Making untreated pine look shabby chic

[DrN1984]

Hello. I want to paint my chest of drawers to look shabby chic. It is made of untreated pine. I am a total novice, so can anyone help with the following:

1) The untreated pine is very light in colour. If I paint it white and distress it, the contrast between the wood that is revealed in the distressed spots and the white paint will be hardly noticeable. What can I use to darken the untreated pine before painting it?

2) Should I then use a primer before painting?

3) What type of paint should I use?

4) Should I wax the piece after distressing it?

Thanks.

 

[TheVictorian]

Paint it brown, rub some hard wax on the areas that you want to appear distressed.

Paint it a lighter colour, the brown will show through the waxed areas. You can also then sand it, hit it or throw it down the stairs to make it appear more distressed to suit you.

Finally, give it a good coat of finishing wax.

Job done.

 

[DrN1984]

Thanks for the excellent suggestion!