Earlier this spring I wrote a little review on Knack Studios' Barb Blair's new book, Furniture Makeovers and now we're thrilled to bring you a DIY from the book as we ride along on the book's official blog tour! Chronicle Books sent over one of my favorite projects from the book, "Using Decoupage". And as you'll see Barb's technique and explanation, make for a simple project that anyone can do. I know I have an old dresser here just waiting for a good makeover! But first, check out this cute trailer for the book!
And now here's the instructions on how to decoupage (Knack-style):
Using Découpage
Découpage is an age-old technique that was used centuries ago in places like France, China, and Russia and was extremely popular in the 1960s when crafting became the “groovy” thing to do! The word découpage actually means “the art of using cut-out paper, plastic, or other flat material over which varnish or lacquer is applied.” Over the past several years, découpage has evolved, and even modern enthusiasts have embraced its beauty.
Before you start, prepare your piece of furniture by filling any unevenness or holes with wood filler using a putty spatula, sanding with a fine sanding sponge, and cleaning the surface with a damp shop towel. You want the surface to be completely smooth before you apply the paper design.
Materials
Ruler
Paper for your design
Scissors or craft knife
Adhesive: wallpaper paste if using wallpaper, or Mod Podge depending on the paper being used
Small paint tray
Paintbrushes: small craft brush for adhesive, Purdy Nylox brush for final Mod Podge layer, and White China Brush Series brush for polyurethane finish
Craft knife
Plastic squeegee
Mod Podge
Polyurethane, water based
Sanding sponge
1. Measure with a ruler and cut the paper carefully with your scissors or craft knife so that it matches the size of the area to be covered. Pour an ample amount of adhesive into a small paint tray, and using the craft brush, apply a thin layer of adhesive to both the surface of the furniture and the back of the paper. You will want to keep the adhesive only in the area where you are working. Adhesive dries quickly, so apply the paper immediately, and lay the paper design down carefully.
2. Once you’ve applied the paper to the piece of furniture, smooth it gently with your fingers. I recommend using a small plastic squeegee to get the paper ultra-smooth and squeeze out any excess glue that will cause rippling. The most important thing is to work from the center of the paper out to the edges; this technique works out any air bubbles and excess glue. Be sure to keep some extra towels on hand to keep your fingers clean while working with the paper. You do not want to transfer glue or dirt from your hands to the top of the paper. I promise there will be lots of glue on your fingers, as this is a very messy technique, so try to keep your hands as clean as possible throughout the project.
3. Continue applying pieces of paper as stated above, working in sections until the furniture you are working on is entirely covered with the desired amount of paper. Upon completion of each section, apply a layer of Mod Podge over the top with the Nylox brush, especially in a collage design, to ensure proper adhesion.
4. When all of the paper has been applied, and the Mod Podge is completely dry, it is time to apply a coat of polyurethane to the project. This provides both a nice finished look and protection for the paper you have so lovingly applied to your piece. I highly recommend a polyurethane coating over Mod Podge, because I have found that sometimes Mod Podge can remain “tacky” even when it is completely dry. A polyurethane coat, applied with the China brush, ensures a smoother surface, and will dry completely. After you have applied two to three coats of polyurethane, allowed proper drying times, and sanded lightly with a sanding sponge between each coat, your piece is ready to go.
All above photo's by J. Aaron Greene.
Whether it be decoupaging, dry brushing, stenciling, using milk paint, the techniques are endless and guaranteed to bring inspiration to your next furniture makeover project. Definitely a must-have if you're considering refinishing an old piece.
Follow the rest of the blogtour here:
Tuesday, July 23 – The Curated House and Ambrosia Creative
Wednesday, July 24 - The Bedlam of Beefy
Thursday, July 25 – Decorology
Friday, July 26 – Bloesem
(and previous posts here):
Monday, July 15 – A Beautiful Mess
Tuesday, July 16 – The City Sage and Cranny + Me
Wednesday, July 17 – Urban Comfort
Thursday, July 18 – Indie Craft Parade
Friday, July 19 – Simply Grove
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| Photo: Carlton Riffel Photography |
Book + Knack Tote Giveaway!
Now for the giveaway! Chronicle Books is offering a signed copy of Furniture Makeovers and a Knack tote for Poppytalk readers! To enter - there are two ways: Leave a comment here at our blog post for one entry and/or leave a comment on our instagram @poppytalk at the tote image (as seen above) tagging a friend at the same time for another. Entries will be open till Tuesday, July 23/13 until 6pm (Pacific). We'll announce a winner Wednesdsay here at this post. Good luck!
Update: Congrats to Natalie Kay! You are the lucky winner! Please email us at poppytalkblog[at]yahoo[dot]ca with your mailing address!
Furniture Makeovers is also available to purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, or Chronicle Books.
Simple Techniques for Transforming Furniture with Paint, Stains, Paper, Stencils, and More
By Barb Blair • Photographs by Aaron Greene
ISBN 9781452104157
ISBN10 1452104158
96 comments:
Pick me! Pick meeeee!!!
Would love to have this book for inspiration.
Oh, love that paper covering that dresser. I think I need this book!
What a great giveaway. I would love to learn the tricks of decoupaging.
I love that decoupage project. I've been planning to do something similar for months. Would love to win the book!
This book would be great for my new apartment and flea market shopping for furniture!!
Thank you for great giveaway, hope I win :)
Just got a new apartment... looking to makeover everything.
I would looooove to have this book! What a great resource.
Oh I would so love this book!!!! Please me, please me....
