Furniture Makeovers: 1 Chest, 3 Ways

A pretty bird wallpaper creates the look of an artist-painted chest without all the muss and fuss. A coordinating striped wallpaper gives the top a custom finish.

Stop at your local paint and wallpaper store to start your search for the perfect patterns to use. We used coordinating prints from Pierre Deux (www.pierredeux.com). The prints include Oiseaux de paradis (bird print) in stone and Eclair (stripe) in stone.

Other papers also can work for this project. Consider using gift-wrap paper, fine-art paper, old prints, artwork, and greeting cards. The paper you use depends on the style you want to achieve and the size of the piece you want to cover. Smaller paper pieces can be pieced for a fun effect. Just make sure to seal any paper surfaces to prevent damage from use.

The trick is to plan the patterns for the prettiest effect. Test the placement of a paper pattern by using a repositionable adhesive on the back. The paper you use should also provide the color cues for the paint used on the rest of the chest.

Paint the chest first, sanding between coats for a smooth finish. Apply the wallpaper. Seal the wallpaper and paint all surfaces using an acrylic sealer.