Fun Ways to Antique Furniture

Two-Coat Painting

• The first step in antiquing furniture is removing the old paint to provide a good surface for the new finish. Remove old paints or varnish with stripping chemicals and scraping the loose bits of paint off the surface with a paint scraper, or by sandpapering either by hand or with a electric tool. After washing the piece to remove all chemicals and sanding grit, apply a base coat in the desired color and allow to dry thoroughly. Then, apply a lighter color, brushing the paint over the furniture surface lightly to give a two-toned appearance, with paint showing through the top coat. This technique is a fun way to give your furniture color and interest.

Distressing Wood

• Distressing replicates the nicks, dents and marks that furniture acquires over time with normal use in everyday life. To distress wood furniture, hit the wood with a hammer to create dents and scuffs along edges and corners. A chisel can also be used to dig into the wood surface to create circular dents and scrapes, according to Kristie Leong at the Gomestic website. Hitting the wood with a short piece of chain is another way to create interesting patterns of imperfection on the surface. Sand down the distress marks to blend into the wood grain and finish with whatever coating you desire.

Crackling

• Crackling gives the appearance of varnish that has weathered over time into a broken finish on the surface of the wood. This technique is generally done by applying an oil-based glaze to the piece, allowing it to dry and then applying a water-based glaze. These two materials react together to create the “crackle” appearance. Temperature and humidity conditions can affect how the materials react, so it is recommended to do the crackling technique in cool weather when humidity in the atmosphere will not react with the compounds.

Whitewashing

• Whitewashing gives furniture that has been coated with old-fashioned paint a rustic look. Whitewashed furniture goes well with a country decorating scheme or any that makes use of an unsophisticated look. Whitewashing can be done with milk paint or any thinned latex paint. Paint over the surface of the bare wood, and then remove some of the paint from the edges of the furniture to give it a naturally worn look. Allow the whitewash to dry and seal it with a clear satin urethane to protect the surface. Whitewashing can be combined with distressing for a more worn, aged look, according to the HomeDZine website.