Furniture Upcycling & Restoration Specialization

The stripping technique involves removing paint or varnish from a piece of furniture to give it a different finish or refinish it. In this lesson, we'll teach you how to strip, and we'll practice it on the legs of the chair we're preparing in a Nordic style with dip-dyed paint. You'll see that it's not a difficult technique and allows you to restore the original appearance of the furniture's wood.

Stripping

Small Repairs 1

During the process of restoring or transforming an antique piece of furniture, you'll almost certainly find yourself needing to make some repairs. As you know, this course is introductory, so in this lesson, we'll teach you the most common small repairs you may encounter; those that are easier to perform, such as gluing, retightening screws, and using fillers.

We continue reviewing how to make the most common repairs your projects will require.

Small Repairs 2

Before starting to paint or varnish a piece of furniture, we must ensure that the surface is in perfect condition so that the paint or varnish adheres firmly and thus ensures that it doesn't flake or start to peel off quickly. In this lesson, we'll give you guidelines for optimal surface preparation so that the result of our project is satisfactory and long-lasting.

Sand and Prime

And now it's time! We finally get to the most rewarding part of transforming a piece of furniture: painting and varnishing. In this lesson, we'll start with paint and show you the main types available on the market, the tools to apply them, and the different finishes you can find in paints. We'll also explain some well-known transformation techniques you can use for your project: distressing, lacquering, and dip-dyed.

Paint and Its Finishes

14m

Varnish and Its Finishes

We've already explained almost all the main techniques for restoring or transforming furniture, but we just need to talk a little about varnishes. Traditionally, varnishes are the go-to products for protecting wood, allowing us to see the grain and shapes of the wood. However, as you saw in the previous lesson, we also use them to protect chalk paints, for example. In this lesson, we'll explain the types of varnishes you can find to restore and transform furniture, the finishes you can buy them in, and the possibility of finding them tinted to give a color change to the wood where you apply them.

Care and Maintenance

Having painted furniture is undoubtedly more delicate than simply varnishing it. We'll give you some tips to take care of it and keep it looking just as beautiful for a long time.

Tips to Move Forward with Your Projects

Now that you have your project ready, you'll want to know more: how to move forward, what we can add... Well, in this lesson, we'll give you more tips to keep you growing!

Module 3

Join Lucía Giraudo, an Argentine entrepreneur, as she guides you through the process of recycling and restoring old furniture. Here, you'll learn the art of upholstery and how to give a second life to a chair you no longer use. Lucía will teach you the necessary techniques, from disassembling the piece with the right tools to choosing the perfect materials, both synthetic and natural fibers. Get ready to transform that old seat into a renovated, personalized piece full of style and character!

15 lessons (2h 28m)

Introduction to upholstery

Now I'll give you an introduction to tapestry, a brief historical overview of where it originated and how it has evolved to this day.

Traditional upholstery vs Modern upholstery

When reupholstering a chair, it's important to understand this difference. This way, you'll know what advantages you can and cannot achieve with one upholstery versus another.

Tools and materials

In this lesson I will teach you all the tools and materials you will need to be able to carry out all the steps we will do in our project.

Chair scanner

In this lesson, we're going to analyze the work ahead. To do so, we'll first ask ourselves a few questions.

To disarm

Now we're going to completely disassemble the chair and then begin the recycling and then the upholstery work.

18m

Putty, glue and wash 1

In this lesson I'll tell you how to fill all those holes we left with putty.

Now I'll show you how to glue the loose parts so you can then wash the wood and leave it in its natural state.

Putty, glue and wash 2

Apply webbing and sew springs 1

In this lesson we will look at the fundamental part of a style seat, which is how to attach the straps.

18m

Attach webbing and sew springs 2

In this second part, I'll show you how to tie the springs, creating a seat of great comfort and quality. I'll show you how to place the fabric so it hides all the springs.

17m

The filling 1

In this lesson, I'll teach you how to recover old padding and add new foam rubber.

It's time to show you some tips to help you make the 45-degree cut as neatly as possible. This will be very useful. I'll show you how to position the batting so it fits perfectly with the filling.

Filler 2

Now I will show you how to calculate the fabric and make the patterns.

The cloth

In this lesson, I'll show you how to make a backup. It's a simpler part, and we'll only cover the key points to keep in mind.

The backup

Final Canvas

In this lesson I will show you how to place the final canvas that covers everything.

Studs

In this lesson, I'll show you how to apply finishing touches and share my secret to making them look neat.

Module 4

Immerse yourself in the exciting world of furniture restoration and refurbishment with experts Josefina Alcaino and Guili Rosen of Studio Violette. It's time to discover how to give new life to forgotten furniture. To do so, you'll learn essential techniques for transforming old pieces into true works of art. Josefina and Guili will share their expertise, explaining the difference between restoration and refurbishment, how to choose the right wood, and how to prepare and finish your pieces, from removing varnish and stains to achieving a spectacular finish.

11 lessons (1h 45m)

What is wood washing?

