Who’s up for a furniture makeover? You may be saying to yourself…nah…it’s too much work. After what I show you today, you may change your mind. Earlier this week, I showed you this chest of drawers and I would like to use it to show you how to wet distress.

Okay, now you’re saying I’m off my rocker, right? Not too long ago, I showed you how to distress with petroleum jelly. If that isn’t simple enough, then you’ll love this method.

A MESS

First, take a look at this piece I found a the thrift store. I went in looking for something else, but couldn’t leave without this loveliness in my possession. When I snatched the price tag off to take it to the register, I noticed a lady looking distraught. The distraught lady spoke to the saleslady and then the saleslady looked at me. “I be she has it because we just set it out”. Ha! Turns out a friend of the lady called her and told her to come look at this chest. I beat her to it.

Yes, I could have been nice and let her have it, but I was feeling ornery that day and did a victory dance in my head instead. tee hee hee.

Before you giggle with me though, take a closer look. This chest was stinky, beat up, and in disrepair.

At one point, I even looked at my husband and said, “To think I paid for this”. A deal isn’t always a deal, is it? The drawers had been disheveled and glued back haphazardly,and they wouldn’t shut right without being slammed in.

On the other hand, it did have all the drawers, the casters, and drawer pulls (let’s think positive). Hey, it even still stood on its own.

DIY TIME

So…I decided to go with the flow just like my farmhouse desk that was a a hot mess and give this chest a rustic feel.

First, I used wood filler to repair those damaged spots and several holes on the cabinet.

Next, I used my sander to lightly go over everything to make it jive together. The drawers had to be torn apart and re-glued with wood glue. I don’t know why the previous owner used the other glue (I think Gorilla Glue) that causes a separation when it foams and sets. That was a tedious chore, but it felt good to get them all the way the should be.

For the wet distress finish I first used a custom mixed flat gray that was more of a smoky color. I dry-brushed it on in random patterns letting the dark wood show through. This is done to the drawers and cabinet. I brush lengthwise on the drawers, and vertically on the cabinet sides.

NEXT STEPS

The next step is to take a lighter shade of gray (or whatever color you choose) and do the same dry-brushing. This time though, while still wet, use an old rag and wipe it off in the direction of the grain. See the paint staying behind in some places and coming off in others?

It may even remove some of the darker color you used first, but that is okay because it will totally give that aged appeal.

That whole process takes only about 15 minutes for each layer. Yay!

Since I had all the drawer pulls, I saw no need to replace. They weren’t brass or anything fancy, so I paint the with a flat white and then add time-worn wear.

Once everything was ready go, I lined the drawers with a fun contrasting pattern. One drawer had the same wallpaper I used in my china cabinet and my French chest, and the others had this contact paper.

THE REVEAL

Here she is all rustic and ready to go!

The drawers are my favorite aside from the finish.

Isn’t it fun? I hope you enjoy the method as well as the fun story behind it. You can find this chest and more for your home available in my shop. (SOLD)

Be sure to pin and share this technique to wet distress so you can find it for future reference and inspire others to try it too! ♥

Up next, I have some farmhouse goodness for you that includes this wooden cutting board. Come on and see!

MEWE  |  PINTEREST  |  GAB

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