How to upcycle a bedside table using a distressed paint effect

Instead of splashing out on an antique, why not upcycle your own beautiful bedside table using a distressed paint effect? Paint specialist Shandor Daolio shows us how.

Materials you will need:

100-grit sandpaper
multi-purpose primer
turpentine
oil-based enamel paint
Winton Oil Colour paint in the colours Payne’s Grey or Raw Umber
scumble glaze
Woodoc Antique Wax or Sprayon Clear Matt Lacquer
soft clean cloth
2 medium-width paintbrushes
fine soft nylon paintbrush
blade (or cutting knife or paint scraper)

Preparation

Sand the pedestal along the grain of the wood with the 100-grit sandpaper. Wipe down with a damp cloth to remove all dust. Apply the multi-purpose primer with the mediumwidth paintbrush along the grain, allowing some areas of the wood to show through. Allow to dry completely.

Step 1

Mix your chosen oil-based enamel paint with a little turpentine and, using a clean medium-width paintbrush, drag down over the primer, leaving areas of primer and wood showing through. Leave to dry or ‘cure’ completely; this should take about two days, depending on the weather.

Step 2

In areas that would naturally become worn, such as raised edges and corners, scrape off any paint or primer with a blade.

Step 3

Mix the Payne’s Grey and/or Raw Umber with the scumble glaze: 1 part paint, 2 parts scumble glaze, 1 part turpentine. The consistency should be paste-like – not too thin or too liquid. Using a fine paintbrush, apply this to the scraped edges as well as any other areas where you wish to emphasise detail. When thoroughly dry, apply a wax or at least 2-3 coats of a lacquerbased matt spray. Re-apply once a year to maintain the surface.