Shabby Chic Dresser
I’m always curious about how other people achieve the shabby chic look. It’s such an easy style to replicate, especially if you have a large budget. Here are some of my tips. Learn how to create the aged look using paint and wax. You can even create a distressed finish using a stencil. Then, learn how to distress your new piece to give it an authentic vintage feel.
How to get a distressed finish on your furniture
If you want to create a vintage or shabby chic look, you can use a distressed paint finish on your rustic-painted furniture. These paints can be difficult to remove, so it’s important to follow a few simple steps to achieve a great distressed finish. Use a wet rag to lightly wipe off excess paint and then lightly scrub the piece in a back-and-forth motion. You can also use a scouring pad instead of a rag if you prefer.
The first step in getting a distressed finish is to remove the paint. You can use a sanding block or hand sander. If you are not comfortable using a sander, you can use a paint stripper. Once you’ve removed the paint, you’ll have bare wood to work with. Repeat these steps until the distressed finish on your rustic-painted furniture looks its best.
How to apply wax to painted furniture
If you’re interested in restoring your antique furniture, one of the first things you should do is apply a layer of wax to it. You can use furniture wax cloths, which you can buy from any hardware store. Wax is a clear substance that dries to form a hard coating on painted furniture. When applied to new furniture, a thick layer of wax takes forever to dry, but your piece will remain waxy for much longer.
To remove the wax finish, use a clear one, which is a bit more expensive, but will let you play with the effect you want to achieve. You can also use clear wax to prevent any splotchy marks when you remove it. You should avoid using brown wax, which can stain fabrics. However, polyacrylic finishes dry quickly and often come with UV protection. Using too much wax will not cure properly, so be careful.
How to sand furniture to look authentically aged
There are many ways to make a rustic-painted piece of furniture look aged. If the piece is new, you can use a putty knife to remove some of the paint and wax. After this, you can start applying thin coats of paint in one color and three or four colors in another color. The white color is recommended for better contrast. When applying the first coat of paint, make sure to paint lightly and layer one color on top of another. Doing so will give the furniture an authentic aged look.
Antique pieces have a shabby, worn finish. The imperfection is what gives the old pieces their unique charm. You can replicate this look by painting new wood pieces. The painted finish can hide small scratches and watermarks, resulting in a textured and authentic aged look. To make a rustic painted piece look authentic, you must sand the high points of the piece with medium to fine grit sandpaper.
