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Marian Parsons — mother , wife , and creative soul — was beat out on hand - paint old-fashioned European article of furniture . She coveted the timeworn look but could n’t excuse the price or invaluableness , especially with two active little boys in the house . Parsons had no pick but to replicate the look herself . She studied antiques , consulted an assortment of how - to Koran , and represent around with paint and such , finally hone her refinishing skills and garnering much fanfare . She take to blogging about her crafty escapades under the nameMiss Mustard Seed , along the way create a hot byplay and brand as she metamorphose furnishings into recherche reinterpretation of their former self . Here , Parsons discusses the differences between antiquing and distressing furniture , and gives tip on how to get at a Modern finish that search old .
Antiquing vs. Distressing
Antiquing and distressing are both used to simulate age and they ’re often used in conjunction , but they are distinctly different painting techniques . When antiquate piece of furniture , you bring layer ofpaint and stainto achieve a grunge patina , whereas when you straiten it , you remove the finish to simulate long time of clothing . rector exhort anyone who is contemplate trying these techniques to first study echt antiques and note where the paint has worn away or become distressed from do by and where the finish has become dark and antiqued from the accrual of dirt over the eld .
Choosing a Piece
When choose a piece to refinish , Parsons regard flair , price , and term . She is drawn to the Empire , American Farmhouse , and French Provincial styles , and she looks for satisfying forest piece of furniture with details such as serpentine boxershorts , beadwork , and turned legs that give a piece part and yield opportunity to diddle with the painted finish . Her introductory rule is , “ Buy what you have it away , but not something that is beyond your power to quicken … unless it is so cheap you have small to suffer . ”
Prepped to Paint
The most important prep step issanding , although Parsons seldom spends more than five moment on it . “ You do n’t need to fret the objet d’art , but rather rough it up enough to help with adhesion , ” she says , recommending average - grit sandpaper , such as 100 , for the job .
Create a Story
When you age-old and hurt article of furniture , you are basically telling a fabricated history . To make a piece that looks like an original , think about how it might have been used . As a general guideline , distress the eminent points that would frequently have been handled and bumped , and antiquate the low points or cleft where dust would have settle . rector admonish , “ Paint in general does n’t wear away tang in the center of a draftsman front . It wears away around the edge and handles . ”
Type of Paint
Parsons has used many paint products and receive thatmilk paint , along with belittled bottles of trade store acrylic paints for ornamental detailing , meets her piece of furniture refurbishing need . She loves that milk paint is natural , has a long shelf lifespan , “ soak in like stain but looks like paint , ” and dries flatness . minister of religion also likes that she can mix just the amount of milk key needed for a picky project and can regulate the want opacity . Milk paint , however , can be temperamental . She offers plenty oftutorialsfor the Milk River key novice .
The Layered Look
To re - produce the looking of a beautiful antique that has been repaint over the years , Parsons employ a repertory of resist methods , techniques that use Vaseline , beeswax , or hemp oil to foreclose the second coat from cling and permit the bottom layer to show through . Sanding with mass medium and then okay sandpaper will tot up to the patina .
Related : The Best Paint Brushes , test and Reviewed
Brush Basics
Talcott Parsons could not paint article of furniture without a nylon bristlePurdy 2 - inch angled sash brush . The size and form allow her to cut in neatly . For waxing she likes a big , bushy rude bristle brush that she can play into the deep cut up crannies . A soft cloth is also ready to hand for utilise a wax top coating .
Finishing Touches
Wax and oil protect the paint finish . “ Each fourth dimension you add a top coat to milk blusher , you will see a difference in the color and elan vital of a art object , ” says Parsons , who almost always apply one coat of hemp oil to a ruined piece , adding layers for more shininess if desired . In addition , white wax ( for liming ) , furniture wax ( for butter - soft texture ) , and brown wax ( for antiquing ) deliver specific effect . As forhardware , Parsons salvages the original stuff but has no allegiance to tacky replica nerve . Similar to the process of seem for the perfect earring , Parsons often tries several knobs before making a determination , and when Hobby Lobby ’s glass knob are on sale , she always buys duplicate .
This Is the class for a Kitchen Renovation
Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we view this refurbishment the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .
Photo: Miss Mustard Seed Photo: Miss Mustard Seed
Photo: Miss Mustard Seed
Photo: Miss Mustard Seed
Photo: Miss Mustard Seed
