Distressing furniture means to artificially age or antique it to achieve a sort of "shabby chic" vibe. This kind of faux antiquing is achieved in a variety of ways, from sanding back areas of paint to physically denting, chipping and scratching the item, as well as using glaze or stain to add an aged patina to the piece. A wooden dining table is a perfect candidate for distressing; you can create your own shabby chic dining area in next to no time.
Instructions
1. Sand the entire table with medium-grit sandpaper to roughen up the surface. Wipe over with a tack cloth to completely remove any sanding dust.
2. Paint the table with white paint and let dry. If need be, apply a second coat to achieve an even color. Leave to dry for the time recommended by the paint manufacturer.
3. Roughly sand the edges of the table top with course-grit sandpaper so that the paint is thinned in some places and completely removed to reveal the wood in others. Repeat on the edges of the legs and in patches on the table top to mimic the effects of years of use. If you want, use an old piece of chain to hit the table in patches. This creates a random effect of chipped paint and dents.
4. Apply a small amount of wood stain to a rag and rub onto the table, paying particular attention to any detailing on the legs or tabletop edge. Rub over the whole table, then wipe off the excess with a clean rag so that the white paint is slightly colored. In detail areas, let the stain sit for longer so the coloration is greater.
Tags: table with, shabby chic, white paint