FUN WITH OLD FURNITURE

Do you have items of wooden furniture at home that you no longer use?  Why not think about some remodeling?

·                    For example, take an old, scratched day bed, and rub down to give a smooth finish.  Paint white and then, when dry, re-paint lightly with a contrasting colour so that the original colour shows through.  Pile with a collection of fat throw cushions and use as a sofa.  If you don’t have any suitable items yourself, it’s fun to check out auctions and garage sales to find sound, cheap pieces of furniture that you can refurbish for your own home.

·                    To make a simple coffee table, look for a small, inexpensive bench and paint to match or contrast with your room décor.  Place on a rug in a contrasting colour to make a bold statement.  A vase of fresh flowers and a pile of magazines completes the look.

·                    Measure the space under the bench coffee table and look for a suitable basket to fill the space.  This can be spray painted to match the table and filled with your choice of reading material.

·                    If you cannot find framed artwork that you can afford why not make your own.  Browse in art stores, books or magazines for prints you like.  Go to garage sales and look for frames of the appropriate sizes which can be spray painted to match the colour scheme of the room.   Mount the prints and group the frames together to create instant impact.

·                    Liven up an old kitchen dresser by decorating the door panels with wallpaper!  Choose a traditional pattern, cut to size and carefully glue in place using spray adhesive.  Then, paint over with a clear varnish to protect the surface.  To complete the makeover, add new knobs.

·                    Liven up an old floor lamp by rubbing down and painting the base in a colour to match your décor.  Either purchase a new shade or cover the existing one in a sheer fabric and decorate with beads, tassels and feathers.

·                    To create a colonial look, paint an old wicker chair in a stunning new colour, teamed with crisp gingham pillows.

Have fun - the only limitation is your imagination!

*********************************