How to Use Antiquing Wax to Create a White Wash Effect
Kristie from Lee.Marie Antiqued Furniture created this faux white washed finish with Lazy Linen and Antiquing Wax!I found this hall bench on Kijiji for cheap. It was in great condition. All I did for prep was remove the hooks, light sanding, and a good scrub with soap and water.
I wanted to create a driftwood/beachy white wash. I've never really tried that style before so I had to get creative. I chose Lazy Linen because it's a very light grey - almost white. I thought if I painted it on and wiped it back it would sink into the beautiful grain of this piece. Well, it did. And this would be a really simple and pretty touch for any other piece... but I still wasn't loving the orangey-ness after wiping it all back.
So I came up with another way. I painted two light coats of Lazy Linen making sure each coat dried between. I sanded the whole thing lightly to smooth it out and take away any brush strokes that might interfere with the next step.
Then, (and maybe I've been living under a rock because I've never used it before!) applied Antiquing Wax liberally over the entire piece. I really had to massage it in because I wanted it to sink into the grooves of the original grain. I worked in sections and wiped it all off with a lint free rag.
I used a rag to apply the wax, as opposed to a brush, because I purposely wanted to avoid pressing the dark wax into the cracks and corners of the piece. I wanted them to stay white giving the illusion that the whole piece had been white/lime washed.
I am so happy with how this turned out! I had no idea I could create a white wash effect by applying a dark wax. Seems backwards, but it worked and I love it!
Kristie {Lee.Marie Antiqued Furniture}
I’m Kristie. I am a wife, a mama to a crazy toddler, and a part time dental assistant. But any spare time I get, I am refinishing furniture! I started a couple years ago just with random pieces around the house, and quickly became addicted. I love the challenge of it all. The hunt for a good one, piecing it all back together, and choosing a colour and look that brings it back to life. I love the quote “have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful”. Life is too short to have boring furniture.
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