Is any room ever finished? If you love interior design, the answer is no. So I’ve been looking at my built in cabinets and fireplace for awhile now. I wrote about how I achieved the original finish HERE.
I like the finish but began to wonder what it would look like a bit lighter. I decided to add some liming wax to the finish. I pulled out my liming wax and began adding it very sparingly. I also removed the antlers.
I like the antlers, but I was ready for a change. I will find a new home for them, no worries there.
Here is the room with all of the cabinets done below.
For clarification, since people ask, the cabinets are not in front of windows. Those cabinets are built in BELOW the windows. I wish the carpenter had made them shorter so you could tell the window was on top of the cabinets, but he wanted to give me as much cabinet as he could.
This is the before.
This is the after. I also switched out the lamps.
You can definitely tell the cabinets are less brown now.
I went very simple on the fireplace mantel also. I have gone rather monochromatic on the decor here. It’s not that I’m opposed to color but that the strong color I don’t think works here. The candlesticks are a very soft blue. I lean towards having very little on the mantel, because the doors have to swing out. I like the look, but I’m still playing around with it. I like the cabinets with nothing on the doors. Since there is no artwork on the doors, I felt the mantel needed something. (Full disclosure: After I took the photos I changed things again. Now the mantel only has the candlesticks, two pitcher and a stack of platters.
Well I think I am going to work on it a bit more later, but there you have it.
TIPS FOR WORKING WITH WAX
If you apply liming or antiquing wax, I recommend starting with a clear wax first. If you add too much wax, it is easier to remove if there is a clear coat of wax underneath.
Add wax in a small area, then buff away the excess wax. If you wait too long, you won’t be able to remove the excess wax.
This entire project probably used about an ounce of wax, so it goes a long way.
The wax I used for this project can be found (affiliate link) HERE.
The new look on the fireplace looks great. Love how you finished off the mantel.
Love the look you’ve gone for! Am SO GLAD you got your tech guy to fix the problem with the way your blog presented on a PC!
I would have the carpenter come back and trim down the cabinets! That would drive me crazy! Love your style and your blog.
Love the look you’ve gone for! Am SO GLAD you got your tech guy to fix the problem with the way your blog presented on a PC!
I would have the carpenter come back and trim down the cabinets! That would drive me crazy! Can they be moved and something else used? Love your style and your blog.
I love the cabinets the way they are!
I don’t understand how you achieve an antique/weathered look on something that has been painted. I looked at your previous “tutorial” and you used an oil paint then a latex. How does this liming wax penetrate the grain?
I’m not exactly a novice on finishes but don’t understand this one. Thanks.
The finish does not penetrate the grain Paula.
Never did like those antlers. Love the changes that you made Looks really good!
Your projects sound like mine. I had a chest that I stained that came out too yellow so I retained it. Then I removed the stain and started over. Finally had it right. Put the chest in my girls room and they put a candle on it for decoration. “Just for decorations , Mom.” Then one day they light the candle and walk out of the room. Thankfully they heard the a noise and when they went back to the room the top was in flames. After that I covered it with a shawl and they were no longer allowed candles.
I would suggest the antlers be given to your dogs, but it looks like they may have been bleached—in which case I would not. Pups love antlers to chew on!
Can you use liming wax on brick as well? Would it be flammable if it got warm?
I would contact the manufacturer to get those answers. I think it might be flammable Reena.