Upcycling how-to: the chair and desk with wow factor

Sponsored by Feast Watson

This makeover by Simone Barter from Style.Life.Home is pretty special, is it not?! She created it for last year’s Feast Watson Re-Love campaign, which this year I am attempting (wish me luck!) and Simone is participating in again. We can’t show you our finished products just yet, so in the meantime find out how she made this beautiful desk and chair…

Products:

• Feast Watson Timber Primer
• Feast Watson Stain & Varnish Black Japan Satin
• Dulux Super Enamel in Tango Semi Gloss
• Dulux Super Enamel in Malay Grey Semi Gloss

Planning:

1. Decide where the furniture item will be placed with the aim to make it work with the rest of the chosen space. In particular, this will affect the colour palette you choose.
2. Choose a desk with a large framework to enable a large workspace. Look for smaller features such as stationery drawers for added utility. Chairs with details are great and make sure that it is also comfortable.
3. Shop around and explore old and loved stores, you never know what you might find or what bargain you could stumble across.

Preparation:

1. Choose colours that will add a wow factor. I chose Feast Watson Black Japan, Malay Grey and Pop of Tango from the Dulux range for a dramatic effect.
2. Prepare the wood by sanding back the old varnish using coarse sand paper.
3. Use finer sandpaper to smooth the timber in preparation for the paint and stain.
4. Make sure all dust is removed prior to coating the furniture.

Achieving your vision:

1. Apply the Feast Watson timber primer and allow to dry.
2. For the desk, make sure you remove all drawers before applying the first layer of Feast Watson Black Japan Stain & Varnish. Build up coats to desired colour. Allow to dry between coats.
3. For the chair apply the Dulux Super Enamel in Tango Semi Gloss then allow to dry.
4. Use painters tape approximately 10cm from the bottom of each chair leg, evenly wrapped all the way around each leg. Then paint the bottom section of each chair leg. Remove the painters tape when the paint is completely dry.

“It all starts with the search,” says Simone Barter. “Shopping in some of my favourite little re-loved stores and finding pieces to re-create.”

NB: Always test colours and stains on an off-cut or inconspicuous area of your piece prior to coating the whole item to ensure you’re happy with the colour.

To find out more about Feast Watson products and their application, visit their website and for inspiration, check out the Feast Watson Instagram.