That tote is just too cute! Love, love the book :)
ooh! i have so many garage sale finds that could use this books help!
love holly
I'm kinda obsessed with redoing furniture! I would adore adding this to my library!
This looks like such a great book! Video was so well done! Inspirational.
The dresser looks great! I'd love this book.
Would love to win!
I have the perfect dresser to do this on...love it!
So want to win!!
love it! i've always wanted to try my hand at decoupage, my mom did it in the 70's
got my fingers crossed!
this is awesome!
I would love to win this book! Love everything you create :)
I would love to win this book! Love everything you create :)
an inspiring book I'd love to add to my collection!
Would love a copy of your book!
LOVE IT!
This book looks very cool! I love decoupage and sprucing up the things I already have/thrifting for new pieces to craft on. :)
I would love to have this book!
Wow! That looks so beautiful now!!! Right decision... ;)
Is this Giveaway also open for German readers? If so, I would loooove to win! :)
Have a good night!
Eva
This would fit right in on the ol' bookcase!
This would be a great addition to my library!
Would be honored to win!
been following her blog for a long time...so excited about her book.
Wonderful post! Would love to learn how you decoupaged around corners.
Oh my, I've been accumulating the Sunday comics for something like this book to come along!!
This book looks great! I love DIY and DIY books. It is also SO gratifying to spend time on an old piece that may not be in the best shape and make it into something gorgeous!
I've been following Barb's blog for years. So excited for the book!
been wanting to see that book since it came out!! thanks so much for the opportunity to win it!!
What a fun trailer! I'd love to win this book and get some ideas for my yard sale finds. Thanks for the chance.
I would love to win!
I would love to own this book, count me in. Thank you.
Your dresser looks sensational! May I ask where you found the great nautical paper?
I've had my eye on a copy of this book for weeks and would love to win!
This book looks amazing! :)
me please please please! I have just jumped in feet first into the world of living with what you love with the resucue of 2 1920s beds for my girls the first one is finished structurally but I am thinking they need some colour! Please Please...Bec
Fun! Please throw my name into the hat!
Would love this book!!
Would love this book!
I love the idea of furniture make over! My new house needs some help!
i'd love to have this book!
Such a lovely and inspiring book :)
This book looks amazing! Would be thrilled to have it.
I would love to have this book.
Oh, I would love to have it.
I've always loved what I see from Knack Studios!
I was recently gifted an elegant, old and mirrored armoire circa 1950. I have been exploring ways to paint, decoupage, or photo transfer it into a funky showstopper. I know the book would be just what I need to achieve that goal. And I promise to send before and after photos.
I just decided which paper apply on my old kitchen table. Wish to have some free time to decorate it!
btw...finger crossed for me :)
albameccanica@hotmail.com
Count me in! That would make for a lovely read accompanied by a nice cup of tea.
Ooooh please let me win this!!!
eleonora_anelli@yahoo.it
Wow I could definitely use this!!!
I love giving new life to old furniture, especially when it comes to painting!
sergiodemarzo@marmoplast.it
wow, what a gorgeous paper to use for the project - love the outcome!
nice book, would love to have it :)
Yes! Pick me! Crossed my fingers!
I really love this book!!!! Pick me pick me pick me!!! Pleeeeeeeease!!!!!
Such a wonderful tote! And such true words...
Helen -- Firenze Cards
What an awesome book - just what I need as I have a sad dresser in our bedroom in serious need of a face lift.
xx A
Would just love to win a copy of this book!
Been a big fan of Knack Studios for a long time and have the book on my wish list. Oh to win it! Thanks for the chance.
Ahh! I'm excited about more ideas!
I would love to win this book to prove to my teenage sons that some of the old furniture I have in the attic would look fab, once reworked, in their bedrooms!
The knobs ont he dresser are almost as amazing as the dresser itself!!! Love them!
I would love to show my daughter that she is not the only one who can recommission a variety of objects.
Susan
shw_samuel@sky.com
This book has been on my "wish list" since it came out! What a GREAT giveaway!
I've heard such good things about this book!
Me please =) What a great giveaway... thank you for the chance to win!
This is the best decoupage print piece of furniture I have ever seen! Also, loving those gold knobs!
I love this book, it has great instructions and lovely pictures.
Oh, how I'd love to get my hands on this book!
I have been wanting this book! I'm redecorating my entire house and this would be so helpful!
Oh I'd love to redo an old dresser - this book would be great!
I want this book so soooo bad, it looks wonderful!!
Thank you!!
Grateful I popped in on time to enter this giveaway as that book looks fabulous. Thank you for hosting this giveaway.
I remember doing decoupage with my mom to change up my childhood dresser. So funny that it's all the rage again!
Love the decoupage makeover and would love to win this book!
So many things to do with decoupage!! This is a great giveaway and I would love to win!! Thanks for the chance!
This sounds awesome! I'm sure my entire house would be decoupaged in less than a month!
Great gift for my son and his fiance', who are getting married on
August 9th! There are wonderful
DIY's.
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
how lovely book and song and video!!!!!always is a lot of pleasure to come to poppytalk!besos from bs as!
Would love the book. Be amazing to try out some diy's :) I have a few old dressers that most definitely need updating!!
I got the book briefly from the library and it looks awesome! Would love to own a copy to reference!
This would open many doors in my creativity world.
I love and would appreciate this book. Thank you. nancythedove@aol.com
Thank you everyone, this giveaway is now closed.
I love this idea!
I love Chronicle's books. They always looks beautiful.
This looks like a great book
Fun - tastic!
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