Who doesn’t love the timeless appeal of Pottery Barn’s rustic, worn-wood look? If you’re seeking to add warmth and character to your furniture without the price tag, three products can help you achieve this high-end finish affordably: Water-Based Glaze, Stain and Finishing Oil (SFO), and Gel Stain. Each one provides a beautiful, professional result, but with a slightly different look and process. Let’s explore these 3 Ways to Achieve a High-End Pottery Barn Look for Less to help you choose the best fit for your project!
If you’re ready for a deeper dive on each of these projects you can see their full blog posts here!
- Create a Pottery Barn Dupe with Stain and Finishing Oil: Faux Wood the Easy Way!
- Create a Pottery Barn Dupe with Gel Stain: Easy, Durable, and Flawless!
- Create a Pottery Barn Dupe with Water-Based Glaze: Fast Drying and Customizable!
For a quick overview of each product & outcome, keep on reading!
Product Comparison: Which One is Right for You?
In general If you need to choose based on length of time, Glaze is faster at drying and has minimal to no odour as it is water based. If you want a super durable finish and a quick dry time, Gel Stain is your #1 option! If you’ve got more time ( 2-5 days for drying) Stain and Finishing oil could be another great option. Read below as each will come with pros and cons and a variety of colours to choose from.
Keep in mind there is a slight smell when using an oil based product, so if you are somewhat sensitive to smells you may prefer the water base glaze option instead and top coat with Ultra Guard for high wear and tear areas.
Using a water-based glaze – easy to use and apply and dries to the touch within about 8-12 hours. Can be easily re-painted over in the future. For high-traffic areas that will have a lot of water contact, you will want to add a top coat sealer for extra durability. Our antiquing glaze is the perfect colour for this look. You could also grab our clear glaze and custom tint it with a couple drops of paint to any “wood tone” you like!
Water-Based Glaze: Quick and Customizable
- Perfect for: Flexibility in colour and an easy, water-based clean-up.
- Benefits:
- Fast drying: Dries to the touch in 8-12 hours, ideal for projects you want to finish in a day.
- Easy customization: Our Clear Glaze is a blank canvas; tint it with any Fusion color to create a unique wood tone.
- User-friendly application: Beginner-friendly with long “open” time for easy blending and control.
- Drawbacks:
- For high-traffic areas, Glaze may require a top coat for extra durability.
- Less durable than oil-based options, so avoid using it directly in areas with constant water contact unless sealed.
- Best Tip: Our Antiquing Glaze is pre-tinted to a rich brown, perfect for instant depth and dimension, while Clear Glaze can be custom-tinted to match any tone you desire.
Read more on achieving the faux wood look with Glaze in our blog here!
Stain and Finishing Oil (SFO): Durable and Rich in Colour
Stain and Finishing Oil (SFO) is ideal for achieving the durable, timeless Pottery Barn look on high-use furniture pieces. This oil-based stain provides rich, lasting colour and has a built-in top coat, giving your project a beautiful, natural wood effect with enhanced durability. SFO offers flexibility in the finish, allowing you to build depth by layering colours or mixing different shades to achieve a variety of wood tones. Its hard-wearing formula makes it perfect for areas prone to wear, like tabletops or bathroom vanities, ensuring your pieces maintain that sophisticated, aged wood look for years to come.
The benefits of using SFO, are it’s easy to apply, dries super hard and is durable with a strong built-in top coat. The downside is it can take 2-5 days to completely dry, longer if there is high humidity.
- Perfect for: Durable finishes that look beautiful over time.
- Benefits:
- Built-in top coat: Offers excellent durability, ideal for high-traffic surfaces like kitchen tables.
- Rich, varied color options: Available in various shades for versatile, layered effects.
- Longevity: The oil base provides a lasting, rich finish that requires minimal maintenance.
- Drawbacks:
- Requires a longer drying time, typically 2-5 days depending on humidity, which may delay project completion.
- Slight oil smell, which may be an issue for sensitive users.
- Best Tip: Use multiple SFO shades (e.g., white, brown, black) to create a beautiful, driftwood-inspired look. Check out our tutorial on achieving a Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware-inspired look using this method.
Read more on achieving the faux wood look with Stain & Finishing Oil in our blog here!
Gel Stain: Flexible Coverage with Faux Wood Grain
Gel Stain is a fantastic choice for recreating the Pottery Barn look, offering a rich, luxurious finish that adds depth and character to any piece. Unlike traditional stains, Fusion Gel Stain sits on top of surfaces, allowing you to achieve consistent, beautiful coverage even on challenging areas like vertical dresser fronts or detailed furniture edges. Its thick, easy-to-control formula lets you layer for a deep wood effect or create faux wood grain with simple tools like a broom or graining tool. Whether you’re working with a light or dark base, Gel Stain makes it easy to achieve that high-end, rustic appeal right at home, and is durable enough for flooring! It comes in 3 colour options plus clear.
- Perfect for: Faux wood effects on large flat surfaces like drawers and dressers.
- Benefits:
- Excellent Durability and Adhesion: for any damaged wood or non-wood surface with little prep this can be applied and is super durable.
- Long open time: Great for adding faux wood grain effects using tools like a broom or wood graining tool.
- Drawbacks:
- Has a stronger odour as it is oil-based
- Best Tip: For a Pottery Barn-inspired effect, use a base coat of a light colour, for example, Sterling for cooler undertones or Buttermilk Cream for warm undertones, then apply Double Espresso Gel Stain with a broom to create natural wood striations.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Water-Based Glaze | Stain and Finishing Oil (SFO) | Gel Stain |
| Base | Water-based | Oil-based | Oil-based |
| Dry Time | 8-12 hours | 2-5 days | 1 day |
| Durability | Needs a top coat for high-traffic or wet areas | Strong enough for floors | Strong enough for floors |
| Customization | Antiquing or Clear tintable glaze | Multiple shades available | Medium to dark shades |
| Odor | Odorless | Slight odour | Needs a top coat for high traffic or wet areas |
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly | Intermediate | Beginner-friendly |
Tips and Techniques for Success
- Glaze: Use a soft cloth or sponge to remove excess glaze for an even finish. Tint Clear Glaze with Fusion paint colours to match any decor.
- SFO: Apply with a brush or lint-free cloth, then allow it to penetrate for a rich finish. Be sure to wipe off any excess to avoid tackiness.
- Gel Stain: Mix thoroughly, apply with a roller, then drag a broom or wood graining tool for texture. Let sit undisturbed for best results.
So which one will you choose?
Choosing the right product comes down to the specifics of your project! For a quick, easily customizable finish over a painted surface that won’t encounter high wear and tear or water, Glaze is the go-to. If you’re working on a high-use surface, Stain and Finishing Oil is perfect for durability, although can take longer to dry, so if you’re looking for something quicker try the Gel Stain.
Give one of these a try, and tag us @fusionmineralpaint to share your transformation!