YOUR DREAM HOME Summer, 2023

Your DREAM HOME

EVERYTHING FOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

Cool SUMMER TRENDS

MID-CENTURY GEMS

DIY RESTORATION

OUTDOOR OASIS

BACKYARD UPGRADES

Retro Renewal

How to refinish mid-century modern furniture as a beginner

The lacquer was chipping away from my midcentury modern dining chairs — one of which also had a wobbly leg — when I contacted two refinishers to inquire about a makeover. The estimates they gave were so high that I considered giving up and buying something new. But then I wondered: Could I do it myself? These chairs were not fine antiques after all.

When I asked pros whether refinishing wood mid-century furniture was doable for a novice, I got mixed replies. “Anyone who is willing to put in the time to learn about the process, and practice and perfect the techniques, can get a good result,” said Mary Duffy, who runs Maine Mid Century in York County, Maine. Still others cautioned about the delicate skills and toxic chemicals involved: “I would recommend people pay someone else to do it,” Nicole Gendron, who runs a Massachusetts business refinishing and selling mid-century pieces, said in an email.

But just as these responses varied, so, too, does the complexity of refinishing jobs. Some repairs are straightforward, while others are much more intensive. So, based on guidance from vintage furniture experts, here’s what is — and is not — worth trying yourself.

When to call a pro

There are some refinishing projects for which you will always want to tap an expert.

Anything with issues beyond the finish, such as heavy water damage, missing veneer or significant deterioration — for instance, if a

dog chewed off a portion of a leg — should be handled by a pro, said Bob Kennedy, who teaches refinishing techniques via a subscription Facebook group and co-owns Atomic Age Modern in Mesa, Arizona.

Professional help may also be worthwhile if the piece is an heirloom.

“If you want the best possible job and it really means a lot to you, then I would hire a professional,” Kennedy said. Likewise if you’re dealing with something rare by a well-known designer — say, an Eames molded plywood lounge chair.

The type and style of wood will also determine how beginner-

friendly the project is. Kennedy said American-made walnut pieces are easy to work on, while Danish teak is more delicate, so you’ll need to be extra careful not to sand through the veneer.

Staining maple, Duffy said, is “a nightmare” — which was my cue to take my maple dining chairs to a professional.

If you’re embarking on your first project, you’ll also want to avoid pieces with a lot of tiny corners. While a spindle chair might seem less daunting than a dresser, the large, flat surfaces of a dresser will be easier to tackle than the nooks and crannies of the chair.

When it’s possible to DIY

Get rid of watermarks

If watermarks are your only problem, Gendron suggests Mohawk’s Super Blush Retarder aerosol spray as a quick fix, calling it “the industry secret everyone who owns wood furniture needs to know.”

Move your piece to a wellventilated space, such as the garage, and apply a few light coats of the spray to remove the white moisture marks — no additional finishing required. While there are many tricks and hacks out there for taking care of water rings, Kennedy advises avoiding “home remedies.”

Photo for The Washington Post by Caitlin O’Hara

Bob Kennedy refinishes a vintage cabinet in the workshop of his store Atomic Age Modern.

Revive a tired finish

If you have a piece with a slightly failing finish (think dull coloring and only the lightest scuffs and scratches), you might not need a full refinishing. Instead, try the “scuff and spray” method: Sand lightly with a highgrit sandpaper (at least 400 grit) or a green Scotch-Brite scour pad, then spray on a layer of professionalgrade lacquer. The pros I spoke to recommend the aerosol products sold by Mohawk — more on those below. Remember to always work in a well-ventilated space. “See how it looks,” Duffy said. “If it comes out looking cleaner, it’s perfectly acceptable to stop there.”

Tackle a full refinish

If you can see bare wood or your piece has deep scratches, many water stains or ink marks, you’ll need a full refinish. You’ll strip, sand and potentially address color with stain, glaze, toner or a combination of all three, before finishing with multiple coats of lacquer.

Because both the stripping products and the finishes are harsh, you’ll need a well-ventilated space for your project, Duffy said. “When I say ‘well ventilated,’ I really mean well ventilated, like with a powerful fan,” she said. “And you still need a 3M respirator mask with P100 cartridges.” A garage is ideal, but a covered porch or pop-up tent can work. You’ll also need this space for a while: Kennedy estimates that a standard dresser will take a beginner about 20 hours to refinish.

