• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • All DIY
  • Tutorials
  • Shop
Petticoat Junktion
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • All DIY
  • Tutorials
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • All DIY
    • Tutorials
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Painted Furniture » Shabby Chic Distressed White Furniture

    Shabby Chic Distressed White Furniture

    This post may contain affiliate links

    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.

    shabby chic white furniture

     

    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….

     

    how to paint shabby chic white furniture

     

    Plan number 1 for this chest was to paint it white, 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.

    furniture fixer upper chest of drawers for makeover

    The chest came from my favorite junk shop and cost me $25.

    staples to hold a drawer together doesn't work

    It was a mess. Who uses staples to hold drawers together. There were staples on all sides of this drawer.

    using wood glue and clamps to repair furniture drawers

    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

    One coat of paint wasn’t enough. Two coats and on to distressing.

    electric sander for distressing paint and clear wax for patina

    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.

     

     

    white shabby chic furniture with a coastal style

     

    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.

    anchor furniture knob on white shabby chic furniture

     

    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.

    before and after shabby chic furniture makeover

     

     

    Before and After Shabby Chic Coastal Furniture Project

    Now it’s time to see what my buddies have transformed. Just click the pink text links below the “before” photo collage.

    Furniture Fixer Uppers makeover projects before photos April

    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!

    Similar Posts For You....

    • Try This Whitewash Technique Over Painted Wood Furniture
    • How To Weather Furniture: Painted Sideboard Coastal Or Nantucket Style?
    • Make Whitewash Paint Mixture For Furniture Using Latex Paint
    • How To Make White Furniture Look Distressed And Naturally Worn

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Heather Patrick

      May 24, 2021 at 3:49 pm

      Looks amazing! I have a dresser very similar I want to try this on. I have some white flat and some white eggshell laying around...does it matter what type of paint I use and my second question is did you do any other prep (aside from the repairs/staples etc) did you prep the wood in any way? Thank you.

      Reply
    2. Regena Allen

      June 16, 2017 at 7:15 pm

      Hi I want to.thank you for this tutorial! I have been wanting to try this for a long time!
      I just have one question, what kind of wax do I use? Thank you

      Reply
    3. Jauquetta

      May 04, 2017 at 5:04 pm

      I think it improves this rather uninteresting piece. Very nice, but. I love chippy, distressed stuff.

      Reply
    4. Broken Bit Mosaics

      May 03, 2017 at 8:42 am

      It's beautiful. I'm a lover.

      Reply
    5. Sue

      April 29, 2017 at 1:23 pm

      I love it! Very coastal chic.

      Reply
    6. Chris K

      April 28, 2017 at 8:47 pm

      I loved this little chest when you bought it but I am definitely not a fan of the heavily distressed look, The cute anchor knobs disappear into the white background. I would have saved them for something where they would show up. Sorry, you lost me on this one.

      Reply
    7. Naomi S.

      April 27, 2017 at 10:46 pm

      Yeah, the distressing is a little too much for me on this piece---I think. But the more I looked at it the more I thought it would be perfect for a cabin or beach house. And I think you did a great job on it. I guess for me it depends on where the piece is used as to whether heavy distressing is the right look or not.

      I love seeing your projects.

      Reply
    8. Debrashoppeno5

      April 27, 2017 at 8:47 pm

      This piece really did cry out for a good distressing. It turned out fantastic.

      Reply
    9. Jen @ Girl in the Garage

      April 27, 2017 at 6:29 pm

      Some pieces look really good distressed Kathy, and this is one of them. The anchors are like a hidden surprise, I almost didn't even notice them until I read about them in your post. Haha. The right buyer will Love this piece!

      Reply
    10. Rebecca Melton

      April 27, 2017 at 4:41 pm

      The dresser is GORGEOUS with the distressing!

      Reply
    11. Just Justin

      April 27, 2017 at 12:22 pm

      I think that a heavily distressed piece speaks to me like a perfectly-painted, smooth piece would speak to someone else. Life takes all kinds. I think it looks wonderful! I really love your style! 🙂

      Reply
    12. Nitpicker

      April 27, 2017 at 9:56 am

      I'm so happy you ordered those staples out! (I need a JTS) Repairing and prepping a piece can take longer than all the following steps but it's the most important IMO. I love the simplicity of the white with the distressing, it's perfectly lovely.

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        April 27, 2017 at 10:03 am

        Thank you Dena. Yes the prep is the most important and time intensive part of the makeover!

    13. Marie|The Interior Frugalista

      April 27, 2017 at 8:52 am

      Staples, seriously, talk about a MacGyver. I think the distressing looks fabulous on this dresser. Kind of reminds me of those popular naked cakes. One day I'm going to be brave and pull out my sander (we have the exact same model) and give this a try. Love it, Kathy!

      Reply
    14. Lisa Brown

      April 27, 2017 at 8:27 am

      This piece is off the hook awesome!!!

      Reply
    15. kandice

      April 27, 2017 at 8:25 am

      I love it! and I had to laugh out loud at the staples holding the drawers together. hehe Love the added video too. 😉

      Reply
    16. Becky

      April 27, 2017 at 8:08 am

      Wow! I'm not normally a huge fan of extreme distressing, but this one needed it! It looks GREAT!

      Reply
    17. [email protected] of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

      April 27, 2017 at 7:48 am

      You know I love a good shabby piece, and that look really works on this dresser! Love it! XOXO

      Reply
    18. Patty Soriano

      April 27, 2017 at 7:47 am

      Kathy, this lovely little piece might be more distressed than you usually do, but I don't think it's overdone. I think it's pretty!

      Reply
    19. Christine

      April 27, 2017 at 7:26 am

      So glad you went wight he 2nd idea. I love it!

      Reply
    20. Dorothy

      April 27, 2017 at 7:09 am

      I think it looks great, and you could use it in most any room.

      Reply
    21. Marcie Lovett

      April 27, 2017 at 6:45 am

      The drawers are a little more distressed than I prefer, but I love how the paint brings out the details on the bottom and the anchors are adorable.

      Reply
    22. Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces

      April 27, 2017 at 5:02 am

      You go girl! You know I love me some distressing and this one is perfect. Love the refreshed new (old ) look!

      Reply
    23. Sue

      April 27, 2017 at 3:53 am

      I like this piece. I paint furniture for resale and sometimes a piece just says 'go for it'! Then other times I just hit the edges. I think it keeps my selling spaces interesting. Good job.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Kathy!

    The creator at Petticoat Junktion and I love decorating my home. My decor is an eclectic mix......

    More about me →

    Popular

    • The Best Painted Furniture Makeovers of 2022 From The Furniture Fixer Uppers
    • Top 100 Thrift Store Home Decor Makeovers

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home.

    SUBSCRIBE
    • About
    • All DIY
    • Tutorials
    • Shop
    • Crafts
    • Home Decor
    • Painted Furniture
    • Projects

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 · PETTICOAT JUNKTION · PRIVACY POLICY

    Receive my furniture painting tutorials by email free! Sign up below....