Those of you with sharp eyes may have noticed the buffet behind the dining table in yesterday’s post.
It’s had a pretty amazing makeover. This piece is also confirmation that I married the right man. As a youth pastor, my husband helps a lot of people move and every once in a while he gets first crack at some furniture someone wants to sell or get rid of. He came home one day after a move and said, “Oh. These people were getting rid of a piece of furniture and I thought you might want it. It’s OK. It’s not as bad as some of the pieces you bring home.” Ha! So, I went outside to check it out, certain he had picked up some 1970’s monstrosity with obnoxious hardware and a shape I just couldn’t work with. I was so surprised to see this…
…a lovely antique buffet. A little mistreated (that faux painted wood is just wrong) and a little dinged up, but a very lovely piece.
I knew this piece was going to be a beast, but I decided to give it my all. I stripped the paint off the top to reveal the natural wood. I didn’t stain it, but opted to just wax it. The base was painted in ASCP’s Paris Gray followed by a “wash” of equal parts Old White and water. I brushed on the Old White mixture with a chip burhs and wiped it off with a dry cloth. Lastly, I hit the edges with some sand paper and waxed it with clear, soft wax.
The knobs are carved and have a sort of tortoise shell look. I purchased them at Hobby Lobby and they worked perfectly with the scale of the piece and the wood top.
My husband is usually pretty relaxed about all of the furniture coming and going in our home, but he was really hesitant about letting this one go. “Are you sure you want to sell it? It would look great in our family room with a flat screen TV hung over it.” Oh boy, you’re speaking my language. Then, the reality of my empty space at Lucketts flashed into my mind and I strengthened my resolve. “Don’t worry. I’ll find another one.” I have to confess that I wouldn’t have been too disappointed if it hadn’t fit up the steps to my third floor space, but it did.
Now, let’s just hope I find another one!
61 Responses
Wow, what a transformation! I love the little detail on the bottom cross bar as well. So much to look at and appreciate. Well done as usual. liz
So I have to ask, who is responsible for moving your lovely furniture down those three flights of stairs once the furniture is purchased?! I recently purchased a sectional sofa off craigslist and I may never agree to buy furniture again if a flight of stairs is there!
Hey, MMS. I'm going to start selling furniture as well in my hometown, and I'm facing the reality that I have to let some of my pieces go. They're almost like my children since I make every piece unique. I suppose when I start making some money, it won't be so bad. Getting rid of my key table will be painful, though.
Also, I received my items from Abodent through your giveaway. I'm SO excited. When I have some time (I'm getting my youngest ready to go off to college this week), I'll post pics and link back to your site. Then you can see what I got. I'm thrilled! Thanks again!
Fondly, Tami
http://www.thisandthatfromtami.blogspot.com
I'm in love, I cant believe the before yikes! Your husband did good!
How nice that hubby keeps his eye out for potential furniture for you!! And what a transformation, really nice.
Good Evening Marian,
I have been playing with washes also and really love the look you can achieve.
Your buffet is lovely as always!
Janet xox
This is a great piece. I don't think you'll have any problem finding another one, but I bet it was hard to let this one go. Love the knobs with the top!
It looks great. I'm a big fan of washes. I see why your husband was hesitant about letting it go. I have a buffet in my living room with a flat screen on it.
*SIIIIIGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!
Soooo pretty!!! As always…
Love it! I've been doing a lot lately with Annie Sloan chalk paint and a bit of water. Not equal parts but just a splash…I really like the way it goes on with that bit of water when I'm doing multiple colors/coats.
BTW – I didn't realize your space is on the 3rd floor! yikes, that's a lot of heavy lifting!
Stephanie
http://junkernewbie.blogspot.com/
I love it Marian! Nice work on that piece and what a score by your husband!
-Brittany
I would have had a hard time letting that one go too. I'm having such a hard time finding furniture right now I'm giving all my furniture at home a second look. It's all probably nervous I'm going to take it away. lol
You have both "shepherded" that piece well and oh how it will bless someone else's life! ;}
m ^..^
That's so similar to the buffet I brought home from an auction last month. It was a lot of work, but for the $12.50 I paid for it, it was worth it!
Here's mine – http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2011/07/beauty-in-beast.html
I currently have 3 of the same style of buffet in my workshop. Each one when I bought it I told my husband, "this one is for us, it's not for sale." Now I have to decide….Love this style though, they have so much substance and personality. Gorgeous with the wash on it!
Deb
Would so love to try this chalk paint. Thanks for the opportunity of this great giveaway.
What a beautiful piece and what a great man to find it for you!
After stalking your chalk painting for a few months… I've finally ordered some of my own, due to arrive tomorrow!! Yay! Thanks for the inspiration!
It turned out beautifully! And your hubby has quite the eye! =)
Hi
First of all,I am a Huge fan of your blog! Love the buffet I have one like that in my bedroom.It works great as a dresser.
boy, do you peeps have X-ray eyes or what? yet another truly fetching transformation. congrats again.
xow.
Very pretty. I admire your for being able to let things go like that…and your hubs for having a good eye! My husband would be happy with a buffet painted with pink glitter as long as there was a flat screen hanging above it. hehe!
Really beautiful..did it leave your room this weekend?
Oh man, I don't think I could have let that one go! Just beautiful.
Wow! That is one great looking buffet! Looks like your husband has a good eye just like you!
This buffet is a lot like the one with my dining room set that I redid in the spring. Mine had a faux painted wood finish too! Very much like this one. I thought it so strange. All of it was painted like this…the buffet, table and chairs. I assumed someone just did not want to go to the trouble of cleaning up the original wood so they painted over with a fake finish. I think it probably would have been easier just to clean up the original finish. Anyway….I painted all white and distressed.
