Shabby Chic; Volume III

rosieben

I haven't lurked on here for a long while but I'm hoping one of you shabby chic'ing experts might be able to give me some advice please

I have a bedside cabinet which I want to paint - its veneer finsh so I'm thinking I need to use ESP as the base before I paint? any suggestions or tips gratefully accepted

thanks for any help you can give

Bibbitybob

Hi rosieben good to 'see' you back! If by veneer you meet shiny plastic stuff, then you can get a melamine primer that you put on before paint. I've never used ESP so not sure if it's the same stuff. If you mean a wood veneer (as in a thin layer of real wood on top of chipboard) then a light sand to key it should be enough

stormchaos

Bibbitybob wrote: »

To me, the general theme of this 'shabby chic' thread is about making a pretty home on a budget, but that's probably because painting furniture has been a necessity for me (no money to buy new) rather than doing it because it's the latest trend in Ideal Home. On top of this, I think it's about injecting a bit of your own personality and creativity into your space, so I think that annie-c's response to your question was perfectly valid; it's your house, you can choose to paint your furniture sky blue ginger if you wish and it shouldn't matter whether it's 'in' or not.

That said, from the tone of your original post (forgive me if I'm reading it wrong), I get the impression that you are looking for a trend rather than simply a home made home. If that is the case then I would suggest looking at websites such as Laura Ashley or reading magazines to see what the current fashions are.

Personally, I like the odd piece of distressed furniture. I don't tend to paint a colour underneath, I either sand back to the original wood after I've painted it (think about areas it would naturally get worn and distress there - ie. edges, keyholes) or I apply a glaze and wipe it off again. Painting a colour underneath does work well though, and would look fantastic with a bright 'pop' of colour showing through in places. None of my furniture is 'perfect white' (although I think that looks great, it's not for me with an OH who likes to spill coffee everywhere!!) - I tend to use F&B paints in muted creams, greys and pastel colours against a plain wall. I think the key for me is just having a play - you can always re-paint something if you don't like it once you're done!

Hi,
yes you did read it wrong, lol, i never follow any fashion and there was absolutley no critisism about how anyone else paints thier stuff, it was only a question:D
thanks for the tips too

rosieben

Thanks for that Bibbitybob, I'll know what to ask for :beer:

I'm hoping to get back to lurking here, I miss seeing all the great projects and ideas

Bibbitybob

stormchaos wrote: »

Hi,
yes you did read it wrong, lol, i never follow any fashion and there was absolutley no critisism about how anyone else paints thier stuff, it was only a question:D
thanks for the tips too

I didn't suggest you were criticizing anyone, no need to be so defensive

You're welcome on the tips, hopefully they'll be useful. Do come back and show us if you paint anything.

I can't remember the brand of mine, rosieben, but it came from B&Q and was with the specialist paints - radiator paints etc. Don't forget the before an after pics

ETA: Found it! The tin is still going strong after painting an entire set of built in wardrobes (yuk!) and the kitchen in my old flat - photos way back on my blog if you want to take a look! And on the old SC thread here too, I'd imagine!!

annie-c

Aah, this thread (along with a much needed sunny day) has kicked my lazy bum into gear....

I went to a boot sale today for the first time in over 6 months and scored some treats.

Most fabulous was a full, unopened 2.5l tin of Farrow and Ball Oil Eggshell in New White for £8!!! It was over £40 a tin last year when they still sold oil eggshell in the shops

In order to put it into good use I bought a huge wall mirror with a slighty scuffed wooden frame for £10 and a pair of newish wooden bedside lamps for £1 each. I found an online tutorial for covering lampshades last week and bought 1/2m of raw silk for £5 at a fabric shop on the way home to make some pretty new shades.

I also bought a metal 'telephone table' (how quaint!) which I will spray paint and use as a plant stand on the patio. And a couple of wooden planters for 20p which I will also spray paint.

A question for seasoned spray painters. Up to now the cheapest spray paint I have bought is Rustoleum brand on Amazon at £5.49 delivered. I have also paid £8 a tin for Plastikote at B & Q. I was a bit frustrated by the cost as a tin doesn't go very far, and I noticed by following my favourite bloggers, that a lot of American shabby chicers are getting spray paint for $1 or less at Walmart or the Dollar store. I have done a bit of sleuthing and found that Poundland does white, black and silver gloss spray paint at...(surprise!) £1! but it is in the car section. Is there any reason this can't be used for small furniture makeovers... like photoframes, knobs and handles and lamps etc? I think this is the same or similar stuff that American bloggers are using.

What do you all think?

tiff

I dont see why you cant use car spray paint, I read on an American blog that the shade of paint she needed was a car paint so she used that. Cant remember the blog now but I would use it. Thanks for the tip, didnt realise they had paint in Poundland.

rosieben

Bibbitybob wrote: »

... ETA: Found it! The tin is still going strong after painting an entire set of built in wardrobes (yuk!) and the kitchen in my old flat - photos way back on my blog if you want to take a look! And on the old SC thread here too, I'd imagine!!

you're a star!! thanks :beer: I'll post pics but won't be for a couple of weeks or so

**dancingbutterfly**

Hi all!

I used to keep up to date with things on this thread and it went quiet after christmas (granted ) and i have a quick nosy today and there's pages and pages of lovely bits!

Ive still got 2 pieces to 'shabby' up but im moving house soon so it's on the back burner for now. Good news is that my new house has a large outhouse with power etc so i can keep my projects there and work on them without having to do it outside ! (the little things eh?! lol)

annie-c

what fabulous bargains you had! Id love to see the lampshades after you've transformed them! I dont think im ever going to be able to afford F and B paint, unless i find it for £8 a tin!

happy shabbying

hart44

Hi everyone
another awol poster here again (I have been popping in now & then ) I have missed my painting but due to living in a small cottage the only place I can freshen up my bits is outside
I have been scouting the CS's and have a box shelf thing to go over my sewing table and lots of bits to finish that I started last year (including my kitchen ) I did get the pine plate shelf put up on the kitchen wall but still have the sink unit to paint, oh and the walls :rotfl:.
Bibbity I love seeing what you have been up to, thank you for keeping me inspired
Love all the pic's of makeovers here too, well done everyone
Now just waiting for the sun so I can start again.