Shabby Chic; Volume III

Surbybird

Surbybird wrote: »

I have a very large (4ft x 2ft) gilt framed mirror in my dining room. It doesn't match the room so I plan to make some homemade chalk paint and upcycle the frame.

Now, do I paint it completely and leave it a flat colour, or do I distress it once painted and let some of the gilt show through? I don't mind the gilt, it's just too much for the room as it is. So if I go for distressed, I guess I need to rub a candle over it first so that I can get some of the 'stick to everything' paint off again afterwards.

Or does anyone have any other suggestions? I'll post 'before' pics of the frame tomorrow when I've got the mirror down off the wall.

Kate

Okay, I decided to take the 'before' pics while it was still on the wall.





Either a flat colour (undecided on off white or very pale turquoise) or paint and then distressing and wax.

Any suggestions as to what would look best? I've not tackled anything other than wooden furniture before.

Kate

Pooky

I spray painted a gilt frame like that, I used a matt finish spray paint, great for getting in all the nooks and crannies and then I used a bronze enamel paint dry brushed over some of the edges just to take the edge off the paint but without the risk of rubbinng to hard and ruining the paint. There's pics on my blog (somewhere)

Hobsons_Choice

I had something similar (though smaller) that I wanted as a hall mirror. I painted it in flat off-white and picked out the scrolling in various colours using tester pots. Looked really good until OH broke it when we were moving house (glass AND frame)!! I was soooo pleased.

Surbybird

Pooky wrote: »

I spray painted a gilt frame like that, I used a matt finish spray paint, great for getting in all the nooks and crannies and then I used a bronze enamel paint dry brushed over some of the edges just to take the edge off the paint but without the risk of rubbinng to hard and ruining the paint. There's pics on my blog (somewhere)

Thanks. I didn't think of spray painting it and then dry brushing it with bronze. Although I might spray it and then dry brush with silver, as that would work with other things in the room.

Kate

Surbybird

Hobsons_Choice wrote: »

I had something similar (though smaller) that I wanted as a hall mirror. I painted it in flat off-white and picked out the scrolling in various colours using tester pots. Looked really good until OH broke it when we were moving house (glass AND frame)!! I was soooo pleased.

Ooh. I might give that a try first. If I don't like it I can always paint over it again. Thanks for the idea.



Kate

emma_kate

jaam2012 wrote: »

Hi I have just found this thread and loving your creations..I was just wondering..I have some old conservatory furniture that I was going to do away with but now I'm having second thoughts. Do you think I would be able to re-paint it. If so What type of paint would be best. The chairs are great but just a bit dated now. I could easily get them recovered but just not sure if they could be repainted. I assume they are just varnished wicker.
Many thanks in advance for your advice!

Pooky is right, you usually spray paint wicker as it has too many nooks and crannies for thick paint. You need to do it outside on a windless day and remember many thin coats are the way to go!
The chalk paint would stick but might be too thick for wicker and the wax would stick in the nooks and crannies too!

I have also done a wash of dliuted paint on wicker which is attractive. You get a faded driftwoody look. You flood the area with diluted paint, perhaps a beigey grey, then let it drip dry, again, in the garden. This makes a total mess of your lawn. (so does spray paint. )

jumblejack

Just made another couple of hanging hearts whilst sitting down listening to some lovely talks.

http://pinterest.com/pin/425168021041567440/
http://pinterest.com/pin/425168021041567729/

At this rate, I will be needing more door knobs!

Florenceem

Love them - so cute.

Hobsons_Choice

Hobsons_Choice wrote: »

I had something similar (though smaller) that I wanted as a hall mirror. I painted it in flat off-white and picked out the scrolling in various colours using tester pots. Looked really good until OH broke it when we were moving house (glass AND frame)!! I was soooo pleased.

Whoops - forgot to say I watered the tester pots down until it was almost just a wash of colour on the scrolls. (Think watercolour paints). Best try this first anyway, you can always go over with thicker paint if you like.

hmo

jumblejack wrote: »

Just made another couple of hanging hearts whilst sitting down listening to some lovely talks.

http://pinterest.com/pin/425168021041567440/
http://pinterest.com/pin/425168021041567729/

At this rate, I will be needing more door knobs!

They look great is there a tutorial for the crochet one please