Casa Garden

Distressing is one of several faux painting techniques used to create a worn and weathered finish. The distressed effect on wooden items endows them with an antique or ‘shabby chic’ look that is essential in a variety of dcor schemes, from antique elegance to the informal rustic style. Distressing is an effective way to age doors on bedroom, kitchen and other cabinets to produced a textured and less bland appearance.

Distressing Techniques

As well as faux painting techniques, there are other ways to simulate the wear that older furnishings characteristically display. Giving a door a bit of a hammering or gouging with a chisel creates age-related damage, but faux painting is a gentler way of creating an all-over aged effect.

The appearance of age is based on simulating patina. Texture is created when the original color of the wood shows through the faux patination. On top of a base coat another color is applied. Scraping through the wet topcoat to reveal the color beneath creates an impression of depth and hence age. Dragging or combing are two techniques for removing the top layer of wet paint, with different implements producing different textures. Applying paint with a fine brush can also create the effect, but is a more demanding way to achieve the distressed look.

Because the principle of distressing is based on a simulated patina, the base coat will be a lighter color than the faux patinated layer. Shades of brown are obvious choices, but you can use other colors (such as brown and gray) to create different effects and degrees of contrast.

Distressing With Wax:

Instead of scraping off areas of the second layer of paint before it dries, wax (typically beeswax) is applied in streaks, stripes or patches. When it has set, the paint topcoat is applied. Though it will cover the wax, when sanded both paint and wax are removed, exposing the base coat. You have considerable control over the finished effect, depending on the grade of sandpaper and how heavily or lightly you sand it.

Using Crackle Glaze :

As varnish on old furniture ages, it dries and cracks in a characteristic crazed pattern. By applying a layer of crackle glaze in between the base coat and top coat, you can replicate this effect. Note that oil paint is not suitable for use with crackle glaze. You need latex paints to get the required effect.

Pickling :

Pickling is another technique for distressing wooden surfaces such as cabinet doors. It is especially good if the wood you wish to treat is attractive and you don’t necessarily want to cover it up. It simply requires painting your door and then carefully wiping off areas of paint before the layer dries.

Whichever technique you choose, adding texture to plain surfaces is not complicated and can add the finishing touch to your chosen dcor style.

Paint is the medium of illusion and fantasy. You can use it to realize a boy’s dreams by creating a bedroom that will be an extension of his personality and a showcase for his youthful passions. You might want to run ideas past the occupant but you can surprise and thrill your child with an imaginative bedroom makeover.

Themed Boys’ Rooms

Whether the boy in question is passionate about cars or stars, there’s a theme that you can implement in his bedroom using little more than paint. You may choose to create a total environment or simply to co-ordinate features thematically. Identify the key features of your chosen theme and think about which can be effectively realized in paint. Popular themes for boy’s rooms include outdoors activities, cars and trains, sport, the Wild West and the realms of space. You might want to opt for themes that are less gender-stereotyped.

You could aim for a room that is as realistic as a film set by decorating walls, ceiling and floor. Using paint to create a faux stone effect you can simulate a cave or a castle. Faux paint woodwork can achieve the look of a Wild West saloon or a pirate’s cabin. For a more traditional bedroom, coordinating colors and motifs can be enough to add character and evoke atmosphere, and will require less effort and expense.

Imaginative ways to use paint in themed rooms are legion. A young car fanatic might be amused by road markings painted on the floor or faux tire tracks stenciled on the walls. You don’t have to stick to murals or borders depicting cars. If the theme is the Wild West or a castle, you can use faux painting techniques to simulate a distressed or antique look. Metallic paints can be used to simulate chrome, bronze and metal features appropriate to a particular theme.

Bear in mind when choosing a theme for a boy’s room that children’s passions can be short-lived and you don’t want to have to redecorate when the fad passes.

Color Schemes and Paints

Pastel colors aren’t ideal for small boys liable to track dirt around. Some paints are more washable than others, and some are more resistant to scuff marks and chipping. The colors you choose may arise logically from your theme. If not, co-ordinate colors with a color wheel and consider using treasured items in your boy’s room as the inspiration for a color scheme.

Special Paints

Paint not only creates a look but can be used for some practical purposes. You can even buy magnetic paint that will allow pictures and papers to be displayed, like a notice board (but more fun). Luminous paint, perhaps depicting stars and planets on the ceiling, will amuse your child after lights out. Chalkboard paint will allow your boy to draw on the walls without the usual consequences. Standard colors are green and black, but recipes for homemade versions and custom colors are available.