Thursday, February 27, 2014

My furniture painting secrets

Do you learn the hard way and wish at the end you had checked things out a little more thoroughly? This overconfidence gets me in hot water more times than I would like to admit, but learn I do! I paint furniture frequently. That means lots of experience from too many mistakes. Here's my recipe now.

What goes under a paint job is very important especially if you are painting a hard surface like laminate. My best painting tip in these situations is ....

My top pick for a bonding primer

use STIX bonding primer as a base on just about anything, and then go with the paint of your choice on top of it - my fav is below. With used furniture degrease with TSP or vinegar and do a light sanding with a sanding pad or electric sander. Paint doesn't like grease, and I always feel better if I sand a bit first. No need to overdo it!

The Facts on STIX

Keep in mind:

STIX is not a paint but a primer/sealant, only a thin translucent coat is required; you are not gaining anything by going for opaque coverage.
You don't need two coats; don't waste it because it is on the expensive side.
You probably need a quart rather than a gallon for smaller jobs because it spreads a long way.
It is best applied going in one direction using light but swift movements. Forget back and forth or w moves.
Wait at least 90 minutes for drying.

My latest project was a colour change for a small media cabinet from Target. We needed a multipurpose piece to act as a side table and storage for two pieces of TV equipment. I hate it when you need something right away because you are forced to choose from what is available. 30 inch media cabinets are a thing of the past it seems; everyone has big TVs. This one was the least offensive to my design sensibilities. NO I don't love it at all because it is a tad too traditional for me, but it will serve our purpose until hubby builds one - might be years!

The nutmeg colour looked terrible with my decor especially my so lovely golden undertoned 80's oak. In comes trusty BM Iron Mountain to match the family room colour scheme. I highly recommend this gray if you are looking for a dark gray hue.

Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain

If I want a durable finish I use Benjamin Moore Advance in a pearl finish.

Benjamin Moore Advance waterborne alkyd Iron Mountain

But.... if you are the impatient type it might not be for you. I have to do a lot of self talk to get me through the drying time, but it is worth it for a durable finish.

The facts on Advance

Benjamin Moore Advance is a waterborn alkyd and is as close to an oil finish as you can get today.

Pros:

durable finish
levels nicely
soap and water cleanup
available in all BM colours
low VOCs

Cons:

difficult paint for impatient people (like me); re-coating time is 16 hours (don't try to hurry it); seems to take even longer when applied over sealed, hard, non porous surfaces; takes many days to fully harden from my experience
some reviews report whites yellowing over time ( I haven't used white)
higher price range(you get what you pay for)
not self-priming, stain-blocking nor antimicrobial -mildew resistant

If you want a very extensive review of this product read Jack Pauhl.

Advance Benjamin moore Stix bonding primer

Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain using Advance

Photo: Margaret Ryall

You may notice we chopped over two inches off the legs to hide the wires that were coming down behind the cabinet. Wires are the enemy and they must be dealt with at all costs! This will also be used as a side table so it needed to be shorter. I liked the higher legs, but function always wins.

Do you have any painting tips to pass along?

3-Storey Modern And Luxurious House With Timeless Design

This amazing house by Finnis Architects in Brighton East, Australia, is a modern 3-storey house with one floor excavated. The underground floor has a garage and utility spaces, while the upper floors are dedicated to the day and night areas. The day area is strategically situated on the ground floor, so that it can blend in with the outdoors spaces situated at the same level. The outdoors space is very important in the layout and it consists of focal points. One of them is the small patch of lawn, very carefully landscaped. The interior is modern and luxurious, lots of light and wide open spaces with smart accents look great.

Via

Stylish Eclectic Loft With Clusters Of Art And Framed Photographs

The most creative homes usually belong to designers or artists because they know what they want and how to express it in the best way. I can say that about this home of fashion designer David Delfín and architect-turned-photographer Gorka Postigo in Madrid, Spain. This unique loft with breathtaking high ceilings has been filled with contrasts, provocation and tons of creativity. The space is an eclectic mix that blends a mid-century modern style with a soft industrial backdrop. White painted wooden floors, walls, ceilings and beams douse the entire space in a Scandinavian look and feel, while clusters of art and framed photographs add a sense of modernity. What an incredible job!

