Dec 28, 2013 3 min read

Shorter days and cool temperatures offer more time for indoor pastimes and hobbies. It’s a perfect opportunity to start up a project, something that speaks to your creative side, and presents a challenge, large or small, that you can lose yourself in for a few hours.

There are hundreds of hobbies from which to choose, and you may already have your favorites lined up for the season. With all the press that eco-decorating has gotten in the past years, and rightly so, it seemed appropriate to turn to one of the most essential and eco-friendly materials on the planet, wood, and see what I could do with that. Although I am by no means a carpenter, once I did a little research, ideas began to rush in and capture my interest.

Introducing pillars or columns into a room is an easy and elegant way to add or build on classic style. Visit your lumber store and check out the stock columns that are readily available in round or square shapes with a choice of details that you can add to produce the design you want. Columns can flank an entranceway or a wall of shelves. They can be finished to match the walls, or stained in one of dozens of shades that give them a modern twist, from deep sea blue, burgundy and mustard to subtle hues of slate and parchment.

Columns also can be cut down to make a table base or a stand. Top with a circle of wood or combine materials and top with thick glass, tile or funky plastic.

I have always enjoyed refinishing new and old wooden furniture. It’s particularly pleasing to revive some good pieces that are a bit worse for wear. Not only larger items such as a table, chair or bureau, you can make very cool candlesticks from old railing spindles and posts. Look for three to five in different heights and shapes, then stain them all the same shade for a grand tablescape.

Once you have some ideas to spur you on, take some time to learn about finishing wood with stain so that it will remain protected and beautiful for years to come. Here are some helpful tips you can find at www.minwax.com. I recommend using water-based products whenever possible.

All stains require the wood’s pores to be open to allow for absorption. The size of the pores varies according to wood types, so know your wood before you begin. Open pores by sanding. If there is already an old paint finish on the wood, you may want to remove it first, then sand.

To improve the appearance of any stained wood, apply a wood conditioner before you stain. The natural color of the wood and the size of the pores determine the final color, so always test on a section that is not in view. Use lighter colors on wood that shows uneven absorption so that it will be less noticeable.

Apply water-based stain with a brush that has synthetic bristles. Always brush in the direction of the grain. Use a soft cloth to apply stain to contoured surfaces such as moldings or spindles.

Minwax has a new product, Wood Finishing Cloths, that gives beautiful staining results. They come in five colors: Natural Oak, Maple, Chestnut, Walnut and Dark Mahogany. The cloths are pre-moistened with water-based wood stain and protective clear finish.

Email your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.