Product Description

All it takes is paint, a little time, and some inspired, quick, and easy decorative ideas to give old furniture a new lease on life--or transform unpainted pieces into works of art. These 29 ways to use stenciling, stamping, sponging, distressing, stippling, and glazing techniques will result in magnificent, strikingly original focal points for every room in the house. Choose a style. Some are whimsical, bursting with color and fun details, like the "busy bees" that embellish a honey-colored cupboard. Others, including a Southern Magnolias Armoire, add a touch of old-fashioned romance. And still more are just right for a child. Information on choosing supplies, and on cleaning, stripping old paint, sanding, and preparing furniture, enable even beginners to get started instantly--and templates make tracing patterns simple. Complete these attractive designs as is...or adapt them to fit a variety of pieces and decors. The author lives in Decatur, GA. 128 pages (all in color), 8 1/2 x 11. NEW IN PAPERBACK

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2383893 in Books
• Published on: 1999-06-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 128 pages

Amazon.com Review
Tired tables, boring bookcases, cast-off chairs, and other fatigued furnishings take on a whole new life when dressed up with zingy colors and simple paint techniques. In Fantastic Furniture: Intriguing Paint Techniques & Projects, author Mickey Baskett and a team of designers show how easy it is to embellish flea-market finds or new unpainted items with color blocking, stamping, stenciling, or simple drawn motifs, or with slightly more complicated methods like decorative painting, crackling, or detailed hand-painted designs. Step-by-step instructions and patterns are included for all 30 projects. Styles range from bright and bold to softly romantic, with several kid-themed projects as well. This guide takes a very similar approach to Baskett's similarly titled Fantastic Furniture in an Afternoon, but it does not repeat actual projects; overall this one offers more variety. --Amy Handy

From Library Journal
Innes shows how the various paint techniques she described in The New Paint Magic (Pantheon, 1992. 3d ed.) and Applied Artistry (LJ 1/96) can transform furniture and decorative accessories. She begins by describing the history and use of various paint effects, suggesting that furniture projects are a way "to try out ideas in a small way." Baskett, author of numerous instruction books, presents furniture decorating projects created by various artisans. Experienced craftspeople will find this an inspiring book with its colorfully decorated furniture, but some of the techniques, such as tole painting, and the generalized instructions will be challenging for a novice. Similar techniques and projects are covered in Sheila McGraw's Painting and Decorating Furniture (LJ 1/98), but given Innes's reputation, hers would be a wise purchase. Baskett's book is recommended only if this is a popular topic.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

A Great 'How-to' Book for beginners
The projects in this book are fun and eye-catching. It contains a broad range of do-it-yourself furniture painting, as well as sponging, stamping and stenciling. There's sure to be at least one project you'll want to try.

good book for beginner
This book is great for someone with limited knowledge of painted furniture. The pictures are nice, covering both the older flowery country style and the new funky multi color style. It is short on in depth details of paints, supplies, and preperation. But there is enough info to get you through a project. For those that cant draw there are some patters for flowers ans such. The projects presented are inspiring and unique not cheap or tacky looking. The book does not cover classical faux paint techniques that could be combined into the projects presented. If you need that type of information I highly recommend The Art of Painted Finish by Isabel O-Neil.