Painted Furniture: Simple Techniques for Fresh, New Looks

Rating:
Summary: There are better books out there
Review: I bought this book along with "Painting and Decorating Furniture" by Sheila McGraw. While this book did inspire some ideas, most of the projects aren't very exicting and the tips are common sense. I like "Painting and Decorating Furniture" by Sheila McGraw much better. She gives really good tips that aren't common sense (like using chaulking to create raised effects).

Rating:
Summary: Not really what I thought it would be
Review: I thought this book would be a simple "how to" book. It offers several projects; many look pretty darn complicated for the person looking for "simple techniques" as the title suggests. I was pretty disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Good for technique, not so good for inspiration
Review: I was looking for some inspiration, but the furniture was pretty
uninteresting. Only the cover piece was at all bold -- everything else pretty predictable.

Rating:
Summary: fabulous reference for techniques and inspirations
Review: If you've ever been to a flea market and seen whimsical painted furniture, you've probably said to yourself, "That is so cute! I wish I could do something like that!" Now you can! Ranging from the country-craft, cheesy look to the artsy-fartsy weird, this book shows you in clear, up-close photos how to prepare either new raw furniture or old beaten-up pieces for glazing and decorative painting.

The book includes step-by-step instructions on how to create your own stencils and despite what your painting ability is, you'd be amazed what you can do.

Projects range from the extremely simple to the highly adventurous, but all are possible to do. A photo spread of tools used and techniques how to use them are shown... even how to remove mildew from old furniture! All the materials found in this book can be acquired at a hardware store, art/hobby store, and many items you have laying around the house.

This book gets right to the point and there is no fluff, just the information you need and detailed, well-shot photographs.

Rating:
Summary: There are better books out there
Review: This is the most useful book I've seen on painting furniture. Though these are not "quickie" projects, each is full of good information. Obviously the author really knows her stuff, and the information on preparing furniture for decoration is solid. I used some of her techniques to start off a piece and it came out wonderfully. Please write some more books, Diane!

Rating:
Summary: Book filled with originality and technique
Review: This is the most useful book I've seen on painting furniture. Though these are not "quickie" projects, each is full of good information. Obviously the author really knows her stuff, and the information on preparing furniture for decoration is solid. I used some of her techniques to start off a piece and it came out wonderfully. Please write some more books, Diane!