So I’ve had a friend ask me if I could write a blog on distressing furniture. This is an art that I have come to love, first of all I have always loved the shabby chic/cottage style that it creates, but also because with my somewhat imperfect ( I know, me??) paint jobs, it helps to disguise them and also hides all of the extra “character” that the kids may so sweetly place on the furniture as well!! Seeing as though I love my home to be functional and lived in, I would hate to have to cringe every time a tractor gets driven across my coffee table or a cupboard gets hit with a plastic mallet, you get the point. So, these are Allie’s guidelines to distressing, which I have to admit, I have just experienced and this is what I found….not necessarily professional in any way:)
1.) First you have to decide if the piece you have is a good candidate for distressing. I have distressed almost all of my painted furniture, but my hutch for example, was too clean line and elegant to distress. I wanted to keep it that way.
Also, my table next to it isn’t distressed so I wanted to keep the look.
2.) Once you find a piece that you want to distress you have to decide if the furniture needs to be painted and what color. I have only bought one piece of furniture that I didn’t paint before distressing and that was the dresser in Tate’s room.
I fell in love with this blue and bought this dresser at our local Little Red Hen shop, which buys furntiure, paints it, and resells it. It was a little too clean line for me so I took my palm sander to it:)
3.) You have to decide if you want a color to pop out from underneath after it is distressed, or if you are okay with the color that is already there.
I bought this piece at our local flea market and when I bought it it was painted blue. I wanted it red, so painted it and then distressed it so that the blue came through as well.
You can see some of the blue popping through. I also wanted to show you that on this piece I used a palm sander, which is a lot faster but sometimes a little harder to control. They vibrate a lot:) You can see here that I knicked the side of the bookshelf with the palm sander but when distressing, it doesn’t really matter. I was bugged at first but after putting it in place realized that it almost looked intentional. So that brings us to point number 4.
4.) You can’t mess up when distressing, you just have to be gutsy enough to grab the sander and mess up that beautiful, or if you are like me…not so beautiful, paint job. It can be a bit nerving at first, second guessing yourself…but in the long run it pays off. This has been my latest project. After getting the new couch I realized that the stained top on my coffee table did not go well with the dark color of the suede, so I painted it white. I thought at first I wanted it clean-line, but after sitting a night I realized it looked to white and neat, it needed some major distressing and character:)
For this table I used a block sander.
Now this piece I got a little nervous over even though I have distressed quite a few pieces in my day. My paint for this was really thick though, and when I started distressing it some of it came off in chunks, almost peeling. I kept going though, since there is no turning back and it turned out great, I really liked it. So don’t panic if you think your first few swipes are a disaster.
The finished product.
5.) Sand around the edges, molding, and character pieces that stick out.
This is the bed that came with the dresser set from my bedroom. It was wood underneath as you can tell in the picture from the dark popping out, and I painted it cream and sanded around all the molding and edges. To make it look not so perfect I even sanded a bit on the raised part of the leg.
6.) You don’t want it to look perfect! (yay for me!!!!)
This piece I just used regular sand paper on and went around the edges. If you notice, you do not want to outline everything perfect, skip a little area, make some areas darker…you want to make it appear that it “aged” on it’s own.
I just wanted to show you that this piece was painted white before I distressed it, I’m not loving the white popping out, but not bugged enough to change it. If you have a painted piece of furniture and want a different color to pop out, simply paint the edges (not the whole piece) that color and that’s what will show when you distress. Also, I liked this piece distressed in my dining room even though it’s black, to feel more tucsan?? (that’s what I tell myself at least?) It goes well with the distressed chairs and wood table we have. I didn’t want it too prim and proper:)
Well, I hope seeing a few images and reading this inspires you to try painting and distressing a new piece of furniture in your house. It is amazing what paint can do to a piece that looks quite hideous! So keep your eyes peeled at you local thrift shops and look past the wood lacquer to see the true potential of a piece of furniture!! Happy distressing:)
I have a solid wood white coffee table I just got off craigslist it needs repainting and I love the distressed look the problem is the color of the wood underneath is to light for me …. You mentioned painting the edges darker?? Will this work, no crazy candle waxing just paint edges dark, paint the table white and sand? I want the table white with dark distress but not black any recommendations or helpful hints in doing this?
