{"id":14532,"date":"2020-02-06T10:30:17","date_gmt":"2020-02-06T15:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/?p=14532"},"modified":"2025-12-16T16:02:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T21:02:07","slug":"distressed-furniture-how-old-do-you-want-it-to-look","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/distressed-furniture-how-old-do-you-want-it-to-look\/","title":{"rendered":"Distressed Furniture: How Old Do You Want It to Look?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Furniture that\u2019s weathered and worn can feel like it has a\nstory to tell. Something aged like a dining table with nicks and worn edges\nthat\u2019s been loved and used feels familiar and welcoming. Coffee tables that\nshow signs of enduring the kids\u2019 coloring and nicks from Jenga spills indicate\nthat they have been part of the family story for years. Furniture with some age\nto it develops its own character.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish<\/a>
The Lexington Solid Wood Kitchen Island<\/a> with heavy distressing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Why Choose Distressing?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Distressed furniture<\/a> lets you enjoy that aged, worn appearance without having to wait decades for the furniture to age on its own. Craftsmen apply specific distressing techniques when building the furniture to distress it or \u201cage it\u201d for you and the results are stunning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distressed furniture works well for the popular Shabby Chic style, for French country<\/a> themes that combine old and new, for rustic style<\/a> rooms that embrace the old and worn, and for those that just like distressed furniture. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Double X-Back Dining Room Chair <\/a>features rub through and light distressing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

But how old do you want it to look? Application of heavy\ndistressing might be too much. A light distressing level might disappoint. Let\u2019s\ntake a look at distressed furniture levels for an understanding of what\ndifferent levels involve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know Your Distressing Levels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As representatives of custom furniture offered in many different distressed finishes, we break distressed furniture down into two categories: Light Distressing and Heavy Distressing. Why no medium? Because a \u201cmedium\u201d level of distressing can be interpreted differently, and we don\u2019t want to cause any confusion. It\u2019s easy for medium to look too light for those who lean toward heavy distressing and too heavy for those who lean toward light distressing.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Watford Armoire<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Distressing involves manually creating signs of wear and age. It involves using a combination of sanding, marking techniques, stains, paints and glazes for a one of a kind look. Woodworkers sand the furniture and use tools like hand planers, ice picks, heavy chains and drill bits to create marks on the wood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Light Distressing<\/strong> will have minimal nicks, indentations and pin holes throughout\nthe wood.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Light
Light Distressing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Heavy Distressing<\/strong> will include several nicks, indentations, pin holes and\nsimulated cracks throughout the wood itself. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Heavy
Heavy Distressing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

These levels refer to what you will generally find in a\nlightly distressed or heavily distressed piece. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But wait. What about adding simulated cracks and glazes? What about sanding and wear points, eased edges and hand rubbing? At DutchCrafters, we work with over 150 Amish woodshops located throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana and distressing techniques vary by woodshop<\/em>. Some include rub through and glazing as standard for their heavy distressing while others do not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also additional distressing techniques like sandblasting, burnishing and wire brushing. When ordering custom made distressed furniture, they can be selected for the pieces they\u2019re offered on, or you can ask a representative about them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distressing furniture is really an art in itself and the woodworker is the artist. The best advice we can give about custom distressed furniture is to order samples and to have a conversation about what you envision for your distressed furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amish furniture from the Leola Collection<\/a> is made in Pennsylvania, and the talented Amish craftsmen specialize in distressed finishes. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Plymouth Hutch<\/a> from the Leola Collection.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What\u2019s standard for one woodshop<\/a> is not standard for another. Feel free to chat by email or phone to learn about the distressing available for the furniture piece you\u2019ve got your eye on. This chat with an experienced furniture specialis<\/a>t will help in determining what level of distressing you’re looking for and what you can expect for the piece you are interested in. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Caldwell Executive Desk<\/a> with light distressing and glazing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What questions do you have about distressed furniture\ntechniques? <\/p>\n

\r\n
Related Posts<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n What Language do the Amish Speak? <\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"What\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n This post was originally published on July 25th, 2013. It was updated on January 30th, 2025. If you have spoken Read more<\/a> <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n \r\n \r\n Cherry Wood Furniture-The Lowdown <\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"CHERRY\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n You Put Cherries On Top For A Reason! Why cherry wood? There are so many wood choices, is there really Read more<\/a> <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n \r\n \r\n Amish Recipe: Apple Sponge Pudding <\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"amish\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n In which I use far too many italics, and redefine \"pudding.\" I just plain do not understand how this is Read more<\/a> <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n \r\n \r\n Meet the Amish Furniture Makers: Steven & Sons <\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"AmishMakersSteven\"\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n We can say, with narrative\u00a0certainty, that our\u00a0Amish Makers' love for working with their hands starts young, and with ferocity. Steven Read more<\/a> <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n