Using Dark Wax to Age Furniture

I get a lot of questions about when to wax, what wax to use, etc. So here is a quick before, during and after for you so you can see the difference between waxing and not.

I picked up this piece off of Craigslist:

I decided on a light, light blue/gray color and then proceeded to have a debate with my almost 4 year old about the paint being white or blue. He decided it was white....and I was done arguing. How can you argue with this?

Getting back to furniture, I painted 2 coats, waxed most of it and then took this picture:

This is the difference between using dark wax and using paint only. Dark wax leaves an amazing aging effect that glaze, in my opinion, can't compare with. If you really want something looking aged out, dark wax is the way to go.

I use Fiddes Wax and I order it from Amazon and use Jacobean (very dark) and Rugger Brown (medium brown). I recently ordered Antique Brown and I am not a fan of the color.

Another tip I learned is the magic of using very fine steel wool to blend  the wax after it dries. Amazing! And it makes it feel like butter!

Here is the end result:

What do you think? Wax or no? I realize the "aged out" look isn't for everyone, but some love it!

On a totally different note, does anyone have any idea how old this rocking horse is or what it might be worth? It's made of mostly solid wood with some plaster pieces too. No markings anywhere.

Any help would be appreciated :)

~Allison

Wash Stand Turned Bar

I picked up this piece at Goodwill a few weeks back. The finish was just "eh". I think it may have been hand made.

I painted it in satin black, distressed it and put new hardware on it. But it still wasn't "wowing" me.

So I painted the inside. And then I was happy.

Happy Independence Day, Friends!

~Allison

Picture Perfect: Vanity #2

My friend and her daughter dropped this off about 2 weeks ago. They'd been gifted this vanity along with this dresser that I recently posted.

Before:

The vanity will go in her daughter's (age 9) room and her daughter wanted "bright blue". I gave them a few choices...choices mom and daughter could live with, and then showed them this vanity that I'd done a few weeks prior. They both loved it, but the top on the vanity above wasn't salvageable, so we painted it. I used the same colors, but instead of glazing, I sealed it with clear wax.

Picture Perfect is the name of the Benjamin Moore blue that is used in this piece.

I wish I could say this one's for sale, but she belongs to a sweet 9 year old gal!

~Allison

Read more at http://diyshowoff.com/buttons/#PiQLOQDQChbZwI4d.99

Two Tone Dresser Reveal

This little dresser has been just waiting for a makeover. I got it along with the bed that I made into a bench and this vanity that I love (but still hasn't sold!). It was a great bedroom set at one point, but must've been left in a humid place because the veneer was a MESS.

Before

After 2 coats of white paint, lightly sanding and waxing the top with a light tinted wax and glazing the body with dark walnut stain.

This one will be available through Carver Junk Company!

~Allison

Read more at http://diyshowoff.com/buttons/#PiQLOQDQChbZwI4d.99 http://fabrehabcreations.blogspot.com/2013/06/picture-perfect-vanity-2.html