Fun and funky distressed finishes to brighten up any room

In this recent gloomy economic climate, it would be nice to add a bit of color and I though sharing some of the neat distressed finishes we have been working on, might brighten up the days a bit.

s6002526.thumbnail Fun and funky distressed finishes to brighten up any room s6002527.thumbnail Fun and funky distressed finishes to brighten up any room

img 0763.thumbnail Fun and funky distressed finishes to brighten up any room

 The hand rubber, distressed finish sky blue hutch adds some pleasantness to the room and may even pass as French Provincial, as does the lemon flavored traditional Chinese stool with a worn down finish for that “clean but aged look.”

 bench s6003562.thumbnail Fun and funky distressed finishes to brighten up any room

Lacquer colors like Popsicle, Cherry Candy, Green Apple and Salty Licorice bring more to mind then just plain old furniture.

Fun and funky distressed finishes to brighten up any room Fun and funky distressed finishes to brighten up any room

French country – Chinese country – whatever it is, its pretty cool. These pieces were on their way to new homes.

side table.thumbnail Fun and funky distressed finishes to brighten up any room

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Whitewashed, bleached and lime finishes are all the rage in furniture

Recently we discussed the popularity of furniture constructed from salvaged materials like this reclaimed elm wood dining table and therefore it should be no surprise that the according to House Beautiful, the whitewashed look along with lightened wood, bleached finishes and limed finishes are growing just as much in popularity as well whether in Asian home furniture or European styles. Known in Chinese as “Shi ni,“ Lime, is a naturally occurring calcium compound which has a wide range of applications and used from livestock products to concrete.

Limed finishes as sometimes also called Cerused or “pickled finishes” and vary depending on the nature of the underlying materials. Reclaimed wood will generally produced a more rustic and “aged look,” whereas new materials will feel a bit neater – even if deliberately antiqued. A look at two sample below illustrates the differences seen in materials. Both have been given a limed finished.

reclaimed elm limed finished.thumbnail Whitewashed, bleached and lime finishes are all the rage in furniture new elm limed finished.thumbnail Whitewashed, bleached and lime finishes are all the rage in furniture

The first board is reclaimed material. The second is new but “antiqued” to look more aged. The difference is even more pronounced when viewing whole pieces. A recent factory visit turned up these two examples. The first is a rustic farm table from ACF China and is constructed using salvaged materials. The second is a rattan chest on a stand from Four Hands and is from new materials. Both have pickled finishes.

s6001608.thumbnail Whitewashed, bleached and lime finishes are all the rage in furniture

Whitewashed, bleached and lime finishes are all the rage in furniture

 

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A true work of art – The making of a Chinese lacquered room divider/chinoiserie screen

 

Chinoiserie screens are always a favorite with interior designers and today, we give you a detailed glimpse into the workshop of an artist craftsmen and let you see the many steps required to create a perfect lacquer painting.

2243528513 7a5a05205d A true work of art The making of a Chinese lacquered room divider/chinoiserie screen

Note: The large versions of these photos are online: http://www.flickr.com/photos/acf-china/2243528705/

The art of lacquer painting is a ancient one, originating in China thousands of  years ago.  In the Neolithic age (about 7,000 years ago), while cutting down trees, the precursors to Chinese people realized that the sap of the lacquer trees could be applied to walls, furniture and other objects, thus giving birth to primitive lacquer art. Painting with lacquer is a meticulous and time-consuming process which most people fail to realize or appreciate. It is a very meticulous labor of love to create a lacquer painting and the process can take at least several weeks or in the case of a series of panels, more then several months to complete. Lacquer paintings & screen panels are traditionally created in three styles which correlate to the color of the paintings background:

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This antique crackle finish is actually brand new.

I am by far not an expert and to be honest, my main advantage is simply having the opportunity to see, touch & feel different restored, un-restored pieces on regular basis. When the factory is literally right behind you and you can hang out with the workers and see the entire process, one can learn a lot quickly. With that said, if I didn’t have this chance, I would definitely assume this table is a genuine antique. This antique crackle finish is actually brand new. This antique crackle finish is actually brand new. This antique crackle finish is actually brand new. This antique crackle finish is actually brand new.Its a great reproduction and the finish genuinely feels like it has age – from the coloration to the crackle to the rubbed edges and dirtiness of it all. Though hard to see from the photos, it also has a certain dirty feel to it, giving the impression it has been just recently unearthed from the ground. When I get a free moment, I need to talk with the worker to see exactly how they do this particular lacquering technique – though I am guessing it involves a fabric base, some dirt and probably a blow torch.

Wood Finishing Articles & Information

Here is some great collection of articles I found on wood finish supply.com’s website about lacquers & wood finishing. Its quite technical and really intended for woodworkers and the like but if thats you, then this is a good resource.

Here is a sample of some of the articals:

  • The Atanomy of A Wood Finish
    These 3 basic finish steps apply to all finishes from the most basic wax or oil finish
    to high-tec coatings and even painting the exterior of a house or a room wall.
  • COLOR THEORY for the Woodworker & Furniture Finisher
    Mixing Stains or Dyes & Color Computer Instructions.
  • Glossary of Finishing Terms
    Woodfinishing Lingo

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Another cracked laquer effect

green cracked lacquer sample.thumbnail Another cracked laquer effect Another type of cracked lacquer does not require the use of sheets of fabric.  First a layer of “nizi” – a kind of adhesive, is spread evenly over the surface of the furniture,  preferably brushing on a thicker coat of “nizi” rather then a thin one.  The adhesive is then left to air dry for a short period of time. Water and fine sandpaper is then used to smooth out and polish the surface and again, allowed to air dry for a short time.A coat of lacquer is then brushed over top the layer of “nizi” – usually at least two times depending on the desired thickness. This is again, then left to air dry for at least one full day. The surface is once again polished using fine sandpaper and water and a 2nd layer of “nizi” is applied which is also left to air dry for a short period of time. A 2nd coat of lacquer is also applied again over top of the “nizi,” again using at least two coat. When this 2nd coat of lacquer has dried the surface is again given a wet polish with water and fine sanpaper and after allowed to air dry for short time. Sometimes the color of the laquer is switched in one of the layers to cause a multicolor effect.After this, during the final steps lacquer is sprayed on (not brushed this time, but sprayed) usually in a least two coats and once again allowed to air dry. The final step is to brush the entire surface with two or more coats of paint thinner and again allow to air dry. These two final steps are what cause the crackly effect.  The end effect looks quit nice!

The specialists guide to Chinese antiques is Stephen Fry proof thanks to caching by WP Super Cache