I had a fab wee weekend down in London last week catching up with friends and shopping my wee heart out. I also managed to fit in a furniture upcycling, or indeed luxecycling, course at Muck N Brass. I couldn't believe my luck when I saw that Zoe was running a workshop the very weekend that I was visiting. Check out my fabulous side table that I painted and decoupaged with beautiful designer wallpaper!
Fusion Mineral Paint
I discovered Muck N Brass through my interest in Fusion Mineral Paint. I was lurking on Instagram, lusting over some beautiful furniture upcycles and noticed that my favourite ones were all using Fusion. Now, I may have mentioned previously that I'm not a fan of chalk paints such as Annie Sloan's at all. I find them hard to work with and I don't like the rustic, thick paint strokes and distressed finishes. I much prefer a completely smooth, flat, matte finish. I'm pretty devoted to General Finishes Milk Paint, but upon reading some reviews of the Fusion Mineral Paint range, I noticed that they shared similar characteristics - both are self-levelling, matte, low prep and durable. I spoke to the lovely Nicky from Done Up North and she told me that if I enjoy working with GF Milk paint, I would like Fusion too. Check out all the lovely colours in the Fusion range:
Table Manners Workshop
In the Muck N Brass Table Manners Workshop we got to pick out our own solid wood end table and then learnt all the steps to upcycle it. We covered prep, painting techniques using the Fusion Mineral Paint and also decoupage using designer wallpapers or luxury gift wrap. When I hear the word decoupage, I think shabby chic vintage roses, but nothing could be further from that on this course. We're talking bold and graphic designs and even included some absolutely fabulous wallpaper designed by and exclusive to Muck N Brass.
The course was £150 which includes all the tuition, materials, teas and coffees plus lunch. You have the table plus an information pack to take home afterwards! It runs from 10am to 2pm.
Would I Recommend?
I considered the workshop really excellent value for money and would thoroughly recommend to all levels of experience from complete novice to avid upcycler. Zoe is an excellent and fun teacher and she went above and beyond in helping me to get my side table back to Edinburgh!
Regarding the Fusion paint, I liked it but found it a little harder to work with compared to GF Milk Paint. I loved the colours and durability, but found it left brush strokes which I don't normally get. I read that it can be sprayed so I'll defo try that and I've also bought their Ultra Grip which preps even the craziest surface to accept paint such as glass and laminate. At the moment I feel that there is room in my life for both General Finishes and Fusion Mineral Paints :)
Regarding the Fusion paint, I liked it but found it a little harder to work with compared to GF Milk Paint. I loved the colours and durability, but found it left brush strokes which I don't normally get. I read that it can be sprayed so I'll defo try that and I've also bought their Ultra Grip which preps even the craziest surface to accept paint such as glass and laminate. At the moment I feel that there is room in my life for both General Finishes and Fusion Mineral Paints :)
Zoe On Tour?
Zoe will be up in Glasgow for a while filming a show for the BBC (she's proper famous don't you know?!). I told her that I know lots of people who would love to take a class up in Scotland and so she's looking into it. I'll keep you posted if she manages to get something organised!
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