What to paint
with TESS NEWALL
Lesson 7 of 32
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You can decoratively paint almost anything, and the techniques you will learn in this course can be applied to so many different projects. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.
From the Lesson Workbook
What to Paint
You can decoratively paint almost anything, and the techniques you will learn in this course can be applied to so many different projects. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.
Furniture
This course focuses on painting wooden furniture and accessories, although the skills are transferable to other materials.
There are a few different ways to acquire a piece of furniture to paint.
- Upcycle an inherited piece of furniture.
- Source something secondhand from antique fairs or charity shops.
- Buy a new piece of furniture.
I would recommend starting with something small and building up your skills and techniques before going for something bigger.
Types of furniture you could try are:
- chair
- side table
- shelves
- bookcase
- chest of drawers
- sideboard
- grandfather clock
- bed frame
Ideally, you want the furniture to be unpainted, otherwise, it will need stripping and sanding back which massively increases the amount of prep time required.
Small Household Items
This could be:
- candlestick
- lamp base
- picture or mirror frame
Lampshades
I would recommend using card lampshades - I like the Parchment Card lampshades from Vaughan.
Architectural Details
When first beginning to paint your home, it can be a good idea to start with the more contained details such as:
- fire surrounds
- window frames
- panelling
- fitted furniture
- architrave
- kitchen cabinets
Walls
Once you're ready to move onto walls, the possibilities are endless.
- A circus tent-style mural is a good first project.
- Simple stencil patterns.
- Organic murals.
Murals vs. Wallpaper
Choosing to paint a mural rather than opting for wallpaper enables you to work with the architecture of your space. You can adapt the pattern to fit within awkward spaces, and even create beauty out of otherwise difficult to decorate areas. In terms of affordability, paint is much cheaper than wallpaper making it a budget-friendly option.
Sourcebook
Places to source antique furniture
Ardingly Market
Kempton Market
Manufacturers of new furniture
Scumble Goosie
Rowen and Wren
Craft Mill
Hobbycraft
Tess Newall paint your own chair kit
Tess Newall paint your own lampshade kit (now ready to buy!)
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Your Instructor
Tess Newall
Acclaimed artist and set designer specialising in hand painted homewares and decorative painting.
Tess Newall is a decorative artist based in Sussex, specialising in hand-painted bespoke murals and furniture. Following a decade of experience as a set designer and painter in the film industry, Tess has mastered how to bring a creative vision to life. She often draws on historic patterns and aims to capture an artisanal feel, where textures and brushstrokes add to the atmosphere of a room or to the character of a furniture piece. Tess and her studio team work with interior designers and private clients on bespoke commissions for both commercial and residential projects, as well as collaborating on homewares collections with brands including Liberty and Matilda Goad.
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