Leo Martínez
There are many considerations to make when it comes to interior decorating. For example, should you furnish your home before or after you paint it? The order in which you do this can impact the colour scheme of your home. There are also many different terms for the processes involved in painting and decorating, such as scuff sand/prep sand, antiquing, distressing, buffing, and curing. Additionally, there are different job titles for people who paint furniture, such as furniture painter, furniture finisher, and decorator.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Person who paints furniture | Furniture painter, furniture finisher |
| Person whose job involves decorating rooms | Decorator, designer, interior designer |
| Process of removing paint from specific areas of furniture | Distressing |
| Process of preparing a chalkboard for lettering/art | Seasoning |
| Process of levelling out residue or excess wax | Buffing (or polishing) |
| Process of restoring an old piece to its original wood state | Furniture restoration |
| Process of maintaining the integrity of the original wood finish | Furniture refinishing |
| Process of making a piece of furniture appear aged | Antiquing |
| Process of roughing up the surface before painting | Scuff sand/prep sand |
| Product that provides adhesion and stain-blocking properties | Primer |
| Resin from the lac bug in India and Thailand | Shellac |
| Paint that fails to adhere to the surface | Chipping/chippy paint |
| Paint that is unable to be seen through | Opaque |
| Paint that is watered down and able to be seen through | Translucent |
| Product applied to protect furniture from wear and tear | Topcoat |
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What You'll Learn
Painting before or after furnishing
Painting a room is a popular project for DIY enthusiasts and professional renovators. It is quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive way to transform your home. However, one of the biggest dilemmas people face when painting a room is whether to paint before or after furnishing it. There are valid arguments for both approaches.
Painting Before Furnishing
Some people prefer to paint a room before furnishing it for several reasons. Firstly, it is easier to paint an empty room than to work around furniture. You can move freely and not worry about accidentally getting paint on your furniture. Secondly, if you paint first, you can set the colour direction for the room, which will guide your furniture choices. It is more versatile and less expensive to change the paint colour to match your furniture than the other way around. Finally, painting first ensures a fresh finish for your room, as you can paint and tidy up window sills, door frames, and skirting boards without worrying about messing up your furniture.
Painting After Furnishing
On the other hand, some people argue that furnishing before painting allows you to truly see how colours, patterns, and textures match and complement each other. If you have furniture with bold or eccentric colours or unique pieces that are irreplaceable, it is easier to choose a paint colour that complements them rather than trying to find furniture that matches your walls. Furnishing first can also make it easier to envision your desired room, as you are not starting with a blank canvas. Additionally, if you don't like how a piece of furniture matches your walls, you can always move it to another room, but changing the paint colour can be more tedious and costly.
There is no definitive answer to whether you should paint before or after furnishing a room. It depends on your personal preference, the furniture you have, and your overall design vision. However, by considering the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your specific circumstances. Remember to properly prepare the room, use the appropriate tools and safety gear, and follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the best results.
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Furniture painters
A person who paints furniture is commonly referred to as a furniture painter or a furniture finisher, especially if they work in a shop where they make or repair furniture. The term 'furniture finisher' is also used to refer to the person who paints wooden trim in houses. Furniture painters can work in various departments, such as final sanding, staining, and top coating. They may use different techniques and products to achieve specific finishes, such as antiquing, chippy paint, or a crackle finish.
Some companies offer custom furniture painting services, allowing clients to provide a colour palette and images for inspiration. These services can bring new life to old furniture pieces, updating their colour or simply refreshing their appearance.
There are also individuals who specialise in painting furniture, such as Tanglewood Sue, who offers custom furniture designs and teaches clients how to upcycle their furniture using paint.
In addition to furniture painters, there are furniture makers or cabinet makers who create the furniture, and carpenters who build houses. Decorators, designers, or interior designers may also be involved in the process of furnishing a space, selecting colours, fabrics, and furniture styles to create an aesthetically pleasing environment.
