How to... with a basket

Since baskets come in all shapes and sizes, they make a wonderful decorating tool and add texture and a touch of nature to any room. Although antique baskets have a lot of character and balance nicely with wood furniture, they can be very expensive, especially if you're buying a large grouping of them. An alternative is to buy new baskets and "antique" them by the following methods:

Shoe Polish Antiquing: Purchase baskets that don't have a varnish finish and color them with shoe polishes in "wood" or natural colors. Shoe paste usually offers the best selection and can easily be rubbed over the baskets. Add additional colors as desired.
White-washing: Use brown liquid shoe polish to color the basket, then coat it with white liquid shoe polish, and rub it with a rag. Leave some in the crevices and wherever desired.
Distressing: Sand areas of new, varnished baskets to give them an aged look (pictured).

Basket ideas:



Stack box-like baskets in any room to create an interesting display.

Place a thick piece of glass on top of a large basket, and use it as a small table or to store out-of-season items.

Make a display of small baskets along a mantel, on the top of kitchen cabinets, or on a large piece of furniture.

Use a basket to hold magazines next to a favorite chair.

Hang baskets on the wall, and place a pictures in some to make an unusual photo display.

*THANKS TO HGTV FOR THIS INFORMATION!*