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Color ideas: Painted Patina
It took many years to achieve a perfect distressed paint finish on a table or dresser. But that is no longer the case. Ask Marjee Ann Kress or Jill Wilson. They blog about their adventures with furniture reinvention at makandjill.com. They are the owners of a San Clemente home store and design-services company. This has allowed them to perfect the process of giving brown furniture the kinda patina that would have taken years to achieve. Wilson says, “We are taking old pieces that have been collecting dust in the garage and giving it new life.” Kress adds, “We’ve always loved older furniture.” It has a rich history, is solidly built, and is full of great detail.”
Wilson says Wilson and Wilson were childhood friends and early adopters. Wilson recalls that their first project was to repaint my bedroom set at 14 years old. Wilson has spent many years perfecting their techniques. They now rely on two matte colors for quick results that require little sanding and priming. One gives a chalky look (Annie Sloan chalk paint) and one that imparts an old-fashioned milk color (Miss Mustard Seed’s). These paints are used in both their design work as well as the workshops they teach. Find out how to achieve an aged look quickly by reading the following.
Aged milk paint
Aged milk paint
This simple process replicates the scratches and dents you would see on a piece of painted wood after years of use and wear. This is ideal for unvarnished wooden furniture with interesting details such as the dresser.
Aged milk paint
You’ll need solid beeswax, a chip brush, yellow milk paint (here it is Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint in Mustard Seed Red), a paint scraper, painter’s tape, a round waxbrush and clear finishing wax.
You can do this by applying beeswax to the areas that are likely to show wear. This will prevent paint from sticking to these areas. Mix the powdered milk paint and water according to the instructions. Let it sit for 10 minutes before the pigment disintegrates. Apply the paint by brushing. Once the paint has dried to 90 percent, use a scraper to clean up any wear spots. Painter’s tape can be used for removing some paint from flat surfaces. Apply finishing wax with a round, short-bristled brush. Do this in a circular motion of approximately 1 square foot. Wipe away any excess with the rag. Here are the steps.
Tip: Only use as much milk paint you need. It contains natural protein which can turn sour within a few days.
Tip: Only use as much milk paint you need. It contains natural protein which can turn sour within a few days.
Color Wash
This adds subtle color to the wood while still allowing it to be beautiful. You can try it on unfinished items with paneling details to enhance the look, such as the cabinet.
Color Wash: Before
You will need: A large round, natural-bristle round brush; Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Greek Blue; a wax brush; a dark finishing wax; and a rag.
You can do this by brushing on Chalk Paint. Then, mix 3 parts paint and 1 part water. Push the solution into the wood grain. Use a rag to clean off any paint on the flat areas. Color will not bleed into crevices. For a rustic and antique look, apply a coat of dark wax to dry. Use a rag to remove any excess. Follow these steps to learn how to do it.
Tip: Thin the paint on brand-new wood by reducing its thickness to 4 or 5 parts.
Boat-Wood Effect
This four-color paint finish was inspired by furniture from Indonesian fishing boats. It has multiple layers of paint.
Boat-Wood Effect:
You will need: A chipbrush; Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Old White, Barcelona Orange and English Yellow; plastic putty knife; a spatula or paint scraper; sandpaper, a wax brush; a circular wax brush; and a rag.
How to achieve this look: Allow the Chalk Paint containers to remain open over night. The paint will thicken to an almost impasto-like consistency if it is left open to the air. You can find the detailed instructions here.
Chippy Layered Finish
Other colors can be shown as well as bare wood, which indicates that the item has been through many hands. This three-color look is great for worn wood pieces with a less than perfect finish or cracks like this pew.
Chippy Layered Finish
You’ll need a chip brush, Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint in Ironstone and Mustard Seed Yellow, Lucketts Green, a paint scraper, 150-grit sandpaper, a round waxbrush, a rag, and clear finishing wax.
How to do this: Sand off any finish you have before applying the first coat. Use a chip brush to apply a thin coat of white milk paint. Dip the tip of your brush in the paint and leave a little on the bristles. Let dry. You can lightly sand areas you wish to look “aged”. Apply a thin coat of yellow milk paint and let dry. Sand again, and then apply green milk paint. Use a scraper for any paint “chips” that remain after the piece has dried. Apply a coat of clear wax to the piece and wipe off any excess with a cloth. Here are the steps.
Tip: Although wax can be used to finish indoor milkpaint projects it will not withstand the heat of direct sunlight. Hemp oil is recommended for outdoor use. Only apply what your surface can absorb. Let it cure for 30 days before you place it outside.
Refined crackle
Sometimes antique furniture can have a look that reminds you of fine porcelain crazing. This mimics the look of crazing on fine porcelain, giving a perfect aged patina to elegant pieces like these French Provincial-style caned eating chairs.
Refined crackle: Before
You will need: A large round, natural-bristle toothbrush; Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Florence and Old White in Primer Red and Olive; in Graphite, Olive and Graphite combined to make brown; an air-dryer; a towel; a wax brush; clear wax; and clear finishing wax.