Off topic but funny. I was in Home Goods (TJMax) and found your wonderful sage green Ralph Lauren pillows and bought the 2 of them to try in my blue and white living room. (I need something new in there…my usual pop color is red or pink) My mini dachshund, Nellie Bell, jumped up on the couch and unlike her usual did not slump down next to me to snuggle under a quilt while we watch tv. She sniffed and bit at the pillows… dragged them off the sofa, investigated them from end to end. She bit the corned and tugged at the pillow and acted like she might go after it. Nellie did the same with the other one. Read the "ingredients" and found they are stuffed with duck feathers. Sterilized duck feathers but she did NOT like that.. I knew that if I left those pillows on the sofa and love seat, that she would forever be doing battle with them and would finally succeed in being destructive. She has NEVER done this to anything I have brought home. She was a very funny girl! Let me know if you want these. I bet you don't, but next time I go into the big city of Houston, I will be returning these.
Jan
wardspeech@gmail.com
What a wonderful husband you have to bring home such a find for you! You worked such a transformation on it, I don't know if I would have been able to part with it at all.
Hugs XX
Barbara
I am now following SP thanks to your introduction!
marigoldsue@yahoo.com
the cabinet is amazing!! Question, what is a chip Buhrs?
Gorgeous! You have such an eye! Did you know in your head that you would paint it Paris Grey and then give it a wash with Old White and water? I'm just trying to get into your head because it's something I would have never thought of but the finish is so beautiful!
Beautiful!
All I can say is it is a good thing I live in Seattle, because I truly would end up buying all of your creations! Just beautiful!!
kj
What beautiful work! Over the weekend we inherited a table and 6 chairs from my husband's grandparents that were in his parent's attic…beautiful lines but they need a lot of work to bring into the present…you have inspired me!
awesomely beautiful!!!
blessings
barbara jean
boy, you sure have a lot more willpower than me. you've parted with some real beauties i wouldn't have been able to give up, lol.
It's really gorgeous after you had done your magic to it, Marian. I would have a hard time letting it go too.
Hugs,
Julia
It IS hard to let them go. You spend your time working on it… and you help it develop. If the people who gave her up could only see her now! I hope you make a GREAT sale! Andrea @ townandprairie
It's lovely and as usual, your redo was spot on. You really made something so so, look beautiful.
Wow, what unique technique to try with the wax only and white washing the body-it looks awesome! Another amazing transformation :).
Beautiful job on the buffet. Isn't paint just a wonderful creation. Do you stand there like I do, hmmmm what is the perfect color for that? Or should I use what I have? Have a great day!
You really made the good bones of the piece shine!
The piece is great, I use to see these buffets every where. I agree with your husband though on the point that it's the perfect piece for under a flat screen, I'm going on a search…
It turned out fabulous, and how nice of your Man to find it for you. I did not know your husband was a youth pastor… my 23 year old son just accepted his first job as a youth & family pastor at a church in TN.
It is so pretty and how nice that your husband felt a connection to that piece. You never now where that might lead.
beautiful piece, I would have a hard time letting it go for sure!
I had to laugh at " (that faux painted wood is just wrong)", as I think about a vanity, a bookshelf, and an old huge radio all done in that lovely (NOT) style. The radio is blue and black streaks, the bookcase, green and black, and the vanity is a brown steaky wanna be woodgrain look.
That piece is beautiful and I'm a weirdo but love the chunks missing off the feet. To me, that = character!
I just bought the same exact piece and have been waiting for the kids to go back to school before I paint it. You did a beautiful job!
~Heather
loved the paloma and Antibes green color
I am a store owner/ Antique lover/ could also keep everything I create or sell girl too! This is gorgeous, I have had similar problems like you and a husband that also sounds similar to yours. Isn't it great to have a helping hand in this business. My store is only one level, so everything always fits through the door, but there's times that I may have yanked a screw or two just before entering to stall and hope he lets me keep just that one piece this time. Sometimes it works!! We still have to sell to continue doing what we love!! I follow your blog regularly, you are an inspiration to me, and you have an incredible talent!! Keep up the great work!!
This is one of my favorite pieces that you have featured on your blog. You've definitely trained your husband well. He deserves a big hug for this find.
Woo hoo! Way to go! One point for the husband! 😀 Looks great 😀
Gorgeous!
What is in your 3 tier basket on it? I'm always looking for new ideas to put in mine/
thanks!!!
Wow, I love the dresser and the whole room. I really like the mat under the table- great idea!
You did a beautiful job with it! Love the color!
Hugs
SueAnn
I love the "rug" under the table where can a person find it to purchase? The room is gorgeous. Thank you.
She is gorgeous! This was my first time learning that your husband is a youth pastor. I did that job (with another full-time coworker) for many years! Love the rug also!
What is a chip burhs?
I have been meaning to ask—I love that rug—-where did you buy it or did you DIY? You are such an inspiration.
You inspired me to just email about an almost identical (except in better condition) buffet I saw on Craigslist minutes before I popped over here. I had bookmarked it, but it was quite a bit of money. Seeing what you did inspired me! We'll see if the owner takes my significantly lower offer, then maybe I'll have a piece like this (after a ton of work!!)
It’s glad to see good information being convey. Its a very nice written, and i really like these blog. Thanks for the info.
Sell your house fast in the UK
Oh wow… what a great piece… I'd be sad to see that one go too…