| Country Finish |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-415 |
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Q: I like the look of country antiques, but authentic pieces are very expensive. Are there any inexpensive options? A: (from Bruce Johnson, Ask DIY Woodworking expert) Country antiques remain popular as a decorating motif for several reasons. Country-antique pieces are often painted in attractive colors, and provide the opportunity bring color into the home -- something that's not always characteristic of antiques in general. Also, country antiques can be found in almost all regions of the country. Original pieces, however, can command very high prices -- depending on their age, style and value as collectibles. Original pieces may also not be sturdy enough to withstand ordinary use because of their age or the homemade style in which they were created. For a less expensive alternative, consider "creating" your own country-antique furnishings. Although this technique is not recommended for authentic antiques, it can be used to good effect on pieces of unfinished furniture such as the footstool featured in our demonstration (figure A). Pieces like this can be purchased fairly inexpensively from stores specializing in unpainted and unfinished furniture. Materials: Selected piece of unfinished furniture
Black spray paint
Paint in color of your choosing
Paint brushes
Satin spray-finish
Steps:
- To add some "age" to the piece, black spray-paint is applied sparingly and sporadically over the surfaces (figure B) to emulate aging and water damage. Apply more black paint toward the bottom areas of the piece, creating an effect that would be expected from a piece that had been exposed to water or sat on a dirt floor.
- Next, decide on a color for your piece based on your own tastes and preferences. In our demonstration, a barn-red was selected (figure C). Typically, country furniture was simply painted using left over paints from other projects. The red was selected since, in a country setting, the leftovers of paint used for a barn exterior might well have been later used to paint furniture.
- Paint the piece using an ordinary paintbrush. Start brushing paint on at the top of the piece (figure D), and proceed downward so that, by the time you reach the bottom, there is less paint on the brush. This technique should result in a thicker coat of paint toward the top of the piece, and a thinner coat toward the bottom (figure E). Avoid covering every inch of the surface. A sporadic application creates the illusion that, over time, paint has worn off of areas that received the most daily wear and tear.
- Once the paint has been applied, wipe it with a rag before the paint has dried (figure F). This results in a more muted, antique-looking finish. Take your time and use your imagination to give the finished piece a look that imitates the effect of aging and wear. For example on a chair-rung, a heavier application black paint was used (figure G) to imitate the effect of people hooking their shoe-heels over the rung while sitting in the chair.
- To give the piece an even more worn look, consider using medium-grit sandpaper (figure H) to scuff and wear surfaces that would naturally receive more wear in everyday use. An abrasive pad made of synthetic fibers can be used for the same purpose, but with a more subtle effect. Both techniques will help eliminate the freshly painted look.
- Finally, you may want to apply some extra protection using a water-based spray-finish (figure I). Use a satin finish rather than a high-gloss. A shiny high-gloss finish would not be in keeping for a naturally aged piece. A satin or matte finished is much better suited to the mellowed, antique look.
RESOURCES :
The Weekend Refinisher:
How to Make the Most of Your Furniture-A Step-by-Step Guide
Author: Bruce E. Johnson
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 034535866X
The Wood Finisher: How to Finish Everything, From Decks to Floors to Doors
Author: Bruce Johnson
ISBN: 0345372972
Ballantine Books
How to Recognize and Refinish Antiques for Pleasure
Model: 0762701145
Author: Jacquelyn Peake
Furniture Repair & Refinishing
Model: 1580110061
Author: Brian D. Hingley
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