Business Directory
Featured Business
Green Living
News Flash!
News Flash!
Many of my clients have asked me how can they save money on furniture without having to buy those pre-fabricated put together particle-board pieces or build it from scratch themselves. The answer is a do-it yourself project. Buy solid unfinished wood furniture pieces and finish them yourself to your own liking. You can stain them, paint them, color wash or color stain them, distress or antique them anyway you like. You are only limited by your imagination.
Look for well-built furniture. How well it's made will determine the life of the piece. Check for dovetailed drawers, easy glides, and good hinges and hardware--although keep in mind you can change the hardware to match other pieces or tastes.
You'll have solid wood furniture for a long time so choose your styles carefully. Most retailers will offer the basics like Shaker, Mission, and Modern. Pick one you can live with a long time and one that may be versatile enough to change with your decorating needs.
A reputable retailer or wholesaler will offer some sort of warranty on workmanship. See if you can get one in writing and keep it with your receipt.
Make sure you bring a measuring tape, camera, and pad and pen to measure and record the furniture pieces you are interested in. Then go home and compare notes and pictures to make sure the pieces you are looking at will fit in your home in more ways than one.
Once you have decided on the furniture you want and made the purchase, now you have to decide on how you want to finish or paint your new solid wood furniture. You can give it an old look by distressing it, you can liven it up by painting it, or use color blocking or color stain in different shades or colors on varying parts of the furniture.
First and most important is to start with a properly prepared surface to ensure longevity of your work.
Start by wiping the surface with a clean damp rag to raise the grain of the wood.
Next, give the surface an overall light sanding with a 400 or so grit sand paper wrapped around a sanding block. Make sure to work along the direction of the grain of the wood.
After a good sanding remove the accumulated dust by wiping down the wood with a soft cloth using long strokes parallel to the grain.
Test the stain or paint on the underside or backside of the wood you will be working on. There are all types of stains out there but the final color results will depend on the type of wood to which it is applied.
Once you've tested and chosen your stain or paint apply the stain with a soft cloth, like cheesecloth, in a quick circular movement. I have also use brushes before, working with the grain of the wood in long smooth strokes. Remember to keep a wet edge to your brush to avoid patches. And also remember that the end of the grain will absorb more, so go lightly on the ends.
Allow the finish to dry and then give it another sanding using 300- 400 grit sandpaper or a fine grade of wire wool.
Now you are ready to repeat the process to apply your second coat.
To really make it your own sign your finished work somewhere in the back. Now you can pass it down for generations. This is a good winter project to get you through the long dark winter months. ENJOY!
By: Lisa Alexander
Certified Eco Broker
