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Although many know that the term cerused oak has to do with a beautiful finish on furniture, this elegant technique has its roots in the cosmetic industry.
Originally created using a white, lead-based powder, it was used in cosmetic facial powder by women between the 1500s to 1600s to whiten their faces, including Elizabeth the First, remember her snow white face?
Once they realized how toxic the powder was for the skin, it was banned in the cosmetic field, but shortly after, the French discovered that it could be used to create a beautiful finish on wood with open pores, such as oak. This finish has since been used throughout the decades to bring elegance and beauty to a variety of wood furniture and blended with a myriad of design styles.
What is Cerused Oak or Cerused Wood?
This term is used to describe a unique finishing technique that showcases the beautiful wood grain without causing any damage to the wood itself. Ceruse was a white lead-based pigment, which after proving to be toxic to the skin was repurposed in the furniture industry. It has the ability to mute the original wood color while at the same time emphasize the texture of it’s grain. The results were amazing and have continued to be used in the design world. Cerused wood is available in multiple furniture styles, including headboards, tables, lamps and of course, cabinets both kitchen and bathroom. The best part is that the toxic lead ingredient has been removed, and now contains a liming wax which is a mix of clear wax, white liming paste and paint.
How it’s made.
Before the wood is ready to accept the finish, it must be prepped, which is done either by removing the existing finish if it was previously done or sanding unfinished wood. The main trick to cerusing is the opening of the wood grain; which enables it to accept the color and is usually done using a wire brush. Once the wood is ready, the finish is applied, such as a stain or dye. After the finish is done, it is time to massage the ceruse into the wood grain, ensuring that it is pushed evenly into the open pores of the wood. The final step is to apply a sealer. See a renovation project done with cerused oak.
Best wood types and finish options.
While this technique can be used on any wood that has a visible grain, some wood species are more suitable than others. Oak is the number one choice of wood when it comes to doing the cerused effect as it has heavy grain markings and very open pores. Another advantage to oak is how the wood is cross-cut, which highlights the grain motif even more; when the ceruse effect is added, the piece is completely transformed into something amazing. Mahogany is another large pored wood that can be used. Cerused woods are not limited to just the light finish, gray and black are also an option that can make for a beautiful statement piece in any room.
Greenbrook DesignYou need to understand the difference between style, class, and function. Although a house’s style may become outdated, it does not have to lose its class. Every home can remain functional regardless of its style and age.
An old-style home is one thing, but an obsolete home is an entirely different matter. In this article, we outline simple things you can do to pull your outdated home out of the past and into the modern period. You will be able to restore its appeal without giving up the quiet dignity that’s associated with old homes.
Walker WoodworkingYou moved into a house that allows you to have an extra bedroom, or maybe the kids have finally left, and you have a spare room, but now what? We would all agree that it is nice to have a spare bedroom, but should it be a guest bedroom, craft room, home gym, or something else entirely? Extra space is a good thing, but if it goes to waste, it has no value. Take the time to evaluate what you need and what could benefit you the most. A good plan yields excellent results and a space that will benefit you now and add value to your home later. Let’s explore some ideas to help get your creative juices flowing.
The master bathroom is considered a special retreat for the owners, a place of relaxation. Over the years, the design has changed from a garden tub and shower combo to walk-in showers and soaker tubs. Some wonder if both are needed or if one is more essential than the other. We want to explore the pros and cons of each and help you know which one is the best fit for you, or if you should have both.
Greenbrook Design Liver mush. Cleveland County is famous for its liver mush and the festival that has celebrated it for the past 30 years. Due to COVID-19, however, our community had to do some quick thinking to enjoy our yearly tradition still safely. This is how the first-ever virtual liver mush festival was born, and we at Greenbrook Design are honored to be one of the sponsors. Individuals were invited to share a video of themselves preparing their favorite way to enjoy liver mush for a chance to win cash and prizes valued at over $1,000.
The bare essentials. That is how some would describe a minimalist design style, one void of color and personality. A house designed with this style will only have the necessities needed to function, but that is not the case. While it is true that the minimalist style lacks the extra fluff and sparkle of other styles, it is still a beautiful choice for those who are looking to create a space with simplicity. Let’s unpack this style to see if it suits your home.
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