Decoupage Your Home, by Fransie Snyman. Review.

Decoupage Your Home

A contemporary guide to transforming everyday objects

By Fransie Snyman

Search Press 2017

Paperback £12.99 UK/$19.95 US

ISBN 978-1-78221-576-9

Star rating: ***

Decoupage – decorating objects with artfully-applied cut-outs (made of paper and other materials) which are then lacquered, is a craft that’s enjoying a revival, thanks to new products and the upcycling trend.  So – Fransie Snyman’s new title is well-timed.  Decoupage is the perfect skill for an IKEA hack or a tea chest upgrade. 

Author Fransie Snyman’s day job is as a science teacher – so you can see how her fascination with materials and surfaces extends to the craft. She is up to speed with the products required to produce speedy decoupage projects. In olden times, layer upon layer of labouriously-applied varnish was required to finish a decoupaged object. These days, a variety of finishing products , many quick-drying, are available with specificity of end use and appearance. Example: podges. A podge is both a glue and a finish. You can choose matt, satin, gloss – even glitter  finishes, plus you can match the podge to both the surface and the material being applied. 

There is much to choose from when it comes to materials to apply. Napkin decoupage is a niche craft in itself. Printed paper napkins come in magnificent patterns, as does decopatch paper – tissue thin and brilliantly patterned. Fabric is a possibility, too.

Up front, you will find basic how-tos, acquainting you with tool, materials, and techniques. This is then followed by over 50 projects, all accompanied by step-by-step how-tos. The projects are pretty much as expected – lots of  tins, stool tops, toy box, wall clock. The peacock feather-motif cushions fashioned from paper napkins applied to fabric work a treat. It might have been nice to have a chart back-of-book, matching decoupage cut-out to finishing medium.

The craft of decoupage has much appeal – everyone likes a makeover, plus the potential to magic pretty papers a more permanent existence had great appeal. Protect and display.  Fransie Snyman’s new book provides decoupage know-how in one stop.

Note: I was provided with a review copy of this title.