Set the already distressed furniture onto a drop cloth. Use painter's tape to protect any of the furniture you do not want to touch.
Apply a coat of crackle medium to the furniture. Use a thick coat for large cracks and a thin coat for smaller cracks. Let the medium dry according to manufacturer’s directions.
Apply the top coat of latex paint to the furniture using a roller. Try not to go over the same area twice. As the paint dries, it will crack, showing the finish underneath.
Spray the furniture with a coat of polyurethane in a well-ventilated area.