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Creating a Shabby Farmhouse Finish

Love chippy layered paint treatments? Want to do it in a hurry? That’s the beauty of this shabby farmhouse paint finish – it’s so easy you can’t mess it up and quick enough to do it in one afternoon.
Shabby Farmhouse Paint Finish
Mr. SCC was in too big of a hurry for me to take step by step photos of the table – booooo!
But, my friends, it’s the paint job that makes this farmhouse table somethin’ special!
I LURVE the weathered, worn finish of an old piece of furniture that’s been smothered in layer after layer of beautiful colors of paint. However, I’m never lucky enough to find those great pieces on my itty bitty budget. So, I fake ’em.

I love a good farmhouse finish – but every other method I’ve seen takes layers and layers and layers of paint. I’m too impatient for all that. I do mine with one coat of paint. Know what? You can, too!
Start with two (or three or seventeen) colors of paint.
I love my Hawaiian Sky and Ultra White from Dutch Boy.
You’ll also need 3 (or however many colors you’re using plus one) paint brushes.
I actually recommend crappy brushes for this job.
Although I love my Purdy for the perfect finish, this one ain’t perfect.
We’re gonna scratch it up, scar it up, and treat it rough.
The cheap brushes means a rougher finish – which in this case is a very good thing.
Start with your first color and slap random patches of color here and there.
Get a little Jackson Pollock with it.
Then, fill in around the patches with your second color, but don’t overlap too much.
With each big spot of paint, glop some extra in the middle.
Now you’re gonna take the 3rd brush and drag paint from the middle glops and blend the edges of each one. Don’t blend it all to one color, make it look all crazy and stuff. Think camo gone bad. Trust me… it’s gonna be alright!
Do the legs and skirts, too. Don’t leave them all nekkid and stuff.
The most important part?
Work quick! DO NOT take time to be careful.
Just slap the paint all over the wood, trying to cover 99% is just fine.
It only took me about 30 minutes to paint the entire table,
including time to stop and take photos!
You can do this even faster if two people work together,
one with the colors and the other doing the blending.
Alright, now go have some sweet tea and call your mamma so you can chat while the paint dries.
You’re all dry? Ok, now comes the fun part!!! Let’s get rough 🙂
Sand the top, edges, legs, wherever you slapped paint on it.
DO NOT be gentle.
The sanding is actually much more important to this finish than the painting is.
Sand more than you think you need, let a little wood peek through here and there.
The more you sand the better it looks.
Be sure to sand where two colors abruptly join,
so when you’re finished it looks like two different layers.
Now let’s glaze. I use Ralph Lauren Manor Grey.
(This recipe is for 1 gallon.)
But for this I also added in a little black and mixed it all up.
I also added a dash of water to thin it down a bit.
Take a dry cloth, dip it into the glaze and rub it into the surface.
Here’s where the sanding job starts to shine.
The glaze will get caught in all those beautiful imperfections
and it creates a patina that is to die for.
Next I take a little off with a wet cloth (not real dry or super wet),
so that there are darker and lighter spots, making it all pretty and stuff.
The glaze tones it all down, marries all the colors together and unifies the paint.
After you’ve wiped it all down, add a little DecoArt paint
in a complimenting color to bare spots by rubbing it
straight onto the wood with your fingers.
This will help get it into the grain of the wood.
Although you could poly it, I had some beeswax from Ikea in my supplies.
I used a couple of thin coats, rubbing on and buffing off with a lint free cloth.
Now, she’s all done. Excluding drying time, I did the entire table, by myself in about 2 hours. Even with drying time, I did it all in one day. I have finished several other pieces of furniture this way, and still love them.
I honestly love imperfections. What character!
Ditching the dining room was such a good idea!
Now we have more room for family dinners, board games,
and I have a bigger work surface, too!
Can someone go rush Polly to come help me make slipcovers?
I really want to put my current couch on this wall!
Thanks for sticking with my longest tutorial ever!
You really can do this, I promise.
Just test it on a scrap piece of wood.

 

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Filed Under: DIY

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. Designing Domesticity says

    January 12, 2011 at 9:52 pm

    wow, that is fast! good work. will have to give this a go next time i manage to find some furniture, which has been a little slow as of late! liz

    Reply
  2. Chrissie says

    January 12, 2011 at 9:52 pm

    Awesome tutorial! Thanks for sharing, I love your new table!!!!!

