4 Tips to Give Furniture a Rustic Look

Vintage furniture are back, so it is time to visit your grand parents' attic to find a few hidden gems. Many of you might have pieces of furniture that need a little touch in order to look perfect. Here are four tips that can help you in the process.

1. Distressing

You would initially have to start with distressing your furniture. This means you would have to scrape off any old paint that is currently on the piece. You can either use an electric sander or sandpaper to wipe off the paint. You might be required to use a chemical cleaner if the paint is applied quite thickly. Once you are done with the cleaning part, dry the furniture using a rag to remove any dirt that is left.

2.Painting

The next step is to paint the furniture in a manner such that an anti dilutive look is achieved. Do remember that rustic furniture does not have heavy coats of paint and therefore you must dilute the paint. You can choose any kind of paint such as oil based paints or water based paints. Apply the paint by using a rag or brush although a rag results in better effects. Once the first layer is applied allow it to dry off and then apply the second layer. You can add more layers if you want to but do remember that rustic furniture is all about less paint and have a more worn out look. In case you have applied more paint than you want, you can use a sandpaper to wipe off the excess paint.

You can also apply opaque color paint directly and then wipe it off the cloth immediately after applying. This way any excess paint would be removed immediately and you would need to spend less effort and time.

3.Drying

Although this might seem quite obvious, this is nevertheless an important step. If you do not allow the paint to dry off and move to the next step, all your effort would not be realized as the furniture would fail to achieve the desired look. You need to make sure that the furniture item is allowed to dry off in a ventilated area, away from people or pets who might ruin the paint job.

4.Sealing

Once the paint has dried off, you would now need to seal it with satin polyurethane that would act as a sealant and protect the furniture. However, do not apply the sealer with a rag but rather with a brush to ensure smooth application.

The simple process of whitewashing can allow you to bring a rustic charm to the interior of your room. The process is quite simple and does not require a person to master any specific technique and therefore is a must do it yourself project.

Chris is an experienced interior designer and craftman. Chris regularly writes for Christophe Living. Over the last 4 years, Chris has written numerous articles and is an active forum contributor.

Design Trends: Beautifully Distressed Furniture

There's no question that distressed wood furniture has found the way into the hearts of interior design enthusiasts.  This laid-back, unfinished look of purposeful imperfection lends a rustic charm to wooden furniture.  This instantly gives a refreshingly relaxed and comforting ambiance to any room in the house.

This well sought-after design element on high end furniture conveys a subtle elegance that evokes a quiet admiration.  Many prefer the appearance of distressed finishes for its unique style and more casual character.  Purposeful indentations, rubbed-off paint, and softly weathered finishes are just a few distress elements to create that well-worn, loved and antiqued appearance.

The Hatfield Living Room set pictured here bears a softly distressed Alabaster finish with delicate wood carvings throughout.  The light wood finish adds a serene atmosphere to this set, while soft shades of taupe and cream on accent pillows and cushioning add a touch of cozy charm.

These simple yet refined details combine to generate an aesthetic that will have you feeling like you've just wandered into a charming cottage in the English countryside.

There are many styles to choose from within distressed-style furniture that it may be a challenge to choose which piece to go with.  From modern to traditional, look to renowned quality in brands such as Marge Carson and Restoration Hardware.  Whatever style you go with, distressed finishes provide a quiet charm that will create an air of imperfect beauty.