning Bug Thunder as well as author/illustrator of Pussycats Everywhere.

Review:

A great gift for the do-it-yourselfer. (Style at Home Magazine)

Painting and Decorating Furniture by Sheila McGraw is truly the most inspiring. The illustrated steps and materials lists let the reader believe 'I can do this!' (Newsday)

McGraw has a wonderful eye for unleashing the personality of seemingly bland, ordinary pieces. (New Orleans Times-Picayune)

Painting and Decorating Furniture is the epitome of instruction for those wanting to spruce up their personal items. McGraw shows how to breathe new life and color into old wood, metal and plastic laminated cabinets, desks, dressers, tables, chairs and cushions. (Lee Littlewood Copley News Service 1999-10-21)

This is an 'ooh and ahh' book. As in, 'Ooh, look how she made faux stucco seraphims and mud-colored paint look like a million bucks,' and 'Ahh, I didn't know branches and leaves could look so sophisticated.' (Sandy Guerra-Cline Fort Worth Morning Star-Telegram 1999-11-27)

Armed with this book and some basic paint supplies, you can turn ho-hum furniture into useful and attractive pieces. There's no need to be a gifted craftsperson because the highly organized projects are well-illustrated with step-by-step instructions anyone can follow. (Jim Carlson Country Decorating Ideas 2000-03-01)

This tome is truly inspirational. After leafing through it, it's easy to see the artistic possibilities within your weary wooden furniture ... [Sheila McGraw's] full-color photographs detailing each step of the project are extremely helpful for the engineering-challenged. (Jennifer Isaac Calgary Sun 2000-02-05)

The epitome of instruction for those wanting to spruce up their personal items. McGraw shows how to breathe new life and color into old wood, metal and plastic laminated cabinets, desks, dressers, tables, chairs and cushions. (Charlotte Observer 2000-04-12)

If you're planning to refinish any furniture, I heartily recommend this book, because it will tell you everything you need to know. The beautiful color photographs will provide you with lots of inspiration for your own work, while technical aspects are covered in full. (Liz Graham Newfoundland Herald 2000-07-01)

A good start for beginners with simple, easy-to-follow projects, furniture preparation and materials. (Joy Kraft Cincinnati Enquirer 2004-01-03)

About this edition

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 1552093808
• ISBN 13: 9781552093801
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304