I am so loving all of my projects around the house right now! I so truly enjoy taking an antique piece of furniture and restoring it and/or refinishing it!
I don’t know if you recall the vanity chair in red velvet I painted? Here it is:
Pretty, right? Well, the man who sold me this gorgeous antique chair came by a matching rocking chair (it was mahogany wood instead of orange, though). It had also been reuphostered in red velvet, and it was in good shape. I just couldn’t resist the pair!!
I bought the rocking chair, painted it white, and antiqued it to show off all of that gorgeous wood work.
Lol, disregard the hubby on his computer in the back, and the car! Here’s some close-ups so you can see the detail.
See how antiquing the piece really shows off the woodwork? I love, love, LOVE it. It’s not very difficult. In fact, if you start with a piece knowing that you want to antique it, it’s not necessary to paint it with painstaking accuracy- some uneven-ness adds even more to the character.
Just take a clean fine grit sandpaper and very, very gently, rub it over the surfaces which would normally get the most wear and tear. For most pieces, they are the parts that stick out. Remember, you’re trying to emulate the natural aging process of the piece.
Then, take a sponge paintbrush and paint on a layer of antiquing glaze (Lowe’s or Home Depot in the paint section). Using a dry paper towel, remove the excess glaze. Take care to leave it heavier in the nooks and crannies of the piece (you know, like, where it might be hard to get to for dusting). If you like an even lighter look (and I do), you can moisten another paper towel and swipe it over the large flat surfaces to keep them whiter. You can repeat as often as you need in order to get the look you’re going for.
It’s so pretty! It’s like red velvet cake and cream cheese icing- one of the world’s best combinations ever invented. So much so, I’m gonna call them my Red Velvet Cake Chairs from now on 🙂
When I decide where to put the pretty pair, I will post pics!