DIY French Country Painted Furniture

Use 80-grit sandpaper to sand down the furniture to remove the previous finish or paint on the piece. Use gentle, even strokes in the direction of the wood grain to remove the finish without causing damage to the wood.

Use a vacuum to clean up all the dust from the sanding. Use an attachment tool and vacuum up the dust left on the surface of the furniture.

Contribute to the distressed look of the finished piece by creating a few nicks, bumps and marks on the furniture’s surface. Using a hammer, gently tap the wood to create a mark. Brush arms and legs gently with a wire brush. Keep additional wear marks to a minimum as French country design should still have an elegant feel.

Paint the furniture with a light colored, flat paint appropriate for interior use. Paint in long, even strokes with the grain of the wood. Allow the paint to dry and apply a second coat if necessary.

Cover the dry, painted surface with a wood glaze in a color that contrasts to the original paint. Using a clean brush, paint a thin coat of wood glaze using thin, even strokes. Use enough glaze to add shine and create a light color, leaving the paint somewhat visible underneath the glaze coat. Allow the glaze to dry completely.

Add distress to the furniture by sanding away the wood glaze in areas where the furniture would naturally show where. Sand with the grain of the wood using a 220-grit sandpaper. Sand areas around door handles, hinges, furniture edges and the top surface. Vacuum up any dust.

Use a clean, dry brush to finish the piece with a clear sealant. The sealant helps preserve the integrity of the piece, keeping the chips and marks where you want them while protecting the piece against further wear and tear. Paint using long, even strokes in the direction of the wood grain.