we used a couple wall treatments on the fort basement project that produced great results. both are simple and cost-effective so i thought i’d describe them.
the first is what we call “dry-brushing.” i don’t think we made it up- but i don’t know exactly where we got the idea either. basically you start with a wood-grain surface – nasty old brown paneling, for instance, or an old piece of furniture that you want to update – and brush black paint onto it, brushing in the direction of the grain. be careful not to put too much paint on. the desired effect is for a little of the brown wood grain to show through, creating a black-brown color with a hint of wood grain. This is a popular finish at IKEA and so we tried to emulate it to match our old, used furniture with new pieces we’d purchased for the same room. we used the same treatment on a dresser and mirror for my brother’s coffee house redesign project -as well as shelving for daughter heidi’s pottery at the same shop. the results are generally stunning – and for pennies!
the first is what we call “dry-brushing.” i don’t think we made it up- but i don’t know exactly where we got the idea either. basically you start with a wood-grain surface – nasty old brown paneling, for instance, or an old piece of furniture that you want to update – and brush black paint onto it, brushing in the direction of the grain. be careful not to put too much paint on. the desired effect is for a little of the brown wood grain to show through, creating a black-brown color with a hint of wood grain. This is a popular finish at IKEA and so we tried to emulate it to match our old, used furniture with new pieces we’d purchased for the same room. we used the same treatment on a dresser and mirror for my brother’s coffee house redesign project -as well as shelving for daughter heidi’s pottery at the same shop. the results are generally stunning – and for pennies!
I really like the new look of your post (video shots) as well as what you are doing to your various design locations. I finally figured out that if I double clicked on the first pic, I can enlarge and really see the dry brush look you’re talking about. Well done! Keep it up!!!