Thursday, February 23, 2012

Crimes Against Furniture

This next piece was bought of Craigs List in early January from a nice couple (Hi Dan and Kita!) who'd been storing it for friends. The friends finally decided they didn't want it anymore and told them to "take an ax to it and use it for firewood". Luckily for me Kita had the good sense to put it on Craig as "make an offer". I thought there was no way they'd accept $40, but they did...so my dad and I went to pick it up the next day.

Upon seeing the piece in person, I knew I was in for a challenge. Though sturdy, this buffet had been severely abused.

Exhibit 1: Can you tell what that is on top of the buffet? It's a thick piece of plywood NAILED into the top with over 12 nails.
Photobucket

Exhibit 2: Horrid contact paper put on the plywood. Also, a drawer front inside the buffet because ...well, I'm still not sure what happened to the drawer.
Photobucket

Exhibit 3: Another huge piece of plywood nailed to the back...over the original back.
Photobucket

Now, I assumed that the plywood was nailed to the top because of some horrific stain, scar or problem with the original top. So I pried it off and found nearly perfect veneer....that now had 12 nail holes in it. I nearly cried. I cannot understand why someone would do this to a perfectly good antique piece. But not everyone is obsessed with this hobby as I am....so onward!

I found this as my inspiration. This piece was done by European Paint Finishes and I love it!

Photobucket

After taking off the plywood and assessing the top, I talked my father-in-law into stripping it for me to see if the top could be re-stained. It came pretty clean and you can barely see the nail holes except for one nail that remains...but that adds character. The doors were also stripped and then I stained both with Dark Walnut stain.

The drawer front that came with the piece was screwed in permanently. I don't have the skills to build a drawer and I wasn't sure this piece was worth my father in law taking the time to build one. Also, the ball feet on 2 of the legs had been pretty damaged so that instead of looking like balls, they were square. My FIL (as I call him) rebuilt these also. He's amazing.

Once all of the above was completed, I got to painting. I mixed and mixed until I got the color I had thought up in my head. I glazed it with walnut stain and here it is today.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Can you tell which foot is original and which my FIL built? (I know, a caster is missing)
Photobucket


Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

I'm pretty sure I'm keeping this one. I'm going to sell my dining set and re-do our dining room using this as inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Allison



Furniture Feature Fridays
The Shabby Nest


Photobucket

Redoux
Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special

The DIY Show Off

UndertheTableandDreaming
Sumo's Sweet Stuff











38 comments:

Kirsty said...

Love. You know how I love a good buffet. And THIS is a good one.

Twice Nice said...

That's my fav style of buffet. Wonderful save there! Looks fabulous, and I'm sure you will really enjoy it!

Julia @ 551Eastdesign said...

Ummm you and you FIL are AMAZING!! Love it!

Anonymous said...

It is truly beautiful. Love it :)

Cassie Bustamante said...

oh my lord i love it!!!!! it looks AMAZING!!!!! i love the gray and so glad you are keeping it! it's gorgeous!

Katie @ Wildwood Creek said...

Beautiful makeover!

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Most definitely a keeper! It's fabulous!

Stacey said...

Allison -
Incredible work as always - great job. I also love that inspiration piece and hope to do the same someday. I have been looking for a buffet since. I had one and it literally slipped through my hands. It was mint. I still wanna cry. Would you come over to my new party and link 'er up? It is happening now and I would love to see you there :o)
Stacey of Embracing Change
http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com

Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer said...

Incredible. Love it. I like the combo of dark/light. I'm working on a buffet of my own right now, so now your's has inspired me! Following you on Linky. Maybe you'll share this over at Sunday's Best next weekend! Too pretty not to inspire someone with!

chateau chic said...

Wow, what an amazing job. Glad you're going to keep that beautiful buffet after all your work on it.
Mary Alice

Kim Woods said...

This looks great! You have a ton of patience, I'm sure the old furniture you save thanks you for that quality!

