Jennifer Bertrand: With a little paint, a plan and some cheesecloth. You can turn any plane piece of furniture into a masterpiece that looks like an antique. You can start with any piece of furniture. I am using this simple, inexpensive nightstand. I am going began by applying an oil-based primer, this is just going to ensure that my paint is going to adhere and endure. When applying your primer, don't worry about imperfection because they only add character, because in antique it wouldn't look perfect as new.

Next, I am going to apply the base coat. I am using a water based latex ink in the satin finish. You don't want to use a flat finish paint because your glaze will sink in and get all blotchy. I chose this light creamy color because I wanted the piece to just look soft and clean and aged. I am using a firm roller to get a smooth finish, but you could use a brush, if you want to look your piece more aged and hand painted.

I am using a stencil to add a little interest on the door. When you are using a stencil, use very little paint on your roller to avoid the paint leaking under your stencil. Now the fun part to make it look like an antique. I am going to use glaze, cheesecloth and a rag and a little bit of creativity. You are going to apply your glaze with your brush, but then remember, every bit of glaze you put on, you are basically going to pull it off by using a cheesecloth or a rag. A cheesecloth gives you the smoother finish, where as a rag gives you a wiping effect.

When you are wiping off the glaze, there is no wrong or right answer. Wipe it to whatever finish you like. Leave it on darker, if you want it darker, take off more if you want it lighter. Now I am highlighting all of the architectural features of the door by taking the same glaze and putting it in all of the crevasses. Another thing you can do is just tip out all of the edges with your brush. You are going to have just a little bit of glaze on it and you are juts going to slightly touch all of the edges. After your glaze dries, don't forget to add a coat of polyurethane to protect the finish. I started with a lifeless piece of furniture that had no sorry to tell and now we have a conversation piece that became an antique in just about a day.