Furniture Makeovers

March 18, 2013
Blair was a stay-at-home mom who took advantage of naps and early bedtimes to start something spectacular. Her first project was painting kitchen cabinets; then she moved on to refinishing furniture from thrift stores. Today she owns Knack Studios in South Carolina. Her amply illustrated book shows why her repurposed furniture is in demand. The variety of techniques she describes in illustrated detail is eye-opening—24 of them, ranging from the expected, like stripping and sanding, to the inspirational, such as adding wallpaper. Little tips abound: use an overhead projector to display an image for tracing onto a piece of furniture; e-mail artwork to an office supply store to print instead of buying a pack of expensive transparencies for use at home. She saves the best—before and after photos—for last. The designer, who gives a name to each piece, is exceptional. The only question is: can the average home redecorator absorb her artsy knack by following directions in a book? If anyone can teach the way, Blair can. 300 color photos.