The example used is a second hand desk that was damaged. To look at, it wasn't much, but painted in a Turtoise Faux Finish, Varnished and new handles, it looked - Rich! Here's the simple 2 basic steps to renew something like this! It's easy!

The supplies that you'll need are pretty simple. You'll need a fat artist brush, a 4" soft haired brush for "feathering" and some wood stain or acrylic dark brown paint.

Gloves and paint containers are optional.

You may want to take a piece of tile or other to experiment the technique prior to trying in on furniture, like seen here below.

The technique to beautify a desk like this, is as simple as the technique shown here below. Nothing more, nothing less, so give it a try on an old end table, a picture frame, or even a jewellery box. If you like the look, think of the possibilites for a dining room set, an old hutch or buffet and the matching sets that can be created. Hope you enjoy this Faux Project.

** If the desk or furnishing you are using has been previously varnished and is dark stained, you may want to quickly sand the piece and prepare it to be painted a light tone of sand, or basically the same color of light wood.

** A light tone base of sand or wood color is needed for this technique.

**If the piece you are using is fresh wood, you may want to seal it a bit with a diluted coat of varnish. Water soluable should be diluted with 1/4 water equal to what is used and if using an oil based varnish, you may want to dilute it with laquer thinner - 1/4 to part of what is used.

PAINT or STAIN Application:

If using dark brown Acrylic Paint, in acrylic, dilute 3/4's cup paint with 1/4 cup water. Mix well.

If using oil base paint or stain, dilute 3/4's cup paint-stain, with 1/4 cup Laquer Thinner (not paint thinner). Mix well

TECHNIQUE STEPS:

Using a thick round artist brush, splatter and dab the paint on a section of the wood, approx. 12" x 12". Let stand for 5 seconds, then  ever so lightly "feather" over the splatters and dabs, in a horizontal sweep, in one direction only. Do this a couple of times to create shades and tones. Do this quickly to spread and over lap the paint.

VARNISH Application:

Water Soluable: For many reasons I suggest a water soluable based varnish. It dries quick so you can apply several coats in one day and complete the project. Sponge brushes or other brushes used to apply the varnish, can be washed directly after use and reused. You'll want to apply at least 5-7 coats. Lightly sand the varnish with a fine sandpaper or steel wool once your third or fourth coat is dried. This will help with a more smoother finish, as varnish can bubble and collect dust while drying.... wipe sanded area for dust with a slightly dampened rag to clean it off prior to adding another coat...( Plus water soluable, is better for our ecological system and wears as well as the oil base.)

Oil Base: When using an oil base product, your first coat needs to be diluted with laquer thinner, so that it can quickly absorb or stick to your base. You must leave this dry for at least 6-8 hours prior to adding more coats. I suggest a coat a day for 5 days. On the fourth day, lightly sand your piece with a fine sandpaper or fine steel wool to remove dust particles and other from the new varnsih surface. Wipe with a slightly damp tag and apply another coat.

Eh Voila!  If uya give it a try, PLEASE leave a Tag or Comment... would love to hear what ya did and how it turned out.

This is a little something to help fellow journallers with adding tables in their journals. (hem hem)

It's a JPG so you can copy it to your files and experiment with the sizes and colors. http://www.webmonkey.com has the biggest selection of color codes that I know of and a ton of other stuff you might find helpful in creating creative and colorful looks for your journals. (the link wi'll open in a new window.... bye for now.....

As promised, I put up a page that gives the basics to make this shelf out of recycled exterior window shutters.  Click Here!

Next project is how to make a great serving tray, from recycled smaller, indoor window shutters! Back in a few days, bye for now.....

The picture of the Shutter Shelf above,  is taken at S.H.A.R.E. Animal Shelters.

As I build the "new website" at http://creativefun.bravehost.com  I'll be adding this fun and easy project for you to get ideas from or try - if you have some older wooden window shutters hangin around somewhere! (cuz that's what I made this shelf out of!!)

Older Wood Window Shutters (big or small) are sturdy and can be recycled into many different things.

Alot of them were even made with maple wood - some of cedar.

You can also use older fold up closet doors, you know the ones with the shuttered look?! These make awesome floor shelves, or even bracketed wall shelves.

I'm figuring out my colors and stuff for this journal and "how" the new site works, so hang in, I'm on it and have a ton of stuff I'll be entering here!