Extending your life outside is all a part of making your home your own. Even in the depths of winter, planning for an outdoor environment for yourself and your family is a great way to add value and enjoyment to life at home. Actually, this time of year is the best time to make your plan, so that when the warmer weather rolls around, you’re ready to spring (pardon the pun) into action.

One strategy that’s becoming a trend in the 21st century home is to create a habitat for local wildlife in your backyard. This isn’t exactly a new idea. But, 21st century design is about taking old ideas and repositioning them into a new context. So is the idea of being aware of our place in nature, and reconnecting with the natural world. And that brings us to the traditional bird bath – a symbol of serenity in even the humblest of backyards or balconies.

But, in addition to its practical and even symbolic function, a bird bath can be pretty stylish too. So, let’s take a look at a few examples.

Bird bath as a focal point

A popular choice has been to make the bird bath a focal point in your outdoor living space. Here’s a good example, using a pattern of stone pavers to create some visual pop  surrounding the traditional tiered bird bath, although here with some native grasses to add some wildness to the mix

Rough-hewn bird bath

Beyond the tiered bird bath, some selections are more naturalistic, adhering to nature’s aesthetic sense. Here’s an example of a bird bath that isn’t too far removed from naturally occurring stone formations found in mountain streams.

Bird bath and water feature

The sound of water is as comforting as the sight of gathering birds. In this example, you get the benefits of both. And as you can see, it fits in very well within a relatively small space.

Metal container bird baths

Besides the tiered bird bath, there are other classic shapes to consider, and other materials as well. These are metal bird baths, perfect for balconies and rooftop spaces, and with something of a Grecian urn style that makes it classical as well as classy.

Zen bird baths

Like many aspects of design, simplicity delivers miles of appeal, and often a level of subtlety that a flashier piece would miss. And you can see that in this design, a refined, simple bowl-shape that is more than just an accessory to an outdoor living space. It’s provides a sense of serenity, even if birds choose to to bathe somewhere else. Yet, why would they!

Bird baths: at one with nature

Bird baths are not a new idea. What can be new is your choice of design, and also your intention when you add a bird bath to your outdoor space. It’s a great way to invite nature into your space. And in a small way, it helps you to be connected with the natural world, too, as you add  your personal style to a space.

Related posts:

1. Water Garden Features: Is That a Backyard or a Water Park?
2. Picking the Perfect Fence for Your Backyard
3. Backyard Party Success: 6 Ways To Perfection

Although I know I will make a simple, practical bathroom in my new house, I can dream about something out of the ordinary. You know; the things I would never execute, yet imagine myself using. OK, I would do some of these….

This is obviously a child’s bathroom, because there is a stool under the sink. Despite that, I love the lines, the storage, the knobs and the sink. The color – I can leave it.

This couldn’t be simpler! I love the smooth, clean lines. That’s if you have storage elsewhere….

I can see me doing this – wine barrels recycled into bathroom vanities with matching mirrors! I’d choose the copper counter-top.

Source: decordir.com via Rob on Pinterest

 Two of these sinks side by side make this simple look work. I think one sink wouldn’t have the same impact.

Source: archithings.net via Rob on Pinterest

 

This is definitely a bathroom to be overlooking the ocean! The lines reflect the waves and shells. I like the pedestal sinks, but I doubt they’d fit in our desert surroundings.

Source: homedesigndecorator.com via Rob on Pinterest

 

Here’s a cozy, rustic bathroom of stone and wood.

Source: appuu.com via Rob on Pinterest

 

Saving the best for last! More coziness – I love the wood, the beams and the fireplace here. I’d pass on the bidet, but the rest is completely possible.

Source: interiorholic.com via Rob on Pinterest

 

When I remodeled my house in 2007, I bought inexpensive toilets, vanities and a bathtub from Lowe’s. (I was saving the big bucks for the solar hot water system.) The bathrooms look very normal, nothing imaginative. The creativity was in the paint and Mexican tile around the windows. I may end up doing the same thing in the new house, but it sure would be fun to do something extraordinary! We’ll see. We’re not very close to choosing bathroom fixtures yet, though. Stay tuned!

