Add Age to Your Furniture for an Antique Look at a Fraction of the Cost
Antique wood furniture holds a certain allure. Pieces passed down from one generation to the next bring with them an array of stories and fond memories. Those purchased from antique stores have histories as well though these are often lost in time. Of course, not everyone has access to family heirlooms of this nature or the budget to frequent local antiquity shops.
Conversation pieces can be created at home for that heirloom look at a fraction of the cost. For the skilled craftsman, coffee tables, desks, chairs and other pieces can be built in a home-based shop. Certain stores specialize in unfinished wood furniture, and you can also find local wood shops to cut and assemble the items of your dreams. While a solid coat of paint followed by a layer of durable lacquer will adequately finish the piece, you can also opt for an aged look.
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This antiqued finish can easily be accomplished when you buy real milk paint and apply it appropriately. Stain can be applied to raw wood for a darker base; then, you can apply the milk paint in your choice of color. While wet, wipe areas of the furniture you want to look worn with a damp cloth to remove some of the paint and allow the stain or wood beneath to show. Once it meets your approval, allow this layer to fully dry.
Additional layers and colors of milk paint can be applied in the same manner. They won't mix to create unusual hues, but they will generate the illusion of being used for a number of years and painted repeatedly over time. The end result will be a new piece of furniture that appears to have been in your family for decades. Techniques can be used to add dents and dings indicative of normal wear and tear.
With the right materials and tips of the trade, you can add as many years as you'd like to your wood furniture regardless of how new it may be. Milk paints are available in a wide range of colors although for a truly authentic look, darker, more toned-down hues would be the better choice. Think about colors that would've been used in the 1800's or early 1900's rather than the neons and psychedelic choices of recent years.
