How to Antique Black Paint Furniture

Antique Black! Such a beautiful color I’m going to tell you ALL of the different brands of BlACK furniture paint I have used and recommend! I get a lot of clients that want JET BLACK. I also get some who want a CHARCOAL BLACK. So, which lines provide a true jet black that reminds you of your grandfathers black boots and which paint lines remind you more of a modern farmhouse black? Lets dive in! Oh yeah, and Let’s talk about how this chest of drawers was painted! 😉

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Black Paint Colors for Painting Furniture

Annie Sloan “Graphite” (now manufactured overseas but, can be purchased from a local stockiest) This paint color is a true Charcoal Black. I have used this many many many times. It is the perfect charcoal black. It is NOT a JET BLACK or a BOOT BLACK color.
Valspars Chalky Finish “Boot Black” (sold at Lowes) So, this color on the color swatch appears to be indeed bootblack. But, I have used this on a couple client orders and this color is definitely a charcoal black. It’s beautiful and adheres to furniture great!
Dixie Belle’s “Caviar” – This color has a hint of a charcoal black hue. But over all I would say when applied to furniture it looks more like JET BLACK.
General Finishes “Black Pepper” Chalk Style Paint – This is true to it’s name black pepper. This is the only JET BLACK color I feel confident painting on furniture if an interior designer is involved in the project and they are requesting a true JET BLACK. This color pleases their eye and they do not see any grey or or blue hues with this paint color. 🙂

How to Paint a Chest of Drawers Black

What you need:

Your favorite black furniture paint. Pick one from the list above. 🙂 Mine is GF Black pepper
Wooster 2in” short cut brush
These brushes are my favorite because of their rubber handle. They do not hurt your hand!
medium grit steel wool for distressing OR 220 sand paper
Clear wax for sealing furniture OR a WATER BASED poly
Wax Brush (if using wax to seal your piece)

To Begin, lightly dip the bristles of your brush into your paint can and begin painting the chest of drawers bottom drawer. Paint in the same direction of the wood grain. If you can not see the wood grain then paint in horizontal brush strokes. (I did not remove the drawers on this project, I simply opened or closed them to paint in-between the drawers) Keep painting until you have at least 2 coats of black paint on the entire chest of drawers ( I did also paint the hardware in this picture) Once paint is dry, take your steel wool and begin distressing the edges of the drawers. Distress as much or as little as you like. Keep doing this until you like the look you are getting. Once you have distressed your project to your liking begin Sealing your painted furniture with Clear wax OR a water based Poly. Either one will work! 🙂