Makeover magic

Home-Dzine in association with Lotters Pine show you how easy it is to transform ordinary raw, pine furniture into treasured pieces you would be proud to have in your home. In this project we transform a plain pine cupboard - or bedside table - into a antique-finish chess cabinet.

 

YOU WILL NEED:
Look for a nice cupboard that is fairly free from knots and defects
Bosch orbital sander and 240-grit sandpaper (only if needs sanding down)
Clean cloth or small sponge
Woodoc Gel Stain - 4 colours
Woodoc 10 sealer
Woodoc Oak concentrated stain
Woodoc Fine Steelwool
Paintbrush
Tape measure
Self-adhesive vinyl
Scissors
Craft knife
Steel ruler
Cutting board

HERE'S HOW:

Preparation
Before staining, check that the piece does not need a light sanding and wipe clean once finished.

1. Measure the top of the cupboard and cut a piece of self-adhesive vinyl to fit.

 

2. Draw your design onto the back of the vinyl. For this project I used an antique compass design that you can copy.

3. Place the vinyl onto the cutting board and cut out the shapes with a sharp craft knife.

4. Starting at one corner, slowly peel off the backing and stick the vinyl to the top of the cabinet. Rub out any air bubbles - the vinyl must be completely flat on the surface. You can always lift and re-position.

5. Squeeze a blob of stain onto a scrap piece of wood - or a paper plate. I used the scrap wood so that I could choose the best stain colours for the project.

 

6. Using a clean cloth or small sponge, start to apply the gel stain to the top of the cupboard. I started with the lightest stains and finished off using a paintbrush and ebony gel stain to outline the circle at the centre.

7. Once dry you can lift off the vinyl stencil.

8. Open a tin of Woodoc 10 and add the oak stain concentrate. Mix well and continue to mix whilst using to ensure a consistent colour. It's easier to close the tin and give it a good shake.

9. Apply the first coat over the entire unit, starting at the top and brushing from one side to the other for an even layer. let dry.

10. Use Woodoc FINE steelwool to lightly rub over the entire cupboard. Don't rub too hard or you will spoil the stencilled design - you only want to remove any excess sealer that is on top of the wood.

 

11. Wipe clean and apply the second coat. Once dry, apply the third and final coat.