Related posts:

1. Eco-Friendly Bathroom Remodeling: Recycled Bathroom Sinks
2. Fall Bathroom Remodeling and Furnishings
3. Choosing Bathroom Vanities For Small Bathrooms

The humble toilet is the unsung hero of the house. It’s taken for granted now, but it was once a game-changing addition to the modern home, and to the modern bathroom specifically.

But, the toilet, the throne, commode, thundermug, porcelain bus driver’s seat, etc, didn’t come to the civilized world fully formed. It has changed along with the rest of what we’ve come to view as the modern home. As such, we thought it was a good idea to review some of the popular models down through the centuries, and ones that you can expect to see in other parts of the world even today.

So, American Standard look out! Here’s Bob the Toilet Salesman to review the pantheon of porcelain gods that have graced households for centuries.

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1. Hardwood Flooring Maintenance: Do What Mom Says!
2. This Week’s Wood Floor Mold: Reducer Moldings
3. 10 Redneck Bathrooms

The humble garden shed has been a part of single-home dwellings for years. Some of us associate the shed as a flimsy metal box with a door that always sticks. But, sheds are being built to be more sturdy these days. And as such, they present a whole new source of potential to be more than their original purpose of a storage place for garden tools.

Writer Nicola Winters expands on this idea of a garden shed that can be transformed into a bona fide outbuilding, an extension of your life at home …

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The recent slump in property prices has led to many families struggling to accommodate for their expanding brood. Whilst the original plan would have been to buy and sell, households are now being forced to stay put to avoid losing out on money already invested. The number of households investing in house extensions to solve this common problem has risen dramatically in recent times; in a bid to ensure much needed extra space and comfort, and to increase the eventual overall price of the property.

Although this type of option is an advisable and desirable one, the cost involved in implementing such an extreme measure is proving too great for many families. Another easy and much cheaper alternative is to transform a practical garden shed into an additional room or storage space. This is not only easily obtainable, but a great way to enjoy both a home and a garden.

Once a shed has been fully emptied, a thorough clean is required before painting can occur. Purchasing a paint that is suitable on wooden surfaces is essential; however the color you chose solely depends on the type of space you wish to design.

There are many functions that a shed can perform other than a storage cupboard. Due to the sturdiness of sheds that are designed, complete rooms can be designed. Here are just a few ideas:

Outbuilding option A: an office

It is becoming a common occurrence for business people to be given the opportunity to work from home. Although this initially sounds ideal, the distractions felt around the house can make it extremely difficult for people to keep full concentration throughout the day. By setting up an internet connection from the house to the shed a full office, with a computer, desk and filing cabinet can be implemented into your garden. USB dongles can be purchased that allow for high speed broadband to be accessible from a certain range.

Outbuilding option B: a play house

Those with children will be all too aware of the amount of clutter and mess a child can create. With such a large amount of toys, games and books, living rooms can begin to look overly fussy with boxes stacked up in around frequently used rooms.

By choosing bright, fun and colourful colours to paint the walls, adding children’s furniture and toy boxes, an exciting play room can be created in the back garden. Not only will children be ecstatic about such a creation, parents will enjoy complete tidiness in the home.

Outbuilding option C: a music room

Practicing music groups can find it difficult to find a suitable place to rehearse. Noise pollution and space needed are just two of the many implications. By decorating the walls with musical memorabilia and posters a shed can look and feel like a genuine musical theatre. Not only that but equipment can be set up permanently; a huge convenience when considering time optimisation. This way, those in the house are able to relax whilst a band can enjoy complete

Outbuilding option D: a workshop

For those who work from home or simply enjoy their hobby of woodwork, finding a suitable place within the home to undergo carpentry activities is a challenging task. Furniture, objects and even people are at risk of becoming damaged or injured due to the dangerous nature of the art and the heavy tools that are used. Creating a workshop in the back garden is ideal for those who wish to store their projects, tools and equipment in one safe and secure place; away from vulnerable hands.

