Wood can warm up almost any room
Shorter days and cool temperatures offer more time for indoor pastimes and hobbies.
With all the press that eco-decorating has claimed over the past years, and rightly so, it seemed appropriate to turn to one of the most essential and eco-friendly materials on the planet — wood — and see what I could do with that.
Introducing pillars or columns into a room is an easy and elegant way to add or build on classic style. Visit your lumber store and check out the stock columns that are readily available in round or square shapes with a choice of details that you can add to produce the design you want. Columns can flank an entranceway or a wall of shelves. They can be finished to match the walls, or stained in one of dozens of shades that give them a modern twist, from deep sea blue, burgundy and mustard to subtle hues of slate and parchment. Columns can also be cut down to make a table base or a stand. Top with a circle of wood or combine materials and top with thick glass, tile or funky plastic.
I have always enjoyed refinishing new and old wooden furniture. It’s particularly pleasing to retrieve some good pieces that are a bit worse for wear. Not only larger items such as a table, chair or bureau. You can make very cool candlesticks from old railing spindles and posts.
Look for three to five different heights and shapes, then stain them all the same shade for a grand tablescape.
Once you have some ideas, take some time to learn about finishing wood with stain so that it will remain protected and beautiful for years to come. Here are some helpful tips you can find at minwax.com. I recommend using waterbased products whenever possible.
All stains require the wood’s pores to be open to allow for absorption.
The size of the pores varies according to wood types, so know your wood before you begin. Open pores by sanding. If there is already an old paint finish on the wood you may want to remove it first, then sand.
To improve the appearance of any stained wood, apply a wood conditioner before you stain
The natural colour of the wood and the size of the pores determine the final colour, so always test on a section that is not in view. Use lighter colours on wood that shows uneven absorption so that it will be less noticeable.
Apply water-based stain with a brush that has synthetic bristles. Always brush in the direction of the grain. Use a soft cloth to apply stain to contoured surfaces such as mouldings or spindles.