Artist and designer Dusty Deyoe helps a homeowner decorate her mantel with forgotten items found in her attic. First the mantel is brightened with a coat of white paint. Then old color-washed urns are mingled with cement and plaster figurines, a stunning white mirror, fresh ivy, old seashells and fake fruit. To color-wash old or new plaster urns (new urns may be found at garden centers and craft stores), gather latex paint, brushes, a sea sponge, an old T-shirt and a bucket of water with a few drops of paint in it. Apply the paint wash with a brush. If the mixture's too thin, thicken it with a little more paint, or wet your brush and dip it in undiluted paint, then apply it to the urn (figure A). Let the paint dry a bit, then wipe off the excess with the T-shirt (figure B). If you don't like the look, wipe on a little more wash with a sea sponge. This process is completely foolproof, so have fun and experiment with different techniques. For a more distressed look, let the paint dry, then buff it off with a dry cloth to reveal the surface beneath.
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