Decorative wood processing to give an aging effect: materials and tools

Aging wood makes it possible to obtain a unique material that will look advantageous in the interior. The wood itself does not lose its properties from such a transformation and continues to serve for a long time. Moreover, if you decide to resort to such a technique, then it is not necessary to seek help from professionals. There are many ways to age wood yourself. Existing options will be discussed in detail below.

Wood aging methods

Among the many options for how to age wood, perhaps the three most popular stand out: thermal, chemical and mechanical. It is necessary to understand before choosing that the result will differ depending on the method of aging the material.

The chemical technique involves aging wood by applying special compounds that act on the base, as a result, the color of the fibers changes. Suitable for processing are ammonia or alkaline compounds. However, the option is suitable for species such as oak, for all deciduous wooden boards.

The thermal technique involves firing the surface, which leads to a change in the shade of the fibers. The application of firing is simple, you do not need to strongly influence the base, just remove the first layer, after which you need to remove carbon deposits using a metal brush.

The mechanical type of aging of the material includes two options:

Brushing - the method involves removing the top layer of material using a metal brush to obtain a pronounced pattern of wood rings. The texture becomes more beautiful, and glazing is used to emphasize it. Suitable method for hard wood;
Use of patina. The method is called because of the use of compounds of this type, which help to obtain the desired effect. Paints are used on soft types of substrates; the treatment can also be supplemented with stain or wax.

It is necessary to understand before choosing that the result will differ depending on the method of aging the material.

Wooden interior items

There are many wooden interior items.

Let's consider traditional options:

Wooden mirror frames. They are usually used in bathrooms and are located above washbasins or directly above the bathtub. The mirror can also be decorated with lighting
Wooden lamps. This type of lighting is ideal for any interior style and creates a warm atmosphere for communication.
Wooden partitions. Wooden screens serve not only to divide a room, but also to create a cozy atmosphere. These screens are very beautiful and functional.
Various wooden works. You can make such an item yourself by completing various workshops on wooden decor with your own hands. It could even become a good hobby.
Wooden rocking toys for children. This toy is familiar to many generations and loved by children. It serves not only as fun for the child, but also strengthens the vestibular apparatus and helps in the physical development of children.

Do-it-yourself wood brushing: how the process is carried out

This method is labor intensive. When working, do not forget that the procedure involves the formation of a large amount of dust, for this reason the master must protect the respiratory tract with a respirator or mask, and protect the eyes with goggles. High-quality ventilation is created in the room. It's easier to carry out the process outside.

Stages of wood aging:

On a flat and reliable surface, remove the top layer with a plane. The use of automatic devices is undesirable; their use leaves stripes on the material that will disrupt the natural texture of the base.
All over the board, notches are made with a chisel or an ax, which should be shallow and chaotic, this will allow you to get a rougher-looking surface.
Soft fibers are removed with a metal brush, movements are made along the fibers, pressing on the brush.
When the relief surface begins to appear, the hand tool is removed, and a grinder is used, on which a metal brush is put on, the brush is placed perpendicular to the base, and also moved only along the fibers. If there is no need for an excessively rough textured surface, then you can choose a “Piranha” nozzle or one with nylon bristles. Then you shouldn’t put too much pressure on the grinder.
Dust is removed. To reduce dust, you can slightly moisten the base. Before the next steps, the surface is completely dried.
The base is polished, manual and automatic tools are used, it is necessary to get rid of protruding fibers and sharp particles, and dust formations are removed again.
Painting the surface, first the base is primed, Pinotex is applied, stain or dark azure is suitable, it is important that the product does not cover the natural pattern of the aged board.
After treating the surface with the chosen product, wait until the layer is absorbed and wipe the base. Do not wipe vigorously; move along the fibers.

Afterwards, at the choice of the master, he applies varnish or white. White wood is used for Provence style. After final drying, the surface is painted with a thin layer of white azure. The dried base is sanded with the finest sandpaper, wiped, and varnish is applied.

After sanding, you can apply a thick layer of white glaze and lightly brush the wood with a metal brush, then varnish the material.

To create a dark base, choose a stain or Pinotex primer solution, and use it to paint the surface in an uneven layer. You can then go over the base with sandpaper or a metal brush. The second option will create a rougher surface.