To strip off the old finish, Duffy recommends a product called Stripwell QCS. Strippers by the Klean Strip brand, she says, are also cheap and effective. After allowing the stripper to do its work, use a putty knife to scrape away the residue.

Once you’ve removed the finish, follow the product’s directions for cleaning the stripper from the wood, then let it dry completely before sanding. Kennedy and Duffy both recommend investing in a random

orbital sander, a tool designed for ultra-smooth sanding that costs less than $100. One of the most common mistakes beginners make is sanding through veneer, so go slowly, the pros say.

Now you’ll apply the new finish to your piece. People often assume that all mid-century furniture was finished with teak oil, Kennedy said, but most was finished with sprayed, toned lacquer. Therefore, you likely won’t want to use teak or Danish oil. “It’s like putting olive oil on a car finish,” Duffy said, adding that if you strip and sand a piece, then put teak oil on it, you haven’t really

established a surface durable enough for everyday use. When trying to achieve a certain color with your new finish, she recommends practicing first on a spare piece of wood. (If you’re unsure which products are right for your item, Kennedy offers free advice in his Facebook group the Mid Century Modern Furniture Refinishing Resource.)

The pros I spoke to advised avoiding the finishes available at hardware and big-box stores in favor of professional-grade options. There are many brands, but for beginners, they recommend those by Mohawk, which offers many of its products in aerosol format, so you won’t need to invest in a sprayer.

When applying the finish, Duffy said, “you need to build up five or six coats to create a really beautiful surface that is strong enough for daily use and will preserve the furniture for another 50 or 60 years.” Let each application dry according to the package directions; in between coats, you’ll need to lightly scuff the surface with high-grit sandpaper.

When to walk away

If your piece is painted, it might not be worth the trouble. Stripping away paint is tedious and timeconsuming, especially for a novice. Even Kennedy says he will no longer refinish a painted piece unless it’s a particularly hot seller. If you’re considering attempting it, he advises asking yourself, “What’s underneath the paint? Did they paint it to hide something?” You could put in hours of work only to discover damage.

On the flip side, if you’re planning to paint a mid-century piece yourself, the experts would encourage you to reconsider. “That trend has irreparably ruined many fine pieces of mid-century furniture,” said Duffy, who points out that most items people think are “beyond repair” and must be painted can, in fact, be refinished successfully.

— The Washington Post

Kennedy touches up a cabinet.

A restored rocking chair and credenza for sale in Bob Kennedy’s store Atomic Age Modern in Mesa, Ariz. Kennedy teaches refinishing techniques for mid-century modern pieces through a Facebook group.

Sweet Retreat

Turn a backyard into your own relaxing respite

Backyards have long been places to unwind and enjoy some peace and quiet surrounded by nature.

Thanks in part to financial instability brought on by rising inflation and measures to tame it, homeowners may decide to forgo traditional vacations in favor of staying home this summer. There’s no better time to invest in outdoor spaces at your home to make them welcoming respites. The following are some ways to accomplish that goal.

Incorporate a water feature

The sound of trickling or bubbling water can make surroundings more serene. A low-maintenance water feature can help to create a calming ambiance. A fountain that

does not require a collection pond will reduce the chance it becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Locating the fountain out of the sun can keep algae growth at a minimum.

Add lights for ambiance

Outdoor lighting options include professionally installed, hardwired lights on the home itself or accent lighting that draws attention to trees or architectural structures on the property. It also may include twinkling lights, which some consider a must-have for any outdoor retreat. Lights come in all types and price points. Hang them on porches, pergolas or cement posts inside decorative planters and then string lights between the posts. This way the lighting can be moved around as desired.

Lounging spots

A comfortable outdoor loveseat or chairs may be a focal point of the yard, but build in some additional cozy spots specifically for lounging around. Nestle a hammock in a quiet corner of the yard, or enhance a chaise lounge with throw pillows and a large umbrella for napping poolside.

Add lushness with plants

Plants can transform any space. Use a combination of planted varieties around the yard, then enhance certain areas with potted plants as needed. plus they give butterflies, bees and hummingbirds places to stop by and visit. Consider the help of a professional landscaper to bring a vision of a lush, plant-filled retreat to life.

