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by: Sheila McGraw
Topics include: half overlay, pinch rod, scrolled base, wood movement, furniture glides, rip fence, spindle sander, half mortise, seat blank, fitted drawer, kick space, dust panels, flush fit, woodworking catalogs, wood buttons, overlay doors, slotting cutter, top expands, felt block, stub tenon, your clamps, dado blade, hardwood plywood, router table, miter gauge
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From Library Journal McGraw, whose previous craft books include Papier-Mache for Kids (Firefly, 1991), gives clear, well-illustrated instructions to over 30 furniture decorating projects. She begins with an overview of the materials, equipment, and basic techniques needed for preparing furniture to be decorated and continues with the projects that primarily involve various paint techniques, but she also shows how to refurbish cushioned seats, mosaic a tabletop, and fabric-cover furniture. Although the directions are generally clear, more detailed techniques such as tole painting are better illustrated in Priscilla Hauser's Book of Decorative Painting (LJ 9/15/97). With the variety of projects illustrated, this book will be popular addition to collections whose patrons are looking for how-to books. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to the Hardcover edition. Booklist ...[Q]uite probably, the best general instructions on furniture decoration that exist Joy Kraft, Cincinnati Enquirer 01/03/2004 A good start for beginners with simple, easy-to-follow projects, furniture preparation and materials.
Sandy Guerra-Cline, Fort Worth Morning Star-Telegram, Nov 27, 1999 This is an 'ooh and ahh' book. As in, 'Ooh, look how she made faux stucco seraphims and mud-colored paint look like a million bucks,' and 'Ahh, I didn't know branches and leaves could look so sophisticated.'" Jim Carlson, Country Decorating Ideas, Spring 2000 Armed with this book and some basic paint supplies, you can turn ho-hum furniture into useful and attractive pieces. There's no need to be a gifted craftsperson because the highly organized projects are well-illustrated with step-by-step instructions anyone can follow.
Jennifer Isaac, The Calgary Sun, February 5, 2000 This tome is truly inspirational. After leafing through it, it's easy to see the artistic possibilities within your weary wooden furniture ... [Sheila McGraw's] full-colour photographs detailing each step of the project are extremely helpful for the engineering-challenged.
Reviews:
This is a great book about decorative furniture painting. McGraw gives creative tips and techniques that I hadn't seen in other books, such as using caulking to create raised effects. She also shows you how to create your own block stamps on a roller to create consistent patterns. Although some of the projects aren't my style, many of them employ techniques that I definitely will use. I bought this book along with "Painted Furniture" by Diane Weaver because I wanted to paint some dressers that had been handed down to me and was looking for inspiration. This one is so much better than the Weaver book. I'm inspired to paint my kitchen table and chairs too. I was going to buy new kitchen chairs, but this book had an example of a painted chair that's exactly like mine. One of my chairs is wobbly and has been glued and clamped several times. This book gave me tips on how to really fix it and although I don't care for the floral motif on the example chair, I'm bursting with ideas for mine.
Easy read for beginners: The title is deceptive as the contents is purely for the beginners and a lot of the projects are decoupaging. It would be a plus if the book includes more painting techniques. Thus, this is not a book for the experienced decorator or painter. However, this book will be a good start for beginners who wanted to try their hand at less frightening furniture decoration projects. The projects in this book are not complicated and they come with easy to follow instructions, aided by beautiful photographs.
Good for beginning furniture painters: I would NOT recommend this book if you are an advanced artist looking for new and fabulous furniture ideas. I was disappointed after receiving this book. This book does not contain anything that is "to die for", just the plain ole basics. However, if you are a beginner, this book will give you the basics for step by step furniture preparation and materials. It has good information on tools and lots of materials that are important to the beginner. If you are looking for beautiful old world style, modern or contemorary painted furniture, this book is NOT for you.!! I recommend: "Sophisticated Surfaces" by Karen Aude. It has beautiful professional ideas for walls, floors and furniture. It features professional artists and sample pictures of their painted furniture, walls and floors.
Painting and Decorating Furniture: This is, by far, the best "how to" book I have ever purchased. I was interested in some basics on how to paint/decorate a table & chairs for my Granddaughter and found this recommended book at Amazon.com. Best money I have spent in a while. Loads of interesting (but very simply stated) ideas on LOTS of projects. NOW I know how many of those items I have seen in antique stores and craft shows were created. My Granddaughter's table project is now on the right track. Thanks to this book, I have several other projects planned. Cudos to the author!!