How to Distress Furniture Without Any Sanding.

Allie O'Bray
by Allie O'Bray
7 Materials
$5
30 Minutes
Easy

This old oak stool is one I've had for a long time but haven't displayed it in my home. So I knew I wanted to give it a quick paint job so I could use it. This technique of distressing is super easy. You will love turning any furniture into an antique lookalike in a few quick steps. View the entire post here.

So I began by painting the stool white. Milk paint or chalk paint isn’t something I would recommend for this project. I just used  white acrylic paint and it worked perfect. 

Carefully I painted the entire stool to make sure I didn’t miss any of it. So be expecting the first layer to take the longest. The end result won’t look as good if you don’t take your time in the beginning.

You will want to paint a couple coats.

Painting a light brown streak on the edges using the paint color  Brown Sugar once the white coats were dry.

I painted the entire top of the stool brown. Right over the white layer.

Then I let the brown layer dry.

Once the brown later was dry I applied a layer of Elmer Glue.

Immediately I painted a coat of white paint right over the glue.

Then started to blow dry.

You will see it start to crack and look "chippy."

Here it is. I put in in my kitchen corner. It turned out really cute.

Resources for this project:
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Allie O'Bray
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  2 questions
  • Debra Kawaller Debra Kawaller on Feb 16, 2019

    Love this idea. I have an old stool which would be great for this project. Only problem I have is color of vinyl cushion on top. Any suggestions for changing the color of it?

  • NaniJen NaniJen on Feb 28, 2019

    Love it! 💞😊I have 2 of these exact stools that I use as plant stands & have been wanting to give them this exact look to go with my farmhouse decor. Thank you for the inspiration!! I do have 1 question: Will Alene's Tacky Glue give the same effect as Elmers glue? Anyone know?

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