Wood washing is a treatment that removes old varnish, along with stains, scratches, and accumulated dirt, leaving the natural wood exposed. This technique can be used in both restoration and renovation. In this lesson, we'll show you the difference between restoring and refinishing a piece of furniture, as people often confuse the two. Although they may seem like the same thing, the ultimate goal of each is very different. This can also be very important when choosing the piece to work on.

What woods are the furniture made of?

Now, let's look at what types of wood we can find in furniture and understand which ones are washable. This will help you choose a piece for your course project.

Choose and find the furniture

In this lesson, we'll prepare for the project. We'll choose and analyze a piece of furniture before starting work so we can get started.

Tools and materials

We're going to present the elements that are essential for wood washing and, in this way, be able to complete the project.

Preparation of surfaces 1

In this lesson, we'll explore the importance of surface preparation before beginning wood washing. We'll walk you through the best steps to achieve a satisfactory and long-lasting result.

Preparation of surfaces 2

In this second part of the lesson, you'll learn more about the application of some products and their purposes.

Removal of varnish, stains and dirt

In this lesson we will show the main technique of wood washing using gel remover and the tools to remove it.

20m

Washing the furniture with water

Using a brush, bowl, and sponge, we'll clean the entire surface of the furniture with water. We'll remove any remaining product.

Finishing preparation and sanding

In this lesson, we'll teach you how to achieve a good finish. We'll also explain what types of sandpaper and weights are available, and how to use them.

Types of dyes and protections

We'll discuss the types of dyes and protections available, and the condition your furniture needs to be in before you begin this step.

14m

Final finish and details

In this lesson, we'll cover the final details of our furniture: the hardware and care of our future creation.

12m

Module 5

Are you familiar with the endless possibilities chalk paint offers for giving new life to your old furniture and objects? In this module, Neus Iserte from Crea Decora Recicla will share her best tips for carrying out these types of projects. You'll learn in detail the basics of transforming furniture and decorative objects with chalk paint in an easy, fast, and environmentally responsible way.

19 lessons (2h 58m)

What is chalk paint?

There's a lot of talk about chalk paint, but little detail is given to what it actually is. In this lesson, I'd like to explain the details of this product, which will allow you to recycle your furniture and decorative objects in a very simple and beautiful way.

Preparation of the piece

Preparing the piece is essential, especially to achieve the best possible adhesion of the products; it's one of the most important steps when painting furniture. Cleaning is a small gesture that can significantly improve the quality of our work.

Brushes, brushes and paint preservation

There are certain tricks that will help you choose the ideal tool for your job and also preserve your paint as long as possible. In this lesson, I want to share the most important things for me related to these two topics.

19m

What are waxes and how to use them 1

I love waxes, the finish they give, and the creative possibilities they can provide. In this lesson, I want to talk to you about what waxes are, what they're used for, what they look like, and how to use them. I'm sure you'll fall in love with them as much as I do.

What are waxes and how to use them 2

We continue to look at all the aesthetic aspects of wax and very useful tips for its use.

14m

Choosing a style

Often, the challenge isn't actually painting a piece; rather, it's what style or technique I choose to paint the piece. We live in a time where we have so much visual input, and we tend to be "overinformed." This sometimes leads to insecurities about which style to choose for painting.

One of the questions I get asked most frequently is, precisely, "What color should I paint?" There's no single answer to this question, but there are some tips that can help you make the right decision.

Choosing a color

In this lesson, I'll tell you all the materials we'll use to give our dresser a basic style, but one that will give it a completely different look from the original.

Materials

Preparation of the piece and application of paint 1

Next, I'm going to share with you the most important things to know when applying primer and paint to achieve a good result on a piece.

19m

Preparation of the piece and application of paint 2

After letting the drawer dry, we will begin applying the second coat of paint.

Wax

Now I'm going to explain how to wax with clear wax and why I use this type of wax for this piece of furniture.

Finishes

In this lesson, we'll see how the same dresser can adapt to different styles simply by changing the color and handles.

Wood effect

Next, I'm going to show you how to create the simplest and most natural wood effect I know of. We'll simply use wax and a very simple application technique.

Materials

In this lesson, we'll look at the materials you need to use to apply the aged effect to your pieces.

Preparation of the piece and application of the paint

Next, I'm going to share the most important things to know when applying primer and paint to achieve a good result.

Waxed to create an aged effect

Now I'm going to explain how to wax furniture to give it an aged look and make it look as natural and beautiful as possible.

Finally, I'll show you how we can change the color of our finishes simply by applying different waxes.

Waxed finishes

Conservation of the piece and cleaning of the furniture

In this lesson, I'll teach you how to clean your furniture once it's painted and waxed. This is usually a simple process, but one that's relatively unknown.

Next, I'd like to share with you my commitment to the environment. By giving old furniture and other decorative objects a second life, we're all helping to create a much more sustainable world.

