HOW TO... Upcycle an unloved chest of drawers

Give a tired-looking piece a whole new look in a few easy steps

Remove the handles and sand down any rough areas and old paint or varnish to create a smooth surface. Clean with a damp cloth to remove any dust or grease and leave to dry. If you’re using different holes for the new handles then fill in the old holes with filler, allow to dry and then sand down to make a smooth surface, then drill holes in the new positions.

Use a primer or undercoat, if necessary, and leave to dry. Next, apply your first coat of eggshell paint or specialist furniture paint using a small foam roller or brush. Once dry, apply a second coat. For a distressed look, sand again lightly.

Think about adding pattern or different blocks of colour to highlight different areas of your furniture. You can use stencils to create a design or hand-paint a pattern. Protect your piece with varnish or wax.

Once dry, add your chosen handles. For a finishing touch, you could line the drawers with some leftover wallpaper or scented drawer liners.

The tasselled lampshade from Anthropologie is one of Lisa’s favourite pieces in the living room and ties in perfectly with the colours of the Woman Up artwork by Rachel Joy Price

Lisa loves nothing more than relaxing on her velvet sofa from Loaf, filled with cushions from H&M Home, Anthropologie and Habitat. The rug under the coffee table is from West Elm while the armchair has been reupholstered in pretty fabric

Lisa designed the wooden sideboard, which takes pride of place in the living room and is the perfect place for fresh flowers in the Jarapa vase and a Karachi jug, both from Lisa Comfort Home