Tools and materials
Large and small brushes, several grades of sandpaper, steel wool, glass wool, spatula, blow torch, varnish, protective background, plaster paste or lime, water-based paint, oil-based paint, varnish for cracking and asphalt.

Burning
o It is a not a matter of burning the wood as if there had been a fire, but the heat and flames do give an aged look. This can be done in interior areas, next to fireplaces etc.
o In the olden days smoke from cooking fires transformed the wood of kitchens. You can use a blowtorch to burn the surface of the wood.
o Light the flame and work it over the surface by sections, taking care not to burn them too much. Do a test first on an extra piece of the same wood, or on a section that is not highly visible, in order to see if the wood can withstand this treatment.
o Clean then rub the burnt areas with glass or sandpaper. This will make the grain stand out and leave the surface somewhat irregular.
o Remove all dust. For the finishing touch you can use varnish or wax.

With water-based paint
o This gives a finish similar to that of antique woods painted with aniline-based products.
o It is a substitute for the typical wood enamel and allows you to highlight the grain and the knots in the wood.
o Going in the direction of the grain, apply the paint with a brush after having prepared the mixture according to the manufacturer's instructions. Try with different amounts of water until you get just the right shade.
o You can remove excess paint before it dries by using a lint-free cloth. You will see how the grain is accentuated.
o Once the wood is dry, apply sandpaper gently. If you think it is necessary you can apply more layers.
o Finally, use a damp cloth to clean away the dust left by the paint as it dries. It is now ready for a layer of wax with another cloth.

Applying lime or plaster
o Before, when use of paint was not so widespread, plaster was applied not only to walls but to wood, be it beams, doors or even furniture. Among other things it helped fight woodworms. Rub a metal-bristle brush in the direction of the grain of the wood. This will open up the softer spots, leaving the surface irregular.
o Apply the lime or plaster with steel wool. This will it become embedded in the most open spots. Rub with a circular motion.
o Allow it to dry, and apply a coat of furniture wax. Finally, you can polish it all using a cloth and circular movements.

The worn look. Removing part of the color
o After you have decorated, with one color, several or a pattern, you can achieve an aged look by removing part of the color you have applied.
o Rub with different grades of sand paper or steel or glass wool. Repeat this in several spots, not necessarily in any fixed order. You can use keys or chains to imitate scratch marks, for instance.
o Another version of this technique focuses on the base coat. Use a candle to apply wax to the scratch marks you have made. Then apply a second layer of paint and use sandpaper. The waxed spots do not take the second color of paint, and the base coat will be clearly visible.
o You will simulate the aging process if you work in particular on edges, friezes, or on knobs or handles in the case of furniture. You can even bang gently on it, make small burn marks to make it darker or simulate small wormholes.
o After this you can apply a coat of varnish or fixative to protect the aged look you have achieved.

The cracked look
o This effect is used above all on small pieces of furniture, boxes or bookcases to make them look antique.
o It requires special varnishes that cause the wood to crack slightly.
o First, apply a coat of acrylic paint on the object you want to decorate. This is what will be seen through the cracks created later.
o Once dry, the cracking product is applied. Above it goes another layer of paint of a different color. Always do brush strokes in the same direction.
o The cracks will start to form immediately as the wood dries. You can apply a protective varnish after using a fine grade of sandpaper.
o Other kinds of varnish achieve base-coat cracks that are even more delicate.