Sheds and outbuildings can redefine your life at home

Whilst many use their garden sheds for practical reasons, storing gardening equipment, tools and other devices that are frequently used in and around the home, others simply store used and unwanted furniture, out of season clothes and other items that are yet to be disposed of. If these objects were slightly re-arranged and placed in other, secure locations, such as lofts, garages and pantries, sheds can be used as a whole new room to use and enjoy.

***

Thanks, Nicola!

Cheers,

Rob.

Related posts:

1. Modern Sheds with Cork Flooring Go Beyond Storage
2. Outdoor Living Space Planning: Extend Your Life Outside!
3. De-Clutter Your Garden Shed

Photo: Katie Thompson (recreate.za) via Apartment Therapy.

A home decorated with upcycled furniture will be completely unique and eclectic. A good place to find furniture to play with is at yard sales and thrift stores. Maybe you can trade with friends or even get hand me downs. Keep your eyes open and your creative mind alive while searching for items to upcycle.

Maybe one of the original upcycling projects was the quilt. When clothes were worn out, they were cut up, and the pieces put together for bedding. This has now become a fine art, but originally, one item was used to create a completely different one. I hung the head of a metal rake upside down to function as a clothes hook. A 6-pane window was turned into a mirror. And I’ve done my share of quilting.

Here are some varied ideas to inspire you and get you started. Most of these are DIY, which will keep down the expense. Upcycling is frugal, too!

Upcycled furniture

Probably most everyone reading this has bought some second hand furniture and fixed it up. You strip the finish, sand it down, and paint or stain it to give it new life. That is one aspect of recycling.

Another way to recycle old furniture is to upcycle it. You don’t even need to start with furniture! Giving new purpose to an object is upcycling. It extends the life of an item that may otherwise go to the landfill.

Who doesn’t have old jeans lying around? I sure do! Sew up some scraps, and make a sling chair.

I love this dresser of vintage suitcases. The frame could be an old, recycled dresser, or it could be fashioned of scrap wood. I am guessing the tops of the suitcases have been removed. Or not.

Old suitcases can also be made into chairs or pet beds.

I love claw foot bathtubs. This is a really creative idea, but I’m not sure it’s is very comfortable seating, though.

Vintage bike. Vintage bathroom.

Source: benjamin-bullins.artistwebsites.com via Rob on Pinterest

Windows are multi-purpose. Make a glass coffee table!

Upcycled home decor accessories

Get your beautiful pots and pans out of the cupboard! Hang them on a bike tire rim!

This is one of my favorite ideas – the back of a chair repurposed into a shelf/towel rack. I’m going to have to try this!

If you don’t have a built-in island in the kitchen, you can create one from an old dresser. I think this is brilliant!

Source: blog.builddirect.com via Rob on Pinterest

 

My daughter and I went to a thrift store over Christmas break. She found some tall window shutters that she wanted to use as a headboard. Unfortunately, we had no way to transport them back to where she lives 300 miles away. But someone else had the same idea! The shutters give the illusion of a window and light, even though there is none.

Fireplace mantles can also be upcycled as headboards.

Storage ideas

Here are two examples of side tables turned into shelving. I absolutely love this idea! It can be simple or elaborate, as you see. The elaborate one serves as a room divider, too.

Small dresser turned into unique and practical storage for craft supplies.

Old single pane windows have lots of uses. Have you ever turned one into a mirror or picture frame? I have! Here’s one repurposed as a door on a cabinet, and the window hardware was upcycled into a latch. Brilliant!

Here is another use for a small suitcase – put it on the wall as a medicine cabinet!

Salvaged drawers arranged on a wall make aesthetically pleasing and interesting shelves.

Source: housetohome.co.uk via Rob on Pinterest

 

Phew! I am so inspired after looking at these photos! I am going to start rethinking my yard sale purchases as well as looking around my house and yard for things to upcycle. My whole house could be a work of art! Were you inspired?

