Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Aging a new vanity

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Expert: - 4/28/2010


Question
I have a new  bathroom vanity that has a cherry stain and finish. I have a 1920's Spanish style room that it will go in. I have naturally aged beams on the ceiling that I would like to copy. Is there a way to age it without stripping it completely. I want it to look old and kind of picked and weather worn.
Thanks

Answer
Hi Dolores, it's possible, perhaps, but if this is a newly purchased vanity, you're dealing with an extremely tough, catalyzed finish, designed to protect the wood from moisture, wear, etc. You may also be dealing with veneers, some of them not wood, that won't respond to typical 'antiquing' techniques....Any aging, glazing, rubbed through and/or distressed areas, etc., will need to be resealed with a compatible top coat if you hope to have this vanity last. The techniques are varied, and it's always easier to find something to mimic when trying to age/distress a piece like this. It gives you a direction and clues to your final destination....if you get my drift. Many resources are available in the Library and online, for instance, just do a 'Google' search on "distressed furniture finish" or similar, and you'll find articles,online videos, etc. to help you start. Plus, I'll be here to help you further.It may also be helpful to visit the local Home Center and look at all the samples of kitchen cabinet finishes from the big manufacturers. There will be several 'distressed' samples of varied types for you to look at and deconstruct....hope that helps a little- regards- Greg

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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