The procedure involves the formation of a large amount of dust, for this reason the master must protect the respiratory tract with a respirator or mask, and protect the eyes with goggles.

Using wood in home decoration

We can talk endlessly about the use of wood in the interior. This topic is as inexhaustible as the discussion of travel or weather. However, with all its limitlessness, it is possible to highlight individual points and understand the features of this material. In this article we will tell you how suitable wood is for decorating a home, whether it has any disadvantages and what advantages it has. All this will allow you to better study wood and use it in the interior of your home as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Advantages of wood as a material for interior decoration

What types of wood are most popular in interior decor?

Unusual solutions for using wood in the interior

Use of wooden beams in the interior

Interior decoration with wood cuts

Decorating walls with wood elements

Additional wooden decorative elements

Tree care

Advantages of wood as a material for interior decoration

Wood is the material that brings warmth and comfort to any home. Even in the form of facing material or furniture, it continues to live and breathe. In an interior with wood elements, you always feel a connection with nature, a feeling of comfort and security appears. In addition, it is a natural, environmentally friendly and absolutely safe material for health, with high strength, ease of processing and durability.

Related article: How to choose a site for building a country house?

What types of wood are most popular in interior decor?

As a rule, the most common species used in interior decoration and decoration are pine, ash or oak. Pine is the most budget option; oak and ash are considered more classic and expensive.

The high cost of oak is explained both by its status as a century-old tree and by its unique texture. Even under a layer of paint it will have a characteristic textured pattern. Ash is as strong as oak, but has slightly smaller pores. However, in behavior both of these types of trees are very similar.

Related article: Choosing a fence for a country house

The situation is completely different with pine. It easily absorbs moisture and dries out, so if you decide to make interior doors from pine, be sure to install a humidifier, otherwise they will dry out in a couple of months. At the same time, choosing pine does not at all mean that it is worse. It all depends on what you need. So, most furniture from Ikea is made of pine. This is inexpensive, stylish and practical furniture. It does not have a long service life, but you can always buy a similar one or decide to change the interior by the time the furniture becomes dilapidated.

Solid wood furniture has its own significant drawbacks - for example, problems with repairs. If something happens, you will have to replace the entire damaged part. This does not apply only to scratches and abrasions: they are easy to get rid of, unlike furniture made of plastic, chipboard, MDF or glass. Solid wood furniture weighs much more than its chipboard counterparts and is not recommended for use in older homes with weakly reinforced floors. In addition, such furniture is difficult to move.

Video on the topic: Eco-insulation is the safest insulation.

How to use wood in the interior

Wood provides a huge scope for design imagination. This is the material whose texture can be changed from rough-processed, almost rough, to polished, almost mirror-like. The color palette of wood is also rich in countless variations of colors - from white wood to deep black tone.

Wood forgives the most serious design mistakes and can be combined with almost any materials. It can be easily cut (with the exception of bog oak), tinted and painted. And modern impregnations allow it to be used even in bathrooms. Along with stone, wood is the most powerful weapon in the arsenal of a modern designer. Thanks to all this, you can find a lot of ideas for wood; let's look at the most interesting and unusual of them.

Use of wooden beams in the interior

Related article: Country house in Scandinavian style

Have you ever seen interiors using wood ceiling beams? If not, then be sure to check out this unusual design solution that allows you to create in your home the feeling of a solid ancient structure with a rich history.

Wooden beams look very impressive, especially in contrast with a white ceiling and, preferably, white walls. Not too thick beams, the color of birch or beech, can be placed more densely. Depending on their shape, size and location, beams can significantly influence the creation of a unique visual rhythm

Interior decoration with wood cuts

The use of end cuts of round timber has become a kind of trend when decorating a home. These dies of different diameters, mounted on a wall or partition, create a magnificent decorative effect.

The saw cuts perfectly imitate a woodpile, perfectly fitting into the interior of a kitchen or living room with a fireplace. At the same time, in addition to round ones, it is advisable to use semicircular and quarter dies. This will tighten the fit of the cuts to each other, reduce voids and give an even greater resemblance to a woodpile. A separate category is cuttings of large diameter trunks. They are most often used in the manufacture of countertops and non-standard wall panels. Very thick unedged boards can also be used as tabletops.