Blend in the pool or spa

With some unique landscape architecture, the pool or hot tub can be built right into the landscape, making it a cohesive part of the design. This can make the yard seem even more like an oasis, especially when the pool is flanked by a waterfall or bubbling fountain.

Add some music

Thanks to wireless speakers that rely on Bluetooth technology, it’s easy to have music piped right into the backyard. Set up a wireless speaker in an inconspicuous spot, such as inside a planter or in the rafters of a gazebo. Turning a backyard into an oasis can provide the respite many people look for on their properties. — Metro

There’s no better time to invest in outdoor spaces at your home to make them welcoming respites.

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Popular Trends in Home Exteriors

By METRO

Certain homes have an undeniable wow factor. That instant appeal tends to be noticeable the moment visitors pull up to the curb, and it might be a byproduct of homeowners’ willingness to embrace the latest exterior design trends.

Trends come and go, but recognition of the current fashions can help homeowners create that highly sought-after wow factor. The following are some recent trends in home exteriors that have helped homeowners set their properties apart.

Wood

Natural wood has undeniable appeal, and it hasn’t only found

newfound devotion among home interior decorators. Natural wood garage doors create a sense of warmth and can set a home apart from others with steel doors, which tend to be the most popular garage door material. In addition to the garage door, natural wood entry doors and wood decks are popular ways to impart this classical, warm look to a home’s exterior.

Painted brick

Like natural wood, brick is a traditional material that’s both sturdy and classical. But homeowners can add character to brick with a coat of paint, which has become a popular trend in recent years. Light tones tend to be most popular when painting bricks. The experts at Better Homes & Gardens

note that this could prove a longterm commitment if homeowners so desire, as a properly painted brick exterior could last as long as 20 years.

Hardscaping

Hardscaping isn’t a new trend, but it has been trending in recent years. Hardscaping is an umbrella term that includes everything from outdoor living rooms to incorporating natural stone into a landscape. Outdoor living rooms are one hardscaping trend that has become increasingly popular of late. These spaces serve as an extension of indoor living spaces. The home improvement experts at HGTV note that recently homeowners have looked to create covered outdoor rooms that

can be enjoyed more frequently than patios or decks that are not protected from the elements.

Outdoor lighting

It makes sense that individuals looking to spend more time enjoying their properties outdoors would want more lighting outside. Ambient outdoor lighting can be utilized throughout a property. Such lighting can light up walkways and driveways and be used to light up landscaping features like trees and gardens.

Home design trends tend to be fickle. But recognition of the current trends in exterior home design can set homes apart and turn properties into awe-inspiring places to enjoy the great outdoors.

— Metro

Metro

Outdoor living spaces are one popular hardscaping trend that will likely remain sought-after for years to come.

Small renovations can make a big impact

Home renovations provide a host of benefits. Such projects can increase resale value and improve on the safety, aesthetics and functionality of a home. Some homeowners may employ the mantra “go big or go home” when they embark on home improvements, thinking that only the largest renovations produce noticeable change. But that’s not the case. Various smaller renovations can provide a lot of bang for homeowners’ bucks as well.

n Countertops (and hardware): A complete kitchen overhaul may stretch some homeowners’ budgets. However, changing an older countertop for a new material can provide the facelift a kitchen needs. And while changing the cabinets may be homeowners’ ultimate goal, swapping hardware in dated finishes for newer handles and pulls can provide low-cost appeal.

n Paint: Painting a space is an inexpensive improvement that adds

maximum impact. Paint can transform dark and drab rooms into bright and airy oases. Paint also can be used to create an accent wall or cozy nooks. Homeowners also can showcase their personalities with their choice of paint colors.

n Lighting: Homeowners should not underestimate what a change in lighting can do. When rooms or exterior spaces are illuminated, they take on entirely new looks. It’s worth it to invest in new lighting, whether it’s a dramatic hanging light over the dining room table or task lighting in dim spaces.

n Weatherproofing: Improving windows, doors, weatherstripping, and insulation in a home can offer visual appeal and help homeowners save money. The initial investment may be significant, but those costs will pay off in energy savings. According to One Main Financial, space heating is the largest energy expense the average American homeowner has, accounting for around

