Get creative with these inspired furniture flips

Reimagine an old chest of drawers with Resene paint, stain and wallpaper. Give all surfaces a good sand, dust off, then apply Resene Waterborne Sureseal to the old, varnished surface. Once that’s dry, apply Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel in your chosen colour – we used Resene Turtle Green and Resene Nirvana for contrast inside the drawers.

To take it to the next level, line the drawers with a fun Resene wallpaper print, like Resene Tropic Exotic Wallpaper Collection TP81204. Cut the pieces to size and use Shurstik Wallpaper Stick Down Adhesive to paste the wallpaper insert into your drawers. Resene Colorwood natural wood stain in Resene Deep Oak provides a classic look to the top of the drawers and should be coated in Resene Aquaclear for a professional-looking finish.  

If you prefer a lower sheen finish, use Karen Walker Chalk Colour paint from your local Resene ColorShop in place of Resene Lustacryl.

Click here for full instructions on how to refurbish your old drawers.

We transformed a tired vintage chair into a throne that’s fit for a princess. Sand back the timber and dust off, and if it is varnished, apply a coating of Resene Waterborne Sureseal. Then paint in your favourite Resene colours and those that will complement the fabric you choose to reupholster the padded seat with. We used Resene Lustacryl in Resene Saltpan, Resene Spitfire and Resene Gelato. 

Click here for full instructions on how to update your chairs.

This old timber painter’s ladder has a sturdy A-frame and wooden steps that make the perfect shelf for displaying houseplants and showing off prized photo frames and ornaments.  Using a combination of paint and stain means you can impart stylish colour while still allowing the beauty of the timber to shine through. We used Resene Lustacryl in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream and Resene Frontier as well as Resene Colorwood in Resene Bark with a protective coat of Resene Aquaclear.  

Click here for full instructions on how to make your own ladder display.

Old birdbaths are easy to find in thrift stores, at auction houses and on Facebook marketplace, and you could even buy a new one and give it a makeover with Resene paint. This one was scrubbed clean first then primed before being painted with Resene Lustacryl in on-trend colours Resene Apple Blossom and Resene Sakura. 

Click here for full instructions on how to create your own side table.

Make a bespoke book or magazine holder to add some fun yet practical storage to home. This bookshelf has been repurposed from an old wooden record holder, known as a ‘Canterbury’, which was sourced from an op shop. Depending on your space you can go as bright or as pared back as you like when it comes to colour and you can choose to decorate it how you wish. 

For varnished wood, seal it with Resene Waterborne Sureseal before you paint it. Then apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl – it’s a great choice for furniture and the semi-gloss finish will help the piece stand out in your home. We’ve used the bright hue Resene Hot Toddy. 

Click here for full instructions on how to create your own upcycled bookshelf.

This classic mid-century drinks trolley has had a fun facelift with a modern twist using the power of Resene paint and a striking diamond checkerboard pattern on the top tray.  It was painted using Resene Lustacryl in combination of Resene Charcoal and Resene Cape Palliser, and finished with wooden half-spheres glued at each end, also painted in Resene Lustacryl Resene Charcoal. 

Click here for full instructions on how to update your own drinks trolley.

This stylish console table is made using terracotta pots, a piece of wood and Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect tinted to Resene Truffle.  Resene Sandtex is a unique product that creates a textured finish, bringing out the depth of your chosen colour and turning your surface into a true statement piece. It provides a tough textured acrylic finish that beautifies and protects and also has the ability to recreate the look and feel of natural sandstone. You can have yours tinted to a wide range of other Resene colours to suit your project.

Click here for full instructions on how to create your own console table.