• Blog
  • About
  • Press
  • Privacy

Let’s be social!

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Sawdust 2 Stitches

Sawdust 2 Stitches

  • Tutorials
    • Around the House
    • Organization
    • Wall Decor
    • Sewing
  • Makeovers
    • R.V.
    • Room Makeover
    • Furniture Makeover
    • Decor Makeover
  • Build Plans
    • Small Builds
    • Wall Decor
    • Dresser
    • Tables
    • Seating
    • Shelving
    • Hidden Compartment
  • Seasonal
    • Summer
    • Spring
    • Fall
    • Winter
  • Home Tours
    • First Home
    • Current Home
    • 70’s Ranch Home
  • Workshop

Distressing Furniture

May 25, 2013

  I make a lot of the furniture in my home, so a majority of the time they have  imperfections.  I have found the best way to mask imperfections is to make it look intentional! “It’s Shabby Chic”.
  Distressing furniture can add a lot of character and hide wood/paint imperfections!
Here is what  I do….
  Take either an electrical or hand sander and scuff the piece of furniture up. In my case I will be showcasing the side tables I made for the new guest room (Pictures coming soon.)
When sanding,  it is best to try and sand the areas  that would naturally get the most wear, ie. the edges.

After sanding,  I take a LITTLE bit of stain and apply it  a small section of the table.  (Always work in small sections, the stain can dry very quickly and leave a streaky effect instead of “aged”.)

Then apply a little  bit of baby oil to an old rag and rub over the freshly applied stain. The baby oil makes the stain much easier to work with.

Continue the same process over and over until you have completed the entire project.

Here are both of the night stands,  one distressed and one original.  It is a subtle difference that make a big impact.

So if you have any old furniture that could use a “pick me up”  or a new paint job.  Consider distressing,  it can make the  old paint chipping look intentional!

More from my site

  • Turn a cabinet into a Locker!Turn a cabinet into a Locker!
  • Pub Table MakeoverPub Table Makeover
  • That is PVC ?That is PVC ?
  • Rustic Farmhouse Book ShelfRustic Farmhouse Book Shelf
  • Rustic Farmhouse Coffee TableRustic Farmhouse Coffee Table
  • Modern Chair UpCycleModern Chair UpCycle

in Tutorials, Uncategorized # Furniture, Paint, Painting, Stain

Reader Interactions

you may also like
Lazy Susan Charcuterie Board
Moody Board and Batten Guest Room
DIY Rejuvenation Light Fixture
Convert a Cabinet Into a Built-In Armoire

Comments

  1. DCG says

    May 25, 2013 at 12:32 pm

    Distressed home furniture really rocks! 😀

  2. Cameron says

    October 3, 2014 at 4:09 pm

    This looks great.

    I assume you have to use a Gloss paint in the first place to stop the wood stain from taking to everything?

    Thanks

    • coreydecker@gmail.com says

      October 3, 2014 at 5:01 pm

      Cameron,
      You are definitely right, it is much easier to work with a higher gloss finish paint… BUT it isn’t necessary. The baby oil works really, really well to help diffuse the stain. When working with a low sheen paint you simply need to work a little quicker. Work in small areas, and make sure you have a rag with baby oil ready to go. Because you are right, it will want to soak the stain up quickly. Good luck, and do a test area first, so you know what to expect.

  3. Cameron says

    October 3, 2014 at 7:44 pm

    That’s great.

    Can’t wait to try it!

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
IMG_9167 (1).jpg fd

Popular Projects

  • How to: Faux Brick Wall
  • Cheap White Curtains
  • Ikea Cubbies into a Rustic Apothecary
  • Cabinet Transformed Into A Kitchen Island
  • Workshop Assembly Table
  • The BEST Beach Blanket ever!
DIY & Design

Meet Corey

Hi everyone, my name is Corey, and I have a problem. I can’t leave well enough alone… The best therapy usually involves a variety of power tools. So, in the few “spare” moments I am not entertaining my two beautiful, rambunctious, boys, I can typically be found hunched over a sewing machine and/or covered in sawdust. All in the efforts to create a perfect balance of aesthetics and practicality in our home.
read more

Join our mailing list!

