Shabby Chic finish

[Dez Built]

Well i have got myself in a position to transform some furniture to a Shabby Chic look, unfortunately. I don't like it myself but will do since for a family member.
I have got a small table (bedside) and a hutch aprox. 1500mm long and 900mm high.

I have never done this before but i know that it is coating with a white paint, rubbing back the edges, then applying a clear coat to seal, Right??

Since i don't know what type of finish is currently on these items, i was going to give them a quick sand then use wax & oil cleaner on it. A mate who has done this used water based paint and a water based clear coat but i use air spray guns and water based paint does not atomize well and is generally more difficult to spray.

Should i be using an oil based or shellac based stain blocker before the paint?

Can i use an oil based paint? Is a general house paint ok?

Then an oil based clear finish i'm guessing?

Has anyone done this before or know more about the types of paint i should be using and/or avoiding??

[Xanthorrhoeas]

Well i have got myself in a position to transform some furniture to a Shabby Chic look, unfortunately. I don't like it myself but will do since for a family member.
I have got a small table (bedside) and a hutch aprox. 1500mm long and 900mm high.

I have never done this before but i know that it is coating with a white paint, rubbing back the edges, then applying a clear coat to seal, Right??

Since i don't know what type of finish is currently on these items, i was going to give them a quick sand then use wax & oil cleaner on it. A mate who has done this used water based paint and a water based clear coat but i use air spray guns and water based paint does not atomize well and is generally more difficult to spray.

Should i be using an oil based or shellac based stain blocker before the paint?

Can i use an oil based paint? Is a general house paint ok?

Then an oil based clear finish i'm guessing?

Has anyone done this before or know more about the types of paint i should be using and/or avoiding??

Hi Dez
I am not experienced in applying such a finish so my main contribution here is that posting some photos of your items may prompt other members to respond. Other than that, I have seen distressed finishes applied by brush more often than by spray and usually the first layer a colour, then rubbed back and followed by a liming finish. There used to be a commercial brand of finish that supplied the paints and instructions. Very popular in the 1970's.
good luck with it.

[Dez Built]

Ok. Thank you. I will get some photos of the items.

[NCArcher]

It seems that chalk paint is the shabby chic coating of choice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECXDgaBJoAQ
Heaps of info on youtube.