How to Paint Trinket Boxes With a Distressed Look
- 1). Cover your work area with a plastic tarp or a layer of old newspaper. If the trinket box has any drawers, such as those used for storing jewelry, remove those drawers from the box and set to one side. It's easier to distress the drawers when they're outside of the box.
- 2). Roughen up the sides, top and edges of the trinket box with fine grit sandpaper. Rub the sandpaper all over the piece, using a firmer hand when working on the edges and any other area where you want the box to look worn. Brush off any dust or debris with a soft cloth.
- 3). Paint the trinket box with a light shade of paint, such as cream or white. Use a paintbrush, but don't worry about evenly coating the piece because this layer of paint is primarily hidden. Paint the drawers in the same color, if your trinket box had drawers.
- 4). Rub the trinket box with medium grit sandpaper, once your first layer of paint dries. Rub off a small amount of paint, which gives the finished look a choppy and more distressed look. Hit the box a few times with a hammer, if you want a more distressed look.
- 5). Apply an even layer of your darker paint shade all over the trinket box, including on the drawers. Run the soft cloth under fresh water and squeeze out any excess. Wipe off some of the paint with your wet cloth, letting the first layer of paint and some of the natural wood shine through. Once the paint dries, coat the piece with a layer of clear sealant.