Related posts:

1. Upcycling in Style is Making High Quality Home Décor
2. Bathroom Remodeling Design Ideas
3. Classic Furniture Design: Michael Thonet and Bentwood Furniture

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy your outdoor living space, but winter and spring are the best times to start planning it.

If you are thinking about redesigning your outdoor area, you will quickly come to find that your dreams and expectations may not be in line with your realistic budget.  Thankfully, there are some easy ways that you can cut expenses and save money while still creating the outdoor patio area of your dreams.

Do-it-yourself outdoor spaces

One of the biggest expenses of any home improvement project is the cost of a contractor.  In some towns and cities, a contractor must be retained in order to obtain necessary permits and approvals.  If your town allows the average homeowner to create an outdoor space free of a contractor’s eye and price tag, consider completing the project yourself.

If you have little experience doing such a job, you will need to do plenty of research and talk with friends and family members who have done similar work on their own yards.  Doing the project yourself can save you thousands of dollars if you do it correctly.  If you make a lot of mistakes and need to make repairs or purchase more materials than you otherwise might, it can end up costing you more than the fee a contractor would charge.  Choose your route carefully based on your expertise and willingness to learn.

Recycled outdoor living space materials

Another source of potential money saving can come from recycled materials.  Some junkyards will store old bricks and building materials from buildings that have been demolished.  This is a good source for recycled materials and can save you from having to buy new.

If you want unique designs or mosaics, you can also use broken and tumbled glass from old jars and glasses that you have around the house.  Just be sure that you tumble the glass long enough in a tumbler that all of the sharp edges are gone.  Use caution if you want to use recycled lumber, as termites, powder post beetles, and ants can all be unwelcome visitors in your new purchase.

Freecycle for patio furniture

Freecycle is an Internet-based group that is set-up around the country and offers people a chance to giveaway the things they no longer want or need and request the items they would like to have.  While patio furniture is a frequent request during the spring and summer months, you may get lucky and find the perfect patio furniture for free.  You can also accessorize your outdoor living space by requesting outdoor metal decorations and fire pits.  It is not a guarantee that you will find the things you really want, it does not hurt to ask.

Saving money on the construction of your outdoor living space will make the area even more enjoyable.  You will not only relish the peaceful, calm of the area, but you will enjoy the fact that you saved money creating it.  Think outside the box and do not be afraid to try something new in order to create the outdoor living space you have always dreamed of having.

Metal-Wall-Art.com regularly features articles by Alyssa Davis on decorating with bathroom metal artwork and coastal metal wall decor.

Related posts:

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2. 5 Outdoor Lighting Tips to Light Up An Outdoor Living Space
3. Preparing An Outdoor Living Space In Winter

In my other life (everyone needs more than one) I write a music blog, being something of a lifelong music geek. So, in my wonderings (there are a lot of those, too) I mused on the possibility of the two worlds of design and home decor and the world of pop music colliding in a wonderful big bang, as it were.

The danger of course is that such a collision would end up being a Frankenstein’s monster – lots of cheese, and none of the subtle style that characterizes 21st century design. But, what was the real deal on taking pop music imagery, and applying it to interior design and home decor?

My penchant for scouring the Internet kicked right in, and I found myself delving into interior design visions using the familiar shapes and iconography of rock history. And here are some of the interior designs I discovered, which actually turned out to be pretty stylish, with not a whiff of cheese in sight. What really comes through is sheer personality, which is what creating your own space is all about.

Here are the 10 designs that caught my eye.

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1. The guitar god ceiling lighting fixture

Take your fretboard fantasies to dizzying heights! If you’re looking to rock out an entertainment room, or man-cave, or Joan Jett-inspired girl-cave, you could do worse than this six-stringed lighting fixture.

2. The Iggy Pop bathroom

If your bathroom needs a new lust for life, than who better to include than punk rock forefather Iggy Pop staring balefully out at you? Yet, still this classic pop-art style really makes for a real spark in a smallish space. Note the supremely cool sink, too.

