To successfully paint wood furniture black is difficult. Top coats often turn out streaky. Fortunately I found a way to get a great result. Black and white are some of the hardest paint colours to finish well. Many thanks to Dixie Belle for sponsoring this post. This post includes gifted products and affiliate links so…
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Small Business Saturday – support small and make a difference
Small Business Saturday was created to support small businesses after Black Friday. Here are some talented artisans at Homemade at The Barn. Some large businesses inflate their prices throughout the year so they can offer ‘discounts’ on Black Friday. Small businesses often don’t and they lose out. So, I’m showcasing a few of the talented…
How to make over a small side table with golden glamour
A small table is a low risk way to start upcycling. Here’s how to make over a small side table with a golden wow factor. They’re small so don’t use a lot of paint. Often have straightforward shapes so won’t need fancy tools or brushes. And will hopefully be quick so you can see if…
The best way to paint pine bookshelves
It can be so easy to give a new look to a bookshelf. This makeover explains the best way to paint pine bookshelves. Bookshelves are great sellers for me. They’re also a good starting piece for a new upcycler as the shape is quite basic. My recent decoupaged bookshelf sold within a week and another…
Holiday upcycling gift guide for the DIYer in your life
Need an upcycling gift guide for the DIYer in your life? This guide includes books, subscriptions, stocking fillers, and unusual gifts. Note – if that upcycler is you, that’s fine too! Have family or friends who don’t know what to buy, so want to narrow it down but still get a surprise? Send them this…
How to upcycle a pine chest of drawers
Here’s how to paint and upcycle a pine chest of drawers rather than adding it to landfill when it no longer fits your style. When it’s time for a new look, painting is a great way to upcycle it. A pine chest of drawers is a popular piece of furniture. They’re solid, sturdier than MDF…
Three ways to prepare low quality wood before using stain
If you stain imperfect wood that has cracks or oil spots, it won’t ever look good. These tips will fix the issues and help make it beautiful. Can you stain imperfect wood? Yes, you can. Sometimes wood has issues like marks or cracks on it. And the only solution is to paint it. Or far…
How to upcycle a children’s globe in 5 easy steps
Have a children’s globe you want to upcycle? Here’s how to take it from a toy to a pretty piece of decor, in 5 easy steps. Globes are a lovely thing for kids to have. They’re fun to spin and there’s always somewhere new to discover. But once you get older, a colourful map is…
How to use white wax on furniture
White wax on furniture creates a faded or whitewashed look over paint or natural wood. It’s a simple process and can have a dramatic impact. My friend, Katherine, asked if I would like this mirror before she put it on Freecycle. Of course, I said yes because it had pretty details and I thought it…
The 5 products you need to start upcycling
Want to know what to buy to start upcycling? Here are the 5 products you need to start upcycling furniture and recommendations for each. I see people say all the time “I’d love to start upcycling. Tell me everything I should buy.” But telling someone what to buy doesn’t work. We don’t all have the…