A stump can be considered a special case of sawing. It can also be used as a stand under a tabletop, preferably a glass one, so that all the smoothness and whimsicality of the lines of a tree trunk can be seen, and also as a coffee table itself, or a bedside table, if the diameter allows.

Decorating walls with wood elements

There are a huge variety of ways to decorate walls with wood. In addition to the cuts mentioned above, the use of dies from square or rectangular edged timber of varying thickness gives an excellent effect. Panels assembled from such saw cuts look impressive and stylish. They can be in the form of a vertical insert from floor to ceiling, or a diagonal wavy strip. You can use similar dies to create a stylized wood pattern covering the entire wall. There are a lot of options - the main thing is to find the most suitable one for a particular case.

An excellent way to decorate walls is also to use wooden slats of varying thicknesses. You can also use boards. With their help, you can cover both a separate wall and the entire space. The latter, for example, is practiced when designing hunting lodges.

To create a wood-like interior, wallpaper made from natural cork and natural veneer are also used. A natural prerequisite for their use is maximum evenness of the walls.

Additional wooden decorative elements

The use of stumps as expressive plastic objects in the decoration of a home has already been mentioned.

However, there are many other unusual ways to diversify your interior. So, to add zest and an aesthetic accent, you can use fancy driftwood on the coffee table or the root of an old tree on the mantelpiece. A whimsically curved tree branch attached to the wall can replace an entire panel. Any wooden trinket can become an artistic accent, the aesthetic nerve of everything modern in a room space. Perhaps it will be an original figurine, a vase made of birch burl, or a bast tree.

This role can be played by a set of wooden dishes, an exotic mask on the wall, wooden candlesticks, or chess with figures made of light and dark wood. There are no barriers to flight of fancy here.

Tree care

There are a number of peculiarities in caring for wood. First of all, it is important that all necessary technologies are strictly observed when manufacturing wood. It is important that the right type of wood is selected for certain tasks, and that it is painted correctly. During operation, it is necessary to maintain a special temperature regime and maintain an adequate level of humidity in the room. Then you won’t have any special problems with wooden objects.

The varnish used in manufacturing or finishing plays a significant role. For example, if parquet is made from oak, then parquet varnish is needed (otherwise, for example, possible alkaline additives of another varnish can clog the pores, “kill” the stain, and the product will lose its appearance). Or, let’s say, ordinary polyurethane varnish was used to treat a wooden tabletop, then when a mug of hot tea is placed on it... a white spot will remain.

Well, if the same tabletop bent or burst, then, of course, it was not due to varnish or humidity. This is a manufacturing defect or a master's mistake. By the way, as a rule, wood is given a fairly long guarantee (several years), and this is good insurance against defects - they will quickly make themselves known.

Patination of wood

The first stages of processing are the same as the previously described method. The work changes only at the stage of covering the surface with a coloring agent, in this case patina. Wood aging is carried out as follows:

The base is primed with a product for wooden materials, all the recesses must be filled, and the wood is dried;
The paint and varnish material is applied; it would be optimal to use acrylic paint; the layer will not peel off or flow along the base. A brush is used for processing; the layer should be thin. You can choose any shade;
After drying, which usually takes 24 hours, the wood is sanded. The patina should be golden, bronze with a metallic tint to better highlight the effect. If the layer is applied unevenly, then the pattern will be clearer;
After the patina begins to set, it is necessary to wipe individual areas of the material. The dried layer is varnished.

The patina should be golden, bronze with a metallic tint to better highlight the effect.

Bitumen patination

Artificial aging of wood can be carried out using different types of patina. The bitumen type has a dark brown tint and is used to shade the relief. Application with a brush is easy, the paint does not spread and can be easily wiped off with a rag.

The bitumen type has a dark brown tint and is used to shade the relief.

Acrylic patination

At home, this option is often chosen; it does not emit any odor and is distinguished by a wide range of colors. Easy to apply and blend, highlights the textured surface well. But the drying process takes a long time.

Easy to apply and blend, highlights the textured surface well.

Chemical patination

Used for aging metal, a water-based metallic paint and an oxidizing agent are used. So using different compositions together allows you to get the desired effect quickly.

Used for aging metal, a water-based metallic paint and an oxidizing agent are used.

