Decorative Painted Projects for the Home

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Your friends and family will love how beautiful every room looks with the decorative painted accents you've created. Any of the more than 30 projects would also make a very special gift that will be cherished through the years. The designs are cheerful and eyecatching; apply them to different surfaces, from wood to glass to slate. Gather the easy-to-obtain supplies you need and learn the basic techniques, then pick up a brush to begin! Isn't it amazing that you can paint a stunning piece in an afternoon? This is the type of craft that's easy to master as a beginner yet will keep you challenged creatively the more you practice it. Traditional hurricane lamps with the warm glow of a candle emanating from inside still appeal to us today. Yours will also have a bright and joyful look. Frost the bottom two-thirds of the glass and add a sunny daisy garland around the perimeter. The finished lamp will fill that empty space on the mantle or lend personality to a small table.

There's something about an elegantly decorated table that turns any meal into an enchanting occasion. Set off your dinnerware and glasses with magnificent place mats, enhanced with sumptuous violets and wild roses. Whether it's just a simple lunch or an evening gettogether with guests, you'll take even greater pleasure in whatever you're serving. Where we live is our refuge from our busy, hectic lives and it feels so comforting the minute we step inside the front door. Celebrate how much you treasure the place where you spend happy times with your family and quiet time by yourself by embellishing a little cabinet with reminders of your house and the phrase, "There's no place like home." It will be practical, too, if you store little knickknacks inside, like your keys. When the weather's nice, it's great to be outdoors in the yard or garden as much as possible. And so there's no reason why you can't decorate it just like you would any room. Take a thermometer, for instance, and glue it to a piece of slate upon which you've painted exquisite orange and yellow nasturtiums. From country chairs to zoo bed accessories, these whimsical designs will add a special touch to your decor.

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