Distress.

Wow. I have really neglected my poor little blog. Wedding planning is a lot more stressful than people lead on. Since the wedding has been completed, it's finally time for me to get back to what I really enjoy- refinishing my heinous furniture.

I have had this side table that we bought a million years ago, when we moved into our first apartment and we were poor. It was just a basic light wood table.

So gorgeous- right? If you haven't noticed from my furniture redos from the past, I am REALLY into the distressed look. Apparently, everyone else is too, because on my trips to HomeGoods, it's all I see. So I decided that I was going to paint the table a nice cream color, and to spice it up, do something fun to the drawer face.


You will need:

1. Cleaner (TSP works amazingly well. Bought at any paint store.)
2. Primer (I use Zinsser Cover Stain- when you prime with this, you avoid sanding the furniture.)

3. Paint color of your choice. When painting furniture, I always use a semi-gloss or a high-gloss finish.
4. Modge Podge (always!)
5. Wallpaper/scrapbook paper if needed.


Step one: Spray down with TSP and clean, clean, clean! Removing oils and dirt well help the primer and paint adhere better.

Step two: Prime. Zinsser also sells Cover Stain in spray paint form, which, if you're a novice painter, will prevent brush stroke marks.

Step three: Paint. It's important to make sure you're patient and let all the coats completely dry. The primer should take about an hour to dry, and depending on humidity the paint is about an hour as well. Two to three coats will make the furniture look best. Two usually is good, but depending on how well you prime and the color you've chosen, you may need three.

Step four: I remembered this amazing french script scrapbook paper I had left over, and I knew immediately I wanted it as my drawer face. I removed the drawer from the table and measured the front. Leave about an inch of additional paper around the edges. Apply Modge Podge to the front of the drawer and press the paper to it.

Step five: After Modge Podge has dried, and paper is well adhered, apply LOTS more Modge Podge on top. This will seal it on. I did two coats over the paper.

Step six: Once dry, place the drawer face down, and use an exacto-knife to cut the extra paper off the edge. Reapply drawer hardware.

Step seven (optional): Using sandpaper, lightly sand areas of the furniture, making it appear aged and distressed.

You're done! You have a new piece of furniture for little to no money! (Or doll-hairs, as I like to say.)

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Tomorrow I will post on a hutch/server/entry table I redid. What's your favorite piece you've redone?