Rebecca, you can paint the edges darker, and you will see some of that pop through, but you will also see the original wood color, since most likely the sanding will go through all the paint. What I would suggest is you can take a small rag, dip it in some dark stain, and just apply that after you have distressed to stain the wood underneath darker. I’d just dip a tiny corner in and rub it along the edges. That might help??
I just love all the work that you have done. It looks AWESOME!!!!!
I need some help!! Your step by step directions and all the pictures were wonderful, however I am still torn. I am wanting to give my sons room a make over. He loves the color red, and I love the preppy nautical look. So I was thinking about painting his bed red and his bookcase and chest of drawers blue, and perhaps distressing all three…? Here’s the problem, the bookcase and chest of drawers are both med oak finish and the bed I’m going to order him is a fullsize white bed from ikea. What should I do so that they all appear to match in some sort? Also, do you think the red bed and blue chest of drawers and bookcase is a little too much? Not really feeling painting everything red….or blue for that matter. I need some opinions and a kick in the right direction! Hope you or someone else posting can help me out. :)
Hey momma of a 3 year old boy:)
I’m sure you’ve already started and hopefully you found out that it really doesn’t matter if the woods are different. They all will distress a bit different, but that’s the beauty of it, and they will mesh great! I also like the idea of mix matched colors, too much of one looks like a set, and you want them to look more like individualized pieces. So best of luck!
I stumbled across your blog while searching for ways to distress furniture. I just bought a ladder-type bookshelf that is painted white and I’m afraid it just looks too pristine to fit into my lived-in family room. This is not a high-end piece so not sure of the quality of wood. Does that matter when distressing pieces? I thought about testing it out on a part that’s not visible. Any suggestions?
Did you ever get an answer for this & then actually do it? How did it turn out? I’d like to buy an inexpensive white end table & distress it with having a bit of either turquoise or orange seep through.
Hi Michele,
Sorry I’m just getting back to you now. I have distressed all types of wood, from cheap laminate type wood to solid and it all works. Sometimes if it’s like a particle board underneath then when you distress it the color isn’t very dark, but you can always paint the edges first, and then distress, or you can use a little bit of stain on a rag after and hit the distressed parts to make them stand out more. Hope that helps!
I have an armoire from the 90s that I’d like to paint white, then distress. What color/brand do you recommend? The finish now is a natural color wood with a clear finish. Thank you!
I have a long, narrow dresser in my dining room that I’m using as a buffet/side bar. Along the wall where it will be is a Dark Chocolate accent wall and the other walls are golden honey color. Currently the dresser is also painted the honey color but I feel like it may look better with a pop of color. I am thinking an aqua color perhaps? What are your thoughts? Also, if I end up distressing it, what grit sandpaper do I need to use once it has the final coat of paint? Thanks!!
Hi Allie,
We’ve had two end tabels and a coffee table all sanded and ready to go for about two weeks – but my fiance and I are too nervous to take control and distress it! Since it’s all sanded down, I’ve noticed from your earlier posts that you use a primer and paint in one – I LOVE that, btw, so much easier – we can just paint it? One or two coats… then sand it in spots? Do we ever run the sander over the surface of the tables? Or just the edges/corners? We just moved into our Condo and our couch is grey – we were thinking of doing then some lighter blues and yellows as our paints – do you suggest doing the end tables in one color and then the coffee table in the other?
Loving your blog! Thank you!
You are all ready to start painting! I would do the end tables matching and I think it would be fun to accent the coffee table another color. I would start with sanding just the edges, and then if you are loving it and feeling gutsy, you can go on the top, I have done that with some of my tables, it’s just a bit riskier. But, if you don’t like how it looks you can always just repaint it! Gotta love paint:) I think you are going to need 2 coats for sure…depends how solid you want the color. It’s all a learning process. Have fun!
hi allie,
i just have a question for you.i have a finished coffee table that we want to make it have the distressed black look.should we strip the finish off than paint it,or do we paint over the existing finish.also what kind of paint or finish do you recommend we use for our project.i dont know whether to paint it black,or use some kind of black stain.i can really use your help.thank you so very much.
nadine
If it were me, I would just sand the piece with a palm sander enough to give it some grip, you don’t need to strip it. A piece usually only takes me about 10 minutes to sand down. Then I’d use a black satin paint and primer in one, I like Behr, or you can buy the premixed black that they sell at any hardware store. After it dries take the palm sander to the edges again to distress it a bit! Hope that helps!
