Blog by Alice Jakubiak – DIY ALICE – Instagram  & Pinterest 

 I enjoy crafting luxurious interiors, whether it’s upcycling a piece of furniture or transforming a room from drab to fab on a shoestring budget. The experience is even more rewarding when I can do it in an eco-friendly way, connecting me to nature and reinforcing my role as steward of the planet. 

So it’s no surprise that for this project I opted for products packaged in eco-friendly metal containers. These containers are easily recyclable at home or the local recycling centre. Recycling not only reduces you your carbon footprint, it saves energy, protects ecosystems and wildlife, prevents pollution, and supports environmental sustainability contributing to a brighter future. 

Exploring recycling centres can also uncover hidden gems! Perfect, especially if you enjoy upcycling.  

There is a special satisfaction in having a bit of history in your home; knowing that you’ve recycled a metal can, and potentially found unique pieces along the way. 

YOU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS  

Rust-oleum – Chalky paint  

Rust-oleum – Finishing wax  

Plastic safety goggles 

Protective gloves (marigolds are perfect) 

Paintbrushes 

Lint-free cloth 

Sugar soap and cleaning cloth 

Sandpaper – coarse, medium & fine grit   

Dust sheets  

our first mission, is to prepare your workspace – because let’s be honest, this project is anything but neat and tidy. This isn’t something you can squeeze into a spare hour. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready for some serious prep work. If you can do this work outside or in a shed even better, however if you chose to do it, like I did (during the winter months, in my dining room) then cover all the items and flooring in your room with dust sheets.  

And note – Not all wooden furniture is a candidate for distressing. You’ll need to strip away layers of polish, wax, or paint to reveal the wood beneath. This won’t work with laminated (plastic-coated) furniture or MDF, which is basically wood’s wannabe cousin. 

So, make sure the piece of furniture you wish to transform is made from wood. 

STEP 1 – Washing the furniture 

Clean all the surfaces first. I lucked out with this piece – it was already pretty clean. But don’t count on being so fortunate. Arm yourself with your sugar soap and a cloth for some cleaning prep that’ll have your furniture ready for sanding in no time.   

STEP 2 – Sanding the furniture 

You are now at the stage to grab your goggles, protective clothing and put your gloves on. It’s time to look like a dusty snow queen… or king! Scrub like your masterpiece depends on it but do take care when sanding and try not to strip off any of the natural wood underneath. 

If your furniture is covered in a heavy coat of gloss use a handheld electric sander, this will save a lot of time. If your item is only painted, coarse sandpaper will be fine, gradually moving from medium to fine sandpaper. 

Using these techniques you can remove old paint, old varnish, or in my case just lightly sand down to a rough finish so that the paint can adhere to the furniture  

Once you’ve worked your magic with the sanding, hoover and wipe away any lingering dust with a damp cloth. Your furniture will be feeling refreshed and ready for its makeover! 

STEP 3 – Painting the furniture 

Once your furniture is free from dust and dry, it’s time to grab your paintbrush and channel you inner artist. Carefully navigate all those nooks and crannies, making sure not to overload the paint, you still want to see all the beautiful detailing in your piece of furniture and laying the paint on too thick will obscure that charm. 

I tend to use a larger paint brush for the large flat surfaces and a smaller paintbrush for the intricate areas, this allows for precise and detailed painting. 

When your first coat of paint dries, gently rub it down with fine sandpaper to rough it up a bit. This helps the next layer of paint grip better and adds a touch of that perfectly imperfect, distressed look. 

STEP 4 – Distressing the furniture 

Now comes the fun and creative part – achieving that vintage distressed look, so you guessed it! You’ll need to get sanding again.  

Sand the areas that would naturally get worn down like the edges and corners. I also used a putty knife scrapper in some of the grooves for extra character. 

Be moderate in your sanding and scrapping, think ‘delicate aging’ and keep standing back to admire your handiwork and spot areas that could need a little more distressing.  

STEP 5 – Waxing the furniture 

Once you are happy with result, it’s time to wax your masterpiece. You can apply one or two coats of furniture wax to finish it off for a soft lustre and some protection. 

Work in sections, applying a thin coat of wax and gently wipe it down with a lint cloth. A lint free cloth is your new best friend here, think of it like the superhero of cleaning cloths, leaving no trace of fluff behind. I like to wait 48 hours for the wax to fully cure. After that feel free to add a second coat for maximum durability. 

Now stand back and admire your work of art. You’ve earned it! 

If you have any paint or wax leftover you can store your metal containers easily and the contents will stay fresh for your next project. If you need to dispose of your empty metal cans, you can recycle them which will facilitate in preserving and protecting the environment.  

By recycling you help save energy and prevent extraction of raw materials, helping to combat climate change. This small act of stewardship helps towards a brighter and greener future. 

If you’ve had a blast diving into this budget friendly DIY adventure and you’re hungry for more, why not swing by my Instagram? Instagram is my DIY diary, chronicling my triumphs and mishaps. I’ve got a treasure trove of crafty delights and bargain DIY projects waiting just for you! Drop by and say hello:  

https://www.instagram.com/diy_alice_adventures 

With love, DIY ALICE