Quick 'N Easy Distressing

Jamie Dean shows how to distress new, unfinished furniture.

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Jamie Dean, associate designer for Country Sampler Decorating Ideas magazine, offers the following tips for distressing new, unfinished furniture:

1. Use a hammer to pound furniture until it has enough dings and bruises to resemble a true flea market find.

2. Base coat furniture with black satin paint, then lightly sand corners and areas around any handles or drawer pulls. After sanding, us a screwdriver or pocket knife to knick some of the painted area. Stain any recessed and sanded areas with honey- or maple-colored gel stains.

3. For furniture pieces that aren't as large, such as chairs and stools, use smaller tools like a chisel or utility knife to scrape edges and gouge a few areas. Other tricks for aging more manageable furnishings include hitting the piece with chains, rolling it in gravel, or throwing it onto cement.

4. Make a tool for creating "worm holes" by driving 10 to 12 nails into the end of a short length of 1" x 2" wood. Use the tool to beat wood furniture. Using a nail set or large framing nail, draw squiggly lines 1/2" in length to represent worm tunnels.

5. For a distressed paint look, apply paste wax to corners and any protruding areas of the furniture before painting to create a barrier between the paint and wood. Paint the furniture piece and allow to dry. Once paint has dried, lightly sand corners and protruding areas. Finish by sealing with an acrylic stain.