In the last post, we visited the idea of weathering, or distressing, your own furniture. This can be fun and easy to do, and also leaves you with unique furnishings that you had a hand in creating – perfect for homes or businesses that want the individual charm of antiques, but whose budgets can’t quite stretch to order a slew of antique pieces. Commercial cafe furniture and cafe furniture in the UK (You know; the place where history comes from?) can be made to look especially aged, whimsical and inviting by using these methods.

Before you begin the distressing (to the furniture, not to you – hopefully) project, gather these tools, recommended by Southern Living:

• The furniture you want to distress
• Sandpaper in medium and fine grades
• Tack cloth
• Hammer
• Medium-sized nail
• Exacto knife
• Screwdriver
• Chain
• Quart-size mixing container
• 8 ounces white glue
• 16 ounces water
• 2-ounce tube raw umber acrylic paint
• 2-ounce tube raw sienna acrylic paint
• Paintbrush
• Cotton cloths
• Clear furniture paste wax

Remove any drawers before you begin. Sand rough areas with medium-grade sandpaper, then smooth with the fine-grade paper. Wipe all surfaces until dust free. Distress the wood as desired, and wipe the furniture once more.

Mix the glue and water, and stir well. Add the paint from the tubes, using about ¾ of the sienna and all of the umber. Stir or whisk until thoroughly mixed. Paint the glaze onto the surface of the furniture.

Rub the glaze into the wood with folded cotton cloth. Work glaze into nicks and indentations on distressed surface. When you’re done, let the glaze dry for two hours.

Finally, apply clear paste wax to the entire piece of furniture using a cotton cloth; then buff with a clean cloth. Your furniture will look distressed and wonderful, and you’ll know that you made it happen with a little time, devotion, and do-it-yourself enthusiasm.