Milford chronicle., 1928-12-28
PAINTED FURNITURE;
OLD AND NEW

By Helen Martin.
Everyone of us has yearned, at
some time or other, to buy most of
the fascinating pieces of painted
furniture and objects dart we see at
j various shops. Brightly painted
hanging bookshelves, gay colored
and decorated shelves, lacquered
magazine racks and sewing tables,
both practical and beautiful, we
know would enliven a dull corner
or enhance the already attractive
appearance of a room. And yet, all
of these things are available to us
I evolved out of old pieces of furni-
] ture that have been tucked away
and forgotten-or from new, un-
painted pieces, which can be bought
for very little and delightfully."- dec
GRATED to belong to any room of
which they become a part. Paint,
enamel and lacquer, with the aid of
one of the many methods of decora-
tion, such as stenciling, decalcom-
ania transfers or antiquing, can
transform the most prosaic piece of
furniture (either old or new) into a
charming household addition.
Preparing the Surface
The condition of the surface to be
either painted. enamelled or lac
quered, in the process OF beautity
ing old or new unpainted pieces,
will determine its preparation. To
begin with, whether previously fin
ished or new unfinished wood, the
surface must be dry and free from
dust and dirt If in good condition,
a thorough washing will suffice.
Where there is any wax or oil
present, it must be removed with
turpentine or other paint thinner.
If the old finish shows tendency
to peel, however it must be removed
with a paint and varnish remover
and the surface made smooth and
clean. If the furniture to be re-
finished has been previously var
nished instead of painted, it will be
necessary to remove the gloss from
such a finish. SpOnging with
strong solution of washing soda and
water will dull the surface; even
better results are obtained by sand
papering. For the most perfect
type of surface for refnishing,
however, the old finish can be taken
off with a remover.
Unfinished wood, whether old or
new, of the open. grained type will
require a paste wood filler. New
furniture, purchased unfinished, is
sometimes already prepared for
painting with a wood filler-and
merely requires cleaning and dust
ing). BY open grained wood it is
meant wood which has open pores,
such as walnut, mahogany, oak and
chestnut. The filler is applied with
a stiff brush directly to the bare
wood, after having been thinned TO
brushing consistency. After it has
set. but not hardened, it should be
wiped off with excelsior. This will
leave the pores filled and the sur
face level
How to Use Lacquer
Lacquer is one of the most desir |
able finishes for furniture and small |
objects, since it is easy to apply and |
dries in such an amazingly short
time. In less than half hour it is |
possible to put newly lacquered
pieces to use.
Lacquer may be used over an old
rs well as new surface, provided
he surface is hard, dry and in good
condition. 1t should never be ap-
llied over surfaces that have been
ecently painted, enamelled or var
lished. and can never be used over
surface previously finished in ma
lOgany stain, as there is a possibil-
ty of the stains bleeding through
md marring the finish.
LACQUER, unlike paint, is flowed