How to Do Shabby Chic Painting on Wood Dressers

Give your furniture a shabby chic look with paint and simple distressing techniques.

Shabby chic décor is romantic, with a vintage feel, and uses either old pieces of furniture or newer pieces painted to look old. This style works well with inexpensive pieces of used furniture as well, making it an affordable décor option. No matter how old your piece of furniture, you can update it with a coat of paint and distress it to give it a well-used, distressed look and feel.

Things You'll Need

• Chemical paint stripper
• Wire brush
• Soft cloth
• Latex paint
• Clearcoat shellac
• Furniture fixtures
• Sandpaper
• Gloves
• Goggles
• Vacuum
• Primer
• Paintbrushes
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Strip the furniture piece with a chemical paint stripper or with sandpaper. If you use chemical stripper, follow the instructions on the can and wear protective eyewear and clothing. If you use sandpaper, sand with the grain of the wood in small, circular motions. For either method you choose, remove any wax or lacquer clear coat from your piece of furniture. Strip your piece in a well-lit, well-ventilated area. Remove any remaining wax, paint or lacquer with a fine wire brush.

2. Clean your furniture piece with a soft cloth to remove any excess dust. Vacuum to remove large amounts of dust, especially if you use sandpaper.

3. Prime furniture pieces that have a dark stain or paint color, especially if you are painting your furniture a light color. Priming your furniture seals in the darker color.

4. Paint your furniture. Shabby chic décor is most often a series of light-colored furnishings, and white or off-white is a common choice. Indoor latex paint works best for this project. Paint with a wide brush, following the grain of the wood. Apply a second coat of paint if necessary. Let the paint dry completely.

5. Distress your painted piece of furniture. Shabby chic décor has a used, lived-in look, and distressing your furniture gives it an old feel. Start by sanding the entire piece with fine-grain sandpaper. To further distress, sand the piece lightly on the corners and edges where it would normally see wear. Take a small hammer and add some dings and dents to your piece.

6. Add a clear coat of lacquer to your furniture to protect the finish and let dry. Install vintage or vintage-looking knobs or fixtures to finish your shabby chic piece.

References

• My Romantic Home: Painting Furniture Step by Step