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Furniture Makeovers: Simple Techniques for Transforming Furniture with Paint, Stains, Paper, Stencils, and More




Product Review: Furniture Makeovers by Barb Blair

Product Review: Furniture Makeovers by Barb Blair

Do you have old or boring furniture that needs a new look? Do you want to learn how to transform your furniture with simple techniques and creative ideas? If you answered yes, then you might be interested in the book Furniture Makeovers: Simple Techniques for Transforming Furniture with Paint, Stains, Paper, Stencils, and More by Barb Blair.

In this book, Barb Blair, the founder of Knack Studios and a furniture makeover expert, shares her tips and tricks for giving furniture a fresh and stylish makeover. She covers everything from choosing the right piece, preparing and cleaning it, applying different finishes and embellishments, and styling it in your home. She also showcases 30 inspiring projects that demonstrate how to transform furniture with paint, stain, wallpaper, fabric, decoupage, and more.

In this product review, I will give you an overview of the book, its pros and cons, and my personal opinion on whether it is worth buying or not. I will also provide some keywords that you can use to search for more information or reviews on the book online.

What is the book about?

The book is divided into three main sections: The Basics, The Projects, and The Resources. Here is a brief summary of each section:

  • The Basics: This section covers the essential information and tools that you need to start your furniture makeover journey. It includes topics such as how to choose a piece of furniture, how to assess its condition, how to clean and repair it, how to prime and sand it, and how to choose the right paint, stain, or finish. It also explains the different types of brushes, rollers, sprayers, and other tools that you can use to apply the products. It also gives some tips on how to protect your work area and yourself from spills, dust, and fumes.
  • The Projects: This section showcases 30 furniture makeover projects that Barb Blair has done in her studio. Each project has a before and after photo, a list of materials and tools, a step-by-step tutorial, and some styling suggestions. The projects range from simple to complex, and from classic to modern. Some examples of the projects are: a dresser painted with chalk paint and stenciled with a geometric pattern, a coffee table stained with a dark walnut color and decoupaged with vintage maps, a chair upholstered with colorful fabric and painted with a metallic gold finish, and a bookcase wallpapered with a floral print and painted with a bright yellow color.
  • The Resources: This section provides some useful resources and references that you can use to learn more about furniture makeovers or to find inspiration for your own projects. It includes a glossary of terms, a list of online sources for furniture, paint, stain, paper, fabric, and other supplies, a list of books and magazines that feature furniture makeovers, and a list of blogs and websites that showcase furniture makeovers.

What are the pros and cons of the book?

Like any product, the book has its strengths and weaknesses. Here are some of the pros and cons that I found:

  • Pros:
    • The book is well-written, easy to follow, and full of helpful tips and advice. The author has a friendly and engaging tone that makes you feel like you are learning from a friend. She also shares some of her personal stories and experiences that make the book more relatable and authentic.
    • The book is visually appealing, with high-quality photos, clear instructions, and attractive layouts. The before and after photos are especially impressive and inspiring, as they show how much a piece of furniture can change with some creativity and effort. The book also has a colorful and modern design that matches the style of the projects.
    • The book is informative, comprehensive, and versatile. It covers a wide range of techniques, materials, and styles that you can use to transform your furniture. It also caters to different skill levels, budgets, and preferences. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, whether you want to spend a little or a lot, whether you like traditional or contemporary, you can find something that suits you in the book.
  • Cons:
    • The book is not very original, as many of the techniques and ideas have been done before by other furniture makeover enthusiasts. You can find similar or even better projects online, on blogs, Pinterest, YouTube, or other platforms. The book does not offer anything new or groundbreaking that you cannot find elsewhere.
    • The book is not very practical, as some of the projects require a lot of time, money, and space to complete. You may not have access to the same tools, products, or furniture that the author uses, or you may not have enough room to work on them. Some of the projects are also too complicated or risky to do by yourself, and you may need professional help or guidance.
    • The book is not very realistic, as some of the projects do not look very durable, functional, or comfortable. You may wonder how long the paint, stain, paper, or fabric will last, or how easy it is to clean, maintain, or use the furniture. Some of the projects also look too trendy or quirky, and you may not like them in the long run or in your own home.

What is my opinion on the book?

Overall, I think the book is a good source of inspiration and guidance for anyone who wants to learn how to makeover their furniture or to improve their skills. The book has a lot of positive aspects, such as the quality of the writing, the photos, and the projects. The book also has some negative aspects, such as the lack of originality, the impracticality, and the realism of the projects. However, I think the pros outweigh the cons, and the book is worth buying or borrowing.

Of course, this is just my opinion, and you may have a different one. The best way to find out if the book is right for you is to read it yourself and try some of the projects. You may discover new techniques, materials, or styles that you like, or you may find new ways to customize or adapt the projects to your own taste and needs. You may also have fun and satisfaction in transforming your furniture and giving it a new life.

What are some keywords that you can use to search for more information or reviews on the book online?

If you want to learn more about the book or read other reviews, you can use some of the following keywords to search online:

  • Furniture Makeovers by Barb Blair
  • Furniture Makeovers book review
  • Furniture Makeovers book summary
  • Furniture Makeovers book projects
  • Furniture Makeovers book examples
  • Furniture Makeovers book techniques
  • Furniture Makeovers book inspiration
  • Furniture Makeovers book ideas

I hope this product review was helpful and informative for you.

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