Pratt and Lambert - Personal Expressions 2008 - (Page 26) feature with dark colors, leather furniture and Queen Anne wing chairs that your guests will gravitate to.” such as Anthropologie. “You can’t go wrong here,” says Krakora. “And if you do, it’s easy to return it.” You can also find great style and deals on sites such as eBay and the online inventories of salvage stores (See side bar on page 25). a very masculine feel,” she says. “But he loves modern art glass, so he brings it into his design. You can’t get much more contrasting than that, but it works,” she says. While thrift stores and salvage shops can be good sources for visually interesting art and accessories, Krakora encourages her clients to incorporate things they’ve picked up in their travels to make a statement. “Sometimes that piece you instantly loved, even if it doesn’t match, will surprise you,” she says. “It’s that African box on the table next to two s ex 26 {4}The hard FacTs Changing hardware, says Krakora, is something she does in almost every space she designs. Thanks to the popularity of this trend, do-it-yourself designers have unprecedented freedom of choice on this front, since interesting and colorful drawer pulls, doorknobs and outlet covers can be found everywhere from home stores such as Target and Home Depot to chain clothing stores do it Yourself: So you’re back from the flea market with a treasure in your trunk. Now what? A quick coat of paint can give that piece a new look and help it blend in with its new home. We asked Bob Miller, a Cleveland-based expert in furniture refurbishing, for the 411 on do-it-yourself refinishing. Here are his tips: PREP ThE PIEcE “All of the prep is what makes the final product look best, so you need to put the time in for good results,” says Miller. “If you paint on top of nicked up wood, it just looks like paint on nicked up wood.” Disassemble your piece by removing drawers, doors and all hardware, and place them on or, if using sawhorses, over your drop cloth. Next, clean your piece using trisodium phosphate (TSP), which you can find at most hardware and home stores. “It cuts the grime, and can make a world of difference,” Miller says, adding that TSP and a coat of silicone-free furniture polish alone are often enough to make a piece look like new. Once your piece is clean, if it’s already painted, scrape off all flaking paint with a plastic scraper. “Metal scrapers can gouge the wood,” he says. Next, you’re ready to sand. Miller says grits between 120 and 220 work best. Start with a rougher grit — the lower the number the rougher it is — and work your way down. If you’re using a sanding block, he suggests one that’s flexible (he uses blocks made from felt) to help you get into corners and crevices. “I also keep Scotch-Brite pads and sanding sponges on hand to get into spindles and carvings.” (Both are available at hardware stores.) PAINT “Use good brushes, and buy a brush that matches the paint,” he advises, since certain brushes are better for latex- versus oil-based paint. Miller says the number of coats of paint you’ll need depends on what you start with and where you want to go. “If the piece is black, and you want it to be white, it will take more than one,” he says. He prefers to use semi-gloss paint because it’s washable and more durable than other styles. “Plus,” he says, “it looks better on furniture.” market find makeover PREPARE Essentials: Screwdriver Pliers Flat, plastic scraper Drop cloth Sandpaper of varied grits, ranging between 120-220 Sanding block Paintbrush Wood primer Paint Would be nice, but not necessary: Electric sander Sawhorses Scotch-Brite pads and sanding sponges PRIME Once your piece is sanded, add a wood primer to any bare wood surface. “The primer helps the paint adhere to the surface better, and gives the finished product a smoother look,” he says. P R AT TA N D L A M B E R T. C O M
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