DIY: Whitewash Stools

Today, I decided to do something with the stools I had recently purchased at Hobby Lobby on clearance. They were originally $60 each and I was able to buy them for $20 a piece. The stools already had some paint on them that was distressed but the dark hues didn't go well with my white rockers out on the front porch.

First thing I did was sand them. The one pictured on the left has already been sanded. I used Fine and Extra Fine Sanding Paper left over from my painting supplies. 

You'll also need:

- Fine Sanding Paper

- Interior/Exterior High Gloss Enamel Paint

- Extra tin can to mix paint and water to create whitewash

- Old rag for wiping off extra paint to get desired effect

- Paint brush

 After you've sanded the furniture, make sure you wipe off shavings and dust left over before you start painting. My mixture in the tin can was about 4:6 ratio of paint to water. I eye balled it to do 50/50 but ended up adding more water to achieve what I was looking for. 

With water and paint mixture, your brush, and rags, start applying to furniture and wipe off some of the paint as you go. I noticed that while I was paint the water left bubbles so I start to dry brush which means essentially, I took one of the rags and squeezed out some of the paint and water before applying it to the wood. I liked this look a little better but, I have to warn you, it gets pretty messy with paint on your hands so don't attempt if you have a nice manicure!  

I only did one coat on the stools because I didn't want them too white plus I really liked how they looked. The only thing left I want to do to them since they will be outside in the elements is slap a coat of polyurethane to protect them. Note: this will also make them more shiny than what they are now. 

BEFORE

AFTER