My five favorite brushes – nothing works without them
There are tools that simply become a part of you. That’s how I feel about my brushes.
Today I would like to introduce you to my five favorite companions – the ones that I use every day in my workshop at
If you’re upcycling furniture or want to try it out, choosing the right brush is essential. In this article, I’ll show you why these five are my favorites – and how you can achieve creative, high-quality results with them.
Why the right brush counts when upcycling furniture
When upcycling furniture, you are not just working with paint, but with a combination of finish, material, texture and style. Especially with chalk paint or mineral paint, it depends on how the brush absorbs, abstracts and releases the paint.
Dixie Belle Synthetic Brush Mini
My personal favorite and all-rounder for any surface, whether large or rather small. The short handle also makes it ideal for tight spaces such as drawers or shelves – exactly where large brushes would be too bulky. Yes, and I also use it to paint table or chair legs …. The right technique makes all the difference! Its high-quality synthetic bristles ensure that the paint is applied evenly and without visible “brush marks”. It is also perfect for subtle blending when applying chalk paint. When I want to achieve perfect color gradients, this brush is my favorite. It is also suitable for chalk or acrylic paints, primers or sealing with clear varnish.
Unfortunately, a good brush also has its price, but with good care it lasts a correspondingly long time! I still use my very first mini brush from 2019 even after countless projects.
→ Link in the store: Dixie Belle Synthetic Brush Mini
Dixie Belle Best Dang Brush
The name says it all – the Best Dang Brush really is “the best dang” for soft, cloudy color gradients or applying wax. Its mix of natural and synthetic bristles makes it incredibly versatile. I use them to work wax into the surface, but also to create “grungy” transitions between colors – creating those dreamy soft gradients that often give my furniture that mysterious boho look.
→ Link in the store: Best Dang Brush
Posh Chalk Smooth & Blend Brush
My favorite brush when I work with decoupage papers. Its bristles are so soft that the papers can be applied precisely to the surface. But of course it is also suitable for working with chalk or acrylic paints and also for sealing with clear varnish. It is available in two sizes, 70mm and 100mm wide, to suit your needs:
→ Link in the store: Posh Chalk Smooth & Blend Brush small
→ Link in the store: Posh Chalk Smooth & Blend Brush large
Dixie Belle Premium Chip Brush
A robust helper, not just for rough work – but with high-quality workmanship. I like to use this brush for primers or patina paints and I want to protect my high-end brushes. When you think of a chip brush, you normally think of a simple brush with inferior bristles, which the brush also tends to lose. But not the Premium Chip Brush. It is densely packed with soft natural bristles and loses virtually none of them. This brush is also perfect if you’re on a budget.
→ Link in the store: Dixie Belle Premium Chip Brush
da Vinci stencilling brush series 113
As the name suggests, this brush is made for stencilling. The white, firm china bristles make it ideal for detailed work and the paint under the stencil does not run out. I prefer to work with sizes 12 and 24 – this covers both small and large motifs. Even after numerous applications, the brushes are still in perfect shape for me.
→ Link in the store: da Vinci stencilling brush series 113
Conclusion: Invest in your tools – it’s worth it
In my upcycling workshop, every brushstroke becomes a design. A good brush visibly makes the difference between “just painted” and “designed with soul”. Quality bristles, good shape, the right tool for the respective material – all this pays off.
If you would like to learn these techniques together in a workshop – from the correct application of paint to gradients and stencil techniques – then I would like to invite you to take part in one of my furniture upcycling workshops.
I look forward to getting creative with you.
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Write to me in the comments or send me a message – I look forward to a creative exchange with you!
SEE YOU NEXT TIME!
YOUR MASTER OF DISASTER,
ANGELA
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