| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | dresser as a sink basin for your bathroom. Use the |
| The best thing about old furniture is the new life you | | | | headboard or footboard from a twin size bed as the |
| can give it. It doesn’t take much talent — | | | | back of a bench. |
| just a little creativity and patience if you’ve | | | | Giving your old furniture a new look does not always |
| never taken on a furniture project before. | | | | include creating a new function for it. For instance, |
| Accept this challenge: instead of throwing out that old | | | | drape and tuck fabric over an old sofa or love seat to |
| chest of drawers from your child’s room, think | | | | give it a slipcovered look. Or, hot glue some |
| of a new use for it. Recycling furniture can be a lot of | | | | fabric on top of the old rattan panels on the coffee |
| fun, plus it’s a good way to get a new look at a | | | | table you’ve had for years. Trim it out by hot |
| fraction of the cost. If you are not happy with the | | | | gluing some braided trim around the edges and |
| finished product, start over or then give in to purchase | | | | you’ve created a new look for the table. |
| a new furniture piece. | | | | If your piece of furniture was painted but you’d |
| Think about that old chest of drawers. Is there a | | | | like to give it a stained look, give it a try. Most woods |
| drawer that’s broken? Maybe you can take out | | | | are easily stripped of paint and stain can be applied in |
| that drawer and create a shelf from the opening. | | | | the color and intensity of your choice. Just follow the |
| Would it make a nice TV stand if it was just a little | | | | directions supplied by the stain manufacturer. |
| taller? Consider screwing finials that you can find in | | | | Give the lacquer-look furniture popular in past years an |
| your local discount store onto the bottom to create | | | | up to date look by using a combination of painting and |
| legs or feet. | | | | staining. To get a brown leather look, brush your |
| And never underestimate the power of a coat of | | | | lacquer furniture lightly first with sand paper just |
| paint! Old furniture gets a quick update when painted. If | | | | enough to rough up the surface so the paint will |
| you like the shabby chic look, tatter the fresh paint job | | | | adhere better. Then, use a red primer color spray paint |
| a bit by sanding around corners and other heavy use | | | | on the furniture. Once the primer dries, use an oil-based |
| areas to create a worn look. If it’s your first | | | | brown stain and a plastic bag to create the leathery |
| time to try this furniture painting technique, invest in an | | | | look. Working with a small area at a time, use a |
| inexpensive kit that can be found at any retail discount | | | | sponge brush to paint on the stain. Crinkle a |
| store. | | | | plastic bag and open it up. Press the crinkled bag on |
| If you are really creative and not afraid to try new | | | | top of the stain and sweep the bag quickly off the |
| things with your old furniture, you can create some | | | | furniture. |
| funky new accessories for your home. Use an old | | | | |