Rescued Table and Chairs

After sharing with you the Before and After of the Table and Chairs, I wanted to explain and share with you the steps that we took to accomplish a restored table and set of chairs.

When I first saw the table and chairs, I immediately thought to lacquer them but also felt that the table needed something. I then thought how awesome it would be to inlay a mirror that we had antiqued! 

Table and Chairs:

Before shot from when they were at the Restore for Habitat for Humanity

I loved the shape and detail of the chairs.

Chair detail

We had to wipe down the pieces before getting started 

so that we would have a clean surface to work with.

 Once the pieces were clean, we took them into a ventilated area to be sprayed with Lacquer.
*Since we were using the Basic Black Lacquer, there was no reason to start off with a Primer since we had a clean surface that was already lighter than the desired color.

When spraying, we made sure to have about 8-10 inches of space and to spray very light coats.

*It is always smart to have a few lighter coats as opposed to one heavy coat.

*You never want the lacquer to drip so make sure to keep your arm moving like using a stroking motion with a paint brush.

For the chairs and table, we used about 5 cans to 

get 2 good glossy coats of the Basic Black Lacquer.

Once I decided to inlay a piece of mirror, we measured the area of where it would be placed.

We then cut the mirror to size.

The piece of mirror was antiqued using the Antique Mirror Stripped followed by the Antique Mirror Solution.

We then just glued the piece of mirror into place.

The final furniture set!

We simply used the Basic Black Lacquer and Antique Mirror Kit to rescue these pieces of furniture.

 Finished set of Table and Chairs

We had a great time finishing this table and set of chairs 
using the Amy Howard At Home products 
and hope to inspire you with how many different ways that you can use the products!

Before and After : Table and Chairs

I wanted to share with you the second project we did with Habitat for Humanity from the Restore here in Memphis. 

We found these table and chairs and I immediately thought of using the At Home Lacquer and then thought how awesome would it be to put a Antique a Mirror and place it as a new table top?! 

Before:

After:

For this project, we used:

 Amy Howard At Home Basic Black Lacquer

Amy Howard At Home Antique Mirror Kit (Solution and Stripper)

I will share the process photos as well as the 

step-by-step instructions on Wednesday!!

Couch Painted with One Step

We are busy right now at Atlanta Market but I wanted to share with you a fabulous, painted couch that one of our retailers did using the One Step Paint! 

Michele Hiley from Stiltskin Studios shared with us the couch on her blog here but I wanted to continue to share and give a few of her tips. The life of this specific couch is the perfect example of how to rescue, restore, and redecorate. She bought the couch for just $20 and completely has transformed the piece of furniture with the Atelier One Step Paint.

Before:

After:

Tips:

*Start dilution at about 30%. You can always add more water, and the ratio will depend on the type of fabric.  The damask needed the paint to be very runny, while the velvet experiment did not. 

*Paint the frame last if you are painting it a different color, as the fabric paint will run all over the frame. 

*Use an old brush, not an expensive new one, so you can really grind the paint in to the fabric

*Fabrics with high nap, like velvet, don't work out as well as a damask, canvas, etc. 

*If painting the seat cushions, remove the cover before painting, if possible, so you don't soak the cushions inside. 

*it wasn't difficult at all, just very messy!  That's another tip...do NOT attempt this in your living room or wearing your fav jeans!

I love being inspired and seeing how creative people are with using the Amy Howard At Home products!!

Featured Retailer: The Think Tank

The Think Tank is one of our retailers in New York who say they are the "design team offering new and fun ways to update, renew, build, or rebuild your space!" The team is made up of Sindi and Lisa who since 1981 have been friends and decided to open up their own retail location, a hub that combines their talent and passion for art, design, decoration, and home construction. 

I met them while we were showing at the NYNOW Show in August and was so happy to have them come and train with us in the Fall. They are such creatives and I am excited to share their work with you!

Amy Howard At Home Display

Before and After

Before and After

Before and After: Citron Lacquer

Before and After

The Think Tank

55 Railroad Ave

Garnerville, NY 10923

(845) 494-4684

sindi@thethinktankny.com

How To Lacquer : The Chest

After posting on Monday with the Before and After pictures, I thought it would be helpful to share the process photos as well with instructions to get that great shiny, lacquered finish!

Materials Needed:

• Few pieces of fine sandpaper (grit #400)
• Dust Mask
• Ventilated Area
• Amy Howard At Home Lacquer Primer
• Amy Howard At Home Lacquer Paint

How To Lacquer:

Make sure your piece is clean and clear of any dust or dirt. Just simply wipe it down.

Alex used Simple Green to get rid of the dirt and dust.

Although it is not required, it is recommended that you lightly sand your piece. This will ensure that your finished piece has that sleek, modern lacquered finish.

For this size chest, we used 3 cans of Primer

Using your Amy Howard at Home Lacquer Primer, hold your spray can 8-10 inches away from your piece and spray.

You want to make sure the Primer has 2 solid coats. You should have 2 OPAQUE primer coats. This primer will fill in any ridges in your piece. This primer will also act as a “sealing agent” to ensure that colors from the original piece will not bleed through, like mahogany.

Before you apply the color lacquer, lightly sand the primer layer to soften any edges or smooth out any rough spots. You do not have to sand it profusely, simply sand it a little bit.

I decided we would use Easton Green Lacquer for this chest!

Once your primer coats are completely dry, you may now begin your chosen color coats. Remember, when you begin to spray your color, use your spray directions as if you were using a brush. Pretend you are gliding your paint across the surface at 8-10 inches from the surface.

*Do not forget to lightly sand between each layer of lacquer.

It is recommended that you have 3-4 thin coats compared to a thick 2 coats. A lacquer finish is supposed to look sleek and solid, so you want to build up that lacquer finish. Take your time at applying your coats. It will give you a much prettier finish in the long run.

Once your final lacquer layer is complete and dry, go enjoy your new piece!

The Lacquer is now available online in 17 colors - Be sure to check it out here!

Before and After : Chest

I am excited to share with you the one of the three pieces that we Rescued, Restored, and Redecorated with the At Home products for the Habitat for Humanity's Annual Toolbox Bash. I shared back in the middle of October on the blog, how I was asked to rescue pieces from the Habitat for Humanity's Restore in Memphis. They have an annual event, The Toolbox Bash, where the three furniture pieces were auctioned off.  

All proceeds directly support Habitat’s mission to eliminate substandard housing throughout the city of Memphis and its surrounding areas. Since 2008, the Tool Box Bash has raised more than $165,000 to help local families achieve the American Dream! 
www.memphishabitat.com/toolboxbash

Here is one of the pieces that we choose to restore for the auction.

Chest: Before

I found this chest and absolutely loved its simplicity. I immediately felt it would be great lacquered in the High Performance Spray! I was not sure what color at first but decided that Easton Green would be fun especially for a kids room!

Chest: After

We had such a great time restoring the pieces for the event and I look forward to sharing the other two furniture pieces within the next couple of weeks! 

Decorating with Bonsai

While I was in NY at the Green Flea Market, I went by a vendor who was selling Bonsai. I was drawn to the different sizes and textures of the plants. They are a great way to bring greenery into your home. 

Bonsai is defined as a Japanese art form using miniature trees grown in containers. The tradition dates back over a thousand years.