This quick technique to distress white furniture is easy. If you have white furniture already then you just need a piece of sandpaper and a bit of time.
You guys know I’m all about bringing color into my world but sometimes I see a piece of furniture that screams for the simplicity of white paint. This piece was one of them. Even the hardware wanted to be white.
White Distressed Paint
Aren’t those rain boots cute. I was standing in line at the local thrift store when I spotted them on a shelf by the cashier. I picked them up and almost put them back. The price was $3.89. Kind of high for the thrift store. But I do get a discount (golden oldie). So I bought them.
I bought the chest at my favorite junk shop. I believe it was $30. Just looking at the chest makes me think it belongs in a nursery. Perfect size and low enough to use as a diaper changing station.
How To Distress White Furniture
The first thing I did was try to remove the drawers. I couldn’t get them out. The JTS and I pulled and pulled on them every way we could think of but they wouldn’t come out. Well, that works for me, painting with the drawers in place.
I applied a coat of Glidden Gripper Primer tinted gray. It’s not easy painting furniture with the drawers in place.
We were going to remove the back but look at that. The chest was solid wood and well made. The
A list of my must have DIY supplies can be found here on Petticoat Junktion.
After priming I painted the chest with some white paint I had on hand. I was distressing the drawers when I noticed something interesting. Take a look at the before photo above. The drawer in the middle has divided panels. Now we all know that drawer should go in the top slot. I pulled the middle drawer and it came out easily. ????
The chest has these plastic flaps on each end of the drawer slots. That’s why we couldn’t get the drawers out. I called the JTS and he helped me get the other drawers out. We did have to work on them for a bit but they eventually came out.
I used 100 grit sand paper and distressed the white paint by hand. It takes a little longer to distress the paint by hand but I have more control than with an electric sander.
The hardware has a coat of RustOleum Spray Paint in Heirloom White (one of my favs). The color is off white but looks white until you put it up against something that is really white.
A little distressing for the hardware too. This part takes just a few seconds per drawer pull. Painting furniture doesn’t take long it’s the prep work that takes the biggest amount of time.
Do you think I made the right call on the paint?
If you like Distressed White Furniture you will love the bench I painted white and stenciled. See it here…..Farmhouse Style Bench.
I’ll be here tomorrow with the Furniture Fixer Upper girls. My project for the tour is a stunner if I do say so myself. Patting myself on the back. I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a great day!
p. s. Someone asked about my favorite paint sprayer. Here is the Amazon affiliate link to the HomeRight Finish Max Paint Sprayer. (affiliate disclosure here) I love it…..
Leslie says
Hi. This little dresser turned out so cute. I was wondering though, where you distressed it the wood underneath is really dark. Did you first paint the areas you planned to distress black? I love the contrast
Kathy Owen says
I think it looks dark because of a combination of things. The gray primer I used is showing in some of the distressed areas and the photos may have made the distressed areas look darker than they are. In order to make raw distressed wood look dark or stained I sometimes go over it with Howard’s Wax in Walnut.
Sonnie says
Wow! Love this. White is the perfect color and the distressing looks great. If I lived closer I’d come and grab this!
🙂
Debbie Mayfield says
So pretty!
Kimberly says
Wow, what a transformation! You made the right call on going white but I love anything distressed white. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this with us at Merry Monday this week!
Kristen says
So pretty! Distressed white is probably my all time favorite for furniture!
Bonnie says
I think you made the perfect call. That little dresser painted white is perfect. I agree with you that it would be so cute in a nursery.
Zee says
I have a chest of drawers that could do with with distressed white. I’m not brave enough to tackle it by myself though.
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
The white is stunning on this piece! And so funny about the drawers being switched- looks like the hardware was too! Glad you got it straightened out. haha
Marie|The Interior Frugalista says
I totally think you made the right call on painting it white – so pretty! Oh, and far more balanced with the drawers in the right slots – too funny. I could see this as a nursery change table or coffee bar. Pinned
Naomi S. says
You definitely made the right call with the white paint! I especially like the painted hardware. Perfect.
Lisa says
HI Kathy,
Could you please tell me the name of your favorite paint sprayer? With springs arrival, I have some painting projects in mind…
Thank You
Kathy Owen says
Hi Lisa! The HomeRight Finish Max is my favorite paint sprayer. I put an Amazon affiliate link with a photo of the Finish Max at the bottom of the post above. You can click the photo to check it out. The affiliate link means if you purchase the paint sprayer I get a commission (very small) for the sale. The price is the same regardless.I use the Amazon affilitate links to help readers who don’t have the products available where they live. The bit of sales commission helps me with website/blog upkeep and expenses. Hope this helps. Thanks
Gracie Redfield says
Perfection!
Lisa says
Love distressed white painted furniture…..looks great:)
Terry says
Completely agree white was the perfect choice, it’s a lovely chest now. And the boots- Cute!
Judy says
Very attractive now!
Andrea says
Why did you use the Glidden Gripper Primer? I use chalk paint and milk paint all of the time and have never used a primer. Just curios.
Judy says
Love the dresser and the white is perfect!!
Pam says
You are so clever! I love this chest of drawers. I have had the same problem with getting drawers out and also learned to feel around them, underneath, along the sides, and behind them to see if someone has come up with a “clever” idea to keep them from opening too far. I’ve never seen this one before though!!
Kathy Owen says
Same here Pam. We tried everything you said and couldn’t see the problem. Just accidentally when I pulled the middle drawer it came out. On one side the little do-hickey was missing. I guess that helped.
Melody Klotz says
Looks really great. I love it!
The JR aka Ramona says
Oh yes, the white looks soooooooooo much better. I like the painted hardware too.
Melinda says
Looks lovely! Now I think I will go and find something to paint:) Thanks for the inspiration…
Barbara says
You certainly made the right choice, at least I think so!! So pretty.
Barb macaskill says
Love the boots and the dresser is gorgeous! TFS!
Kaycee F says
A perfect paint choice and beautiful results!
sheila says
Totally agree….Perfect! Thank you!!
Sue says
The white is a great choice! Absolutely perfect.
Colleen Forrester says
Looks great!
Angela says
The white is perfect!
Lynn says
Looks fantastic!
Jamie says
Love it! This piece has inspired me to do some painting!
Jonni says
Okay, that is perfect!