A distressed finish creates an old look and feel on newly made cabinets and is often given to chests, antiques, cabinets, drawer chests and trunks. Tarnishes and the color variations of the different kinds of furniture can give the desired character to a room. There are several ways to achieve a distressed finish. One method is to cover the first layer of paint with a second of contrasting color. The second coat is then wiped off immediately leaving smears of a different color on the initial paint to make it look old.

 

Another way to achieve this finish is to scrape or sand a newly painted cabinet to remove layers of the paint and reveal parts of the wood below. A distressed finish may be highlighted with the installation of special hardware, like antique cabinet knobs and iron hinges.