Latest Videos

Techniques

Distressing/Antiquing Furniture

Materials Required:

Drop cloth, 180 grit sand paper, hand sander (optional), latex paint, gloves, cotton rags, oil stain, paint thinner, brushes, stripper (optional), mask

Solid wood furniture or at least a high grade plywood tends to be the best for creating an authentic old look. There are a number of ways to get the distressed look using paint. The following is a basic step by step instruction on how to accomplish this.

1/ Preparing the Surface: Remove all hardware. Tape off any glass. The surface of the piece must be shine free. If the original paint is oil, it is best to have the item stripped or at least sanded down. The goal is to create a tooth for the latex paint to adhere to. You cannot put a latex paint over top of an oil paint. If you want to avoid using stripper, then it needs to be sanded down to roughen up the surface, then a primer can be applied. If you want to get down to bare wood and there is alot of paint, then I first use stripper and then sand off the rest. I prefer to use 180 grit sand paper. If the paint is thick I start with 150 grit. One must be careful when refinishing plywood. It is very easy to break through the top layer into the glue and the other materials below. If you know your piece is plywood, like alot of sides are, then give the piece a light sand to get the shine off and then use a primer. If you know for sure the item is latex then just a light sand will do the job. Remember you need to create a non slippery surface.

2/ Applying the Paint: I use latex paint on my furniture. Brush on your first coat. I like the look of brush marks. If you don't like brush marks then you must go over the piece with a foam brush. Depending on the look you are going for, a number of paint layers of different colours may be applied. The first coat is the one that will show through the least. Crackling or applying wax between the layers will also add to the aged look. (refer to other techniques). After the first coat has been applied and is dry, run your hand over the surface. If it feels fuzzy and you want a more finished look, another light sand with 180 grit paper is necessary before applying the second coat. Sometimes a third coat is necessary.

3/ Sanding: When all your coats of paint are thoroughly dry you are able to start the distressing. Using 180 grit paper, 150 grit if you want a more dramatic look, sand off all the edges where the normal wear and tear would be...around the knobs, on the corners, especially around the base. For a more worn look, bang the piece up a little more to your liking with set of old keys, a hammer, screw driver, be careful with the chains. I will quite often gouge out areas with a chisel, just be careful.

4/ Applying stain: I stain over top of the entire piece to get the look I like. Oil stain is applied with a rag for better control. Use gloves and stain in a well vetillated area. Small brushes are used to get into the cracks. It is best to have a couple of rags when doing this. Excess stain is wiped off using paint thinner. I will leave more stain in the cracks and in the corners to give an older look. Remove stain until you get the look you like.

5/ The Finish: Best to let everything dry after this for 24 hours. A wax finish may now be applied or the piece can be left alone as is. Another option is to add a coat acrylic varnish. Keep to dull finishes for the best look.

Don't throw out your old chairs. I have made so many of these over the years. Chair planters are so easy to make.

1/ Find an old chair. I prefer the ones that used to have the rush seat or were upholstered at one time and now have a hole in them.

2/ The chair can be used the way it is or it can be painted and antiqued. The one pictured below I left in the wood finish.

3/ You need about a 2 foot square piece of chicken wire, some nails, a hammer and wired cutters.

4/ With the chicken wire you form a basket that drops into the hole in the chair and attach it with the nails.

5/ The chicken wire basket is then lined with the moss and filled with dirt.

6/ Plant the hanging container with your favorite flowers. I like to use a vine that grows up and around the chair as this will last all year on a covered porch. Other trailing plants work well as they drape over the sides. I like geraniums as they are quite bushy and add great texture....anything can be used. I planted one last year that was made with ornamental grasses and another with various herbs. Throught out the seasons one just has to change what is in the planter, even in winter it can be filled with cedar boughs etc. Little whitle lights in amongst the greeenery is pretty too.