DIY projects can be great fun. They can also be a wonderful way to revitalize your home for next to nothing. If you have old pieces of furniture at home that are in need of some TLC why not turn them into your latest project. You could re-upholster your old wing back or bring some life back into those old kitchen chairs with a decoupage technique.
Decoupage is when you decorate an item by sticking prints, posters or paper to them. It is inexpensive and fun. Here are some tips on how to decoupage a chair.
What you will need:
1.Chair or other furniture piece
2.Cleaner
3.Plain paper for template
4.Pencil
5.Art print or poster
6.Scissors
7.Glue or decoupage medium
8.Foam brushes
9.Water source
10.Sponge
11.Brayer (hand roller)
12.Polyurethane
Step 1. Start off by cleaning the chair very well, if there are any scratches,nicks or dents fill them in with an appropriate material. Then use the plain paper to trace and cut out a template of the surface you wish to decoupage.
Step 2. Use the template you have made to cut out the section of art print or poster you want to use, remember to use a good quality print. Don’t use something so thin that it will tear or crease when wet, make colour copies on thicker paper if necessary.
Step 3. Apply enough glue to the surface of the chair you are working with, don’t allow it to dry. Soak your art print or poster in water for no longer than 10 seconds. All this does is allow your paper to mould to the chair more easily.
Step 4. Position your picture carefully and stick it to the area you are busy with. Keep your hands, brayer and sponge damp as you use them to work out any excess water, glue or bubbles. Start from the centre and work your way out. Leave it to dry overnight and occasionally check for any bubbles that may form later.
Step 5. Apply about 5 coats of acrylic polyurethane with a sponge brush, more or less one coat an hour. This will seal your picture and offer it some protection from day to day use.
Before you use your newly decoupaged furniture make sure it is completely dry. Now all you need to do is enjoy your new chair and try and figure out where you are going to put it.
