Step 1

Protect the surface you are working on with dust sheets newspaper. If you’re working on the floor, it’s a good idea to tape the newspaper down with masking tape to avoid it slipping around.

 

Step 2

Prepare the piece of furniture you are going to work with. If it has already been painted, you may wish to remove the existing wood finish, with a stripper or a varnish remover, so that the new paint will stick properly to the surface. Otherwise, begin to key down the furniture with a fine grade sandpaper. Be careful though not to rub too hard and lift the grain, you just want to slightly roughen the surface. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3

Wipe down the furniture with a damp cloth to remove any dust and dirt, then leave to dry. If there are any parts that you wish to leave unpainted, now is a good time to use precision masking tape to outline these areas.

 

Step 4

Start painting your furniture by simply applying a coat of water-based primer. This will give your furniture a smoother finish that will be easier to work on. Buying a white primer will help to ensure that you get the most colour pay-off from your paint, especially on dark furniture. Wait for the primer to dry before continuing with the next step.

 

Step 5

Start to paint with your chosen colour. To achieve a distressed shabby chic look you should choose two colours in order for the second layer to be rubbed away and reveal the first one for a ‘natural’ wear and tear look. Two or three coats may be required for the best coverage and always let the first layer dry completely before adding the next one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 6

Once your item has had a few hours to thoroughly dry, remove any masking tape. In case you don’t want to create that distressed look now it the time to apply furniture wax.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 7

In case you decided to go for that distressed look now comes the fun part! Distress your piece of furniture by rubbing it with a medium grade sandpaper to reveal the wood beneath.

Personalise your furniture the way you want, creating only a slightly distressed look, or going all out to make the item look really dated.

Once you have achieved your desired look, sand your distressed areas down with a softer sandpaper to help blend the paint away. This gives a more natural look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 8

Wipe with a damp (not wet) cloth to remove any dust and excess paint. Stand back and view your piece. If you think it needs more distressing, go back in with the sandpaper and then repeat this step again.

 

Step 9

Apply a thin layer of uncoloured furniture wax all over the item, especially where the wood is exposed. Leave to dry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 10

Stand back and admire your hard work!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image source: http://www.pippajamesoninteriors.co.uk/