IKEA IVAR Distressed Farm Chairs

Materials: IVAR chair (pine), Behr enamel paint, 80 grit sandpaper, and steel wool.

Description: I recently acquired a farm table (the one shown in the photos) and needed some chairs to match. I couldn't find any I liked, so I decided to make my own using IKEA IVAR chairs made from pine wood. Here are the steps I used to distress each chair:

1. Paint all of the pieces individually using Behr enamel paint, which also includes primer. I only used one coat.
2. Let the paint cure for one to two days and then assemble each chair.
3. Using 80 grit sandpaper or steel wool, distress the edges of the chair. Some of the best spots include the corners of the seats, the edges of the legs, and the back of the chairs.
4. Wipe with a slightly damp rag to remove dust and debris from the sanding.

You can use a wood sealant if you intend to use the chairs outdoors. Otherwise, I prefer to not use a sealant so the chairs will wear quicker from normal use.

~ J. Danny, Plano