Earlier this week in my upholstered footstool post, I told you I would show you the after of a vintage buffet I was doing some custom work on. It seems once my own sideboard (or you can call it a buffet) was refinished, it caused quite a stir. As soon as my own buffet sold from my shop, I have had the blessing of receiving several requests for custom work and thought it would be fun to share it with you today.
At first glance, you may think to yourself, “There’s nothing wrong with this buffet.” But, upon closer observation, if you look at the top you’ll see something.
Being that I don’t know the full story, my best guess is that someone tried to refinish the top but quit. I mean, there’s no topcoat and the wood is dry. Not to mention look at those awful stain strokes. {{gasp}}.
My client was after a piece to help her family celebrate the holidays, and also an accent piece to match their dinette set which was cherry wood mixed with black paint. Naturally, she wants something to compliment her decor and match her current furniture. Sounds good to me!
DIY TIME
To get started, I sanded down the top with my sander to reveal that gorgeous wood. When looking to remove all finish I typically start with an 80 grit paper and work my way up to 150, then 220 or more depending on thickness of layers and what damage there might be.
After that, I lightly sanded the cabinet to give it tooth (something for the paint to stick to), and made some repairs to the damaged veneer using wood filler.
Once top is ready, I fulfill the custom request to give the top a cherry stain finish using this Varathane Traditional Cherry by Rustoleum. This is always fun because I truly love seeing the wood come to life.
After staining and curing, I applied a topcoat of a semi-gloss poly.
PAINT TIME
Since my client’s dinette set was also in a black paint with light distressing, I did the same to the buffet cabinet. You know I love me some black – check out my other black makeovers HERE.
To seal and protect the black paint finish, I went with this Varathane Matte Polyurethane to give it an aged appeal.
One little thing I want to share with you. Sometimes wood can look tired and just need a pick-me-up. Take the inside of the buffet for instance. It certainly has seen use, and even though most will never see it, it makes a difference to take care of it too. My go-to for this sort of thing is Old English Scratch Cover.
Just clean your surface and wipe on. Easy.
Amazing difference, isn’t it?
THE REVEAL
Now put all those different techniques together and this is what you get…
A night and day difference, I say. Isn’t it chic?
The serpentine style of this piece is always one of my favorites, and who can deny the beauty of the carvings?
And how about that top? The results are perfect and love that the wood takes center stage.
I bet you’re wondering what my client has to say. Well, here was her response:
WOW!! so beautiful! You did such a great job! God blessed you with a great talent! Thanks so much for doing such an awesome job on the buffet for me. ~ Miss A
courtesy of Miss A
Hearing those compliments is the icing on the cake and makes my day. Thank you, Miss A!
I say it all the time, but my goal is to encourage you to not only give your own furniture a try, but don’t be afraid to make it your own in color and style. It is YOURS.
I’d love it if you would pin and share to inspire others too! ♥
Funny thing is that I already have another custom buffet in the works, not to mention working hard on my own kitchen remodel.
UP NEXT
Next week, I have the fun opportunity to join up with a group of bloggers for Swap It Like It’s Hot! We each send a thrifted assortment of goodies to another blogger, and they have to give it a makeover. Here is what I got in the mail…
Hmm….Any guesses as to what it will become? Head here to see!
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Also, more of my projects for you like this buffet:
Lovely!!!
Thank you, Mary! 😀
It was lovely to start with, now it is truly stunning. I love the look of pieces where the top is stained wood while the rest is painted, like you’ve done here. Not surprised the client was thrilled!
That is my all-time favorite way to finish. Thank you, Steve!
GORGEOUS as always! did you do something to the hardware as well? it looks a bit different in the after photo. can’t wait to see what you do with those pieces in the Swap It Like It’s Hot challenge!
(and i do hope you survived the week and all is going better!)
Woot! Thank you, Gwen. The hardware was left as-is. 🙂 Yes, all is better and slowing down on some fronts. Thanks for asking!
I am a fool for black furniture. And this one is no exception! Beautiful job Larissa!!
It’s so classic and makes such a statement. Thanks for the love, Mary!
Beautiful!
Thank you!
Oh my! Absolutely beautiful. Your work is so gorgeous, you truly have a God given talent.
Awww…that’s wonderful to hear, Patty. 🙂 Thank you!
What a beautiful transformation. And I love the classic look of the stained top and painted bottom.
It is my favorite way to finish to that some of the original wood is revealed. Thank you, Debra!
It’s beautiful Larissa, no surprise your client was thrilled! It looks fabulous with her dining table.
Thank you, Marie! It made her Easter time a pleasurable one. 🙂
We are about to tackle A very similar piece in that exact same color scheme. Can you give some details on the type of paint used on the base and the prep (I.e. priming, etc.)?
Good for you, Tom. 🙂 I just used a flat black and lightly sanded as mentioned. No priming needed. Hope this helps!
Absolutely gorgeous and one of my favorite makeovers!
Thank you so much!
Beautiful you have such a wonderful talent. I enjoy your sight vary much.
You are so kind, Melodie. Thank you!
Oh my goodness! What a stunning piece! Love the combination of color and wood! When I see the pieces you find, I keep thinking I need to shop at the places you do! But it would be quite a road trip. I’ll just have to continue to be inspired by you! Thanks for everything you do, 😊❤️
It would be a fun trip, Judy! 😀 Yes, I feel like the find me, however. I have such joy recreating them and especially feel blessed when I get to see them in their new home. Thanks for the smile.