We told you we’d let you in on our get-the-restoration-hardware-look-for-less secret. You know the one we used to finish our farmhouse table – yeah, that one!
Everyone loves the Restoration Hardware/Pottery Barn/Ballard Designs aged wood look, right?
The finish is also often called aged oak, grey acacia, pickled or whitewashed, depending on the shade.
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It looks a little grey, a little natural and all refined rustic.
It’s one of my favorite looks in decorating. I’d fill my house with it if I could! Â So when we were deciding on a finish for our new dining room table when we gave the dining room a makeover, it was my first choice to try to replicate.
Before we started this project I didn’t even know what to look for to get the finish I was after. But after some searching around I found Minwax’s  water based White Wash Pickling stain. And their other tintable water based stains! Other companies have similar finishes, such as sun-bleached.
White Wash Pickling
Supplies:
- Raw wood table, sanded smooth and free of debris
- Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
- Minwax Clear Tint Base – in American Walnut
- Minwax White Wash Pickling
- Minwax Polycrylic in Satin Finish
- Purdy Paint Brush
- lint free cloth
(not shown)
- fine grit sandpaper
Instructions:
1. Apply Minwax water based Pre-Stain Conditioner over every surface. Let dry according to directions on package. The Pre-Stain Conditioner simply allows for even coverage on all parts of the wood, including knots, etc.
2. Apply tinted stain to one area at a time using a brush – for example one board at a time. Let sit for a few minutes then wipe off with a lint free cloth or rag. Let dry according to directions on the package.
3. Lightly sand with fine grit sandpaper. Wipe off all sanding debris with a clean cloth or vacuum clean.
4. Using a brush apply White Wash liberally to one area at a time. Working quickly, wipe off with a clean lint free cloth or rag. Of the whole project, this is the trickiest step to get just right. If your brush is too dry, your finish will be too white. I suggest practicing on a spare board. Once you’re finished white washing the entire table, let dry according to directions on the package.
5. Â For a rustic looking imperfect table top, gently sand with low grit sandpaper and a palm sander. This also helps to tone down the slightly blue tinge of the white wash pickling.
6. Using a clean quality brush, apply a thin coat of Polycrcylic in Satin finish for protection from food stains and spills. Let dry. Repeat once.
White Wash Pickling Tips:
- I can’t say enough about the Pre-Stain Conditioner. I’ve never used it before, seeing it as an unnecessary step and added cost. However, I’m sure it’s the reason all of our stain went on so smoothly this time despite using inexpensive soft wood.Â
- I used all water-based products for this project. Water based stain totally rocks for this finish. The fast dry time and lack of headache-inducing stench is a complete bonus!
- Leave the tinted stain on for a few minutes before wiping it off, BUT wipe off the White Wash Pickling ASAP! Unless you want a really white almost blue finish. Live and learn, right?
- The poly on top (to protect the table from kids spills) makes the pickling look a little bluer than it is. If you don’t like that and you aren’t worried about major spills, you could just use a clear or natural wax (beeswax would be perfect!) to protect the table.
 
So that’s the secret – water-based stain and White Wash Pickling stain. Who knew?!
In case you’re wondering – this is the finish we used when we built our farmhouse table.
Have you ever used white washed anything? What about a White Wash Pickling finish?
xo,
Shannon
Can you whitewash over gel stain?
I’ve honestly never done it. But I don’t see why not, if you let the stain dry completely first. I’d recommend just testing it on a spare piece of wood or in an inconspicuous spot on the piece you’re working on.
What type of wood was your table?
Wow that looks fabulous!!! Great job girl!!
Thanks, Debra!
I am in the middle of redoing an old dresser that I purchased, which turned out more work that what I had expected.
I have painted the drawers black with a melamine satin finish paint, but I don’t like the finish at all.
Would I be able to do a white wash over the top of it?
My thought is if you’re not happy with it the way it is, try things until you are.
I feel stupid for asking this.. but are you mixing the clear tint base with the american walnut stain to apply after the wood conditioner application? Can you explain this a little more for me? Thank you!
The Clear Tint Base is mixed with American Walnut at the store.
Thank you for the reply. Can you explain to me the benefit of mixing that instead of just staining it with the American walnut stain? I’m literally about to have to do the white pickling application and I just want to make sure that I do it correctly
Because as far as I know the American Walnut stain is oil-based and the products I’ve used and recommended in this post are water-based. And the water-based stain (at the time of writing at least) was not available pre-mixed. So you will be mixing water and oil based products.
Ahhh, I got it, thank you so much for your time!
You are very welcome!
Thank you for the post.
Holy Moly!!
You look exactly like Kate Hudson! Are you sure
Your not her long lost twin Sister???
Hyedi….not, Hyed. Lol
PS: Kate Hudson is gorgeous, by the way, so that means, you are too. But, I bet she doesn’t hold a candle to YOUR DIYing ability. So, who’s the SuperStar now!!
This has given me an idea to do my dining room table but it’s not raw wood. Would I have to take the finish off to do this process? I like the size of my table and it is at least 35 years old. Nothing antique just had it a long time.
You would likely have to sand it down fairly well to get a decent result. I’m sorry!
I just stained a table that I built but I don’t like how dark the stain is that I applied, so I’m considering using a whitewash overtop. The problem is, however, that the stain I’ve already applied is an oil-based stain…do you think I could apply the water-based pickling stain over the oil-based dark walnut stain?
That won’t work, will it?
Hmmm…. I just love the look of your piece!
Honestly, I’m sure most ‘experts’ would tell you not to mix the two. BUT I’ve done it with great results. You may find you have a bit longer of a dry time, than if you’d used only water-based. But I don’t see why you couldn’t go ahead and try it somewhere inconspicuous!
this was very clear and informative BUT what about using the conditioner and the white wash and no tinted stain? I have new pine boards – they will become my new kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities…was hoping just to white wash and wipe.
thanks, Ruth