Turn drab antiques into vintage chic

From modern to eclectic, whatever your space is, there is always an opportunity to introduce a piece of history to your home.  You can find some gorgeous antiques at affordable rates at local auctions, garage sales, on-line and even in local antique districts.  Toronto's antique district is located at Queen Street West and Roncesvalles and Vancouver's second hand finds can be found on Main Street.  It is truly amazing to see just how much selection and variety is out there! 

Do not be afraid to select pieces that are in shabby shape, the idea is to transform the furniture from its current state and bring it up to modern standards; nevertheless, the pieces should maintain an antiquated quality to them.

Whether you decide to take on the transformations yourself or leave it to the professionals, make sure you know exactly what you want the pieces to end up looking like.  For the feminine and French inspired white lace look, consider painting out dressers, night tables and other small items in whites, creams or soft grays.  For a rich, exotic and gothic look, choose dark plum tones, charcoals, and shades of black.  Some other refinishing techniques to consider include dry brushing, stippling and other faux-finishing options.

Painting small pieces yourself in a solid color is a great solution to saving big bucks on professional refinishing costs.  Make sure that you have all the proper tools to take on the transformation.  Here are some of the essential steps to doing it yourself:

-Ensure that your piece is sturdy; secure any loose legs, and balance out uneven edges.

-Evenly sand down the existing finish.

-Wipe off all the excess sanding dust with a semi dry cloth.

-Apply a primer (or 2-3 coats of paint).

-Apply your paint color, choose a satin or semi-gloss at the very least if you want a minimal sheen, for additional intensity choose a high-gloss finish. (high gloss looks best on dark tones).

-Apply a clear coloured sealer (be sure to use the same finish as your paint) .

TIP- wait at least an hour between the coats of paint.

On a recent project of mine, I designed a hair salon with a French boudoir inspiration; the premise was that it should look and feel like one's home.  The colors palate is teal and gold, creating a unique amalgamation of the soft and glamorous.  One of the essential elements of the salon was the furniture pieces.  All of which were found at antique stores, and auctions.  I transformed an entire set of authentic French-Provincial sofas and chairs into pieces that suited the salon's design theme.  From mahogany frames, the wood trims where professionally refinished in a gold crackle, while the seats where re-upholstered in lush velvets and mohair fabrics.  Keeping within the opulent and elegant theme of the furniture's authentic style, the look was updated to suit a modern-day space with a vintage inspiration!

Conversation of the week:
Have you refinished any antique pieces?  Share your tips and comments with other readers.