I know what you are thinking… How do I finish all of these fabulous pieces I just built?
Here is the “how to” of my favorite finishes. I have also added a PDF so you can easily print the steps.
Materials
Rust-olum: Chalked linen white
Minwax: espresso
or
Minwax: ebony
Minwax Water Based: polycrylic clear matte
Recommended Tools
Rags
Plastic cup
Foam paint brush
Plastic gloves



Mix 1-part Rust-olum: Chalked linen white, with 1-part water.
Helpful hint: I like to mix in a plastic cup, because it is easy to hold.
Using your foam paint brush, generously paint the mixture on.
Wipe off excess paint with rag.
Using a rag apply the desired stain

Helpful hint: A little goes a long way!
Allow to dry
These two are my absolute favorite finishes to make new wood look weathered


If you feel the look is still too dark you can always go over again with your white wash
After white wash #1 it’ll look something like this. You can always do more layers of the white wash.
I like to do dark stain to bring out the natural grain and beauty of the wood, and then add multiple white wash layers.

That’s it!