Aging is so Distressing - Techniques for Antiquing Furniture

Well, despite the fact that I am starting to feel my age, this post is actually about achieving that well worn, loved, aged and antique look on furniture and decor items.

Check out the beautiful sights (some from the Painted Cottage, take the tour here):

Weathered paint worn thin and rubbed off.

Aren't these layers of paint, scratches and wear marks art to your eyes?

Nothing shows character like chipping paint and multiple revealed layers on metal.

or paint splotches on an old ladder.

And you can't forget rust, love that beautiful brown patina!

I have been experimenting with several techniques to add age to "newer" pieces of furniture.

Throwing the chain in:
These are some of my favorite distressing tools:

Throwing a chain at wood gives you those elliptical dents. And, I like to drag the sharp edges of a pry bar across wood to give it some deep grooves. Finally a few random hammer marks here and there finish off the worn look.

 This is the exact same technique I used on my mudroom bench.

Sanding through the years:
The easiest way to add some age and expose layers of paint is to pull out a power sander. I use 150 grit sand paper (but use whatever you have on hand). Then go to town on the furniture, a good example of this can be seen on my Trashy Coffee Table.

My table was previously painted white, I added a beachy blue layer of paint on top of the white. You could always add another layer if you want more colors showing through. I sand beyond the layers of paint down to the bare wood in spots. The challenge with a new piece of wood is that it lacks the deeper darker color tone of antique lumber. When I exposed the wood, it looked blonde and – well – brand spankin' new.  As opposed to some old rustic wood that has aged to a deep rust color or furniture that has been previously stained.

Faking age with stain:
I have a trick up my sleeve for creating those darker wood tones in seconds!
Simply paint some wood stain onto those blond wood spots. And wipe off immediately. If you desire darker wood, re-apply.

I prefer the Minwax Red Mahogany, but another dark color stain would work just as well.

Darker wood showing through adds instant age.

Staining Tea Stains:
You can also use the same stain to give your object a "tea stain". Take this antique gold 80's mirror for example.

I spray painted the frame Rustoleum's Heirloom White. And used Oil Rubbed Bronze for the inside decorative design.

Then, I hand sanded some of the edges to expose the stained wood beneath.

Next, I use a dry brush technique* to brush on the stain and then wipe the excess off immediately. *Keep your brush dry by dipping in the stain and wipe off your brush on a rag before using it.

It is important to use a dry streaky brush. The rattier the brush the better because anywhere the stain lands is where it will remain.

The end results are pretty tea stains and peek-a-boo dark wood below.

A totally new look for a sad 80's mirror.

Glazing the surface:

Did the permanency of the tea stains scare you? Well, have no fear. One of the most forgiving ways to give your object an antique tone is to use a glaze.

I recently tried some glazes by Valspar. This is the mocha glaze.

You simply brush on the glaze, again use a ratty almost dry brush.

The glaze stays wet and can be almost completely wiped off immediately. Therefore you need to either let it dry a little or wipe very gently.

Here is a peek at the mocha glaze on my coffee table legs:

Wipe on...

...Wax off (err, I mean dab off).
Sorry Mr. Miyagi. No wax off today.

I made sure to push more glaze into the gouges and crevices to show off the details.

Using the Valspar Asphaltum glaze ( use the same technique of wiping on and blotting off), gives you more gray tones and gave this picture frame a dirty distressed look:

It may take a while to build up the glazing. But, you can end up with a decent final result. Not my favorite aging technique, but is is very forgiving if you are new to glazing.


A spattering of interest:
Another technique I like is adding stain spatters. This is easy enough to do, but if you aren't wearing protective clothing you might get some freckles added to your body.

Dip your brush into the stain and wipe off any excess. Then gently tap the brush on a stick or handle of something sturdy. A large screwdriver or other solid object works well. This time I didn't wipe the stain off. I let it dry a little then dabbed up the excess.

With these techniques, you can turn a plain painted side table from this:

To a more sophisticated antiqued older sister:

 

Final Coating:
Once you have achieved the antiqued look you like, be sure to put a protective coating of polyurethane over the whole object. I like to use an old can of oil based polyurethane that has already started to yellow. This added the perfect age to my coffee table. (If you use new oil based poly, it will yellow in a few years time.) If you don't like the yellowing effect, stick to the water-based polyurethane.

Now, don't be distressed, grab some sandpaper and a brush and give your furniture an age boost!

Spice turn table turned rustic! Chalkboard lids tutorial here.

