Decorating Guides
Keep Things Fresh With a Bright Lacquer Finish
Go From Ho-Hum to Instant Glam With a Coat or Two of Glossy, Colorful Varnish
One aspect of the Hollywood Regency explosion that is sticking with us for the long haul is the look of a lacquer finish. What is lacquer exactly? Specifically it's a type of varnish, but for our purposes, I am not going to be a stickler and I'm going to call anything with a super-glossy finish "lacquer." I also encourage you to find the low V.O.C. versions that are not harmful to the environment. Take a look at how it can remake a room:
Houzz Contributor Decor Demon is the king of lacquer. I think he first gained notoriety for it with this ceramic queen lamp he lacquered in orange.
A hot pink lacquer side table is the perfect feminine nightstand in this little girl's room.
These beautiful glossy coral lamps on a white lacquer console table add instant glamor to an entryway.
This red lacquer coffee table grabs attention like a fresh fire-engine red pedicure.
Red lacquer gives a retro cabinet new life.
Tip: If you have any tired old pieces you're thinking of sending to the curb, envision them with a glossy coat of lacquer.
Tip: If you have any tired old pieces you're thinking of sending to the curb, envision them with a glossy coat of lacquer.
These glossy chairs give this dining area an exciting modern look.
An orange lacquer screen serves as an oversized glam headboard.
Tip: A headboard needn't be from a traditional bed you buy from a store. A screen, canvas, or even a pallet can be repurposed to serve as a headboard.
Tip: A headboard needn't be from a traditional bed you buy from a store. A screen, canvas, or even a pallet can be repurposed to serve as a headboard.
A high-gloss blue dresser keeps a traditional coastal color palette up to date.
This lacquer inset in the kitchen island reflects the aluminum counter stools and light surroundings. Sometimes dark lacquer is a great way to add punctuation to a light room.
Lacquer shelves help give your favorite objects the attention they deserve.
Use an iconic shade when choosing your lacquer color. This one is a classic Coca-Cola red, inspired by the vintage metal sign.
Use lacquer as just one layer in a room full of texture. Here it is part of a balanced texture palette that includes grasscloth, black leather, lucite, hardwood and shag.
This room is all about symmetry, black and white, and natural light. Note how the light reflects off the dark lacquer furniture.
Lacquer is not limited to furniture and cabinets. This room forces you to look up and admire its reflective red gloss ceiling.
Tip: Don't neglect your ceilings when picking out your palettes. To see more painted ceilings, click here.
Tip: Don't neglect your ceilings when picking out your palettes. To see more painted ceilings, click here.
If red is not quite your bag, consider white. The natural light in this room is practically doubled by this ceiling.
A coat of lacquer can update a vintage, ornate wood mirror you didn't think would ever fit in with your contemporary style.
Have you updated your interiors with a few coats of lacquer? If so, please share them with us in the comments section!
Next: Color for committement-phobes
Have you updated your interiors with a few coats of lacquer? If so, please share them with us in the comments section!
Next: Color for committement-phobes