How to Paint in a Shabby Chic Style

The shabby chic painting technique celebrates the look of well-used furniture that has good workmanship and is still functional. Shabby chic usually means furniture that has been painted many times over the years and now sports different layers of paint showing in worn areas. Celadon green, mint, seafoam, dusty rose, ivory, creams, faded grays, pale sky blue and white are common colors. Painting or distressing used furniture is another way to help save the earth and reuse or recycle instead of buying new. Selecting a previously used piece of sturdy furniture for painting is also a way to show your creativity in decorating. This technique is utilized in the shabby chic, romantic country, green and Victorian home decorating styles.

Things You'll Need

• Piece of furniture, previously painted or finished brown
• Wood putty
• Palm sander
• Drill
• Drawer pulls
• Latex paint in white, pale pink or pale green

Show More

Instructions

1. How to Paint Shabby Chic Furniture

   • 1

     Select a piece of furniture to paint that was previously painted or finished a brown color.

   • 2

     Remove original hardware. Fill holes with putty. Let dry overnight. Use a palm sander to smooth.

   • 3

     Drill holes for new drawer pulls. Use a drill bit a little smaller than the screw of the drawer pull.

   • 4

     Paint the piece of furniture with a white, a pale pink, or a pale green. Let dry.

   • 5

     Use a finishing palm sander to lightly skim off the top of the painted piece and to distress it in places where it would normally be distressed from regular use. The brown finish underneath will look like dirt and make the piece look well-used.