3. Fab Four bedroom

To get that summer of love via Liverpool vibe, here’s how one design incorporates some Beatlesque additions, contrasting the psychedelic accents of  the four prints of Ringo, Paul, John, and George (as they appear on the wall) to the dark, monochrome wall surface.

4. A Boss boudoir

This bedroom is bright and breezy, and perfect for adding a slight touch of darkness at the edge of town for contrast. So, the monochrome print of Springsteen on the single pillow makes for a very effective focal point.

5. Classic black vinyl

The image of the classic vinyl disc was, and in many ways still is, a symbol of an energetic and youthful spirit. And that spirit is evoked subtly here, helped along by the little Les Paul guitar on the fireplace. And a bonus! This room was designed by our Twitter-bud (and author of Slobproof!) Debbie Weiner!

6. Fender Strat coffee table

Leo Fender and associates designed the stratocaster guitar in 1954, just before “rock n roll” as a social phenomenon took off. Since then, its design has pretty much stayed the same, creating something of an iconic shape over the decades. And here is the head of the guitar stock in coffee table form!

7. Gabba Gabba Hey Window Seat

Here’s a punk rock addition to your home that lets the sunshine in, featuring Ramones Joey, Johnny, Tommy, and Dee Dee. The CBGBs heroes adorn this window seat on some punk rock custom roller blinds.

8. We mean it, maaaan!

Some queenly brilliance is added to a living space here, using the Sex Pistols’ 1977 ”God Save The Queen”  single record sleeve design as a guide.

9.  A word from His Bobness

A popular addition to home decor is the use of fonts, particularly around popular quotations that create positivity as well as visual punch. Song lyrics are a great source for this, like these taken from Bob Dylan’s 1974 song “Forever Young”, a song he wrote for his kids.

10. Rock posters on the wall – grown up edition

The rock poster on the wall  is something we associate with teenagehood. But, in this interior design arrangement, the rock poster is repositioned, complete with tasteful matching frames,  to become a refined and grown-up texture to a bright and welcoming space.

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Rock and pop music imagery has been an established aesthetic for decades. And as it turns out, the icons, symbols, and associations of rock music and its history can be added very tastefully into an interior design.

Cheers,

Rob.

Related posts:

1. Interior Design Luxury On a Budget
2. Choose Your Interior Design By Personality Type
3. Interior Design Trends for 2011

Staking out your own space is one of life’s pleasures. When you’re on your own, this can be more than just an exercise in designing a room or planning a home. It’s also about expressing yourself, identifying your own unique needs, and asserting your identity. So, which areas of your new home should you begin to concentrate on to do this?

Writer Kathryn Rivas is here to help you get a start on making the perfect home for the single woman … 

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Recent statistics show that you don’t have to be a “Mrs.” in order to buy your dream house. In fact, single women dominate the homeowner’s market as of late—in 2010 alone, single women accounted for more than 19% of all home buyers, whereas single men accounted for a mere 12%, according to MSNBC  and the National Association of Realtors.

While the reasons for diving into the homeowner’s market vary with each individual, there are certain features that every single woman homeowner will enjoy.  So no matter if you’ve never been married, or you’re a divorcee, widow, or even a single mom, continue reading below to see what home features you should watch out for.

1. Spare bedroom

Men have their “man caves” even when they share a house with their spouse—they use this room to store old trophies or to build their collectable cars for example. So there’s no reason why you can’t have a special room in your own house too. You can convert that spare bedroom into anything you’d like, for example your own personal gym, home office, library, music-listening lounge or even an art studio.

Source: hermanmiller.com via Leslie on Pinterest

Whatever it is, you want to make sure that it’s all your own and doesn’t double as a guest bedroom or your child’s play house.

2. Bath suite with garden tub

Your home should be your sanctuary, and what better way to help yourself relax and unwind than purchasing a home that features a master bathroom  big enough for the queen that you are—and also one that has a deep garden tub. Think about how magical it will feel having the opportunity to come home from a hard day’s work and slip into a steamy hot bubble bath.

source: traditional bathroom design

If the home you’re considering purchasing isn’t already equipped with one, you should definitely think about having one installed.

