Step 1: Paint a Design on the Curtain Divider

A white fabric curtain will divide the bedroom from the bathroom. To liven up the fabric, use fabric paint and one of the wall-art rectangles to create a pattern on the curtain. Roll orange-red paint over the rectangle and presses it randomly on the curtain. The look is abstract and whimsical, designed to look like rectangles falling in space.

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Step 2: Seal the Bookshelves With a Conditioner

Next, it's on to the bookcase (Image 1). Move the bookcase outdoors (for good ventilation) and seal with a conditioner made for use on bare wood. Apply the concitioner in the direction of the wood grain. This will create a smooth surface for the stain (Image 2).

When the sealer is dry, use sandpaper to lightly sand the wood surfaces: as with the conditioner, sanding ensures that the stain goes on smoothly and evenly.

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Step 3: Mix and Apply the Stain

Mix an umber stain with black tint and apply with foam brushes. Apply each stroke from one end of the wood surface to the other: long, even strokes across the wood prevent obvious brush marks from appearing on the surfaces.

Step 4: Apply a Second Layer of Glaze

To enhance the top of the shelves, apply a second layer of glaze and pull a rubber comb across the wet glaze. When combing through glaze, it's okay to overlap previously combed areas; just remember to keep wiping glaze build-up off the comb as you work. The comb teeth are rubber and won't scratch surfaces; this makes them the perfect tool for decorative painting on both vertical and horizontal surfaces, including walls. Checkerboard patterns can be made by cross-combing.

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