Wax patination

The wax composition has a thick consistency with a pearlescent sheen. A brush is used to coat convex areas; applied to deep areas with a sponge. The layer can simply be wiped over, and the aged surface will turn out in the best possible way.

The wax composition has a thick consistency with a pearlescent sheen.

Craquelure (crackle)

Another way to age wood with your own hands is crackle. To complete the process, you will need to prepare two thick paints of different tones, PVA glue and a hair dryer. The following steps are performed:

The object is painted in a dark tone.
The base is dried.
The object is covered with a thick layer of PVA glue, movements go strictly in one direction.
Dry the adhesive layer with a hairdryer; a crust should form on top, but the inside should not remain liquid.
The crust is painted in a light tone.
Dry again with a hairdryer.
The varnish is applied in 2-3 layers.

To complete the process, you will need to prepare two thick paints of different tones, PVA glue and a hair dryer.

Heat treatment

The thermal technique involves the use of a gas burner or blowtorch. Can be used on any type of wood. The firing is not done vigorously; it is only necessary to highlight the texture. Carbon deposits are removed with a metal brush. The treated surface must be covered with stain or varnish, then the decorative appearance will be better.

The method requires compliance with safety precautions; it is recommended to work outdoors. There should be no objects nearby that can easily ignite.

The firing is not done vigorously; it is only necessary to highlight the texture.

Hangers

To create this functional decor you will not need a lot of materials, and the practicality of such a product is difficult not to appreciate. So, you will need a wooden frame and several tree branches with knots.

Stages of work:

You need to assemble a wooden frame of the size that will be needed for the future shelf. You can take a ready-made open shelf as such a frame;
Now the frame needs to be fixed to the wall;
Cut the branches into several parts according to the height of the shelf;
Place each branch with the branch facing forward so that you can hang something on it, like on a hook.

There is another option for creating such work:

Draw a tree with spreading branches on the wall;
Now you need to select the material according to the drawing. You can cut out elements of the required size from the boards;
The material must be prepared for use: sanded, treated with a special compound or varnished;
Next comes installation of the material directly on the wall;
All that remains is to attach the hooks to the branches.

The first option is more compact, the second will require more space.

Mechanical impact

How to give wood an antique effect mechanically is a question that beginners ask. It should be understood that this method is the longest and most difficult to implement. The technique involves cleaning the base using mechanical tools. Perform the following actions:

Prepare the base when using hand tools. It is necessary to make a recess of no more than one and a half centimeters along the entire base with a chisel; they are created in a disorderly manner. Electrical devices are then used to remove the top layer of fibers.
The base is sanded to remove all prominent elements.
Painting wood with a selected shade that will highlight the pattern of the material.

The technique involves cleaning the base using mechanical tools.

Wall decor

Most often, wooden styles in wall decor are presented from saw cuts.

To do this, you first need to draw up a sketch of the decor and calculate its approximate size.
Then the logs that were prepared to decorate the wall are sawn into even circles.
They should be the same thickness so that when decorating the wall the surface remains smooth, without clearly protruding elements.
The bark can be removed from the cuts, or you can leave it the same.
After the cuts are prepared, they can be coated on the front with a special impregnation, thanks to which the tree will remain in its original form.
Then the saw cuts will need to be glued to the walls.
You can also use self-tapping screws, only in this case the cuts will be visible.

In the photo of wooden decor you can also see an interesting solution when using saw cuts. You can take long and spreading branches or the trunk of a small tree with branches and screw it to the wall. Small cuts can be glued directly to the branches, as if they were foliage.

Dry brush

You can create a seamless aging structure using a hard brush, the “Loft” type is suitable. You can also choose an old brush that has become stiff. The paintwork material is selected to be water-based.

The brush is immersed in a container of paint, but it is important that a small amount of product remains on it. Paint with light movements, moving in different directions, do not cover the entire surface.

Paint with light movements, moving in different directions, do not cover the entire surface.

Glaze

This method involves shining the bottom layer through the top. Therefore, the second layer is applied with translucent paint.

Acrylic paints work well for wooden surfaces. They can be diluted to the desired density without difficulty, and choosing the right tone is easy, because there are many colors available.

The selected composition is applied to the prepared surface; several glazing layers can be made to obtain more different shades, for example, gray.

