What is the meaning of the furniture term Pickled Finishes?

Pickled finishes in furniture refer to a technique of applying a light-colored or white stain to wood. This process involves using a combination of stain and diluted white paint or whitewash to create a washed-out, aged, or weathered appearance. The pickled finish allows the wood grain and texture to still be visible while adding a subtle hue or whitewashed effect. It is often used on traditional or rustic-style furniture to achieve a vintage or distressed look. Cloudy white patina over light wood, produced by the removal with vinegar of the plaster base of painted wood.