Homeowners embarking on DIY home improvement projects may be interested to hear that the distressed look is a key trend for interiors at the moment.
In an article for the Guardian newspaper, expert Susie Steiner explained that "shiny and smooth" is out of fashion, while "flaking, gnarled and chipped" is in.
But that doesn't mean investing in antiques and vintage furniture items. Instead, DIY enthusiasts can use their skills to create their own unique pieces.
Ms Steiner recommended using chalky grey paint on old wooden furniture such as pine chests of drawers or country dressers from junk shops.
Other items can be aged as well to complete the distressed look. For example, cheap picture frames can be antiqued using metallic wax, while floorboards can be left unvarnished to scuff up over time.
"The distressed interior makes a lot of sense," insisted Ms Steiner. "It's easy to live with, it doesn't jar against period architecture, it can be feminine or utilitarian and, well, it's cool."
