Workers Of Wood

While the pallet wood, "rustic", epoxy rivers, and "live edge" continue on, there seems to be another.

I joined a Facebook group with General Finishes a few months ago. The common thing there is to find a vintage piece, often with a lot of detail and carvings, clean it with some denatured alcohol and paint it. Usually a white, dark blue or black paint. Sometimes add some gel stain to remaining wood finish areas and top coat. Could this be the 2020 version of the 1970s "antiquing"?

I think so. Part of this same fad is using a streaky, chalky looking paint over a solid backing color. A few years back when the wife and I were looking for some new bedroom furniture the fad was dozens of pin holes in the surface. The salesman told me that they had some guy with a glove that had small spikes sticking out the back and he would back hand the pieces a few times to make the holes. Back in the 70s was also the barn wood craze which still exists to a much smaller degree. It's all part of a need to do something that's different, even if different looks like crap.

Remember the old "If it moves, salute it; if it doesn't, paint it."?

A few years ago, I got sent out to take care of a new dining table that had "splinters." When I got there the consumer explained that it was made from "a barn door from Scotland." The base was black plumbing pipe. She loved it. The top, as could be expected was rough, dry, and black. There was not a whole lot of sanding I could do and maintain the dark look, so I buffed a bit with some Scotch-Brite. Then I wiped off the dust and pulled up black. Customer was happy.

Many of the lighter colored ones I always said were one spilled wine or slipped meatball away from having a permanent stain. Saw that too, but people still loved it.

5-7 years and they'll replace it.

I guess I've never been a big fan of painting wood...it just doesn't seem right. Flaws, scratches, etc... can always be cleaned up with a little elbow grease.

On the other hand, painting is easy and if somebody wants their furniture painted, well, get the ole brush out.

Great idea, Keith, on buffing up old colors...

5-7 years and they'll replace it." Exactly. Fads are often just a poorly thought out whim that gets executed before common sense and good taste prevail.

"I guess I've never been a big fan of painting wood...it just doesn't seem right. Flaws, scratches, etc... can always be cleaned up with a little elbow grease." Me either. I consider it a sacrilege unless you're using something like poplar that has no grain or figure to it. Every species of wood has it's own character that is there to be admired and appreciated. Why cover that over where it can't be seen? You might as well be using mdf instead.