What's In Your Toolbox? - What Every DIYer (or Homeowner) Should Own

When I was 18, and bought my first car, and thought I was the coolest girl in town with a little zippy sportscar – sorry, just a little trip down memory lane.  My parents gave me my first tool kit. That tool kit is still with me today and I do use it a lot. The set has a series of sockets, crescent wrenches, interchangeable screwdriver bits, allen (hex) wrenches, needle nose pliers, and locking pliers.

That set got me through several repairs (both auto and home). Now, as a homeowner, I have found that there are a few more tools to have on hand.

You will likely want to look for a multi-piece set like this one:

This will give you a wide variety of tools for a low cost. If you want a deal, try shopping for these sets around Father's Day or Christmas. The set above was listed on Amazon.com for approximately $50 - $60.

Regardless if you are buying these items in a set or separate, these are the tools I recommend:

Homeowner essentials:

1. Hammer
2. Screwdrivers - Phillips head and a flat (straight or slotted) head. Try to buy a small and medium size of each.
3. Allen (Hex) Wrenches in several sizes
4. Adjustable Crescent Wrenches - I suggest buying at least two. One 6" and one 10"
5. Slip Joint Pliers (handy for overall gripping)
6. Needle-nosed pliers
7. Vice grips (Locking pliers)
8. Tape Measure
9. Level - 24" is preferrable
10. Utility knife (mat knife)
11. Safety glasses
12. 12" Handsaw
13. Stud Finder
14. Flashlight
15. Pry bar (must have a flat sharp side and the other side a notch for pulling nails.)
16. Tool box or case to keep all of the above in 
17. My favorite DIY guide to my home: Home Depot's Home Improvement 1-2-3 - the best $15 I ever spent!

 Screwdriver bits:

 

Last but not least, the most indispensable tool I've ever owned:
Cordless Drill with screwdriver bits and a small set of drill bits 

For Electrical DIY:

1. Wiring instruction book or guide
2. Wire Cutters/Strippers
3. Electrical Current tester 
• You only need the simple tester with two probes and an indicator light to test if the power is on. 

For the committed DIYer:

1. Palm sander
2. Carpenter's square
3. Staple gun
4. Power Circular Saw 
• Be sure to hold one in the store and feel how the grip feels in your hand. This is especially important as a woman with a smaller hand size. (more on power tool shopping in another blog post - coming soon!)
5. Jig Saw
6. Saw Horses or Folding Work Bench
7. Clamps - A Variety of Adjustable Clamps and Clips

I hope this list gives you some good information so you won't feel overwhelmed when buying tools. Definitely ask a sales person for help or opinions. Don't tell them you are new at this. Ask them for the tool they would purchase if they were buying one for their shop. You should aim to buy a quality tool (especially power tools) that will last your lifetime. A cheap tool will either break or not have the power to do the job you need it to do. However, you don't need to buy top of the line or break the bank to get a good tool.

Savings Tip: Many of the big box home improvement stores will usually price match tools that are priced cheaper at a competitor if it is the same make and model, plus take 10% off the price. Be sure to bring the ad with you or they will need to call or look up the price online.

Home Depots price guarantee:  

NOBODY BEATS OUR PRICES
If any competitor tries, we'll beat their price by 10%. Guaranteed.*
*If you find a current lower price on an identical, in-stock item from any retailer, we will match the price and beat it by 10%. Excludes special orders, bid pricing, volume discounts, open-box merchandise, labor and installation, sales tax, rebate and free offers, typographical errors and online purchases. 

Lowe's price guarantee: 

Everyday Low Prices, Guaranteed

We guarantee our everyday competitive prices. If you find a verifiable lower everyday or advertised price on an identical stock item at any local retail competitor that has the item in stock, we'll beat their price by 10% when you buy from us. Just bring us the competitor's current ad or we'll call to verify the item's price that you have found. Cash (charge card) and carry purchases only. Competitor's closeout, special order, discontinued, clearance, liquidation and damaged items are excluded from this offer. On percent-off sales, Lowe's will match the competitor's percent-off offer. Limited to reasonable quantities for homeowner and one-house order quantities for cash and carry contractors. Current in-store price, if lower, overrides Lowe's advertised price. Price guarantee honored at all Lowe's retail locations. Labor charges for product installation are excluded from our price guarantee offer in our stores with an Installed Sales Program. Visit store for complete details.

Sear's price guarantee:

If you find a lower price on an identical branded item with the same features (in Home Electronics identical brand and model number) currently available for sale at another local competitor retail store, Sears will match that price plus, give you 10% of the difference. Just bring in the original advertisement to a sales associate at the time of, or within 14 days after, your purchase. More fine print...

Happy Shopping!