Filed under: Your Home, Experts, Furniture, Design Influence
Got wood on the brain? With so many varieties of types, stains and finishes, it's often hard to envision which wood works best in your space. Our ShelterPop designers tracked down furniture maker and artisan Michael Hennessy to give us the 411 on creating the perfect wood finish -- by doing it yourself!To Stain: Michael prefers a foam brush when working with wood stain, as it's simple to dispose of when finished. Simply brush the stain into the grain, let sit for a moment, then wipe down with a dry cloth.
To Wax: Rub wax into the wood in a circular motion with a dry cloth and wipe into the grain. Let dry for 15 minutes, then return to the piece and wipe down for a nice shine.
To Dye: Paint the dye onto the wood generously and let dry. Two coats may be necessary when working with dye.
Michael's trick of the trade? Furniture created from solid wood lasts much longer, so consider investing in a quality piece. An easy way to tell if a piece is created with solid wood is to check the end grain, where you should see the wood's internal pattern.
Thanks, Michael!
Our experts Maria Greenlaw and Suzanne Caldwell are partners in Design House, a personalized design service that's been a feature in Southampton, New York for over 23 years. Maria is a Cornell University graduate with a BS in Interior and Product Design, and Suzanne, an Allied Member of ASID, has a design degree from Harrington Institute in Chicago.