From antiques to midcentury pieces, family heirlooms to funky flea-market finds, Christophe Pourny is ready to teach readers everything they need to know about the South of France and history of furniture-as well as how to restore, update, and care for their furniture. The heart of the book is an overview of Pourny's favorite techniques-ceruse, vernis anglais,and water gilding, among many others-with full-color step-by-step photographs to ensure that readers can easily replicate each refinishing technique at home. Pourny brings these techniques to life with a chapter devoted to real-world refinishing projects, from a veneered table to an ebonized desk, a gilt frame to a painted northern European hutch. Rounding out this comprehensive guide is care and maintenance information, including how to properly clean leather, polish hardware, fix a broken leg, and replace felt pads, as well as recipes to make your own wax, shellac, varnish, stain, and more. A Wall Street Journal Top 10 Crucial Home & Design Book for Beginners A Library Journal Best Book of the Year An Amazon Best Book of the Month
