What to do with dated furniture?

Maybe you have just married and inherited Aunt Elma's furniture from the 50's or older. Possibly your own furniture just needs an overhaul after years of looking tired and well used. Have you ever considered a paint make-over? Paint is the cheapest and single quickest way to give your house a make-over. You get more bang for your buck with paint than any other type of remodeling according to HGTV experts. Most people have hard time taking a paint brush to a piece of furniture no matter how much they hate the piece. It feels almost sacrilegious to them. I've posted pictures of a dated dining room set that has been revived by a coat of paint and sone recovered chairs and some bright colors. Also, an old antique buffet that looked drab and depressing in a young couple's apartment. When you think you can't stand a piece of furniture anymore, think paint! Steps to painting a piece of furniture:
1. Clean the furniture well before starting. Prep is the single most important factor in successful outcome in your job. I use "Krud Kutter" brand sold at Home Depot or Lowe's. Spray on, let dirt and gunk run off, and then rinse and dry well.
2. Prime the piece before you paint. I use a Rustoleum Brand called "Painter's Touch" that I can only find at Home Depot. I like it over Kilz, because it doesn't run and drys very quickly. You can usually begin painting within 30 minutes.
3. Use a good latex paint. Brush the paint on and let dry. Chances are, you will need a second coat. If you would like to give it an aged look, paint on a glaze after both paint coats and wipe off with painters rags. (Ralph Lauren makes one called "Tea Stain" that I like) It subdues the look and especially looks good on light colors and pastels.
4. If you like the distressed or Shabby Chic look, take some sand paper and sand off some of the edges to show through down to the wood. You might want to experiment with this technique fist.