Wall Decorations
After Christmas it can be hard to know exactly what to do with the cards you have received and any leftover wrapping paper. Sometimes you can receive some really nice looking cards that you just don’t want to throw them away but at the same time it seems a real shame to keep them in a box somewhere in the back of a cupboard. The same can be said about wrapping paper, you can get some really pretty ones that it does seem a shame to use them as wrapping paper only to be ripped off the presents and chucked away not to see the light of day again.
However if you think outside the box then it is quite easy to find some uses for both cards and wrapping paper. My favourite use for cards is as wall decorations; you can either put them in picture frames and dot them around the house or why not make a collage out of them. Buy a big frame and arrange the cards in it, this way you can easily group the cards.
With wrapping paper I find the best way to display it is to place it on a frame or even a box lid, simply wrap the frame with the wrapping paper and there you have it. An individual wall decoration that you can place anywhere in your home to help brighten up a plain wall or add a bit of contrast or texture to a room.
This principal can also be used with birthday cards or a variety of everyday items. I’ve seen it done with samples of carpets, very similar to wall hangings, or even with pressed flowers for a bouquet that has sentimental value. The only limit to what you can make to brighten up your walls is your imagination.
How to turn your old furniture into vintage white furniture
With the economic climate being the way it is at present, more people than ever are likely to be looking at ways in which they can effectively recycle things rather than simply getting rid of them, as they look to find ways of making savings. One of the things that can be very effectively recycled – with a bit of know-how – is furniture. It is possible to take unwanted old wooden chairs, sideboards and other items of furniture, and turn them into appealing vintage white items.
The fist stage is to prepare the surfaces of the furniture that you wish to paint. This involves taking off metalwork, handles, hinges and anything else, which will interfere with the painting process. Next you need to strip the existing paint or varnish – depending on what the current surface covering of the furniture is. Different people will use different materials for this task, but a couple of popular options are either a liquid remover like Nitromors, or alternatively, sandpaper. They will probably work equally well, but on furniture with more detail on the surface, a liquid remover will be better. Be careful when using a removing solution such as Nitromors however, as it is just as effective at removing skin as paint or varnish.
Once you have sanded the surface and washed it down with warm water to get rid of dust, the next stage is to begin painting. Sometimes you will need to put on a coat of primer, but this will depend on the condition of the furniture. If the wood is in good condition you can just put two coats of white paint on it, with a grey paint over that. One effective option in terms of shades of paint is Matchstick White for the undercoat, with Pavilion Grey as a topcoat. Make sure the paint is applied in line with the grain and do not apply too thickly.
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Furniture is something that you’d live together with for a long time and it is also the biggest investment for your entire house. This is why you must be very careful in selecting the best furniture for your house. There are more things you should be concern with other than your own preferences. So here [...]