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Furniture finishers
A person who paints furniture is often called a furniture painter or a furniture finisher. Furniture finishers work in shops where furniture is made or repaired. The finishing department in furniture manufacturing may be broken up into various categories such as final sanding, staining, and top coating.
Furniture finishing involves various processes and techniques. One such process is scuff sanding or prep sanding, which involves using medium-grit sandpaper to roughen the surface of the furniture without removing the existing finish. This step is crucial in preparing the furniture for a new paint finish. Another process is antiquing, which involves applying a dark tinted topcoat, typically in brown, black, or burnt umber, to create an aged look.
Distressing is another technique used in furniture finishing to make a piece of furniture appear older and more weathered. This can be done by removing paint from specific areas, either naturally or through manufactured methods such as using sandpaper. Curing is also an important aspect of furniture finishing, as it refers to the chemical change that paint undergoes during the evaporation process. Paint needs several weeks to cure completely, and during this time, the furniture should be treated with extra care.
Additionally, buffing or polishing is a process used to level out excess wax finishes, increasing the sheen or creating a uniform look. Furniture finishers may also use shellac, a resin derived from the lac bug, as a finish on wood to create a crackle finish or prevent bleed-through. Overall, furniture finishers play a crucial role in the final appearance and protection of furniture.
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Antiquing
To begin the antiquing process, it is essential to prepare the furniture surface. This involves removing any hardware, such as knobs, hinges, and screws, and placing them in a safe location. The next step is sanding, which creates a clean and rough surface for the paint to adhere to. An orbital sander can be used for larger areas, while a sandpaper block or sheet is ideal for cracks and crevices to remove any old finish.
Once the sanding is complete, a thin coat of primer should be applied to the interior, exterior, and doors of the furniture piece. After the primer has dried, it's time to choose the right paint for the desired antique finish. The base colour paint should contrast with the stain colour. For example, dark paint works well with a light stain, while light paint pairs best with a dark stain. It is recommended to use a latex paint with a satin (eggshell) or semi-gloss sheen. Milk paint, chalk paint, and most acrylic paints are not suitable for this technique as they leave a matte or flat finish.
To achieve the antique look, a dark-tinted topcoat or paint is applied over the base colour. Typical colours used for this step include brown, black, or burnt umber. This step can be done using specialised products like antiquing wax to create a unique finish. For a more subtle antique finish, less stain can be removed.
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Distressing
The process of distressing usually involves painting and sanding. The first step is to decide on the desired final look. If you want the piece to look like it has been painted multiple times, you should start with a bright base coat, followed by a darker top coat. If you want the rubbed-off areas to reveal bare wood, you only need to apply one coat of paint.
After painting, the piece is then sanded to create a distressed effect. This involves using medium-grade sandpaper to rough up the surface and create a well-worn patina. The key is to sand randomly, focusing on areas that would naturally get bumped or scratched over time, such as corners or places where hands would have held it. You can also use steel wool to rub off paint in certain areas, creating a unique finish.
There are also other distressing techniques that can be used, such as the candle technique, the wet paper technique, and the dry brush technique. The candle technique involves rubbing a candle over the surface of the furniture before painting, creating a resist that allows the paint to be lifted off later. The wet paper technique involves dipping small pieces of paper in water, placing them onto the wood, painting over them, and then lifting them off to create a distressed look. The dry brush technique involves using a very dry brush with hard bristles, dipping it into paint, and then skimming off the excess. You then paint in fast motions, keeping the strokes in different directions, to create an aged and scratched appearance.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to paint a room before furnishing it. Painting around bulky items can be difficult and may damage the furniture.
A person who paints furniture is called a furniture painter or a furniture finisher.
Distressing is the process of making a piece of furniture appear aged and older by removing paint from specific areas, giving it a "weathered look".
It is important to clean the surface of any dirt, grime, or surface contaminants before painting. This can be done using denatured alcohol or a mixture of trisodium phosphate (TSP) and water. Additionally, scuff sanding can be done to rough up the surface and break the seal on the existing finish.