45 percent of all energy costs.

n Mudroom: Turn an entryway into a more functional space with the addition of cabinets, benches or custom-designed storage options that perfectly fit the area. Cubbies and cabinets can corral shoes, umbrellas, hats, bags, and much more.

n Accent updates: Any space, whether it’s inside or outside a home, can get a fresh look with new decorative accents. Invest in new throw pillows and even slipcovers for living room sofas. Use new tile or paint the brick on a fireplace in a den, then update the mantel with decorative displays. Purchase wall art that can bring different colors into a room. Change the cushions on deck furniture and buy color-coordinated planters. These subtle changes will not cost as much as full-scale renovations, but they can still help homeowners transform their homes.

— Metro

Metro

Making a few small changes around the house can yield big improvements.

Shutter Styles

Homeowners have many options at their disposal if they want to improve their homes. A focus on the exterior can be a promisin g and rewarding way to direct renovation dollars.

Curb appeal has a significant impact on how a home is viewed. Manicured landscapes, updated windows and doors and well-lit landscapes can improve the value of a home and ensure it sells quickly and above market rate.

When homeowners assess items they may want to change, shutters can be an area of consideration. Shutters can help windows look a little less plain. In most modern residential properties, shutters are purely decorative. However, their roots lie in home protection. Originally, shutters were used in lieu of windows so they were the only way to safeguard a home’s interior from the elements. Some shutters still offer that protection, but those typically are installed on homes in hurricane-prone areas.

Window shutters lend a finished and distinctive look to a home. When shopping for shutters, individuals can choose among various styles.

n Louvered: A louvered shutter features several wood slats that overlap each other on the same frame. A typical louvered shutter features two sets of slats separated by a center rail. Some functional louvered shutters are operational,

meaning the slats can be tilted to allow air to flow through. But this is something typically reserved for indoor shutters. Decorative ones have fixed slats.

n Panel: Panel shutters come in different styles. Raised panel shutters present a boxed design where rectangular features will stand out from the rest of the frame. Flat panel shutters (sometimes referred to as

shaker) have the boxed design, but those rectangles are not raised. Recessed panels are the opposite of raised panels. As their name suggests, recessed panels are set back from the rest of the frame.

n Board and batten: Board and batten shutters are formed from grouped single boards joined together with shorter crosspieces of wood called

battens. Battens are positioned horizontally or at an angle. These shutters have a more informal, rural feel.

n Bahama/Bermuda: These tropical-inspired shutters are of the louvered variety, but they’re installed from the top of the window rather than on the sides.

n Scandinavian: Scandinavian series shutters are very decorative board and batten shutters. They feature a series of cutouts and designs.

n Combination: Some shutters offer the best of both worlds, with louvered on top and a solid panel on the bottom, or vice versa. This gives homeowners infinite options.

Shutters are available in various materials. The most common include wood, vinyl and composite. Cedar, mahogany and pine are commonly used woods for exterior shutters. Vinyl is more economical and lightweight, but they can be challenging to clean and do not offer the longevity of other materials. Composite shutters are durable and cost less than wood in most cases.

Color is another consideration when replacing shutters. Shutters can stand out or blend in with the siding and other architectural accents. Shutters also can flank a front door to fully complete an exterior look.

— Metro

Give your home a new look with these

Barbie relaxes on the pink sofa in the latest Barbie Dreamhouse.

Mattel

Dollhouse Welcome to the

Why Barbiecore decor is having a hot-pink moment

Heidi Marler’s taste in decorating has always gravitated toward pastels and vibrant pinks. She has a pink Chesterfield sofa. And the centerpiece of her kitchen is a pink Smeg refrigerator — alongside pink cabinets, pink walls and a pink microwave.

“My home is my happy place,” says Marler, who works as an endof-life caregiver in Essex, England.

After a post of home photos on her Instagram, @home_n_tidy_with_heidi_, commenters declared her space very “Barbiecore.”

Since she debuted in 1959, Barbie has been an icon of fashion and mod decorating, as well as a symbol of fun. Now, with a liveaction movie about her set to debut this summer, her look is everywhere, it seems. Barbiecore fashion is drenched in hot pink, and now that girly-girl vibe is seeping into living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms.