3. Low-maintenance yard

Yards are great—you have the opportunity to plant a garden or have a space for your pet to roam free, but there’s also a lot to work to keep it up. If you don’t have the time to constantly pull out weeds and keep the grass trimmed (or you don’t have enough money to hire someone else to do it) make sure that you purchase a home with a low-maintenance yard.

Source: bhg.com via Anne_C_Clark on Pinterest

 

So what’s in a low-maintenance yard? Ones that contain plant life that is easy to tend—like native meadow grasses and flowers for example.

4. Fabulous kitchen

Even if you’re not a fan of cooking, the kitchen is the primary place where people like to socialize. If you see a lot of entertaining in your future, purchasing a home with a fab kitchen is a great idea. The kitchen isn’t only ideal for friend bonding time, but also family bonding time as well.

Source: houzz.com (divine kitchens) via Aubrey on Pinterest

 

5. Universal design elements

Last but not least, while you may just live in your new home for a short time, you may also very well live in that home for your entire life. If the latter is the case, you need to make sure that your home will be able to adjust to your needs as you get older.

For example, are the hallways wide enough to allow for greater mobility? Are the toilets and sinks at the appropriate height? Which one will be easier on your knees: a first floor master or a second floor master? These are just a few questions to ask yourself when deciding which living space will be best for you in the long run.

***

Thanks, Kathryn!

Katheryn Rivas writes on the topics of online university.  She welcomes your comments at her email: katherynrivas87@gmail.com.

Cheers,

Rob.

 

Related posts:

1. Picking the Perfect Fence for Your Backyard
2. Creating outdoor spaces for pets
3. Creating A Rental Suite In Your Home

Wood flooring is timeless, playing a part in great design and home decor over the decades and centuries. Often, wood flooring is looked upon as a rustic, down-home texture. At other times, wood floors are refined and tailored surfaces, central to an atmosphere of sophistication.

But, what if you’re looking to diverge from both of those looks? Well, how about using another classic interior design element to the mix to create something new?

One classic pattern in wood floor decor is the harlequin pattern, which is a design that is most closely associated with tile floors. Yet, as it turns out, a harlequin pattern on a wood floor becomes both traditional as well as forward-looking, out of the box design.

Take a look at some of these examples of a traditional surface like a wood floor that actually doesn’t seem that traditional, thanks to classic design patterns that create visual pop, and a sense of the whimsical .

Harlequin wood floor as a part of a traditional look

Here’s a harlequin pattern on a traditional wood flooring surface in a room that is otherwise stately and conservative. You can see how the harlequin pattern creates contrast, making the space a true conversation piece. You can see the slight wear on the painted sections of the floor, which give it an antique effect.

Harlequin wood flooring in the kitchen

Look at this modern-yet-classic use of the harlequin pattern in a kitchen. Again, this pattern is associated with tile. But, here it lends a kind of sepia-toned country kitchen effect, that still manages to keep one foot in the modern era.

Paraquet harlequin wood flooring

Where harlequin patterns on a wood floor is accomplished through staining and painting the floor’s surface, here’s an example of how the effect can be achieved using paraquet flooring.

Subtle harlequin patterning on a wood floor

Sometimes, subtlety is the ticket. This is true even with the classic simplicity of harlequin patterning. The faded effect at work here still achieves the contrast for which the pattern is famous. But, it also doesn’t distract.

Wood floors and harlequin patterning: a new classic combo

Interior designs where wood floors are concerned are evolving. And one way this is happening is through the imaginations of designers, taking classic surfaces and patterns and presenting them in new ways. No longer do wood floors have to be thought of in a limited range of design options.

If you’re looking to create a similar effect on your own wood flooring that you’re planning on purchasing new, check out warranties of the product you’re buying to make sure it’s suitable for what you have in mind. Also, make contact with professional designers who have experience in pattern staining or painting wood flooring to be sure to get the effects you’re after.

With some spark and imagination, tasteful spaces can take many forms using durable products that we’ve relied upon for generations. And some classic decorative motifs like harlequin patterning don’t hurt, either!

