Does anyone know what Thomasville's Urban Retreat (Black color) line uses to get that type of finish?
Question:I was just wondering if its a stain, laquer, paint or what. Anyone have a clue? Link is to what I'm talking about http://www.thomasville.com/item3679/urba...
Answers:
It is black lacquer that is rubbed through with steel wool or a rag slightly dampened with either ethyl alcohol or methyl ethyl ketone. It is EASY to do. You can get black lacquer in spray cans at the home center (not spray PAINT). Scuff the piece you want to do with 280 paper, wipe it off with ethyl (also called denatured) alcohol, and allow to dry a few minutes. Don't worry if a white haze appears with the alcohol. Then, lacquer the piece with the black, keeping back 12", building the finish as you go--not trying to get it all black the first time around. Give it some time! Finally, use three-ought (Grade 000) steel wool on the edges, and voila! Instant distressed black lacquer finish.
I think the black is a stain/laquer, but I don't remember very clearly. However, I can tell you that the urban retreat pieces are fantastic. I bought the ladderback dining chairs in daybreak (blindly...just saw the pic in the brochure and online) and can't even believe how much I love them! Too bad almost all the pieces in daybreak are discontinued. In fact, I think the whole line is up for retirement soon (but you should check that).
The daybreak color (basically off-white) is scuffed paint. However, you can mix and match colors...I've been looking at the black apothacary chest.
Best of luck...I highly doubt you'll be disappointed. One word of cauton though...I had a friend who bought an end table in the natural/oak color and she thinks it looks boring in her house. Personally, I didn't like that color either.
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