“I didn’t realize my obsession was on trend,” says Marler, who was tickled pink by the news. “Barbie was the girl that could pull anything out of the bag. I would like to say she reminds me a little bit of myself.”

It’s been a tough couple of years, and consumers are ready to make a bold statement as they emerge from

socially distanced lifestyles. That’s where Barbie comes in. “People want to escape, and they are latching onto something colorful and nostalgic and playful,” says Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute. “When you think about color being a language that expresses what is taking place, this pink and its

association with Barbie is about being daring and unafraid and taking chances.”

When photos of the upcoming Greta Gerwig live-action “Barbie” movie from Warner Bros. — with Margot Robbie in the title role and Ryan Gosling as Ken — trickled out, social media influencers were ready to embrace the beloved

plastic doll and her look. Just search #barbiecore on TikTok.

Katie Sturino, founder of the beauty company Megababe, says she has always loved Barbie. Now, her Palm Beach, Florida, condo is an homage of sorts to the Barbie Dreamhouse. “I don’t know if it seeped into my subconscious from when I was little, but I always loved pink,” Sturino says. In December 2020, she and her husband bought the place in Florida to escape pandemic isolation in freezing-cold Manhattan. Excited about finally having her own laundry room, she covered the walls in Wallshoppe’s “Rainbow Barbie” paper in the color bubblegum. She got a pink Lovesac sectional and installed pink-and-white-striped curtains. When she heard about Barbiecore, she texted a friend who also loves pink: “This is our time.”

“I have been ready for this moment, even though I didn’t know it was coming,” she says.

When Etsy trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson saw the photo of Robbie behind the wheel of her hotpink Chevy Corvette convertible, she knew that mood-boosting colors in home design would bubble up. “Everyone started embracing that color,” Johnson says. “It’s ultrafeminine. … It’s all about

Etsy/WeAreLunarium

The Barbiecore trend has jumped from fashion to home goods, as shown by this wall hanging from WeAreLunarium on Etsy.

embracing those vibrant hues and trying to think back to nostalgic times, when life was a little simpler and sunnier and a little more carefree.” If you want to jump on the Barbiecore bandwagon, she suggests starting with something small, such as a vase, pillow or candle, because “it’s a very bright tone.”

If you’re ready to embrace pink paint, choose carefully. Andrea Magno, director of color marketing and development for Benjamin Moore, says pink has gone more mainstream in recent years. “It has broken away from that little girl kind of connotation,” she says. But Magno cautions that “a lot of colors may be fun for a skirt or nail polish, but when it’s color on the wall, it should be something livable.” She suggests taking a look at Benjamin Moore’s Peony, Hot Lips or Springtime Bloom.

The original Dreamhouse was a mid-century model with slimline furniture made of cardboard. Her latest Dreamhouse is still very modern, and it has an indoor/ outdoor living focus, with a pink pool slide and a rooftop deck, because “Barbie needs a little spot for relaxing, since she does have over 200 careers, so she is very busy,” Culmone adds. Barbie’s style, she says, is timeless. “Barbie is always of the moment, because she continues to evolve.”

When Barbie turned 50 in 2009, designer Jonathan Adler created a 3,500-square-foot real-life Barbie Malibu Dream House in — where else — Malibu. “There was a lot of black patent leather and white

and pink,” Adler recalls. “And I had a chandelier made out of Barbie’s hair.” There was also a closet filled with dozens of pink shoes and rugs monogrammed with the letter B.

As for Barbiecore, Adler says, “the great thing about Barbie is that she is whatever you want her to be, from Barbie the surfer to Barbie the business executive.” In interiors, he says, Barbiecore “is a way for grown women to express their inner girl and a nostalgia for more innocent times.”

But beware of too much pink and too much Barbie. “The difference between home design and your wardrobe — your clothes are very ephemeral. You can dress like Barbie one day and wear a Hillary Clinton pantsuit the next without a real great deal of investment,” he says. “Home decisions are more permanent. Translating the fantasy into reality should be done thoughtfully.”

— The Washington Post

BARBIECORE, continued from 12

Etsy/Junebeginnings

Adding pink accessories, such as these candles by Junebeginnings on Etsy, is a quick way to bring Barbiecore into your home.

Etsy/orbitanywhere This table from the shop orbitanywhere on Etsy.