{Distressing with an electric sander}

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I LOVE distressed furniture – to me, the more distressed the better.  Especially white/cream distressed pieces with a dark stain underneath that will show through.  That gets my heart pumpin. 

Just so happens that i had a cute little antique desk in my stash with simple lines and a dark stain – perfect for some heavy distressin’.

I painted the bottom half a creamy white, let it dry and then took my sander to it – very fun and so much easier and faster than sandpaper or a sanding block.  I try and distress this way whenever i can – it doesn’t look good on all furniture, it takes the right one, and this little desk fit the bill :)

Sorry, no before pic – what was i thinking – that’s right… i wasn’t thinking – sometimes i just get so excited to paint and it would be soooo out of my way to go in and get the camera…that could slow me down big time!

Here is a pic of the fresh cream paint – so boring – the desk is just to plain to leave it alone

Blah, blah, blah…

Then i brought out my buddy…Mr Ridgid – love him

I had a 220 grit on the sander because that’s what i was using for that table up there – but sometimes i use a really low grit – just depends

Then i just go over the whole thing – just like i was preparing it for paint.  Of course, i hit the edges more and random places here and there, some more than others.  If there are imperfections in the wood – like knots or grooves and things like that, then i hit this areas more.

Some spots the sander will take off a lot of paint – some spots it barely does anything – that’s what i like about Mr. Ridgid – he is just not that dependable :)  It makes it look a little more natural and not so planned. 

Spaces that would have more natural wear, i hit those areas more.  Like this desk where people would have put there feet – i hit those areas a little heavier. 

Random pics of cuteness

 

 

I left desk with the original stained top – just refreshed it with a little tung oil

There are so many ways to distress furniture – i am still trying new ways and learning new things all the time.  And no two pieces distress the same way, so what may work on one, may not work on another.  Ahhh – the joys of painting furniture :)

This desk is for sale on Sweet Pickins if you are local to Utah – go here for more information