The art of ageing How to create the lived-in look

• Published date: 12 April 2024
• Publication title: Horowhenua Chronicle

That’s not to say you should be ignoring the all-important preparation stages of renovation, or painting in a haphazard way to get a flawed finish. But sometimes a little imperfection can soften the feel of a space to make it feel warm, lived-in and inviting. It can be the difference that turns a new-look room into a space that feels like home

The trick is to find the right products so you can ride the line between shabby chic and just plain shabby.

Why try for weathered finish As well as simply wanting a unique, less structured finish to your project, whether it is indoors or outside, there can be practical reasons to try for an aged finish.

One of those, says Resene Colour Expert Jill Marsh, is disguise.

“Aged looks can make rooms feel comfortable and rustic, which makes them great spaces to relax in. But aged finishes can also help disguise imperfections in the surface,” Jill says. This can make them a great idea in hallways, which are high traffic areas making them prone to knocks, and where there are often long stretches of unbroken wall where those knocks are more noticeable.

An aged surface also works well in areas not in the best condition where the light hits, showing up any imperfections.

When creating a paint effect finish the first thing to remember is there are no hard and fast rules about what you should do to achieve a certain result. The finished result will be affected not just by the products you use, but also the surface you are working on. Your best bet is to experiment with colours, products, and techniques to get a look you like, then trial that combination on a sample of your surface material before you commit.

Top tip: As you work on your effect, make sure you regularly step back and check the painted area so you can keep your effect evenly spread across the surface.

To keep your look on the chic and stylish side of aged Jill recommends keeping walls a lighter neutral colour, as a backdrop to your weathered pieces, and experimenting with techniques on upcycled furniture that has the shape and style of classic antiques.

Techniques to try

Antiquing: Smear petroleum jelly on areas of furniture that would normally wear first, such as edges and corners. Paint with Resene Lustacryl tinted to your chosen colour and allow it to dry fully. Wipe away the petroleum jelly to reveal the surface underneath. Other ways to achieve a similar effect are to lightly sand areas after painting when the surface is dry, or try Resene FX Crackle which will...