
“If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat.”
– John Ortberg (as quoted on the Unpolished Barn website)
I don’t think I’ve ever posted about a sign painter before, but I find these rustic, vintage-looking signs really charming! Located in Downeast Maine, The Unpolished Barn specializes in hand-distressed signs and home decor, and what they’re making looks to my eye like real art. I’ve already picked out the one that’s going on our new deck!
“Each sign has its own character and no two will ever be alike. To ensure a product of quality and beauty each sign begins with the application of paint and 3 drying stages before the real magic happens which is my personal technique of distressing. To achieve the unmatched weathered and rustic allure of my signs it takes more than one might imagine. Each sign will travel through 8 specific stages of my unique distressing technique before the final finish is applied. Each stage of the distressing must be completed in sequence and no stage can be overlooked to ensure the ultimate effect. Once complete the sign is set aside for its 4th and final stage of drying.”
– About Unpolished Barn
You can get your own awesome custom signs on the Unpolished Barn website and on Etsy and Instagram.
August 7, 2020 at 7:05 am
These are gorgeous
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 7, 2020 at 8:27 pm
I love them all!
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 8, 2020 at 1:39 am
Me too I’ve been chevking out his website
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 7, 2020 at 9:14 am
These are great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 7, 2020 at 8:28 pm
She’s got a fantastic eye for color and distressing.
LikeLike
August 7, 2020 at 10:49 am
I don’t often like fabricated distressed pieces because they seem too fake but this artists has actually figured out a way to make the distressing look authentic and find the right sort of visual texture and a sense of the type of wear and patina real vintage pieces would possess. I have a bit of a thing for whales so I am immediately drawn to those pieces.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 7, 2020 at 8:29 pm
She really has! We’re looking for a No wake zone sign for our new deck (which is still not a thing), so I was so happy to find hers. Then I realized they’re for indoor use only. I’m tempted to try to make it work anyway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 8, 2020 at 1:58 pm
I bet you could find some yacht varnish type sealant that could transform it for outdoor use.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 9, 2020 at 11:00 am
Ooh. That’s a great idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 7, 2020 at 6:10 pm
I don’t have a need for one but his prices are not that bad. I enjoyed looking at each one. Here and on his web site. Hal
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 7, 2020 at 8:30 pm
I didn’t mention it, but the seller is a woman! She’s really doing a great job.
LikeLike
August 7, 2020 at 7:23 pm
Thanks to your post, Donna, I visited UnpolishedBarn on Etsy and loved what I saw. I also appreciated reading about their unique 8 step distressing process.
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 7, 2020 at 8:30 pm
There’s some real commitment behind that process, and it shows!
LikeLike