Whitewash art plinth

Turn a rough wooden storage box into a shabby-chic art plinth using Resene Colorwood Whitewash.

Weekend DIY with Mark Rayner - Project 12

Difficulty level: Moderate

You will need: 25mm flathead nails, Clean damp cloth, Hammer, Old wooden box, Paintbrush, Paint stirrer, Resene Aquaclear gloss, Resene Colorwood Whitewash, Sandpaper with small wooden block

Top tip: Mark painted the background wall with Resene SpaceCote Flat tinted to Resene Blackout.

Other ideas: For a flatter finish simply use Resene Aquaclear satin instead.

How to whitewash an art plinth

Step one
Step one Fix any loose or bowed edges with 25mm nails.

Step two
Lightly sand the entire box with sandpaper wrapped around a small wooden block, taking care not to sand off any of the old painted lettering.

Step three
Wipe off any sanding dust with a clean, slightly damp cloth. Allow wood to dry.

Step four
Carefully stir the Resene Colorwood Whitewash with a paint stirrer.

Step five
Apply the Resene Colorwood Whitewash to the edges, as show, taking care not to get any on the side with lettering on.

Step six
Paint the remaining sides with one coat of Resene Colorwood Whitewash, brushing in the direction of the grain as shown. Allow to dry for two hours.

Step seven
Lightly sand the whitewashed areas to ‘age’ the surface – especially along the edges. Wipe off any sanding dust with a clean, slightly damp cloth and allow to dry.