I was wondering if you have ever worked with chalk paint. I have heard good things about it…mainly that it is easier to work with, dries faster. I have some furniture pieces that I am looking to paint and distress and am thinking of trying the chalk paint…any thoughts. Also, do you know if you can use a polyurethane on chalk paint. One of the pieces that I want to paint is our kitchen table & chairs which would definitely need the poly. Thanks! I just LOVE you work.
I actually have never worked with chalk paint. I love the look, just haven’t bitten the bullet and done it myself. So sorry I can’t help you out in that area! I know Miss Mustard Seed’s blog has some video tutorials on it though, might we worth checking out:)
I’ve just become a convert to Annie Sloan’s Chalk paint and I can’t say enough good things. Besides more furniture, I’m planning to paint my kitchen cabinets and then lacquer them. It also works on floors! No sanding, priming or anything necessary before you jump in. Go for it and have a good time!
Hi Allie, I have a 1970s hutch that is stained dark and has been previously distressed (like someone beat it with a cat of nine tails). How can I paint this and give it a new distressed look? Thanks.
Hi Dawn. I acutally just redid one of my end tables that was a dark stain and dinged up like crazy. I loved painting it because I gave it two coats and some of the dark still showed through, and then when I sanded it, the dings added so much to the character! I did mine a bright red, but I think so many colors would look pretty with a little dark showing through. It’s up to you, but I think use the beat up part of it to your advantage…they already started the distressing for you:) Best of luck!
I have a dresser it’s a light tan but very smooth- would I need to sand it before painting and distressing it? What’s easiest way to do it, want to paint it black for our bedroom! Needs done asap :o)
If you have a palm sander I would just give it a quick sand down, it should only take about 10 minutes, and then wipe it down and start painting. I would just use a paint and primer in one, I love Behr. Also a small roller works great for dressers, cuts down the painting time immensely. Best of luck!
Hi Allie,
I love your blog and thank you for all the wonderful ideas! I’m trying to distress my bedroom set right now and don’t know how to begin….It’s painted all black, but I want to change it to a grey and cream and don’t want the black to show through at all when I distess it….Could you please give me your recommendations? Do you suggest Annie Sloan paint (maybe country grey) and wax? Thank you so much!
Hi Cristiana,
Thanks for your comment:) I think the key to not getting your black to show through is to try to sand down the edges to wood before you start painting, so that when you do put your paint on and distress it, only the color you want will show through. I honestly haven’t tried the annie sloan or any chalk paints. I’ve been curious, but just stuck to the good old home depot paints;) And I also haven’t waxed. The items I have distressed have stayed quite nice, and if it does tend to get another chip, it only adds to the look…hence the reason I love distressing! Hope it works out!!
I found your blog here thru Google & it’s very informative!! I recently found a beautiful very dark wood TV armoire that I’m planning on repurposing into a scrapbooking storage cabinet. Since it’s so dark I thought maybe I would just paint the inside to help me see in it easier but the more I’ve looked at pics I’ve decided to paint the whole armoire! I’d like to go with a white or off white & distress it just a little, for starters anyway. My question is about the finish: It has a very smooth finish & I’d like to keep it that way. I love the satiny look so I’ll be using satin paint. But what do you suggest I use to paint it to achieve the finish I want – brush or roller? I know the key will be to sand, sand, sand. I just don’t want to see brush strokes in the finish.
I love to roll and much as possible, just because it goes a lot faster. You won’t see as many brush strokes, but you still are going to need to brush to get the corners, so you may see some. It’s hard to get a perfectly smooth finish unless you have it sprayed with an enamel. I think your best bet would be to roll as much as you can and then in between coats you a lighter grit sand paper and sand it down a bit. Sounds like it will be pretty piece! Best of luck:)
These all look great! So for the white table, you just sanded the corner/edges and that was it? No stain or oil or poly or anything? Is it really that awesomely simple?
It really was that awesomely simple:) No stain or poly. You can if you want, mine held up great without and if it does get a chip you don’t even notice since that’s the look!
I’m so glad I found your blog! I am SO doing this soon- I have a painted piece that’s begging to be distressed! You mentioned you used a sanding block, but what grit do you recommend?
honestly I use whatever I have around. I do love my power sander if the piece is big enough, it goes much faster and easier on the hands. If you don’t have one then the sanding block or sand paper works just fine:)
Hi! Reading through these mails,I thought I should try my luck too.I have a dinning set that I want to paint white but I such a way that black and silver shows through.This dinning set has lots of motifs to it.Right now the color is pale yellow and Occassionally distressed and crackle finish.Since its is the main set I am little nervous to give it a start,but I am sure your right advice will boost my confidence level.Just so you my color scheme is black ,white and silver.This is the first time I am joining in ,if it turns out right I will definitely share my experience with others.Thanks Allie!
