Blog Post
Farmhouse Nightstands
- By Tammy Fiddie
- •
- 23 May, 2019
- •
How to get a worn chippy look using Saltwash
Can I just say before we get started..... I LOVE SALTWASH! LOL
If you haven't heard of it or used it before, you should definitely put it on your shopping list!
Saltwash is a powdered product that you can add to ANY paint to make it thick so you can create texture on anything you are painting. It. Is. A-mazing!
Don't mind my paint splattered work table
This pair of dark, drab nightstands are perfect for a light colored Saltwash finish to give them a little farmhouse flare!
I always start by sanding down the tops to the bare wood and HOPE that it is in good enough condition to stain
I use my old, beat up sanding disks to sand the edge details. Then the whole piece gets a good scuff sanding and cleaning.
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I have found that I can get SO many different looks with Saltwash and
one way I change it up is by how thick I mix it with my paint. For this
project I wanted a more subtle look, so I mixed it a little thinner.
As you can see, I use an old, grungy chip brush to apply it with.
I'm using a greige color paint mixed with the Saltwash and I apply it just to the areas that I think would get normal wear and tear for this project. When you apply it, you basically dab/glob it on creating peaks (like meringue). On the larger flat surfaces I used random brush strokes that will create another pattern of texture once we sand back.
Once the Saltwash begins to dry, gently knock down the peaks with very light brush stokes.
After the Saltwash is completely dry, paint on your top coat color (this color does NOT have Saltwash added). I used a color called Irish Creme.
Let your top coat color COMPLETELY dry. I usually let it sit over night.
Now comes the FUN part!
I use a well worn, 220 grit sanding disk on my orbital sander to sand back the larger flat areas, and I sand the detailed areas by hand. When you start sanding you will see the peaks that were left in the base Saltwash color start showing through. It creates such a COOL look!
These farmhouse cuties were finished off with a stained top and a rubbed bronze finish on the original hardware.
Happy painting!
Tammy
