Aged, Not Worn Out: Choose Pieces That Age Gracefully

A set of materials that age gracefully rather than deteriorating. The surface of the leather develops a warm luster and uneven color due to long-term contact, with frequently used areas becoming darker; solid wood countertops have water stains and fine scratches, but after oil-wax maintenance, these marks blend into the wood grain, becoming part of its texture; unlacquered brass handles are polished bright where gripped, while the rest oxidizes to brown; thick cotton fabric covers soften and slightly fade in color after multiple washes. A corner of the image shows a comparison with materials that deteriorate: peeling veneer edges, white scratches on painted surfaces, pilling synthetic fabric, and flaking plating. The former improves with use, while the latter worsens. Avoid: making the two similar, depicting aged materials as damaged or dirty, using the same materials in the comparison group, eliminating signs of use.

Translated from Chinese by AI.

一組使用多年後仍然好看的材料。皮革的表面因為長期接觸而出現溫潤的光澤與深淺不均的色澤,常坐的位置顏色更深;實木的檯面有水漬與細小的刮痕,但油蠟保養後這些痕跡融進木紋成為質地;未上漆黃銅的把手在手握處磨亮、其餘氧化成褐;厚棉的布套洗過多次後變軟、顏色略淡。畫面一角以會變壞的材料作對照:貼皮的邊角起翹、烤漆的表面刮出白痕、化纖布起球、鍍層剝落。前者越用越好,後者越用越糟。避免:讓兩者相似、把變舊的材料畫成破損骯髒、在對照組使用相同的材料、消除使用的痕跡。