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Materials needed:
- sandpaper
- varnish
- paint (2 shades of one color is ideal)
- paintbrush
- drill, keys, hammer
Note: Choose two basic colors for paint; one for the top color and the other color is the base color, which is what you choose to show on the distressed parts.
- Paint the cabinet with the base color. Let it dry thoroughly (about 12-24 hours) before making the next step. If you prefer to have the natural wood to show through, skip this step.
- Coat the cabinet with your chosen top color. This will be your cabinet’s primary color, with bits of base color showing through the sanded part. The ideal color for the antique look is white or off-white, but you can use other colors, such as black, green, yellow and the like.
- When the paint has dried thoroughly, you can start distressing your cabinet. A distressed look means having scratches, nicks, dings, and all sorts of marks that imply age and wear. To help you with these, look for home improvement magazines that feature photos of distressed kitchen cabinets. To achieve the distressed look, use sandpaper to expose some of the base color. You can use the keys to make deep scratches on the surface. A little hammering here and there will add slight dents, giving your cabinet a slightly worn-out look. Moreover, you can use the drill to add some holes for a more authentic look.
- After you are through with the detailing, apply a coat of varnish to protect your finish. Doing this will keep the wood protected, as well as add extra authenticity to the antiqued look.
Your new antiqued kitchen cabinets will surely catch eyes, if not hearts. They will make your kitchen warmer yet still being functional. The distressed look will add a country vibe and make your kitchen feel more homey and who knows, it may even inspire you to be more productive in the kitchen, if you are still not.