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Angkor Table Design Collection Inspired By Cambodian Temples

Have you seen temples of Cambodia? They really impress with their fantastic architecture; built many centuries ago they are still standing. Perhaps the most popular of them is Angkor Wat, a beautiful temple in the capital of the country that was built in the 12th century. There the tree roots and branches overrun the wall, and iIt inspired Olivier Dollé for creating Angkor Table Design Collection. The table features a multiplex birch wood structure finished in veneered wood dyed in black. It’s leaning leg imitates a natural branch motion and is veneered in oak as is the branch table top. The three black legs are furnished with oak feet. Available as a coffee table, dining table and writing desk, the project is an interesting addition for a large array of modern interiors.

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Modern City Escape: Imposing House on the Hill in Lima

House on the Hill was recently completed by architect Jose Orrego of Metropolis, a Peru-based studio. The modern approach for this 950 square meter residence reminds us of Casa Casuarinas in Lima, featured on our website a while back. As its name hints, House on the Hill takes advantage of a wonderful location in Lima, with expansive views opening up towards the city below. The unconventional modern glass facade is flanked by white walls and uses wood and stone for a more distinct appearance.

Home Architecture Modern City Escape: Imposing House on the Hill in Lima

Modern City Escape: Imposing House on the Hill in Lima

Surrounded by nature elements, the massive crib makes for a great city escape. Diversity is the key attribute for this contemporary home design: “Although this project has many different languages, themes and spaces, we managed to find a a way to create harmony. By extensive use of glass, the environment is also integrated in the scheme and many different elements can become one“. Enjoy the virtual tour and let us know what you think! [ Photography: Juan Solano]

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Blue- A home decor trend to watch

It seems like only yesterday I wrote my 2013 home decor trends post, and I've already looked at Pantone's Colour of the year, Radiant Orchid, and suggested ways to integrate this vibrant colour into your decor. What else can we expect in the coming year?

While Radiant Orchid is Pantone's colour of the year, I think it will be the blues that will take over the stage in 2014. Joan Mitchell had this all figured out in her 1972 painting! She painted the best blues ever and these are the ones you'll be seeing more of in 2014.

Joan Mitchell, “Blue Territory,” 1972

And here's a modern interpretation of the darker side of blue...

A range of blues for 2014

This year the popular blues are much deeper leaning toward cobalt and navy. But what can you put with so much blue?

Add yellow as an accent in 2014

Gold accents work well with navy blue and cobalt

And don't forget vibrant oranges or greens with dark blues. The sky is the limit with this colour. I thought the art work in the mood board above gives lots of accent choices.

navy blue cobalt blue 2014 trend Designing Home

Versatile green blue looks great with white and radiant orchid

And never forget that blue has a green side that mixes with all sorts of colours especially the pinkish purples like Radiant Orchid. That way you can bet two trends for the price of one. Think turquoise, aqua and any blue you may see on a Caribbean holiday.

Benjamin Moore highlighted the lighter side of blue for their 2014 Colour of the year. It is reminiscent of summer breezes blowing lightly under a pale sky. Cool and inviting and perfect for a summer house or a spa retreat.

It seems all versions of blue are hot this year. Is there blue in your future?

A Wonderful Retreat in Austria by Hohensinn Architektur

Hosensinn Architektur designed House M, a wonderful retreat in the picturesque region of Bad Aussee, in Austria. The inspiring fresh landscape and the imposing mountains guarding from afar compliment the neat appearance of this dwelling. An interesting blend of rustic and contemporary, the house connects the inhabitants with the outdoors, at all levels. Openness, tranquility and transparency play a key role in compiling a harmonious living environment. The sloping plot determined the structure of the house, with the living areas on one side and the terraces on the other.

The best thing about this place is that it has a positive effect on the inhabitants, charging them with energy. The floor-to-ceiling windows allow you to explore the outdoors from the intimacy of the living room. “The concept of openness and enactment of the outside area are thus made tangible and intensified throughout the building. The delicate façade design is completely of wood, albeit continuing fragmentarily in front of the glazing and thus creating the semblance of a filter.” The breeze of the countryside can be experienced from every single corner of the house.