Vintage Artistry

Vintage Artistry finish treatments are designed to create an aged, worn look similar to what can be found on antique furnishings. We recommend approving a door sample prior to ordering any of the Vintage Artistry options so that you can clearly visualize the look. Vintage Artistry is available with any of our top coat sheens, though we recommend either flat or matte to achieve the aged furniture look.

Wormholes

Small round holes are punched randomly into the surface of solid wood components to simulate natural wormholes in wood. These holes are applied singly and in random clusters. Wormholes can be applied to any solid wood material such as doors, drawers fronts, trim moldings, face frames, and decorator end panels. Wormholes cannot be applied to veneered sheet goods, such as plywood.

Splits

Tooled, thin lines running with the grain are carefully applied to solid wood doors to give the appearance of being cracked without sacrificing the strength of the component. Random splits, resulting from drying and movement of the wood or hard use, are common in old wood, and this look captures that feel. Splits will range in size from 1 to 3 inches. They will be found at the beginning of the edge and extend inward along the grain applied to solid doors and drawers only. Not available on mitered doors styles.

Distressing

Using special tooling, random dents and dings are applied to the surface of solid wood to give the appearance of wear and age. Finish is applied after distressing to preserve the wood. Distressing can be done on any visible surface, including finished interiors.

Flyspeck

Small specks of dark finish are applied randomly to the surface of the wood to give the appearances of aging. This is applied to the entire exterior of a component, as well as to any finished interiors. Our standard color is black, but custom color matches are available if a different shade is desired.

Knife-Outs

Wood is carved along solid edges in a method similar to whittling. Gouged out edges are smoothed by gentle sanding to give the appearance of old, worn damage found in antique furniture. The corners and some other edges will be worn down, as with Eased Edge and Corner treatment. This treatment can be done on the outside and the inside corners and edges of doors, drawer front, decorator panels, decorative moldings, and valances.

Knife-Outs with Rasping

Wood is carved away along solid edges in a method similar to whittling. Gouged out edges are smoothed by gentle sanding to give the appearance of old, worn damage found in antique furniture. These gouges are then textured using a cross-hatch pattern applied with a knurled wood rasp. The corners and some others edges will be worn down, as with Eased Edge and Corner treatment. This treatment can be done on the outside and inside corners and edges of doors, drawer fronts, decorator panels, decorative moldings, and valances.

Joint-Cuts

Joints of assembled components are accented by applying distinctive hand cuts along the joint line. Multiple angled, v-shaped cuts are made at each joint. This look is not meant to provide a machined v-groove appearance, but rather the look of hand-crafted joint. Joint cuts will be irregular in width and appearance. This look is available on any door, drawer front, decorator panel, appliance panel, or wainscot with cope and stick construction. Not available on molding applied door styles.

Worn Look

Prior to finishing, the corners of the component are worn down to give the soft, rounded look common in antique furniture. After finish color is applied, these corners will be lightly hand-sanded and rubbed again to break through the finish, simulating natural wear over time. Our strong, protective topcoat is applied after this wearing to preserve the component. This can be done on the outside corners and edges of doors, drawer fronts, decorator panels, decorative moldings, valances, and cabinet frames. Not recommended on mitered door styles. 

Eased edges & Corners

Prior to finishing, the corners and some edges of the component are sanded down to give the soft, rounded look common in antique furniture. Unlike Worn Look, the finish is not worn after application. This can be done on the outside corners and edges of doors, drawer fronts, decorator panels, decorative moldings, and valances. Not recommended on mitered doors.

Carriage House

Available on Alder, Cherry, Oak, and their Character options. This is Holiday Kitchens’ specially designed heavy worn look. A coat of paint is lightly applied over a pre-stain finish to allow a dark brown undertone of natural wood grain to gently telegraph through the paint. A heavy worn look is performed, including rub-through on flat surfaces, to allow this rich brown color to show through simulating aged wood showing through finishing that has been naturally worn away by heavy use. The component is then glazed, completing the aged look. All of this is fully top coated to protect the component. Additionally, wormholes, splits, distressing and flyspeck Vintage Artistry options can be added at no charge, but must be specified. Our standard options are Sandalwood pre-stain, one light coat of paint, heavy worn look (other Vintage Artistry options must be specified), choice of glaze, and choice of top coat. Other color options are available as custom color matches. When electing Carriage House, you must add paint and glaze premiums. Not recommended on mitered doors.