This method involves shining the bottom layer through the top.

Spray

It is intended to create droplets of a different color, which will give an unusual decorative effect. You will need a toothbrush or a hard brush. These devices are passed along the bristles of the main brush, and the paint is applied in drops. It is necessary to protect nearby objects by covering them with film or newspaper. And it is advisable to conduct a test in advance to get the drops of the required size.

It is intended to create droplets of a different color, which will give an unusual decorative effect.

Shabby Chic

Corner, side and joining areas are painted with a bright color, the layer is rubbed with paraffin, then painted with a light color of paint, usually it is necessary to apply two layers.

Using sandpaper, you need to remove the layer of paraffin coating to create abrasions.

Burning

When firing, only the top layer of material needs to be removed, so you should not keep the burner in one place for a long time. Processing begins when the burner flame is red. The flame towards the board should be perpendicular, the end of the torch should touch the surface of the object.

When firing, only the top layer of material needs to be removed, so you should not keep the burner in one place for a long time.

Sand firing

If the object is small in size, you can burn it in sand. Choose fine sand, which needs to be heated in a metal container to no more than 200 degrees. The products are immersed in heated sand and waited until they become dark.

You can get a shade transition effect. Then the product is immersed vertically in the sand, darkening will occur faster from below, so the tone will become lighter towards the top.

If the object is small in size, you can burn it in sand.

Elements of wooden decor

From solid wood you can make not only large decorative items, but also small elements:

Watches - for them they often take a simple unprocessed cut, the bark of which is not cleaned, but remains. The more carelessness in the element, the more interesting it will look;
Vases – you can paste over a ready-made glass vase with small curved branches or small saw cuts;
Frame – for a mirror, a large cut is suitable, in which you need to cut a hole for the mirror;
Fruit stand made from saw cuts;
Candlesticks made from small tree trunks;
Wall panel made from saw cuts.

other methods

You can get the desired effect using available materials. This is how a solution of iron vinegar is used; if you pre-treat the surface with tea, you will get a darker surface.

Baking soda is also suitable for the job, which can draw out excess tannin from hardwood, the color of the material should be dark. But there should be no paint or varnish on the base.

Baking soda can draw out excess tannin from hardwood, and the color of the material should be dark.

Wooden furniture

You can use not only wooden decor for furniture in the interior, but also make the furniture itself from solid wood yourself. Even an ordinary stump can easily turn into a table if you add a glass tabletop to it.

Tree trunks can be cleared of bark and soaked in a protective solution, then they can easily turn into shelf holders. You can also make chairs or stylish stools from tree cuts. It would be good to make a base for a floor lamp from willow twigs.

Moreover, even bathroom furniture is made from solid wood in an almost untouched form, for example, the base for installing a sink.

Solid wood furniture can be created using the following principles:

Modular furniture, which will consist of several elements. The figure can be any, but the surface must be smooth;
Furniture, the basis of which will be a solid element. Such furniture will be easier to work with, but you will have to try to find the right size.
Because a dining table, for example, must be large and of a certain size, but finding wood of the required diameter will be difficult.
In addition, sawing will cost several times more than small ones. But there is one big plus - you don’t need decor for a wooden table; it will look very impressive even without it.

Use of aged wood

Lately, aged furniture has become popular; it can complement any design well. Looks impressive against the background of forged products, stone products and leather surfaces. They also create an effect on floor coverings, laminate, and plywood.

The technique can also be used for outdoor objects, for example, for processing fences, gates, gazebos, etc.

Lately, aged furniture has become popular; it can complement any design well.

Processing antique wood with your own hands is an opportunity to create unique objects and get a beautiful room interior. The process is simple, thanks to the variety of methods you can easily choose the appropriate option.

Advantages of wooden decor

Elements of wooden decor can be incorporated into any interior, the main thing is that it is in moderation. Such things will have certain advantages:

Things made of wood are practically durable, so this decor will last a very long time. This will help save money and time on constant repairs, especially if the decor affects a large area, for example, an entire wall;
Wood accumulates heat very well, so this decor will also act as thermal insulation. You can put it on the floor or decorate the walls with it;
Each cut of wood has its own unique pattern, so using an array, you get an individual decoration for your room.