I’m glad you asked, but I must say it’s quite ambitious to start with a dining table:) I would try to sand down as much of the yellow as possible, especially on corners and edges so it doesn’t pop out when you distress it. Then I’d give it a coat of black or silver, or both one on top of the other, just on the edges and raised areas. After you paint it white I’d start distressing the legs first and play around with it a bit to see if your color is coming through enough. Also don’t forget to put a few coats of polyurethane on top to protect from water stains. Hope that helps?!? Best of luck!!:)
Hi Allie,
After you complete one of your projects do you apply a varnish to it? If so, do you use a spray or a brush on type. Thanks so much!!!
I have only put a polyurethane on my kitchen table, and I did use a spray poly once on some shelving that I didn’t want to chip but it yellowed over the course of a few months. So if you want to use one I would suggest the brush on kind:)
Hi Allie! I have stumbled across your website from many facebook friends reposting your blogs about your darling Juliet. I think you may also know my sister Deveny Klammer Beaton–she is my youngest sister. Please know that I am another Christian sister praying for you & Ryan–lifting up your whole family….:)
Also, I have a question about painting furniture. :) When you are painting larger pieces, do you do it by hand or do you use a power painter? I have a larger display hutch that I want to paint, but I don’t want it to look really bad when i’m done…any pointers? Thank you so much! Rhea
Thanks so much for the prayers Rhea!! As for the painting bigger pieces, I don’t spray them. I do use a roller whenever possible to make the job quicker and on the final coat sometimes I’ll just take my brush and brush over the roller paint to get a brush stroke finish. I’m sure a sprayer would work, and we have one, but it’s quite complicated and I can’t do it by myself, so it’s just easier for me:)
Thanks so much, great blog. I’m going to use a lot of these ideas now. Can I ask where you got your duvet cover? It is exactly what I am looking for.
Thanks Lisa! I got my duvet from Pottery Barn, and after my first one ripped I actually found the second matching one on ebay for half the cost. Something to look into:) Hope that helps!
Great info. I love the white bed, it is gorgeous!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!!
Hi allie I am painting a brass chandelier. I really can use your advice on a Color paint. My walls are pale green but almost the palestgreen ever very subtle.. my table is natural wood on top and the legs are green like a granny Smith apple. I also have cream accents and pale yellows to. So what Colorado would u suggest cream white yellow green .. I don’t mind if its completely a differsnt colorr or bold and bright ..please help..
:( your room sounds adorable. I myself would probably spray it white, only cause I have somewhat of color phobia since I tend to get sick of things too fast:). I do thing a bold yellow would be fun as well if you aren’t crazy like me with colors:):). Let me know what you decide!
Thank you I will let you know the turn out ..I am a little bit nervous to spray it a crazy Color so I may stick to white.
Hi,
I just have a question. With your hutch and other furnitures with hinges, do you just paint the hinges a colour to match the furniture, or do you leave them as they are, or even, paint them a different colour ie: silver, gold, black…?
I want to start distressing furniture, but when it comes to the hinges, im not sure if painted hinges would work!!?
Thanks, Elise
Elise,
I just paint right over the hinges. After wear the paint flakes a bit but it just adds to the distressing look. It’s up to you though, some people like their hinges to contrast. I try to blend mine in:)
Hi Allie!
I am so thankful I found your site/blog! I think I am ready to tackle my first project and am excited yet anxious. I have a brown stained wood desk that I am wanting to paint purple (for daughters room) and distress it a little.
Where would I start? I have watched a couple of video’s on Youtube and notice that a lot of people are using spray paint over Kilz. Others are stripping to the bare wood and painting/distressing. I love your work and wanted to know your thoughts and process on the best way to do this desk.
Thank you so much for your time,
Michelle
I am so glad I found this! In true Becky fashion I just started in on this distressing project without looking at directions first. Well, now I am worried that I have messed my piece up. I have a long library table that I used white primer on. Then I painted it a mustard yellow to go next to my robin egg blue wall. I started sanding (without looking at good directions like the ones you give here!) and am not sure it looks too good. I sanded the top and everywhere else, focusing on the edges without giving it thought. But, I used sand paper and my hand. So, now it looks like there are a bunch of scratches all over it and all the edges show through to the white. Do you have any thoughts on what I can do to fix this?
