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    Home » Painted Furniture » Layering Block Distressing Technique Is Crazy Easy

    Layering Block Distressing Technique Is Crazy Easy

    Modified: Oct 29, 2020 by Kathy Owen
    This post may contain affiliate links

    Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on Twitter <use href="#<svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 32 32" class="scriptlesssocialsharing__icon flipboard" fill="currentcolor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" role="img"> <title>flipboard</title> <path d="M24.997 13.001h-5.998v5.998h-5.998v5.998h-5.998v-17.995h17.995zM1.004 1.004v29.991h29.991v-29.991z"></path> </svg>" xlink:href="# flipboard "> Share on Flip it

    This is the easiest distressing technique ever and I'm going to share every little detail with you.

    I promised you guys a tutorial on the “ pink chest with an edge “  featured in a post last week. Well, today is the day. You might be surprised when you see how I “distressed” the paint to get the black details.

    pink furntiure with black distressed edges Petticoat Junktion

    Use A Layering Block For A Distressed Paint Finish

    how to layer paint on furniture by using a layering block

    Pink Chest

    furniture before paint makeover Petticoat Junktion

    A look at the chest before I began painting.

    furniture runner repairs Petticoat Junktion

    The chest was a freebie from one of our neighbors. As you can see the runners were a complete disaster.

    Layering Block Distressing Technique Is Crazy Easy Petticoat Junktion painting furniture

    The JTS (hubby, aka Junktion Technical Specialist) made new runners. He’s the greatest. There were a couple of runners that were salvageable but the others are brand spanking new. Thanks honey.

    Layering Block Distressing Technique Is Crazy Easy Petticoat Junktion pink dresser project

    The paint is Ceramcoat by Delta and the color is Cameo Rose. The paint is chalky and coverage was great. That one small jar did the job.

    Painting wood knobs Petticoat Junktion

    I painted the original wood knobs with Raven color Ceramcoat.

    Layering Block Distressing Technique Is Crazy Easy Petticoat Junktion project

    Now for the fun part. I used the FolkArt Home Decor Layering Block (find the block here) to do the “distressing”. The paint on this piece is not really distressed. The black paint is applied on top of the pink paint with the layering block.

    Layering Block Distressing Technique Petticoat Junktion furniture makeover

    I turned the block upside down and used a sponge brush to apply a very thin coat of black paint to the block

    how to use a layering block for distressing Petticoat Junktion project

    Then I ran the layering block all over the edges of the dresser, hitting all the pretty details. I brushed more paint on the layering block as needed. I cannot tell you how easy this technique is!

    I’ve had the layering block for a few months and really didn’t think I would use it to get the “distressed” look. I was skeptical about how well it would work.

    When I was at Plaid Crafts headquarters a couple of weeks ago I had a chance to see the process in action. I have to tell you that even looking closely at the paint it’s hard to tell that the black is sitting on top of the pink paint.

    black distressed furniture details Petticoat Junktion

    It really looks like the pink paint was distressed and the black paint is underneath the pink. The whole layering block process took no time at all and no messy stuff from sanding.

    distressed furniture edges Petticoat Junktion black and pink project

    I will definitely use the layering block in the future. Probably a lot. I was so excited when I was using the layering block...... I kept talking to myself because I just had to tell someone about the block….and no one else was there.

    furniture distressed edges showing black paint Petticoat Junktion

    The last time I used the layering block I made a video! You can see it below.....

    I finished the chest with Ceramcoat clear wax applied using a soft link free cloth. Can you tell by looking at the photos that the paint is not distressed? I made a video using the layering block and a bottle brush to distress and antique furniture. See the project here.....How To Paint Problem Furniture.

    Find the Layering Block here.

    Kathy Owen
    Website

    Author: Kathy Owen (Petticoat Junktion)
    Kathy is the founder of PetticoatJunktion.com, a home décor blog focused on repurposing and upcycling furniture, old hardware, rusty stuff, and thrifty finds into unique home décor. Kathy’s projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines. Read more about Kathy here.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. jerry

      June 01, 2021 at 5:32 pm

      The picture of the broken runners is clearly a different dresser. Still a good idea,but why fudge the photo?

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        June 01, 2021 at 6:07 pm

        No, it's the very same piece. The colors look different because of different lighting and cameras. My husband had to make all new runners. You can see the ridges cut into the front sides of the piece by the drawers and you can also tell by looking at the small plastic pieces inside the drawer spaces on the wood in the front. Also the curved bottom of the piece. I can see where you got confused. When I first looked at the photo I thought it was a different piece too!! Thanks for commenting on it so I could clear it up.

    2. Jeanette Shoemaker

      September 17, 2016 at 8:51 am

      Where did you get the creams coat products?

      Reply
    3. Lane P.

      May 11, 2016 at 10:42 pm

      Really looks genuinely distressed! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    4. Kathe

      May 02, 2016 at 7:07 am

      Thanks for the layering block info . I usually use my finger!!!

      Reply
    5. Susan

      May 02, 2016 at 5:50 am

      Very cool... many times there is a wild color under the paint so you don't want to distress and take the chance of that color coming through... I love this idea 🙂

      Reply
    6. Dee

      April 23, 2016 at 6:45 pm

      Love the color -- my daughter would claim this for her room! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday! 🙂

      Reply
    7. Mimi

      April 13, 2016 at 4:13 am

      Amazing! Even looking closely I can not tell it isn't black peaking through the pink. This is my favorite thing I've learned this year! Always learning. I'm ordering the block today. And the pink dresser is sooooo much better than the plain old wood.

      Reply
    8. Tami Toppen

      April 12, 2016 at 11:31 pm

      Love it! Where did you buy your layering block?
      Tami

      Reply
    9. Marie, The Interior Frugalista

      April 12, 2016 at 10:15 pm

      I have two words Kathy, Holy Crap!!! This is so being added to my workshop arsenal. You'd never know that dresser isn't distressed!

      Reply
    10. Becky

      April 12, 2016 at 8:39 pm

      Wow, Love this, I can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    11. Marcia Banach

      April 12, 2016 at 10:36 am

      Ok, I love that layering block already. No worrying about going too far with the sandpaper! Gotta get me one of those...rhanks!

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        April 12, 2016 at 7:00 pm

        You're welcome Marcia!

    12. Sharon

      April 12, 2016 at 9:23 am

      This looks awesome. Where do you purchase the layering block and we have several wood runners that need repair. How did the JTS make these

      Reply
      • Rhonda

        April 12, 2016 at 10:09 am

        I love it. I'm ordering one!

      • Kathy Owen

        April 12, 2016 at 7:03 pm

        It's a FolkArt product so wherever they carry the brand should have it. Also there is a link in the post above to the product on Amazon. It's the pink writing that says layering block.

    13. Jonni - Minnie's Milestones

      April 12, 2016 at 9:14 am

      Great to know! Love this post.

      Reply
    14. Laura Strack

      April 12, 2016 at 9:06 am

      Very cool tool! I thought you first painted the chest black. What a time saver. Thank you for sharing 🙂

      Reply
    15. Lola Fields

      April 12, 2016 at 8:56 am

      That is really cool. I didn't not notice until you told how you did it. I like it.

      Reply
    16. Linda Aulenti

      April 12, 2016 at 8:27 am

      Looks distressed to me. Fabulous short cut tool. Thanks for sharing this tip.

      Reply
    17. regina

      April 12, 2016 at 7:17 am

      So that's how you did that nice, subtle distressing! Cheater! Just kidding! It looks great! And, it's a good tool to know about.

      Reply

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