Start with oak or another tannin-rich wood. The tannins are key — they will react beautifully with Better with Age™ to give that deep, oxidized tone we’re after.

• Strip and sand your piece to raw wood.
• Wipe away any dust or residue.
• Do a small test area first; the more tannins in your wood, the darker the reaction will be.

💡 Tip: For very light woods, you can enhance tannins naturally by brushing on strong brewed tea, letting it dry, and then applying Better with Age™.

• Brush on an even coat and allow it to dry for about one hour.
• For a deeper, older look, apply a second coat after the first has fully dried.
• You’ll see it oxidize and age before your eyes as the wood reacts.
• You can use a hair dryer to accelerate the process if desired.

Now we’ll add that chalky, plaster-like surface that gives this finish its old-world character.

• Mix Venetian Plaster™ with warm water until it reaches the consistency of thin pancake batter.
• Brush on a thin, even coat over the dry Better with Age™ surface.
• Let it dry until it’s completely white (speed drying with a hair dryer if needed).

Once the plaster is fully dry, use #220 sandpaper to gently sand back areas of the plaster.

• The goal is to reveal hints of the aged wood beneath while keeping the surface feeling soft and chalky.
• Think “time-worn,” not “heavily distressed.”

For depth and realism:

• Dilute Better with Age™ 50% with water.
• Using your brush, splatter the mixture across the plaster.
• Move your brush and wrist around for a natural, uneven distribution.
• Let it dry completely. This creates that subtle speckled oxidation you see in authentic centuries-old finishes.

You have two finishing options, depending on the tone you want:

• For a cooler, whiter look:
  Seal with Amy Howard at Home Matte Sealer™. This preserves the light chalky tone and locks in the plaster.
• For a warmer, richer look:
  Apply Mind Your Own Beeswax™.Brush on a thin layer.Let it dry, then buff with a soft rag.This will slightly melt into the plaster, softening the white and giving that honeyed brown glow of aged waxed furniture.