PB (peanut butter) is great in a sandwich. But Pb (the periodic table symbol for lead) isn’t good in your home. The detrimental health effects are well-documented, and most of us are aware of the risks of lead paint in homes built prior to 1971. But what you may not …
This is an Eastlake Chair. It’s an antique, dating from the Victorian Era, and I found it in the TRASH! Can you believe it? Given its age, I wanted to honor its history but give the fabric an update. Step One: Getting Down to Brass Tacks Or nails, in this …
This ottoman had seen better days. The legs were in great shape, but the upholstery was a prickly animal hide (cow? horse?). It was worn thin in places and faded. Time for a redo! Step One: Shearing The Fur In order to detach the hide, I had to remove the …
Without a makeover, this bar cart was facing last call. Heading to a contemporary space, it needed a serious update. The wheels were squeaky, the finish was scratched, and the style was too traditional. Time to “mix” it up! The Base Spirit After a serious cleaning, I scuff-sanded the surfaces. …
Adding design elements can really make furniture sing! There are several ways to apply designs. And you don’t have to redo an entire piece to include these accents. You can add them to a finished piece you already own. Here are four techniques that make the process easier than painting …
This antique chair needed a refresh. My client has a cool style vibe, mixing Southwestern flair with traditional antiques. This plain chair was ready to be updated to fit in with the decor. Step One: Sanding The finish on the chair needed TLC. First, I sanded off the old worn …
A pair of mid-century modern chairs badly needed new upholstery. When last we saw them, they had been stripped down to the springs and wooden frames. Mid-Century Modern Chairs: From Ripped to Restored The wood had been sanded and sealed and minor repairs made. Now it’s time to see how …
I grew up with mid-century modern furnishings in our home. So I get excited when I see items from that era come into my workshop. A client dropped off a pair of these lovely chairs for a makeover, and I couldn’t wait to dive in. Not only was the fabric …
This accent chair was everything you’d expect in the Halloween season. Like a ghost of the past, it was full of shocks and groans and had that slightly creepy Victorian vibe. Time to bring this living room specter back from the grave! The Ghoulish The first step was to get …
Hardware is like jewelry for your furniture. You’ve gotten your piece all dressed up and ready to go out but it needs a little something…more. A little bling! Hardware is easy to change and can make a huge difference in the appearance of furniture. Even without refinishing or painting, replacing …