DIY & design ideas - right in your inbox!

Top Hits!

  • How to: Faux Brick Wall
  • Cheap White Curtains
  • Ikea Cubbies into a Rustic Apothecary

Featured

Lazy Susan Charcuterie Board

Categories

  • 70's Ranch Home
  • Around the House
  • Build Plans
  • Crafts
  • Current Home
  • Decor Makeovers
  • Dresser
  • Exterior
  • Fall
  • First Home
  • Furniture Makeover
  • Hidden Compartment
  • Kitchen
  • Lighting
  • Makovers
  • Master Closet
  • Organization
  • R.V.
  • Room Makeovers
  • Seasonal
  • Seating
  • Sewing
  • Shelving
  • Small Builds
  • Smart Home
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Tables
  • Tablescape
  • Tutorials
  • Uncategorized
  • Wall Art
  • Wall Decor
  • Winter
  • Workshop

Footer

Contact Me: Corey@Sawdust2Stitches.com

Latest ‘Grams

Happy Holidays to all my DIY loving friends! I’ Happy Holidays to all my DIY loving friends! 
I’m going to put down the tools so I can hang with my crew. 
Merry Christmas from our family to yours! I look forward to sharing so many great projects in 2021, stay tuned! @ashleynavarrophotography
LAST MINUTE DIY GIFT IDEA!!! This Holiday Season m LAST MINUTE DIY GIFT IDEA!!!
This Holiday Season might be a little different from those we’ve seen in the in past. With many folks looking to keep costs and stress low, they are turning to a more sentimental approach to holiday gifting. 
 Handmade gifts are a great way to personalize gift giving this year. I made this serving tray/lazy susan for a friend and I know she will love it! If you want more easy-to-make, handmade gift ideas The Home Depot has many other great tutorials.

@homedepot #HomeDepotPartner #THDxHoliday #THDxDIYWorkshops
2020… it’s been a weird one. I suspect Christm 2020… it’s been a weird one. I suspect Christmas will be a little different too, but that doesn’t need to be a bad thing!  This is the perfect time to branch out and DIY your Holiday gift lists. Take this serving tray/lazy susan for example.  It was such a simple and facts option if you are gifting in a pinch!  The Home Depot has fun DIY gift ideas that your friends and family will love. Check out the link in my bio for more handmade gift ideas. 
@homedepot#HomeDepotPartner #THDxHoliday #THDxDIYWorkshops
This post is sponsored by Kilz but the content and This post is sponsored by Kilz but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

I leaned in heavily to the dark moody feel for the guest bedroom makeover and I love it! The dark sienna  hue, coupled with my @kilzbrand #accentwallchallenge is absolutely stunning. (If I do say so myself.)
I have a room tour, wall tutorial and source links on the site today. #linkinprofile #sponsored #everyprojectisworthit
@Kilzbrand presented me their #accentwallchallenge @Kilzbrand presented me their #accentwallchallenge, and you know how much I love a good challenge!
If I am being completely honest, I feel like I rocked this challenge. It is absolutely insane how a single wall can change the entire feel of a room. 

On the site I have a full tutorial on how you too can create this look and all the fun details about my choice of color from the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® paint line & the KILZ 3® Premium Primer
#sponsored #kilz #GuestRoomMakeover #AccentWallChallenge #EveryProjectIsWorthIt
Am I the only one who tackles unnecessary projects Am I the only one who tackles unnecessary projects before entertaining guests? As I was preparing the guest room for the Holidays I had an epiphany. I had a vision of what this room could be, and I just cannot let it go - this room needs an accent wall!

I am teaming up with the great folks over at @kilzbrand to create the perfect accent wall, with a gorgeous color from the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® paint line & KILZ 3® Premium Primer. Stay tuned because this accent wall is going to be gorgeous. I just need to pick my accent color. What do you guys think, clay or sage?  #sponsored #kilz #GuestRoomMakeover #AccentWallChallenge #EveryProjectIsWorthIt
Follow on Instagram
2020 © Your Blog Name
theme by soleilflare
Enter your name and email and get the weekly newsletter... it's FREE!
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.