    Reply
  3. Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says

    January 12, 2011 at 9:56 pm

    That is gorgeous Gina!! 🙂 Love it!!

    Reply
  4. Erin A says

    January 12, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    Your table is BEAUUUUUUUUUUTIFUL! Just got a new electric sander for Christmas, and I’m looking forward to putting it to work. Thanks for a great tutorial!!

    Reply
  5. very merry vintage style says

    January 12, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    Great tutorial. I haven’t seen this gray glaze before; love the color combination!
    Mary

    Reply
  6. Beverly @ FlamingoToes.com says

    January 12, 2011 at 10:21 pm

    Your table is gorgeous!! I love the color. Thanks for sharing the tutorial and for hosting!

    Reply
  7. Minkee Baby Gifts says

    January 12, 2011 at 10:23 pm

    It is beautiful! My paint brush is whispering my name…….

    Reply
  8. Green Gracie Home says

    January 12, 2011 at 10:24 pm

    gorgeous…can’t wait to try that technique out. thanks for hosting

    Reply
  9. Robin says

    January 12, 2011 at 11:07 pm

    Holy Cannoli Gina! I thought I’d done every paint technique known to man! I’m looking around my house trying to figure out which piece of furniture is getting a re-do with your technique! I LOVE it!
    So funny…the photo of you with 2 paint brushes just going at it! 🙂
    xo
    Robin

    Reply
  10. Sara @ thesherlockshome says

    January 12, 2011 at 11:17 pm

    Love it! I will be trying this out soon!

    Reply
  11. southernscraps says

    January 12, 2011 at 11:20 pm

    Awesome job on the table!

    Reply
  12. I'm AE Jones says

    January 12, 2011 at 11:29 pm

    I am incredibly impressed!!!

    Reply
  13. angie says

    January 12, 2011 at 11:34 pm

    gorgeous table! i am a new follower of your blog and linked up for the first time today too! (Laundry Room Reveal)

    Reply
  14. Stephenie from Decorating Addiction says

    January 12, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    Wow! It looks amazing! I never knew how to make it look worn like that. Great job!

    Reply
  15. Serendipity Chic Design says

    January 13, 2011 at 12:05 am

    That table is to die for! Thanks for hosting!

    Take care,
    Lisa

    Reply
  16. mudpies and marigolds says

    January 13, 2011 at 12:19 am

    Love this tutorial! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will definetly be trying this out in the near future.
    -Aaron

    Reply
  17. Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures says

    January 13, 2011 at 12:29 am

    Fabulous job and tutorial Gina. I love the colors you chose, very fresh. I’m lovin’ your floor too;-)

    Reply
  18. gail@myrepurposedlife.net says

    January 13, 2011 at 12:44 am

    great painting technique!
    thanks for hosting!
    gail

    Reply
  19. La says

    January 13, 2011 at 12:46 am

    I’ve been wanting a farmhouse table. Yours looks great.

    Reply
  20. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    January 13, 2011 at 12:53 am

    Gina, I am obviously spending way too much time painting our furniture. I love your technique and the table turned out fabulous. This will be how I paint from now on. Thanks.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  21. Leanne says

    January 13, 2011 at 1:00 am

    I love how the table turned out. The result is beautiful. Thanks for hosting again this week.

    Reply
  22. Pretty Pink Cherub says

    January 13, 2011 at 1:04 am

    Looks gorgeous, thank you for the painting tips and hosting the best Linky Party ;O)!! Love the colors you chose!!!

    Reply
  23. simpledaisy says

    January 13, 2011 at 1:06 am

    Seriously…..that is AMAZING!!!!!
    I might make something like that for my sunroom!! I could see a smaller version and a shelf on the bottom with baskets and my TV on top!!!
    So cute:):)

    Reply
  24. vintage vine says

    January 13, 2011 at 1:31 am

    Gina the table is great! You always do such a good job on painting furniture!!! Love the lights too!! Aren’t those IKEA, I love that place!!