I have an old bed that was wood underneath. Someone painted the edges blue, then all white with the blue coming through. I would like to get the blue off and just distress it some. It is similar to the white bed you have here on your site. Any ideas on what to do to get the blue off? Should I just sand it all off, paint that part white and then distress it?
I would try to sand most of it off first, even though that’s more work. I don’t think it will effect it too much if you don’t get it all. If you paint it white again and distress it I would think it would work! Best of luck:)
Hi I hàve a question. I tried to distress a mirror without sanding it first but I did prime it and then used paint after primer was dry overnight and paint started to peel off terribly. So now I sanded it and started over but would like u to help figure out Colorado that would look good toghther my Colorado room is a soft blue Colorado from ben moore. Called smoke.. so would love to do like a gray coming threw or white coming through a grayish Color any ideas ..thank u your stuff is beautiful by the way and really would love ur advice.
I did not mean Colorado I meant color
Hi Cara,
I think if I were you I would do a gray underneath with white over the top. It keeps it a little more neutral and it will pop better on your wall. Sounds adorable!! Hope it turns out great:)
My cabinets in my house are painted white with just wood underneath. I really don’t want to paint all the cabinets in my house, but the paint is already coming off in places and peeling. After seeing the pics of your table, I think I will help with the “distressing” it already has and maybe the sanding will stop some of the peeling that is already happening. I won’t have black or a dark color come through, but hopefully it will still look good.
THANKS!
Oh fun! I think you’ll love it!! if you want it to be darker underneath you can just rub a little stain onto the distressed part, gives it an older feel too. Hope it works!
This is a great bit of advice, and so many question comments with the answers i was looking for. I’m going to do my first distressing project, I have a small round dining table with drop sides and want to paint it red then distress. I wasn’t looking forward to sanding it all down, so I’m excited to see that you I can just use a paint/primer and go right over it. The original stain is a good color for coming through the red I think, so I’d like to leave it on. Anyway, thanks for your advice and pics, I’m super excited to get started now!
Yay!! Excited to hear how it turns out:) I’d do a nice polyurethane over the top, 3 coats, if you are still going to use it for a dining table, just to help with water marks and wiping it down:)
Hi Allie, love your website. Have a question, I have a 1960′s secretary that has some veneer, is there anyway to distress veneer?
I have distressed veneer before, you have to be a little more careful and make sure the piece has cured well so not too much of the paint comes off. Also, sometimes the veneer shows through a bit, but it has never bugged me:) I’d give it a try!!:)
How did distressing the veneer turn out? I want to do a chest of drawers with my daughter. This is the first time we have atempted anything like this. Its for her first apartment.
Any tips?
Hi, I love your website, it is so helpful. One thing I am not sure about it what kind of paint to use. I have a ton of latex paint and satin paint. Can I use those or should this distressed look always come from flat or matte? Thanks!!
Thanks for your comment:) definately use your paint you have. I always buy satin and have never boughten flat. Im just not a big fan of gloss but it’s all a preference thing:) happy painting:)
I have an old cedar chest that is painted off white. I would like to paint it bright blue and have some of the white to show through. I think I even whant some of the white to show on the top and sides, not just on the edges. What do I need to do? What kind of paint do I need? Thank you for any help that you can give me.
Laura
Hi Laura,
I would just find a blue you like that is a paint and primer in one, I like Behr Ultra, and paint over the white. Then let it dry good and start sanding. If you want the top to have some white show through then I would just sand right on the top and sides as well. A palm sander usually works best for that, you just have to be careful to not sand too much:) I’d love to hear how it goes!!:)
Thanks for the tips. I will let you know how it turns out.
Hello!
I am so impressed with all the work you have done on your house. Almost just as impressed that you keep up with blogging it all. I have a question about the wall and trim colour you used on the farmhouse. Looks to be in the kitchen and dining/sitting room. Off white/grey with pure white trim? Love the sharkey grey cabinets and the sink! Please share wall colours next.
Becca, thanks so much for your comment!! That’s a great idea on a blog on paint colors…I will try to get one out for you this week or next:) Thanks for the idea:)!!
So… It’s almost been a month… Any luck on discovering that colour on your walls? I’m almost ready to paint.
