Hi Everyone!
Happy Thursday friends. You guys! There’s a trend on the horizon that has me intrigued and super excited. Hello cerused wood:
Ceruse is a word of French and Latin origins meaning a pigment made of white lead. The technique of cerusing is the process of opening the grain of wood (usually oak) and applying a white lead pigment into the grain to create contrast. It’s commonly referred to as liming, and it’s quite stunning. Whether your style is beachy, contemporary, minimal, traditional, eclectic, bohemian, shabby chic, Scandinavian, etc., I think cerused wood just fits. On floors, cabinetry, furniture, millwork, even wallpaper, it can play a beautiful role in a space.
I mean, just look at this gorgeous bed from Anthropologie
This look is easy to achieve for DIYers as well. Its a great way to give new life to an old piece of oak furniture. You can purchase off the shelf liming wax or even use latex paint to get the effect. And I absolutely love this as a way to work with dated oak kitchen cabinets. It’s a beautiful alternative to painting them, and it works WITH the grain by giving beauty to the not-so-popular feature instead of trying to conceal or hide it.
It’s crazy to think this leaded pigment was used as makeup at some point! #illpass. So tell me friends…do you like the look? I’m thinking this may be my next DIY endeavor. Until next time loves….
Xo-Shavonda
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
Jenny’s desk has been in my inspiration files. I love love love it.
Jen says
I didn’t know there was a name or a process for this, but I do love it. I think it would definitely refresh dated oak cabinets.