DIY a distressed dresser

In my last bedroom, I knew I wanted a softer feel. With the lack of sun I knew I'd have to keep the furniture white to obtain a soft, calm feel. I bought a very large antique white dresser and if had a smaller dresser perfect for the side of my bed. The issue was it was this:

This definitely did not fit the look that I was looking for in my bedroom. Rather than dismissing the dresser and buying another one, I want to refinished it. I chose to distress it.

The project was very easy. When distressing furniture you want a base color. Since I was wanted the piece to be white, I chose a dark base color. I don't know the name, to be honest it was leftover paint from another project. It was a dark brown/green color. Here is the first coat:


Once the first coat dried I took a candle and ran it over the corners and other parts of the dresser. This left residual wax on the dresser (which you want). I then painted it the antique white that I wanted it. I ended up painting it with a large paintbrush but could have easily painted it with roller. I was not too concerned with it streaking. That's the plus to distressing furniture, the goal is not to make it look perfect, it's supposed to look worn. Here is the dresser after the wax and white paint.

Once it dried, I used a medium steel wool and rubbed it over the candle wax. With some elbow grease, the bottom coat started to show through and a distress look was created. I played around with the steel wool and the paint for a good hour. Slowly the piece started looking like less of a mess and more like a distressed pice of furniture.

 It ended up being just the right piece for my bedroom. It is amazing what a little paint and some work can do.

In addition to writing for Daigle's Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth's clients range from first-time home buyers, to sellers, to short sales, to seasoned investors. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352.