– Vintage dressing table – Mouse sander – Sanding sheets 80 grit through to 400 grit – Varnish stripper – Lead testing kit – Mask & goggles – Gloves – Basic tools eg screwdriver, spanner – Wood filler – Wire wool – Ketchup and vinegar – Paint – Brushes – Wallpaper paste – Small plastic roller – Wallpaper – Ruler/ Measuring tape
Step 1: Preparation (Stripping & Sanding)
I used a varnish stripper for the really stubborn stuff and then I sanded it down using an electric mouse sander – starting with a coarse 80 grit and working through to a finer 180 grit.
Step 2: Repairs
The next step was to address the minor repairs needed. I used a wood filler to fill in any scratches and dents. Once it was dry, I sanded off the excess using a medium grade sandpaper.
Step 3: Reviving the Hardware (this is where the Ketchup comes in!)
Next, I unscrewed all the hardware and dumped it into a potent marinade of tomato ketchup and vinegar.
Step 4: Painting
And now for the fun part – painting! Paint is a personal choice. Like many furniture painters however, I LOVE Fusion Mineral Paint.
Step 5: Decoupage
Once painting was complete and the paint had dried, I decoupaged the drawer fronts. Again, adhesive and paper are down to personal preference. I usually use wallpaper when decoupaging furniture.