Help for your painted furniture projects

Hi, I'm back and hoping to be a bit more consistent here!! Thanks to those of you who noticed that I've not been blogging much these last few weeks and contacted me. I really appreciate hearing from you. I've still been working and painting - updating Instagram and Facebook. Both those social media forums seem much more connective than blogging - so few people leave comments here these days but there's lots of interaction on those channels.  Is blogging passe these days?

Last week I received a lovely email that reminded me that all the effort I put into maintaining this blog is worthwhile. 

Kelly wrote:

Hi Fiona

I have been reading your blog for a while and want to thank you for your generous tutorials and information.  I recently painted an old chest of (orange) pine drawers for my niece - they were actually mine when I was growing up.  I followed all your advice, instructions and recommendations from start to finish even when the guys at Bunnings tried to talk me out of it and it came up perfectly.  There is quite a lot of pressure when you are doing something like this for someone else.  My sister and niece love it and it was nice to know that something from my childhood will be used for hers.  It is by no means a family heirloom or beautiful antique piece but still a nice feeling.  

It is hard when you are looking for advice/direction as most of the diy bloggers are in the US and the products are not available here or really really expensive - I genuinely believe that you offer the best advice in Australia and I know that I have really appeciated it.  I am sure I am not the only one.

Thanks again.  I look forward to continuing to read about your work.

Cheers

Kelly

I love hearing that I've inspired someone to pick up a paint brush and transform a piece of old furniture into something beautiful again. 

If you want some help with painting furniture or solving paint problems then these tutorials below might help you.

My furniture painting guide 

How to buy Vintage Furniture - what to look for

Choosing Paint for Furniture

Choosing a good brush

Cleaning your old brushes

Solving Problems when Painting Furniture

and this post is always popular as lots of people don't want a shabby chic look but want to use ASCP Chalk Paint or other brands. 

How to get a smooth undistressed finish when using chalk paint

Here's a lovely comment about this post.

"After trawling the net and watching you tube videos researching Annie Sloan and home made chalk paints, I had all but changed my mind on using it it - after seeing several pieces of furniture on you tube ending up looking like my grandchildren had already been using them as climbing frames the whole "shabby" thing really put me off.

I'm painting my bedroom wardrobe and dressing table BECAUSE they look shabby and I want them to be clean and bright and new! However your page has convinced me to buy a tin tomorrow. I hope my furniture will look as pristine (at least for a while) as yours does. No doubt it will not be long before they do begin to look like everything else in my house - including myself ie both shabby and distressed. Thanks for your great advice and by the way I think Annie owes you a few complimentary tins of paint for promoting her great product in the way that the vast majority of people will actually want to use it!"

Hope you have a lovely weekend.

I'd love to hear what you are up to and if you are painting anything today

Fiona