Related posts:

1. What is Handscraped Wood Flooring?
2. Buying Bamboo Floors by Cut
3. Porcelain Tile That Looks like Wood Flooring

Distressed and worn looking furniture is a favorite for many because of the old-world charm that it brings to a space.   Even though a piece of furniture may be new, there are many ways to distress, age, or antique it’s surface to make it appear “old”.  Depending on the result that you envision, there are different tips, techniques, and methods to achieve the worn look that you may desire.

Similar to my post a few weeks ago on how to paint furniture, I’m going to share some secrets by some Designers / Bloggers on how to achieve the look of distressed and aged furniture.

 1. How to Distress Furniture: Pretty Handy Girl

Brittany a.k.a. Pretty Handy Girl is always sharing new DIY projects to empower others to create their own. In a post that she wrote on Techniques for Antiquing Furniture, she shares information on the tools that she uses to create an aged look, as well as some techniques to achieve a worn, weathered aesthetic.

One of the easiest ways to add years to a piece of furniture is to use sandpaper around the edges and on areas that would naturally get worn with age – basically you want to fast forward the aging process. Brittany also shares techniques on dry brushing, adding stain for a distressed finish, and how to apply a glaze layer over paint.  Her post has some great information and is a must-read!

Read: Aging is so Distressing – Techniques for Antiquing Furniture

2. How to Distress Furniture: Addicted 2 Decorating

My second go-to-gal for tips on aging furniture is Kristi from Addicted 2 Decorating.  She also uses sandpaper as her #1 element to achieve a natural look.  And with a “less is more” approach, the furniture piece will have a more realistic aged and distressed look.  Once the piece is painted, Kristi adds a dark stain to the surface, focusing on all the “cracks and crevices”, then wipes it away with a clean rag. What a great result and she also shares some wonderful tips on painting furniture.

Read: DIY Project Accent Furniture, How to Paint, Distress and Antique a Piece Of Furniture

3. How to Distress Furniture: Serendipity Chic Design

Lisa of Serendipity Chic Design loves to distress furniture and after mentioning it time and time again on her blog, her readers wanted to know how she achieved the look.  So to fulfill their requests, she set out to write an exclusive post on How to Distress Furniture and other Home Decor.

Similar to the other two how-to’s above, Lisa uses sandpaper to give a distressed look, but that is her ONLY tool, and she achieves a great result.  In Lisa’s post, she goes in-depth about the type of sander she uses, as well as how to use the sander.  She shares her techniques for aged furniture, as well as worn home decor accessories.

Read: How to Distress Furniture and other Home Decor

4. How to Distress Furniture: Movita Beaucoup

Like all of the above tutorials, sandpaper is key to achieve a worn look, but Movita of Movita Beaucoup, also suggests using candle wax on the edges where you want to expose the bare wood underneath.  Once the top coat has been applied, the areas with the wax can be scraped off, resulting in an antiqued finish. Movita also shares some thorough information on antiquing furniture and adding a patina finish.

Read: how to antique (and distress) furniture with paint

5. How to Distress Furniture: SAS Interiors

This is me!  If you know me from my real (blog) home at SAS Interiors, you know I venture into alot of DIY projects, and lately it’s been painting furniture.  Last year I transformed an old vintage cabinet and just recently made over a trash-to-treasure side chair, both of which I distressed and “aged”.

Instead of using stain as Brittany and Kristi do, I actually use a simple technique of watering down brown latex paint to use as a glaze overlay. It’s very forgiving and gives a great old, worn look.  Attention to the areas where the piece would be naturally worn is key, as well as in the grooves and crevices.

Read: Cabinet Makeover with Glaze Overlay

Read: Roadside Restoration – Distressed Turquoise Chair

With a few simple steps a piece of furniture can go from new to old within minutes!

Related posts:

1. How to Paint Furniture: 5 Must-Read Tutorials
2. Home Decor: 6 Ways of Choosing Colors, With Erin Loechner
3. Classic Furniture Design: Michael Thonet and Bentwood Furniture