Materials and work station

Module 6

It's time to go further! You'll see how to turn an everyday piece of furniture, like a wardrobe, into an artistic creation that will bring joy to your home. With Lucas Rise, you'll learn how to transfer a digital design to a piece of furniture and then paint it by hand. You'll learn the tools and materials needed, from different types of brushes and paints to how to adapt the digital design to the chosen piece and paint it with calligraphy brushes.

14 lessons (2h 1m)

In this lesson, you'll learn the characteristics and how to use calligraphy brushes. I'll also explain the type of paint we'll be using and its qualities.

Types of Furniture

Now, I'll tell you about the different types of furniture and, in particular, the type of format chosen for the final project.

Analysis of decorative designs

In this lesson I will teach you several design styles with different characteristics (curved lines, straight lines, symmetrical, asymmetrical and dynamic).

Colour

In this lesson, we'll learn about the use of color. We'll be able to define a color palette and also create variations of the same design in different shades, thus creating variety and being able to make the best decision based on the desired outcome of the final project.

Taking measurements and proportions of the furniture

In this lesson, I'll show you how to take furniture measurements to generate a digital plan.

Design creation

In this lesson, I'll show you the design creation process for the final project. I'll discuss how to arrive at that design, how the shapes are organized, the colors of each shape, the different ways to combine them, and their rhythms and hierarchies within the drawing. [textbox type=alert]In "Attachments" I'm sharing some designs I've created and the one I worked on for the final project, ready to print. So, you can work with whichever one you want. Choose the one you like best![/textbox]

Design adaptation

In this lesson, I'll show you how to adapt your design to your chosen format. You'll learn how to break down and articulate your design so you can complete all its component parts, including the interior, exterior, and sides.

Surface Preparation

In this lesson we will learn how to prepare the surface, sand it, and apply the first coat of paint.

Design printing and transfer

In this lesson, I'll teach you how to create the file for printing and how to transfer the design to the furniture.

Armed with colors

In this lesson, I'll teach you how to mix colors to achieve the desired tone. Remember that when it comes to color combinations, there's no exact ratio; it's based on your intentions for your final project.

Stroke practice

In this lesson, you'll begin to familiarize yourself with brushes and their movement, following the design parameters and shapes we'll use for the final project. We'll work on both lines and finishes, as well as planes. Before beginning the main painting, we'll use this as an exercise.

In this lesson, you'll learn about the painting sequence and the influence of space on drying. We'll start painting on the side of the furniture with the yellow paint.

Painting 1

In this lesson you will learn more about the painting sequence and we will begin with phase 2.

Painting 2

12m

Furniture care and maintenance

In this lesson, I'll tell you about essential care and maintenance. Remember, it's very important to let your work dry thoroughly after finishing it.

Module 7

Creating unique spaces that positively influence people is the passion of Gema Casado Olea, founder of El Tarro de Ideas. To round off this course with a flourish, in this module, you'll learn how to design a workspace that reflects your essence, following feng shui, without any prior knowledge. Gema, author of three books and presenter of Decoración Creativa, will teach you how to build a desk and a storage drawer that also doubles as a seat, all with your own hands.

13 lessons (2h 10m)

What is the best, what do I need and what do I want

In this lesson, we'll explore the best ways to make your space healthy and radiate joy. You'll also learn how to design your workspace based on your intended use. Finally, we'll explore how to focus on what we like and adapt it to our resources.

Inspiration, expiration

In this lesson, I'll show you my creative process and we'll make a WoodBoard with the materials we have and all the inspiration we've gathered. We'll emphasize the importance of our WoodBoard being physical, so we can touch, feel, and smell the materials. This will provide additional information to the digital format, allowing us to understand the textures, warmth, and thickness of our woods, fabrics, and papers.

We design our space on paper

I'm going to show you how to set up your space and how to draw it to give you an idea of how it will look and, above all, to determine what materials you'll need to build it. We'll make a freehand sketch and break down the furniture so we can use these drawings to go to our wood supplier and tell them exactly what we need. To make the sketch, I'll share some tips with you so you can practice drawing furniture using household resources.

In this lesson I will explain what materials and tools we will need to build our desk.

Materials for the desk

Construction of the desk drawer

In this lesson, we'll build the first part of the desk, what we call the drawer. We'll glue, screw, and paint the drawer, leaving it ready to assemble with its legs.

Construction of the desk drawer II

Part two, building the desk drawer.

18m

Construction of the desk legs

In this lesson, we'll outline the structure of each leg. Then, we'll glue, add dowels to assemble the parts that can't be screwed together, and screw in the remaining pieces.

12m

Construction of the legs of the desk II

Part two, building the desk legs.

Once the drawer and the legs of the desk are made, we will assemble the three parts, screwing the legs to the drawer.

Desktop assembly

Materials for the bank

In this lesson, we explain what materials and tools we'll need to build our storage bench.

Construction of the bank

Building our storage bench is very easy. In this case, we'll use wood glue. If you want to give it extra strength, I recommend adding two or three screws on each edge to reinforce the structure, following the same techniques we used for the desk.

Construction of the bank II

Part two, construction of the bench.