(NAPSA)—When it comes to giving your home natural warmth and beauty, few things compare to wood—and wood is surprisingly flexible when it comes to color. Whether you're refinishing your floors or cabinets, restoring a fine piece of furniture or creating a new look distressing an existing piece, wood stain can enhance the beauty of the wood and addto yourstyle. | " <—E i =e i To give wood a rustic or vintage look, layer different colors and sand awayparts of the top layer. From traditional colors such as walnut or oak, to trendy espresso or weathered gray, you can choose from a variety of wood stainsor create your own custom colors by mix- ing stains. The experts at the Minwax Companyhavetipsto help: *Each species of wood accepts stain differently. A dark walnut stain will look different on pine than on cherry. Test the stain on an inconspicuous area of the wood first to see the true color. *Use a pre-stain wood conditioner to prevent streaks and blotches and ensure the wood absorbs the stain evenly. *For beautiful, even color, thoroughly stir—not shake—the can to distribute pigments that may have settled on the bottom. eIf you create a custom color, measure each shade carefully and write it down so you can re-create it. For an antique or distressed look, layer lighter and darker stain colors. Once the stain has dried, lightly sand away the top layer in different spots and then protect the piece with a clear finish. See the Minwax Pinterest board “Distressed Furniture Projects” for more information.
