A Tale Of A Sideboard With A Splash Of My Ethos

Hi All,

This weeks blog post is an insight into my ethos and a story of a sideboard.

I strongly believe in running Vintage Fairy Garden as eco-friendly as possible. Most of the furniture I purchase to up-cycle has been saved from landfill and generally has a good age to it. This means they're good quality, mostly solid wood and far better that the majority of modern furniture available today. However they're just not the look that people want these days.

Last week I came across a stunning sideboard in a charity shop. It was beautifully made in Indonesia and was a heavy, solid wood with absolutely no chipboard in sight. 

Very often from the moment I see a piece I tend to instantly know what colour I would like to see it finished in. In this case it was Linen, one of the colours in our range of Grand Illusions Chalk paints. All Grand illusions Paints are Eco-Friendly as well as being non toxic to children and animals. 

Grand Illusions Linen

To begin the upcycling process I removed the metal handles and set about painting it. Most projects normally take two coats, but if it’s a light colour on a dark piece three costs are often necessary. Once the third coat had dried I distressed the sideboard by rubbing the edges with sandpaper. Finally it was finished with a Polyvine flat matt furniture varnish which seals the paint and adds protection from spillages.

When the Sideboard was finished I advertised it on social media and within a few days it had been snapped up by a buyer and was off to its new home. This story relates to the majority of the furniture that I up-cycle.

I also do commission work, so if you have a treasured piece of furniture that you are reluctant to let go, why not give it a new lease of life, by getting me to freshen it up for you. 

For commission work please send me and email, with a picture, to sue@vintagefairygarden.co.uk or call me on 07736365993

If you feel inspired to try an up-cycling project yourself, then check out our Grand Illusions Paint and products and give it a go.

Grand Illusions Range

If you not sure then sign up for a zoom class with me, available to purchase here.

Upcycling Paint Classes

Best wishes
Sue x