Furniture Update With A Sponge
Sponge glazing is a slap dash painting technique that will instantly transform even the worst looking piece of furniture. The paint mixture is applied with dabs and swirls of a sponge to achieve an overall design in the color of your choice.
Easy Does It
Begin by sanding your furniture until it is smooth to the touch. Apply a base coat of flat, white, enamel paint. To make the glaze, mix one ounce of turpentine with half as much boiled linseed oil and one teaspoonful of oil paint. Add to this a drop of Japan drier. (All of the materials are available in art or hardware stores.) The solution will be thin and semitransparent.
Dip N' Dab
Dip a small, dry sponge into the mixture and dab the color onto one small area at a time, making swirls in the glaze. To add more interest you can also use your fingers to create patterns in the glaze. When you are pleased with the overall effect, let dry for 24 hours.
Protecting It All
Once the glaze is completely dry, apply a coat of clear, high-gloss varnish to all exposed areas. This protects the finish and gives it a shiny glow. And you might like to know, this technique works on walls as well. (Just leave out the last step, varnishing.)
Copyright Leslie Linsley, author
Reprinted with permission, HouseNet, Inc.