    Reply
  25. Heaven's Walk - says

    January 13, 2011 at 1:32 am

    Gina – I agree!!! Seriously amazing!!! You made it sound so easy!! I’m saving this great tutorial, Gina! Thank you so much for the help!

    xoxo laurie

    Reply
  26. Michelle says

    January 13, 2011 at 1:41 am

    Wow! I love your table. I have one waiting to have something done with it, and this might be it. I like it a lot more than painting it straight white, especially because I do a lot of work on it and it’s going to get scuffed up, anyway. Thanks for hosting the party! I’m new here and it’s nice to fee welcome!

    Reply
  27. Handy Man, Crafty Woman says

    January 13, 2011 at 2:44 am

    That looks great! thanks for hosting this blog party. Love your design style.

    Reply
  28. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says

    January 13, 2011 at 2:47 am

    that table looks amazing!!!

    Reply
  29. Polly @ Make Mine Beautiful says

    January 13, 2011 at 2:49 am

    Umm, could someone please tell Gina I’m currently hiding from her……..just until she gets over that urge to slipcover her sofa. 🙂

    That turned out beautiful girl. Tell Mr. SCC he does (I)alright(I) with that building thang he’s got going on. Maybe I’ll hit him up to build my farmer’s carts afterall. Hey, I thought you were under that table earlier today with a dremel. Did I miss that part? Your color choices were great!

    How big is that table? Looks pretty long to me. That’s what I need in my workroom to replace all those little tables I have in a row with all my machines on them. Hmmmm, thinking…thinking. 🙂
    You’re gonna love it!

    Reply
  30. MMB Creations says

    January 13, 2011 at 3:13 am

    This tutorial for painting is the best I have ever read. I can do this!

    Reply
  31. The Crafty Gals says

    January 13, 2011 at 3:43 am

    Hey there! I’m new to the Party, thanks for hosting! I gotta say, I love that technique you used on the table! I’ve never seen that before & can’t wait to try it out. Thanks so much for sharing.
    ~Mary
    http://www.thecraftygals.blogspot.com

    Reply
  32. Megan says

    January 13, 2011 at 3:58 am

    Oh, G… I love it!!!

    Reply
  33. Charm Bracelet Diva says

    January 13, 2011 at 4:06 am

    I’m a first timer! Thanks for hosting the party!

    Reply
  34. AliLilly says

    January 13, 2011 at 4:30 am

    WOW!….WOW!!…..WOW!!!! It’s GORGEOUS!! I LOVE IT! I think it’s a FANTASTIC tutorial too!! One that I would LOVE to try someday!!

    Thanks for hosting! 🙂

    Reply
  35. Michelle @ Loving Every Second says

    January 13, 2011 at 4:58 am

    That table is AWESOME! I LOVE it!!!!

    And hi! I’m Michelle! I’m a new follower 🙂

    Reply
  36. Lolly Jane says

    January 13, 2011 at 5:27 am

    Those legs are SO pretty! LOOOOOOOOVE the finish!!

    :)Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  37. Brandy says

    January 13, 2011 at 5:44 am

    I am suffering incredible envy!! The legs are great, I love the whole thing! And thanks for hosting!
    lifeofperks.blogspot.com

    Reply
  38. Pamela says

    January 13, 2011 at 6:25 am

    Gina your table is gorgeous!!

    Reply
  39. ♥Amber Filkins♥ says

    January 13, 2011 at 6:26 am

    Ha! That looks SOOOO good Gina! What the heck! You got mad skills. I LOVE the way it looks. Especially the up close one towards the end. It has depth, and looks old. Love it!

    ♥ Amber

    Reply
  40. Dacia says

    January 13, 2011 at 6:54 am

    What a beautiful table & a great tutorial!

    Reply
  41. Restoration House says

    January 13, 2011 at 7:49 am

    You did an awesome job on this table! It looks great!
    Kim:)

    Reply
  42. Biljana says

    January 13, 2011 at 10:40 am

    Great job, your table is gorgeous, I love it:-)
    Thanks for hosting, hugs Biljana

    Reply
  43. Alyssa says

    January 13, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    What a great job you did on that table! Love it and thanks for hosting a great linky party :)Alyssa of Boston Bee

    Reply
  44. Teresa@oursoutherncountryhomeandfarm says

    January 13, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    Love the table. I linked up my transformed (clean) shower and wanted to say thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  45. Bridget @ The Rehab Boutique says

    January 13, 2011 at 2:37 pm

    I love it! I’ll have to try your technique!