Betsy @ Anna Nimmity said...

This turned out great! Visiting from the Shabby Nest.

Cyndi ✪ Blue Star said...

This is amazing! What an awesome job! I'm a new blogger and now your newest follower! Hope you'll come visit me too!

WhyCuzICan said...

Always amazing make overs at your site, and lovin' this two tone/two finish on this piece! :)

Thanks for sharing with us :D

Visiting from Miss Mustard Seed's linky party tonight,
Suzanne in NW Illinois

Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} said...

Awesome makeover!

ksherwood said...

This is great! I love the color of it, it almost looks like a small chest I got from http://www.woodlandthings.com/

Anonymous said...

Awesome, as usual.

Hi! Just a quick note to tell you I’ve nominated you for a “Versatile Blog Award”!

Don’t know what that means? You can visit my blog, http://lebanonbandbinprogress.blogspot.com/ read all about it and then spread the love. congrats

Andi said...

You should TOTALLY keep it!! But if not I would gladly take it off your hands :) Absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!

Sue@Uniquely Chic said...

Beautiful as always, Allison!

Kristen @ My Covered Bridge said...

This is beautiful! I love the color!

Sarah @ Imperfect Patina said...

I love how this buffet turned out! So glad you stopped by my blog and introduced yourself!! Crazy, small world!!! -Sarah

aimee said...

its beautiful, i cant believe it was almost fire wood i would love it if you could link up at http://twiggstudios.blogspot.com/2012/02/hi-every-one-i-hope-you-have-had-great.html

ps, check out my giveaway too xxx

Kristin @ Yellow Bliss Road said...

Holy moly! I can't believe that finished product is the same piece. You did a fabulous job!

Would love for you to stop by and link your project to Simply Klassic Sunday!

Drama Mama Lori said...

I love buffets!!! You did a great job! ~Lori

Stacey said...

Oh Alison!
I love what you did! Beautiful buffet - great job! I want one to redo now more than ever! Come back Thursday to link up again - I would love to have you there!
Stacey of Embracing Change

THE FARMHOUSE PORCH said...

Whoa...what a refresh job! Looks fab! Please come link it up at my party tonight! Starts at 9, link up once appear on 4 blogs!

♥Linsey at The Farmhouse Porch

Anonymous said...

It turned out great Allison! Great save!

Anonymous said...

I love that style of buffet. It is really great and you did a great job painting/refinishing.

Benita

Jen Lossing, Artistic Abode Designs said...

This looks wonderful. What a transformation. I hate to see people treat anything like that. Just no respect for anything. Great job bringing it back to life!

Chatty Chics said...

It looks wonderful! I have a table now that the top is in terrible shape and nothing is working! ugh, so frustrating. So glad yours turned out so well! It's beautiful! Great job!
Melody
ChattyChics.com
PS Link this up at my place on Wednesday if you can!

Our Pinteresting Family said...

Absolutely beautiful! :) I'm your newest linky follower via Elizabeth & Co. ~ Megan

Unknown said...

Oh my! I simply love that! It is gorgeous! I am your newest linky follower and hope you will follow me back! http://dishinwithrebelle.com

Dee said...

Amazing Job! I just painted a very similar buffet for a client in a butter yellow. This style buffet comes out gorgeous when painted. Dee

Kara @ June & Bear said...

this truly makes me weak in the kness. gorgeous!

Good Time Charlie said...

This is so gorgeous! And your post is HILARIOUS! Too true!!

Sarah Bridger Design said...

Love the warm wood and gray paint. It looks gorgeous!

Dan said...

WOW, it is so cool to see the progress! I am so glad you were able to "save" it! BTW for those who read this, my wife & I were the ones who were about to junk this before putting it on Craigslist... so glad we did! Allison you do incredible work!
Dan (and Kita)

Unknown said...

Wow, what an amazing job.this looks great, I love buffets.Internet based furniture company