Monday, July 1, 2013

Buffet Makeover

Since I've been on a roll with furniture makeovers, I figured it was probably time to attack the buffet that's been sitting in my garage since April, and previously in our storage shed at Denny's parents' house. Behold, the big brown buffet that was in GREAT shape but was sadly lacking in the style I was looking for in our new home:


Sad buffet in sad Craigslist photo

Yugoslavia doesn't even exist anymore!


I had been trolling Craiglist for weeks trying to find a buffet in decent condition, but everyone wanted $100+ for theirs. What's up with that, Craigslist users? You're all crazy. If they weren't overpriced, then they were just too far away. I only just recently started testing the Craigslist waters, so I didn't feel comfortable driving too far for a piece I might not even like or bring home. 

Then, finally, I found one being sold in the next town over for...

...wait for it....

FORTY BUCKS.

The photo looked nice, and shockingly, the listing was still live after almost two weeks of being posted. So I crossed my fingers and emailed the owner who said come and get it.

So I did. It was a little dirty and covered in cobwebs, but it had potential.

And then my buffet sat for months while I figured out what to do with it.

I started sanding it. 


Originally I was going to sand it down to bare wood because I wanted to stain the top and paint the rest. But then, I thought to myself, 'Self, #AINTNOBODYGOTTIMEFORTHAT' (yes, sometimes I think in hashtags). So I just sanded just enough to give the paint something to hold onto.

Once I was done sanding, here's what I used:
If you'll remember, I spray painted the end tables. This time I decided to try my hand with just latex paint. To be honest, I like the convenience of spray paint for smaller projects, but using latex interior paint is so much better for bigger projects like this one.

And remember: 
Oil-based primer + oil-based paint = yes. 
Oil-based primer + latex paint = yes. 
Latex primer + latex paint = yes.
Latex primer + Oil-based paint = nooooooooooo. Just don't do it.

I use oil-based primers because I like them, but prefer latex paint with low VOCs because I can't take too much of the oil-based paint smell and fumes, low VOCs or not.

Here she is after primer, using the roller for the larger parts, and the foam brush for the insets on the doors and drawers:

Doors and drawers not pictured here, unfortunately,
but you can peep out the end tables hiding behind the buffet!

Here she is after one coat of paint:

Not her best look, given this was at almost 9 PM
and hubster installed some CRAZY bright LED lights in the garage.

Spray paint or regular paint, thin and even coats are key. This buffet used three coats of paint on top of one coat of primer. I probably could have done two coats of primer and two of paint, but...well...I didn't. 

Once everything was dry, I REALLY glazed the buffet. For the end table makeover, I really only wanted glaze in some of the details of the furniture. With the buffet, I wanted dirty and old looking. I basically used the same process as before:

  • Brush on...really get it on there (this time I brushed over the whole thing, in parts, of course)
  • Wipe off as much as you want to/need to with a damp cloth.
  • Let her dry!
An example of the doors in all their glazed glory

Once everything was dry and had cured for a couple days, I put the drawers back in and the doors back on, and put two coats of polycrylic on the top.

Here she is, all finished up:

Hello, gorgeous.


I have big plans for this buffet (and it's NOT going in my dining room!). I can't wait to show it to you all spiffed up for the 4th of July! UPDATE: Psssst...click here for the 4th of July vignette!

Linking up to:
Coastal Charm, Cozy Little House, Kammy's Korner, Artsy Chicks Rule, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Home Stories A to ZDomestically SpeakingThe Trendy TreehouseSavvy Southern StyleThe Style SistersCreations by KaraSomeday CraftsSNAP!The Blissful BeeElla Claire InspiredAshley's Dandelion WishesThe Shabby Creek CottageThe Brambleberry CottageThe Thrifty HomeThe Crafty Blog StalkerHouse of Hepworths4 You With LoveStart at HomeFrench Country CottageBlissful and DomesticThe Shabby NestChic on a Shoestring DecoratingMy Romantic HomeFunky Junk InteriorsTatertots and Jello,, House of RoseThe Happy HousieConfessions of a Serial DIYerThe Hankful HouseJust a Girl and Her BlogHouse by Hoff


21 comments:

  1. Hi Brittany. Great makeover! The glaze came out perfect. And I love your latex + oil math :-)

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    1. Thank you, Jessica! I unfortunately had to learn that math that hard way a while ago!

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  2. Love it! So cute! Turned out amazing!

    Emily @ elizabethjoandesigns.com

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    1. Thanks, Emily! I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

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  3. Hello! My name is Katy and I am the social media coordinator for KILZ brand products. Great job on the buffet makeover! We are happy to hear that our primer helped you and we would love for you to share your experience with our products by writing a review. Simply click on this link, select the product used and write/submit a review: http://bit.ly/WpAXp6

    We appreciate the feedback! If you ever have any questions on our products or on your next painting project, please contact us directly at ask@kilz.com. Thanks!

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  4. So pretty and so much storage in that piece! Great find!
    - Lora @ Craftivity Designs

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    1. Thanks, Lora! It will definitely help out BIG TIME in the storage department!

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  5. Oh wow, I have one (on my blog) that I painted and it looks exactly like this one (before paint...I painted mine blue)! Too funny. Mine was a crazy thrift store find, $10.
    Very nice! Thanks so much for sharing on Project Inspired, pinning!
    Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy! How funny is that?! Yours was a steal...I can never find good deals like that around me. Thanks for hosting such a great party, and thanks for pinning!

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  6. Gorgeous buffet! And what a deal you got! I'll be following along!

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  7. This buffet is Beautiful, I love the color and antiquing! I would love for you to come link up at my Paint Party going on now through the weekend!! http://startathome.blogspot.com/2013/07/paint-party-happy-4th.html
    Hope to see you soon and Happy 4th!!

    Brooke
    Start at Home

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    1. Hi Brooke, thank you! I will head over to your party now. Thanks for stopping by! Happy 4th of July to you, as well!

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  8. WOW! What a gorgeous transformation! Pinning! I popped over from Blissful and Domestic--thanks for sharing!

    ~Abby =)

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    1. Thanks for your kind words and for stopping by, Abby!

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  9. Wow! What a great job I love it. I have 2 cupboards very similar to yours awaiting a little bit of white paint therapy. Thanks for inspiring me today.

    Cheers
    Karen
    At Home Vintage

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    1. Hello Karen! Thank you and I'm glad I could provide a little inspiration!

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  10. Very pretty!! Thanks for sharing at our Get Your DIY on Fall Link Party. You helped make week one a success! I hope you'll join us again on Sunday. Our theme is fall wreaths :)


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    1. Thank you, Christy! I look forward to linking up in future weeks. I've got my wreath post all ready! ;)

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