    Reply
  46. Chrissy says

    January 13, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    Wow what a great tutorial! I have done this many different ways, but I like the way that you presented it. I can follow this more methodically than my approach.
    Your table looks great.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  47. Rebekah of Schenewark Farm says

    January 13, 2011 at 2:58 pm

    Love it!
    And like I don’t have enough blogs to read… I just found several more to add to Google Reader! I love being introduced to new blogs and new ideas! 🙂

    Reply
  48. Julie says

    January 13, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    Great table, Gina! I’d love it if you’d link it up to my Paint Color Party going on now!
    http://lessthanperfectlifeofbliss.blogspot.com/2011/01/paint-color-party-link-up-your.html

    Reply
  49. Christie says

    January 13, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    Your table looks wonderful! thanks for the how-to!!

    Reply
  50. Patty's Stitches says

    January 13, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    I adore the table! And the tutorial was fabulous ~ information I really needed. I’m dying to refinish something! 😉

    Reply
  51. Life in Rehab says

    January 13, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    GREAT tutorial, Gina, very clear, and the results are fabulous.

    Reply
  52. Carmie of the Single Nester says

    January 13, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    Looks terrific. Not sure if I have that much patience.

    Reply
  53. { L } says

    January 13, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    Hi Gina! I just wanted to tell you that I posted up some pictures and plugged in a link to your etsy shop on my blog…you KNOW how I just LOVE your etsy store. <3

    http://www.mooreminutes.com/2011/01/decorating-with-wintertime-cozies.html

    Also, that table is just gorgeous. I would be so excited to have it in my home. I really love the colors.

    Reply
  54. Live, Laugh, Love, Recycle says

    January 13, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    I love the new table, and the raggamuffin garland from the other day. I just posted my first Transformation Thursday, and hope to post many more 🙂 Barbara @ http://www.livelaughloverecycle.blogspot.com

    Reply
  55. Shannon says

    January 13, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    Gorgeous table makeover! It’s better than you could probably find anywhere. Lovely details and craftsmanship.
    http://shannonsews.blogspot.com

    Reply
  56. MessyMissy says

    January 13, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    Thank you SO MUCH for the tutorial. I am new to refinishing furniture but I love that farmhouse table look!!

    Reply
  57. The Soladay Family says

    January 13, 2011 at 7:13 pm

    Love the table. There are some talented people out there in blogland!

    Reply
  58. All About Vignettes says

    January 13, 2011 at 8:47 pm

    oops–just saw that you want to know if it’s the first time you participated. It’s my second time. I just started blogging in November so needless to say I was thrilled by so many people stopping by from your site to mine. Thanks a million.

    BTY, my first post was my checkerboard floor. This week I’ve re-done my foyer with layering and with horizontal stripes as a background. Let me know what you think if you have a minute.
    Thanks for the bump.

    Kathy

    Reply
  59. kinga @ blueloom says

    January 13, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    Hello Gina,

    Thanks so much for hosting the linky party.
    Fantastic tutorial and your table is just fab!

    Kinga

    Reply
  60. A Cottage Muse says

    January 14, 2011 at 12:13 am

    The table looks awesome and you made it look very easy!

    Reply
  61. Let's take a coffee break says

    January 14, 2011 at 1:29 am

    It’s my first time linking here! I love all the crafty projects here!

    Reply
  62. Parrotts says

    January 14, 2011 at 2:25 am

    Um…you’re AWESOME! I got here from TCB, and I love love love it! Thanks!

