How to Create Shabby-Chic Furniture
When Rachel Atwell popularized the Shabby Chic style in 1989, she based it on the "one man's trash is another man's treasure" philosophy. Trolling flea markets, garage sales and even your own neighborhood on trash day, yields furniture that at first might look beyond help. With a little work and a lot of TLC, however, you can repurpose the furniture into useful one-of-a-kind pieces ready to take pride of place in every room in your home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Cloths
- Dish soap
- Wire brush
- Scrub brush
- Sand paper
- Stripping compound
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Fabric
Instructions
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Remove the hardware with a screw driver. Take off hinges, knobs and pulls. Place them in a plastic bag to keep them all together until you are ready to use them.
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2
Wipe the surface with a soft white cloth dampened in a mild solution of dish soap and warm water. Rinse the cloth frequently. Dry the piece with a soft dry cloth. Remove stubborn dirt and grime with a wire brush.
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Clean the dirt from intricate details and trim with a soft scrub brush, toothbrush and tooth picks or an ice pick.
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4
Sand the corners and rub off the finish where natural wear would occur like near handles, knobs and pulls. Sand the entire piece to expose the wood under the stain or paint the piece has been finished with. Use 120-grit sand paper. Wipe off the dust caused by sanding with a clean cloth.
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Assess the piece. If it is shabby chic enough for you, worn and with the finish the way you want it, stop here. Replace the hardware or elect to leave off things like pulls and handles for an even more weathered look.
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Remove the finish. Use furniture stripping compound that you can buy in home improvement and hardware stores. Vent the work area or work outside. Wear heavy gloves and protective goggles. Follow the manufacturer's directions.
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Paint the furniture. Choose a traditional shabby chic color like pale green, pink or blue or opt for white. Allow it to dry thoroughly before replacing hardware.
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Antique the piece. Paint on a base coat. Choose a traditional pastel shabby chic color. Allow it to dry. Paint on another layer in a different color. Gently wipe the wet paint with a rag to expose the paint underneath.
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Tips & Warnings
Use your shabby chic pieces in unexpected places. For example, an old dresser makes a great place to store towels in your bathroom.
Pick up old knobs and drawer pulls at flea markets and garage sales. Switch them out with the piece's original hardware or mix and match.
If the top of a dresser or table is damaged beyond repair, cover it with a piece of marble.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
