All New Shabby Chic Thread!

Kaz2904

Well after lots of umming and ahing I'm not working tonight (weds) now. So when I finish my shift, I might go to bed for a couple of hours and then start stripping the rest of my unit. I really need DH to find his sander because I want it done evenly. Then I may well have to bleach it to remove the last of the stain. Then finally, it will be ready to go in our bedroom.
A bit gutted with the state of the house at the moment but I know I'll have it sorted quickly enough now that the kids are back at school. I plan to do the little fiddly finishing off things like grouting the kitchen tiles and putting the last few up too. Then I'll be able to get rid of that clutter!

Someone mentioned blackboard paint. I'm not sure who. It's expensive though! I once read a recipe for making it, you need paint and grout powder among other things. I wonder if there's a recipe?
Of course there is! http://www.marthastewart.com/article/make-custom-color-chalkboard-paint One day I'll get around to making some and using it!

fluffybunny_2

I'm fairly new to this mularky but I'm hooked already and havent done anything yet lol!

ok.... every room in our house I'm eyeing things up thinking what I could do to them lol!!!!

There are lots of things I'd like to do but have a few questions

bibity has helped me so far but I dont want to keep pestering her so here goes....

I want to paint our kitchen. its solid oak, very dark wood. going to do lots of layers and two coats of F&B but dont know whats the best to start. to sand it to get the key (just learned what that meant lol) or, whether to use the ESP everyones raving about. i dont mind sanding but if the ESP would be fine then I'll do that

Secondly, i'd like to paint bedroom units in my daughters bedroom. they're green with a pine look. My daughter ADORES pink so I thought I'd paint the outside of them white and the doors pink - theyre from MFI (this is the type of thing http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kids-Wardrobe-Chest-Drawers-Draws-Blue-Wood-Set-/230523458222?pt=UK_HG_ChildFurniture_RL&hash=item35ac44d2ae ). they arent real pine but have a very smooth surface. do you think ESP would work on these?

TIA

jem1276

Hi shabby chicers, long time lurker here dipping her toe in :wave:

I have found this fab sideboard, a bargain so far at £4.99 finishing tonight.



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270631317474&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1154

Do you think a newbie could do it or is it too big a challenge?

Could it be sanded and varnished or would it have to be painted cream?

Thanks :beer:

irishgirl62

A quick question .... what the difference between esp and easy sand? which is better?

Shelley3774

jem1276 wrote: »

Hi shabby chicers, long time lurker here dipping her toe in :wave:

I have found this fab sideboard, a bargain so far at £4.99 finishing tonight.



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270631317474&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1154

Do you think a newbie could do it or is it too big a challenge?

Could it be sanded and varnished or would it have to be painted cream?

Thanks :beer:[/QUOT

Ooohh that's a lovely sideboard which is just begging to be painted a lovely off white/cream in my opinion.

I managed to paint 1 layer of my dresser yesterday and I'm getting really excited now. Seems like it's taking forever tho because I am taking plenty of time between coats....can't wait to get painting again today

duckeggblue

Kaz2904 wrote: »

Well after lots of umming and ahing I'm not working tonight (weds) now. So when I finish my shift, I might go to bed for a couple of hours and then start stripping the rest of my unit. I really need DH to find his sander because I want it done evenly. Then I may well have to bleach it to remove the last of the stain. Then finally, it will be ready to go in our bedroom.
A bit gutted with the state of the house at the moment but I know I'll have it sorted quickly enough now that the kids are back at school. I plan to do the little fiddly finishing off things like grouting the kitchen tiles and putting the last few up too. Then I'll be able to get rid of that clutter!

Someone mentioned blackboard paint. I'm not sure who. It's expensive though! I once read a recipe for making it, you need paint and grout powder among other things. I wonder if there's a recipe?
Of course there is! http://www.marthastewart.com/article/make-custom-color-chalkboard-paint One day I'll get around to making some and using it!

It was me that mentioned it.I bought a small tin from focus for a fiver,would have loved a recipe though. I may also use it to do this effect where you create a window effect from blackboard painted squares-sorry cant find link.You must have been reading my mind-coloured blackboard paint-must do that

Mummy_Jo

Hi Guys!

Thanks Keiss21 - I don't consider your advice ramblings - more like golddust!;)

The gloss coats are all dry now and ready to be put back together but...

I have been thinking...:D

- Dangerous I know!

The draw fronts are begging for something a pattern maybe on the front of them. I have seen that some of you have done this succesfully with napkins etc... I want to cut out a flower pattern PVA it on the draw fronts then varnish over the top to secure it.

What I want to know is what kind of paper/transfers should I get. Would a wall paper sample with the pattern cut out be enough or would that be too thick? The napkins from Tesco... - How easily do they go on? Could I cut out a pattern from them or would that look awful do you think?

I like bibitibob's bird house - something like that would be good. I know some of you have painted designs but I'm not able to do that. I just want a little flowery pattern on them

Also - how do you paint and dry knobs and handles? I can't work out how do do this.

Thanks Guys you have been an inspiration and I really feel for the first time in years that I have achieved something - doing something for me (well my 3yr old daughter really) the way I want to do it and its a great feeling!

Jo

jem1276

Shelley3774 wrote: »

jem1276 wrote: »

Hi shabby chicers, long time lurker here dipping her toe in :wave:

I have found this fab sideboard, a bargain so far at £4.99 finishing tonight.



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270631317474&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1154

Do you think a newbie could do it or is it too big a challenge?

Could it be sanded and varnished or would it have to be painted cream?

Thanks :beer:[/QUOT

Ooohh that's a lovely sideboard which is just begging to be painted a lovely off white/cream in my opinion.

I managed to paint 1 layer of my dresser yesterday and I'm getting really excited now. Seems like it's taking forever tho because I am taking plenty of time between coats....can't wait to get painting again today

Thanks for reply. Do you think a beginner could do it though or is it more of an advanced shabby chicer skill? x

jackieglasgow

A beginner could do it. If you do somehow manage to muck it up, you can just start again, or paint it allover! Go on, its lovely.....

Bibbitybob

Mummy_Jo wrote: »

The draw fronts are begging for something a pattern maybe on the front of them. I have seen that some of you have done this succesfully with napkins etc... I want to cut out a flower pattern PVA it on the draw fronts then varnish over the top to secure it.

What I want to know is what kind of paper/transfers should I get. Would a wall paper sample with the pattern cut out be enough or would that be too thick? The napkins from Tesco... - How easily do they go on? Could I cut out a pattern from them or would that look awful do you think?

I like bibitibob's bird house - something like that would be good. I know some of you have painted designs but I'm not able to do that. I just want a little flowery pattern on them


Jo

I've used both wallpaper and wrapping paper for this before and both work well - wallpaper wrinkled a lot less though! I don't know how easy napkins would be. A few people have used them successfully to cover things but I much prefer a smooth finish that I think would be hard to get from these. It completely depends what finish you'd like!