Rescue, Restore, Redecorate

Starred review from May 7, 2018
Howard (A Maker’s Guide), who sells her own brand of furniture restoration products, shares tricks of the trade in this practical, in-depth guide to refurbishing furniture. Through common projects involving chairs, dressers, lamps, and other decor, Howard instructs readers on 17 useful techniques for restoring family heirlooms and making the most of flea market finds. She clearly shows how to prep items, paint, add patina, age mirrors and surfaces, and apply lacquer to items in order to create a piece that transcends “crafty.” In one instance, she transforms a humdrum Selznick cabinet found in a heap of trash by painting it a bright blue with a high-gloss lacquer and adding antiqued mirror panels to the drawers. When sprucing up a dingy lamp shade with stripes, Howard recommends diluting chalk-based paint with warm tap water to ensure light still penetrates the shade. Her step-by-step instructions are clear and practically foolproof, with tips for avoiding common pitfalls. Though Howard’s products are prominently featured throughout, this not a work of shameless self-promotion, but an essential guide to DIY restoration and antiquing. Color photos.