The Money Pit
You know, I have never seen that movie..perhaps I should. I am living in a bit of a money pit myself…lots of potential but without the cash and/or expertise…well….not much gets done. I got a lot done in the front parlor but since then everything seems to have just sort of stabilized.
I think if you are considering buying an old house you have to realize that things are rarely as simple as they seem to be.People have gotten divorces over historic restoration!
And it seems like when you get one thing done something else happens.
This is my parlor. I took three days and stenciled the walls. The bottom color is just a shade or two lighter than the stencil color. I wanted the look of faded wall paper so I used a sea sponge to stencil with. By doing that the paint went on unevenly and it gave me the worn and faded look I was trying for.
The trim is faux painted to look like real wood. Well, it is real wood but the original trim had been replaced with cheap lumber and painted white. I had the choice of replacing it all or faux finishing. Once the faux painting technique was done and dry I finished it with amber shellac. It gave it a more authentic look which is what I was going for. I like the way it came out. The biggest down side to it is that if it chips the white paint shows through.
Anyway, I guess my point is that a little imagination goes a long way. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
image: marye audet
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I never thought of the shellac. I am moving into a condo that is in a building that’s about 80 yrs old. High ceilings, wood trims, the whole bit. Unfortunately, a couple of the rooms had their beautiful trim painted over and I was trying to figure out a way to make them look more authentic without stripping and risking letting lead from the old paint out into the air.
Marijke
you can get the gel stain and use that to faux finish to look like wood. It isn’t difficult. Paint a base color on the trim first..like a warm mustard gold (that’s what I used) then when it dries brush over it with the gel stain, allowing the brush to leave streaks… practice on a piece of wood first