What better way to spend the weekend than getting
PICKLED! I ran around with clients this week searching for a great little retreat to escape the hustle and bustle of city life in Manhattan and where we landed was a much calmer, far more quiet slice of New York about an hour north of the city. Far from the shiny, shimmering high rises of the city rests a muted version of life nestled deep in the Catskills of upstate New York, sprinkled with charming two hundred year old cottages. As we rolled up in a tinted, flashy example of modern day splurges, my clients were blown away by how quiet the world was less than an hour outside one of its biggest cities. As we roamed the creaky halls of this early 1800's home, the owners kept asking, "how do we update this and make it city-bright?" Later that day, over a glass of wine, I came up with a few ideas for bringing a little city light to this home filled with country charm. Pickling wood floors is a simple, inexpensive way to brighten up any dark room. The wide-plank floors of this cottage were stained a deep shade of oak, so I suggested they add a little white in order to make their future home bright!
QUICK TIP: Pickling wood of any kind..floors or furniture..can be accomplished in a few simple steps. The key is to remember any imperfections will be amplified with stain (grain in wood will appear darker). It's best to sand the surface to start with a clean slate. Pick your color (we chose white) pour an amount into a separate can. Add water to dilute, use a rag and wipe on to achieve desired look. Cover with polyurethane to protect and step back, open a bottle of wine and cheer to a job well done!