Allie,
Thanks so much for the simplicity in your instructions. I have spent most of the afternoon looking at so many websites that I was so confused and ready to just stain the piece and be done with it! I have an old buffet with one shallow drawer going the length of the piece, three drawers in the center, and a door on each side. I am going to route the doors so I can put glass in them and then use the piece as a TV stand. Will have to send pics of the final product.
God Bless,
Kim
Yay!! I am so glad that you are going to start painting and got some motivation from the post:) That makes me so happy, and you will be so happy with your finished product, and I’d LOVE to see pictures. I’m a sucker for before and afters:)
This was so inspiring! I love the last photo of the black cabinet… it’s soooo Frenchy. It inspired me to add some trim detail and paint my armoire black, I haven’t sanded it yet but it already looks great! Thanks for the courage! ~s
Awesome!! I’m sure it will turn out great:)
I just bought an old country table that used old 2X4s to use as the top of it. She has painted over it so many times I am not sure what to do about distressing something that has been painted over with so many times. I like the black cabinet she made on this website with the white or cream coming through. The current paint job is glossy white. I would like to distress the legs and bottom (plan to decoupage the top- it’s also painted not sure if I should sand it before I decoupage it).
Let’s talk specifics because I am excited to start!. I am going to distress an already painted white small sewing table that is dinged up. The old dark finish shows though the chips. I would like try a slightly off-white and then distress it with the dark brown showing through.
1. What type/finish of paint should I use?
2. How do you apply the paint? Would a sponge brush be recommended? I like using those.
3. Would you suggest sanding the original coat of paint before applying the new or just cleaning with TSP?
4. I plan on dressing up the draws with perhaps some added scroll work to add a little flair, as they are plain. Would I just glue the appliqued scroll work with maybe a sand prep first?
After that project, I want to graduate to an old radio cabinet that is being used in my bathroom for storage. It is currently dark stained, but I would like to paint it white and distress it.
Would do anything different for a furniture piece in the bathroom versus the sewing table I described above?
Thank you ever so much for your help. The radio cabinet has been staring me in the face and I have been too afraid to tackle it, but with this little sewing cabinet to practice on, I am feeling motivated.
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So glad you asked…first of all I am not a perfectionist, so if you are you may not want to take my advice:) I always use satin on everything I do. I am not a glossy type of girl whether it be cabinets or walls. second, i would just paint right on top of the old paint and I usually like to use a small roller since it’s faster, and then take a brush and brush stroke over it to get a smoother finish. I have never used sponge brushes?? As for the scroll work, I think if you used liquid nails it would work without even sanding. That stuff is quite amazing. As for bathroom units, if you think the top might get wet at all, I would apply at least three coats of polyurethane on it, it really toughens it up!! I hope that helps:) Happy painting:)
Bless you. Thank you so much for your advice!!!! I am looking forward to painting them when it gets warmer. In some things I am a perfectionist, but with this shabby chic, it looks to be forgiving, so I will take your advice.
Sincerely,
LInda
Do you seal your furniture with anything? I love the red and am going to do my boys 2 nightstands that color. Hope I can find the red that is similiar to yours!!
I do not seal the majority of my furniture…I did seal my kitchen table and bathroom vanity with three coats of fast drying polyurethane to protect it from water, which may be something you would want to do if you have cups on the nightstands?? But otherwise mine have held up quite well. Sure wish I still had the name of the color red, it’s been a popular one! :) Happy painting:)
Fantastic ideas and tips! Thank you!!
What paint color/brand did you use for the red bookshelf…oh and the white coffee table…I love your work..
Thanks Sadie!! I wish I knew the red paint I used because I have been asked that a lot..and unfortunatley that was before I started blogging and keeping track of stuff:) It was a left over quart that we used for our front door and have since thrown away, bugger:( As for the white, I also used what I had and I believe it was just an exterior ultra white! When I get motivated I don’t always want to drive to get what I want and just use what I have. Since then though, I have found that I love the Benjamin Moore decorators white! It’s a little softer but still crisp:) You can have it made up in any paint too, just tell them you want decorator’s white! Hope that helps a little??
Hi I am tackling my first distressing project any suggestions on the grit of sandpaper? I have been using 100 but the paint seemed to be peeling. Should I go up or down? Thanks!
