Rescue, Restore, Redecorate : Amy Howard's Guide to Refinishing Furniture and Accessories

Furniture restoration specialist and design guru Amy Howard offers foolproof how-to instructions and unique ideas for restoring heirlooms, antiques, and flea-market finds

Welcome to Amy Howard’s Rescue Restore Redecorate lifestyle! Whether you dream of restoring an heirloom to its former beauty or just want to modernize a flea market treasure, Howard has the design and refinishing secrets you need.

Here are all the furniture finishing recipes, techniques, and tips that have made Howard’s classes sold-out success stories, and made Howard herself the go-to guru of refinishing and “use what you have” upcycle redecorating. Try your hand at unique painted and faux finishes, and experiment with gold leaf, distressing, and marvelous graining effects.

Howard shows you a variety of lovely and exciting projects, including the Nicholas Nightstand and the Hugo Table, the Augustus Lamp and the Donovan Chairs, the Drake Lantern and the Alfred Mirror Tray. Along the way, you'll learn a treasure trove of techniques, as Howard shares before-and-after makeovers from her studio and offers impeccable step-by-step instruction in all that is needed to achieve each look.

Howard writes in her introduction, “When you rescue, restore, and redecorate a vintage piece, you not only bring a new chair or table or dresser or mirror into your home. You bring in a new story, as well. You’re giving something old a new life, one that makes your own life even richer and better. That’s the Rescue, Restore, Redecorate lifestyle.”

Chapters include:

• The Thrill of the Hunt
• The Creative Pantry
• A Repertoire of Finishes: The Basics and Beyond
• Chalk-Based Paint
• Gilding
• Lacquer
• Milk Paint (Casein Paint)
• Antiqued Mirrors
• And more!