Pottery Barn Black {Distressed} Finish: The Busy Momma's Guide

That's quite the long title. But don't worry, the extra time it took you to read that long title will be made up when you see what you can do to achieve the Pottery Barn black distressed finish on your own furniture.

I have painted everything. The right way, the wrong way, and every way in between. I have had the wrong way turn out great and last. And the right way chip only months later. I've learned that I don't always need all of the fancy tools, paints and whoknowswhats to achieve what I'm going for. And that's really true for every thing I do.

I've been trying to do with what I have while I do a little playing around the house this summer. It's not always easy, but it's proving to be pretty fun!

The boys have had blue beds for what seems like forever. One of the beds was purchased that way when boy#1 moved out of his crib. So it had the shiny factory finish, but was just an MDF underneath. Boy#2 then moved out of his crib into a bed (frame) I got from Craig{slist}. They were similar style beds, with finials and beadboard on the head/foot rails. But they were different. So I painted Boy#2's bed to match the already blue bed. Are you following me here?

Painting different pieces in the same color really unites them, and in this case, it was difficult to tell they were different. 

As boys things tend to do, the beds were looking pretty dinged up. So while they were away, the {busy} momma did play.

This is what I did (and what you can do too):

1. I did not prime. (Screams heard everywhere. Gasp! Mothers shielding their childrens eyes from those very words). This is what the beds looked like.

2. I used this paint. (If there is ever an apocalypse and you are in desperate need of this paint, let me know. I seem to have hoarded about 6 quarts.) Rustoleum Painters Touch in Semi Gloss Black.

3. I used this brush. It's a Wooster Angled Brush. Any good brush should do. Or, if you prefer a foam roller, that would be great. I had too many nooks and crannies for that.

4. I painted the beds. You heard me right. I just dipped and painted. No fancy footwork. This is where the Secret Service will show up on my door step to question my DIY abilities. One bed had already been painted over the factory finish so the paint had something to stick to. The other bed was left in it's original finish. If yours has been waxed or is too glossy to take a finish, you would want to gently sand and wipe down at this point. 

The paint did need two coats - I think it was because it was a semi gloss paint and those tend to need more coats in my opinion.

5. Ok-this is where you may think I have LOST. MY. MIND. (And that I need a serious RnB intervention). But I assure you, this is what gave the {fake} distressed finish that I have seen with Pottery Barn furniture. I took out my trusty tube of....drumroll.....Rub n' Buff in Grecian Gold. 

I'm sure I'm breaking every single rule known to furniture painters. But that's ok - because it turned out AMAZING! I used the RnB on my finger tip and gently ran it down all of the edges and corners that would typically be distressed. You can use less or more, whatever you like. After I wiped it on, I gently wiped it down, to get rid of the bright gold. It left a brownish tint in it's place. 

Let's get to the pictures so you can see what I did.

The finish from the Rustoleum Painters Touch paint is so smooth. You can see in the photo above how it shines. I am so tickled with how these turned out I find myself happily making their beds every morning and marveling at how easy and beautiful this project was. And...it didn't cost me a dime. I had everything already!

Can  you already see some changes I've made to the room? If you don't remember what it looked like, here it was before. Here's a sneak peak at this diy sign up on the wall.

I'm so excited with how this is turning out!

xo-Chris

 

Sharing with:

Be Betsy: Brag About It 

Home Stories AtoZ Tutorials, Tips Link Party 

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesdays Treasures 

Elizabeth & Co: Be Inspired 

DIY by Design: Sizzle into Summer 

Ashley's Dandelion Wishes: Dandelion Wishes Wednesday 

The 36th Avenue:  

Miss Mustard Seed: Furniture Feature Friday 

The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday 

Not Just A Housewife: Show Me What Ya Got 

Adventures of a DIY Mom: Terrific Tuesday 

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesdays Treasures