Old to New.... But then old again

Every room is an on going project. So I am constantly looking around for new and creative ideas as well as odds and ends. The guest bedroom is a little on the girly side for Chris taste, but the room started with the bedding and has evolved around it. We were out in the burbs last weekend visiting with Chris 90 year old grandmother and she had a pile of furniture that she was getting rid of. We took one glance at the desk (which turned out to be Chris mothers childhood desk) and thought, now this will work perfectly in the guest room. With a little paint it would be good as new. Now here's where the Old to New.... But then old again comes into play. After it was painted I was then going to distress it, to keep in theme with the "Country French" look. I then went to the local Salvation Army and found a ladder back chair for $2. Its amazing the amount of stuff you can find in that place. With a little love, and a fresh coat of paint you have yourself a new treasured piece. So in this blog I walk you through the process in how to distress. Once again it really is easy!!!
                                                      
                              

Keep in mind its a work in progress but its an up to date "after"

Before

Items Needed:

-A piece of furniture
-Furniture paint (I used oil based because I wasn't sure if the original coats were water or oil)
-Paint Brush
-Drop Cloth (to cover the floor from getting paint on them)
-A hammer or chain, or heavy tool that will leave dings and dents
-Old English (love this stuff)
-Cloth/Wash Cloth/Old Shirt
-Paste Wax (optional)

I forgot the Old English in this Photo

The Desk - Before

Yikes.....

First coat of paint

Second coat

I waited for about 48 hours to let the paint really set in before I started the distressing process. This was hard for me because I like instant gratification!! Once the paint was fully dried and had plenty of time to set into the wood, I went to town. And if for any reason your having a bad day, this is a great way to get your frustration out :) 

Take the chain or hammer or wrench and slam it on to the wood to create dents and dings into the wood

Once you have gotten the piece of furniture to the distressing level of your preference, break out the Old English 

Add a generous amount of the Old English to your cloth

Rub it all over the piece, even getting it in the cracks and crevices. This is really what gives the piece that aged look. Once you have covered the piece with the Old ENglish, flip over your cloth and buff it out so that it has slightly given the paint a not so "stark" look, but has really gotten into those dents and dings. Make sure you have buffed it all off. And that's it..... Old to New....But then Old Again

The chair was distressed too

Fenwicks (my dog) tail sneaked in this photo

Side Note: The Paste Wax,  this you can apply between the hammer stage and Old English stage to the dents and dings. Just rub a little on the areas and then continue on to the Old English