Step away from the chalk paint!
Over the past decade or so, we've seen the emergence of the upcycling trend. In theory, this is something I advocate as a way of avoiding items being taken to the tip. Upcycling is a way of taking old, damaged furniture and returning it to use for pride of place in our homes. However, there is also a darker side to this and this is why I have to state: step away from the chalk paint! Don't get me wrong, I've dabbled in chalk paint. I found an orange pine unit from the 80's and painted it so it was more in fitting with our decor. I believe in doing so, we add not just longevity but value to the piece that is being upcycled. There seems to be a new trend of taking furniture that is in excellent condition and reduce it to a chalk paint disaster. The most recent examples are an Arts and Crafts bookcase painted in a "shabby-chic" white, a beautiful Victorian inlaid unit bastardised with grey paint and glitter and a Franco Albini rocking chair painted with garis