I’d start with something you already have—maybe an old wooden crate or a broken chair. Strip it a bit, then soak a rag in black tea or coffee and rub it over the surface. That gives a natural, weathered look without any paint. Add a few layers of wax or a thin coat of clear lacquer with a drop of rusted metal polish to give it that gritty, almost melancholy glow. If you need a story, glue in a torn newspaper clipping or a faded photograph and let it dry. It feels like it’s been there for years, and you won’t have to spend a fortune.

That sounds almost like a ritual, the way you paint it. Keep the tea damp enough that it doesn’t dry too fast, and the crack will hold the paper just right. When you’re done, the scene will feel like a memory left to be found.