    Reply
  63. taidyeoriginal says

    January 14, 2011 at 3:22 am

    You did such a beautiful job! I really love it! ~tai @ taidye original

    Reply
  64. mariondee-designs says

    January 14, 2011 at 6:40 am

    I really enjoyed your tutorial.. thanks so much for sharing and just LOVE how your farmhouse table turned out…take care, Maryann

    Reply
  65. Alima says

    January 15, 2011 at 12:03 am

    LOVE LOVE LOVE the table!! I’m new – just found you tonight through Nester!
    So I have a question – I just went to Home Depot tonight and bought paint to redo my coffee table. It’s got a dark walnut stain on it now and I was going to do an antique white over it and make it look distressed.
    But I love your blue and white combo even better and it totally goes with my living room.
    BUT….my table has wrought iron legs. Do you think that would still look OK?
    Thanks! Love your blog and your etsy store!! 🙂

    Reply
  66. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    January 15, 2011 at 4:24 am

    Hi Gina, thanks for hosting your linky party. I really enjoyed the tutorial too….great job!

    Reply
  67. Marianne@Songbird says

    January 15, 2011 at 8:07 pm

    What a wonderful tutorial. I have always wanted to do that two-toned finish but never have had the guts. Now I will Gitter it Done on my next project.
    Thanks for linking up!!

    Reply
  68. Amy of WhisperWood Cottage and Junkologie says

    January 22, 2011 at 1:42 am

    It turned out great!! Quite the process! Thanks for the step-by-step details!!

    Reply
  69. The DIY Show Off says

    January 23, 2011 at 1:14 am

    I was admiring your table in another one of your photos. Great tutorial. Beautiful results! Thanks for sharing, Gina! 🙂

    Roeshel

    Reply
  70. Its So Very Cheri says

    January 23, 2011 at 2:46 pm

    Fabulous job Gina

    Cheri

    Reply
  71. Kerrie Lightfoot says

    February 28, 2011 at 3:02 am

    Perfect tutorial for me. Thank you for your time. It is beautiful. I’m a new fan!

    Reply
  72. Unknown says

    November 6, 2012 at 3:56 pm

    I am “Kerrie” as well as the last commenter! Funny, since it is a very uncommon spelling of the name…Anyway, I loved this tutorial, and just found this site. It’s right up my alley! I am now a loyal follower!

    Reply
  73. Joanna says

    June 4, 2014 at 5:33 am

    This has to be the most beautiful table I’ve ever seen!! I just love it!! 🙂

    Reply
  74. Cassandra says

    June 10, 2015 at 10:19 am

    LOVE THIS PROJECT! So much so that I,ve made it my first ever DIY.

    I’ve been folliwng step by step. And have run into a roadblock: I’M in Canada and we don’t have the same brands of Ralph LAuren paint for the glaze…IS that glaze speical, or can you recommend something else?!?

    Thank you!!
    Cassandra

    Reply
  75. Connie Pinkerton says

    August 3, 2016 at 9:33 am

    Great job, but I didn’t see what TYPE of paint you’re using: Latex, oil, nterior, exterior, flat, semi-gloss???
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      September 1, 2016 at 8:48 am

      Hi Connie, plain old latex but you could also use chalk paint 🙂

      Reply
  76. Cheryl Wisneski says

    August 4, 2016 at 6:27 am

    Love this!!!!! I have a farmhouse table and chair set that I recently picked up….you’ve inspired me! Question….what do you put on top to protect it? Will beeswax protect it from water rings and spills? You are a rock star!

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      August 10, 2016 at 8:37 am

      I gave it a coat of polyurethane to help seal it all in.

      Reply
  77. Mary Barber says

    January 13, 2017 at 1:40 pm

    Lurve it!

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      January 15, 2017 at 11:31 pm

      Thanks Mary!

      Reply
  78. Cheryl Atkinson says

    February 13, 2020 at 3:33 pm

    Hi there! first time here. I am a visual learner so i think pictures would have really helped me or a video. the table looks awesome but i was confused.

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      February 14, 2020 at 12:02 pm

      Thanks Cheryl, this is a super old post before I learned my photography and video skills, LOL 🙂

      Reply
  79. Sharon says

    June 27, 2020 at 10:36 pm

    Hi there, this will be my first attempt in painting a shabby chick look on a dinning table. I am a little confused on whether to sand the table back or just paint over with chalk paint. I love the way you did the table, its beautiful.

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      June 29, 2020 at 11:53 am

      I usually paint it with chalk paint and then sand after to get a distressed finish. Just have fun with it 🙂

      Reply

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ARE YOU A FARMHOUSE FAN?
Get instant access to this free guide to The Best Sources for a Farmhouse Style Home on a Budget!
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