Introduction: Flip a Knotty Pine Dungeon

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About: Furniture, fabric, architecture, building, painting. I specialize in upholstery design, restyling, repurposing and writing all about upholstery. I teach loads of upholstery classes all week long and also teac…

My basement studio was covered with yellow-y brown knotty pine paneling. I finally gave in, bought a paint sprayer and these are the steps I followed to flip it into a bright, cheery sewing/crafting studio. I couldn't photograph it while I sprayed for obvious reasons--would ruin brand new camera!

Step 1: The Knotty Pine Dungeon: Before

This is one shot of the dark, miserable cluttered studio.

Step 2: Supplies

Gather: paint sprayer
TSP cleaner for the walls
good water based primer for the wood paneling
paint additive to extend workability
extension cord
mask to wear
blue tape
brown paper roll to slide under baseboard
lots of canvas throws to cover the carpet
screwdriver (not pictured) to take off switch plates
final latex satin finish wall paint (not shown)
rags
water

Step 3: Cleaning the Walls

Move everything to the center of the room and cover it with plastic. Remove all switch and plug plates, put tape over them.
Clean all walls with water and TSP cleaner. Let dry.

Step 4: Cover Up and Go to Work

Cover every inch of carpet. Put the mask on to avoid inhaling airborne paint. Following directions on sprayer, begin spraying walls with a back and forth motion with the primer. When finished, go back and spray knotholes with extra primer. Check around for drips, smooth with a sponge brush. Place two fans in the room and let it dry for a day.

Step 5: Run Out to Get a Breath of Air

If necessary, before you're finished, open sealed door and go get some air.

Step 6: Final Spray

When the primer is dry, seal all openings and fill sprayer with latex paint mixed with a paint extender. Start at the top of one wall and, working in four foot squares, begin spraying with a back an forth motion, not coating an area more than twice or the paint will run. Move down the wall as you go. You have to take charge of the spray trigger. let paint dry for one day.

Step 7: Re Furnishing

With a fresh studio, add back only the furniture that is functional and looks good in your new digs.

Step 8: The Supplies

Organize supplies for the class on shelves and in baskets.

Step 9: Neat and Tidy Work Stations

Set up nice, neat stations for the class.

Step 10: Hooped Fabric

Frame some colorful fabric selections in embroidery hoops to add color.

Step 11: Ping Pong Table in Disguise

Cover an upturned ping pong table with fabric for a cutting table and a large piece of fabric wall art. Built-in shelves come in handy for extra sewing machines.