Painted custom kitchen, window seat and table w/leaf

Here the customer wanted a painted/antiqued/distressed, brand new custom kitchen, master bath, window seat w/storage and table w/leaf to seat 6. As usual while I was designing everything, I was also working on finish samples. I presented the customer 3 different finish treatments, she immediately chose one (it was nice not to have to make more samples). I cut that sample in two and had her sign both pieces.
The finish process was this – First, the fun part, I beat all of the doors, moldings and trim with a chain and another board with screws sticking out of it. After sanding to 320 (because I use all water-base finishes) I then sprayed a white topcoat from Aquacoat. I completely finished in this manner with 3 to 4 coats of finish, sanding in between up to 400 grit.
After curing for a day or two I applied a dark brown latex paint using a chip brush to all of the details, edges, corners, anything or anywhere that would hold onto some remnants of the brown once wiped off, which I did while the paint was still wet. Once this was done to the entire job I then put one final clear coat on top in order to seal the antiquing.
The customer asked for a “one of a kind” crown molding but didn’t like the price, we found a compromise. By simply adding a riser to the top of the cabinets, which gives a larger appearance, then using a standard crown to finish it out.
Granite tops as usual, under-mount sink, wine rack and special pullouts all were nice additions to an already beautiful kitchen.

-- Sam Hamory - The project is never finished until its "finished"!