You needn’t spend a fortune getting an authentic look when antiquing is really easy and inexpensive to master yourself!
Antique Kitchen Sign
You will need:
- wooden plank 32cm x 22cm
- copper sheeting
- embossing needle
- old door handle
- drill and bitscrews (to fit handle)
- scissors
- roller and brush
- universal undercoat
- white acrylic paint
- acrylic paint in a second colour
- bronze spray paint
- silver liquid lead paint
- sandpaper
- velcro
- varnish
How to make:
- Position the handle on the wooden plank as per your preference and drill holes (also measure holes for hanging).
- Cut a length of copper sheeting with scissors (32cm x 10cm in the example shown). Measure 2cm on both short edges and 1cm on the long edges. Fold the metal back onto these lines – this is to smooth the edges. Use the wooden part of the embossing needle to flatten the metal.
- Paint the wood with at least two coats of white acrylic paint, allowing drying time between coats.
- Paint the third coat in a different colour – we used khaki green – and allow to dry completely before sanding the wood roughly.
- Sand the metal plate roughly before painting it with universal undercoat (the sanding makes the paint adhere to the metal better).
- Pencil the word ‘kitchen’ in reverse onto the back of the metal plate – hold the word in front of a mirror to help with writing ‘backwards’. Press and drag the embossing needle over the pencil marks. Once you’re done, the word ‘kitchen’ will be embossed onto the front of the metal plate.
- Spray the front of the plate bronze and allow to dry. Sponge or brush the silver liquid lead paint onto the bronzed plate and allow to dry. Lastly, sponge one last coat of white acrylic paint onto the metal plate and allow to dry. Sand the painted metal plate gently until the word can be seen. Varnish the plate afterwards and allow to dry.
- Attach the handle to the wood in line with the holes. (The painting process used on the metal plate can be done on the handle as well before attaching it to the signboard.)
- Cut a piece of velcro as long as the metal plate, then glue one side to the back of the plate and the other to the board; allow it to dry and repeat for a second coat.
Tip Make different signs and simply change the name plate from time to time.
Antique bathroom sign
You will need:
- old scalloped pine board
- acrylic paint in black
- broken white candle
- sandpaper
- roller and brush
- old doorknobs
- screws to fit doorknobs
- drill and bit
How to make:
- Measure and drill the holes for the doorknobs you’re using through the pine board.
- Sand the board to make the surface rough (this will help the paint adhere). Then apply the black acrylic to the board, allow it to dry and repeat for a second coat.
- Rub the candle unevenly onto the sides and flat ends of the board (this will make it easier for the black paint to show through in a later step).
- Apply a coat of white acrylic paint to the board, allow to dry and repeat.
- Once dry, sand the board lightly until some of the black paint starts to show through.
- Attach the doorknobs to the board.
- Write or paint the name of the room in black and let it dry before doing a light white wash over the lettering to soften the black slightly.
All props courtesy of Country Living in the Bryanston Shopping centre, corner William Nicol and Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston. After viewing their exquisite furniture and décor, go upstairs to enjoy a cappucino and cake or a light lunch in the gracious setting of their beautiful coffee shop! For more info call 011 7064555, email marie@countryliving.co.za or info@countryliving.co.za
Craft by Juanli De Beer. Photos by Roelene Prinsloo. Styling by Sudene Rolfe. Craft supplies available at Herbert Evans, Timber City, Pick ‘n Pay, fleamarkets and antique shops. This article was taken from the April 2010 edition of Your Family Magazine.
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