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The draw of a distressed finish is that it has more character than a perfect
solid colored look. In such a style you will find colors mottled, and textures
rough and uneven, with every imperfection actually serving to add personality to
the furnishing. The idea is to create a piece which looks well used, well worn,
and well loved, by simulating the signs of wear and tear using a variety of
techniques.
Making a new piece of furniture look well worn is actually harder than you might
think. That is why you will want to practice the following techniques on a spare
piece of wood to ensure that you know what you’re doing. Just make sure the
extra wood is the same type that the finished piece will be crafted from.
You start by scoring the unfinished surface of the wood. This can be done with a
variety of tools, medium grade wire mesh, hex bolts, chains, screws or nails.
The idea is to get the wood to a point where it looks like it has been scoffed
over the years. The texture you create in the plain wood will show up more
clearly when you start applying color.
The first layer that you apply to the wood should be a mix of one squirt of
burnt umber universal tint, stirred into a clear latex interior wood stain. This
should be applied to the entire surface of the wood in an even coat, and then
allowed to dry thoroughly. This process effectively seals the wood, allowing it
to be tinted later.
Next you need to create a solution of eight parts black paint, with one part
water. Dip a brush in this solution, and then wipe any excess off so that it is
only barely damp. Apply a very light coat of this color to the surface of the
wood. When finished allow this coat to thoroughly dry as well.
Your next step is to create two separate paint solutions, which will then be
used to add the specific character markings to the piece. The first is a mixture
of one part Lafayette green paint, with one part latex glaze. The second is a
mixture of equal parts Covington blue paint, water and glaze.
These two colors should then be applied to the wood very sparingly, with just
the lightest glaze gracing the surface of the piece. These can be applied either
with separate brushes, or with spray bottles to create a very light coat. This
layer should not be even, but rather should have some places which feature the
green solution and others which feature the blue.
When you’re finished, allow the piece to dry thoroughly. Then take some medium
grade sandpaper and rough up the finish in various places across the piece. Try
to remove the color in places where the stain would have naturally worn off over
the years, such as where joints or moving parts meet. These sanded spaces should
then be cleaned, and re-stained to create a contrasting look.
The last step is to take your medium grade wire brush and run it along the
length of the wood, following the grain. This will serve to shine up the surface
while also creating a scuffed, antique look.
This article is provided courtesy of PebbleZ’s elegant stone
drink coasters which are crafted from real, mountain born materials into
absorbent accessories for your home. The article itself was written by stone
artist and design consultant Joey Pebble.
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