Hi Sarah, I might not be much of a help here, but I usually just use what I have laying around?!? I have found that I like a rougher sandpaper though. I noticed that my paint would usually peel if I didnt wait long enough for it to cure, or if it was a super smooth surface underneath and I didn’t sand, or at least use paint and primer in one, and I’ve used a few and the best one that works for me is Behr. A little more expensive, but I have had great luck with it sticking! So, my suggestions to you are to try to let the piece stand for a couple days before you attack it and use the right paint. Hopefully that will get you better result??!! Yay for you, happy distressing:)
do you ever use a paste wax on the finished product? a few other sites say to use this, just wondering what you thought of that. i’m about to do my first dresser for my little girls room.
( i also have a son named Tate )
Hi Thalia,
Wow, not sure if you are going to read this since you wrote your comment over 2 months ago, but I’m finally getting to clean up my spam:) I have not tried wax, I have read about it though. It would help to make the distressed areas nice and smooth so it would be worth looking into! I usually just go with instant gratification at the time:) I’d love to hear how your dresser turned out!!
So helpful! just one question…
i have a piece im wanting to distress, but it has a wood stain on it. ive heard some say its important to sand all the stain off, then paint and do all that. when i distress i want the dark wood color to show through but if i sand, it will be a light wood color. wondering if you thought it would really make a big difference if i dont sand before i paint?
thanks in advance! :)
Hi Candace, I’m sure you already tackled your distressing project, I finally got through weeding out spam comments and found yours:) I hope it turned out well!! I paint right over stain a lot, I did find it works best if you use a paint and primer in one though, and I really like Behr’s. Hope that helps:)
So, if I have bookshelves that are I guess finished with brown paint or stain and I want to change the color and then make it distressed looking, I just paint over the brown with the color I like then sand the pieces that I want to look distressed?
Sorry this is so late in getting back to you, but yes…but make sure you use a primer or paint and primer first so it sticks good. I’m sure you already tried it out, hope it worked:)
Thanks to your blog I just finished my first painting and distressing project! I have another paint question for you… what color did you use for the blue dresser in your master bedroom? If you remember, let me know because I have another project to do. :)
Yay!! I am so excited for you:) The color that I used for my dresser was called aqua smoke, I know I got it at menards but can’t remember if it was a grand distinction color or dutch boy. I got it mixed up in dutch boy satin and it worked great. I also used a gray primer underneath and haven’t had any scratching. Hopefully if you have the name they can find it at menards:)
Wow, those pieces look great! Distressing sure changes the whole look of furniture…can’t wait to get back in a house and try it out! Thanks, Allie!
If I ever have enough money, I will just buy all of the items in your house and you can get all new stuff – maybe a win, win for the both of us. I love every inch of your house and amazing decorating skills!
Distressing does really make an ulgy out piece of furniture look pottery barnish! You do a nice job sister christian!
Thanks Allie!!! This was great. I enjoy your blogs. You are one industrious lady. Good for you. I liked the question posed re: the veneer, etc. This give me some good ideas for a couple “built-ins” in the bedrooms in Florida that are …. should I use the word hideous!!!! Is that too mean??? I’m sticking with it … they are HIDEOUS! I didn’t know how it would fair but primer first is a great idea!! I’m excited to get out the paint brush down there. Not usually my “cup of tea”, but for some reason the task doesn’t seem so daunting. In this house up here … no way. I have a very talented friend named Ronelle who is much better equipped than I am!!! Keep on blogging!!!
So here’s my question: Can I paint my cheap-not real wood- and almost plastic looking bedroom furnitiure and then distress it? And if I can would you recommend a good paint I can use on this so that it will not just peal off? I have wanted to do this forever but wasn’t sure if I could with this kind of furniture and have it turn out.
Hmm..so it is like a plastic or more of a veneer? I usually never sand my furniture, cause I’m lazy, and the dresser from my bedroom had a real thick plastic like veneer finish on the top, so I just used a gray primer from Menards, I think it was American Accents, a quart. It worked great and I haven’t had any problems with it scratching. I would definitely use a primer on it and then I think it should work! Try a more inconspicuous spot to start maybe?? Go for it friend:)
OK and what about a formica top of a table. Yes… No….
I’ve heard it can be done but haven’t tried that one?? Not sure what to tell you on that one, but if you do try it let me know how it works:)
Love this blog! You give such great ideas and explain things so well! I wanna redo my living room, I would love for you to come over sometime and give me some ideas!
:) Just say the word!
Thanks Allie! So helpful. I will definitely be trying this! You found some great pieces to distress and made them look amazing.