Easy DIY Farmhouse Style Paint Finish

If you love the old farmhouse look, I’ve got a super easy way to achieve it with an easy DIY paint finish that is so simple to do…

and it’s as pretty as supermodel Cindy Crawford’s mole! 🙂

It’s a great way to transform thrift store and yard sale finds that either look outdated, or have potential, but are a bit more battered than you’d like.

I scored this awesome wood tote a few days ago at the thrift store.

Thrift stores have really been cranking up their price tags on vintage items the last few years.  I know they finally realized that farmhouse style vintage pieces are hot commodities right now and their prices reflect that, so I was surprised this tote was reasonably priced.

It did have some paint splotches, and parts of the wood were chipped off, so I suppose they thought that lowered its value.

I guess they haven’t figured out yet that there are people like me who can overlook the imperfections and see the potential in a piece.

Let’s hope they don’t figure it out anytime soon! 🙂

Here’s how I transformed mine!

Easy DIY Farmhouse Style Paint Finish

I knew I wanted to paint it, but was torn between using plain white or gray paint – both of which I love.

Since I couldn’t decide, I decided to use both colors.

First, I painted the whole thing white.  I wasn’t going for a perfect paint finish, because this was just the first step.

Once the white paint was dry, I painted a gray coat on just the outside edges of the tote.

Again, this was just one quick coat, because the final step is where the farmhouse style kicks in!

The last step is to use a sander to distress it.

My goal was to sand down to the wood around the edges, but go a little lighter on the sides – just enough to let white undercoat show through.

The parts that previously looked overly battered, now have a beautifully worn farmhouse look.

Think of Cindy Crawford’s mole…

She could have had it removed, but instead she highlights it, and it’s become part of her famous look.

It’s a beauty mark, not an imperfection!

By distressing the outer gray paint finish, the original wood grain is highlighted by the white base coat that shows through.

Leaving the inside of the tote solid white draws attention to what’s inside it.

I am totally smitten with this old tote’s new look!

It didn’t lose any of it’s vintage charm.

The paint finish just highlights it in a beautiful way.

Vaya con Dios,

How to Get a Chippy Painted Finish