An Authentic Fake

 Located between our kitchen and dining room is this built in desk with a wine rack. My goal was to turn this fairly modern two piece built-in into a fake antique.  Something free into something fine- a dog hair and potato peelings project, to be sure!!

 Step 1: Remove the horrid, existing orange tile counter top. Replace it with a nice piece of birch plywood. Then paint it the same color as the rest of the desk.

 Step 2: Add random trim pieces to the wall behind the desk to make it seem as if the top and bottom are joined together into one piece of furniture the way a true antique desk would be. (I scavenged in the carpenter's scrap pile for two types of trim.)

 Step 3: Paint added trim pieces as well as the wall behind them.

 Now our two piece desk looks like one piece of furniture shoved against the wall. And everything is painted the same base color. So far, so good.

 Step 4:  Rummage through your husband's tools looking for the sledge hammer while ignoring signs about tool-borrowing wives.

Step 5: Beat off all the sharp, straight edges and crisp new corners from the entire desk. This step is a workout, sledge hammers are heavy! But real antiques have worn, rounded edges and corners, so this step is absolutely necessary! 

Even the crackled paint won't give you the authenticity you are trying for without beating up on the wood first.

Step 6: Paint the desk with crackle glaze. I had all Sunday afternoon to work on this project so I painted the entire desk, but you could do a section at a time. Let the glaze sit for the appropriate amount of time. Directions on the jar explain the time factor.

I used a brush and a roller for this step, but be very careful not to miss a section, which is easy to do since all you're putting on is a clear coat!

Step 7: After the correct amount of time has passed, paint on your top coat color. The base color will show through when the top coat crackles. You must use a latex paint. I used a brush and roller for this step also.

I was very happy with the effect I got!

You can buy feet for your furniture project at Lowe's. They come in different styles. Four fat, funky feet might add a lot to this project. The desk will also get it's own style of drawer pulls and knobs, different from the rest of the cabinetry in the adjoining kitchen. It's all part of the illusion!

Step 8: Complete the project with a finish. You can stain, wax, or rub on an antiquing medium. I'm not sure which finish would look best, so I am going to wait until the kitchen cabinet doors and drawer fronts have been installed, as well as the back splash, counter tops, and even the wood floors. Then with everything in place, I will revisit this authentic fake for the grand finale!

Love ya'll,

Shelli

Collect things you love, that are authentic to you, and your house becomes your story.

- Erin Flett

Antiques Roadshow is my favorite show. Every Monday night I have one hour of appointment television. I get the popcorn out and tell my husband, 'Don't bother me.'

- Lara Spencer