Shabby Chic Furniture: The Art Of Distressing Paint
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Shabby chic distressed white furniture is still popular at least with me. I love the look, and I think there is always a place for it in your home.
You guys know I’m the queen of distressing. I think I’ve been really good lately and haven’t gone over the top with the electric sander. Heck, I haven’t even taken it off the shelf in weeks, until this week.
I went all out and made a video showing how I distressed this little showstopper using an electric sander. The video is very short, under two minutes, and it’s a little further down in the post.
Before I get to the distressing details, you need to know this is Furniture Fixer Upper day and my friends have some truly awesome projects to share. The links are at the bottom of this post. On to my project….
The chest came from my favorite junk shop and cost me $25. Plan number 1 for this chest was to paint it white, with no distressing, and add pretty fuchsia knobs.
It was a good plan, but then I thought of how cool it would be to paint the chest white and distress the heck out of it for a shabby chic coastal vibe. I remembered the anchor knobs I had in my stash, and plan number 2 was a done deal.
It was a mess. Who uses staples to hold drawers together. There were staples on all sides of this drawer.
The JTS patiently removed all of the staples and made the repairs using wood glue and clamps. I found a can of flat white paint on the shelf. Remember, I’m trying to use what I have and not buy new paint until I just have to.
One coat of paint wasn’t enough—two coats and on to distressing.
I went to town with my favorite electric sander. I brushed the sanded bits off with a dry paint brush then wiped the chest down with cheesecloth. Next, I applied a coat of clear wax. The wax gives the raw sanded wood a nice look.
To make sure you got all the details on how to use the sander, I made a video! Very short, less than 90 seconds.
I painted the wood knobs using the same paint. Distressing them was over the top too much. Yes, I said that. I distressed two of them and put them on the chest. No. Painted them again, and no distressing for the wood knobs.
The nautical anchor knobs were a long-ago find at T.J. Maxx. It’s about time I worked them into a project.
I know the distressing was too much for some of you guys, and that’s okay. Just be kind in the comments below. Well-thought-out and nicely worded constructive criticism is always welcome.
Time to take the latest Furniture Fixer Upper Tour! New projects from my friends, and this favorite makeover from me. I am in Arkansas with my Dad. He is in the hospital. Click the links below the photo collage to take the tour……
Furniture Fixer Upper Tour:
Painted Secretary Desk – Confessions of a Serial DIY’er
Gel Stain Furniture Project – Salvaged Inspirations
Antique Wardrobe Makeover – My Repurposed Life
Broken Dresser – A Ray Of Sunlight
Shabby Chic Furniture- Petticoat Junktion (you are here)
Below you will find the tour from the original post date. Just click the pink text links below the “before” photo collage.
1. Girl In The Garage
2. Just The Woods
3. Prodigal Pieces
4. Confessions Of A Serial Diy’er
5. The Interior Frugalista
Have a great day and I’ll see you next week!
