I usually don’t post on a Friday, but it’s been a busy week. Dad was accepted into a long-term care facility and we moved him in yesterday. The staff and residents of this LTC home are amazing, but my sister and I are still finding this difficult. Logically, we know this is the safest and best place for him to be at this stage of his Alzheimer’s, but it’s pulling at our heartstrings and we worry about him nonetheless. It’s funny how the roles of children and parents end up reversing.
Anyway, on a lighter note, I’m looking forward to sharing this makeover with you… can you believe this cute vintage buffet nearly ended up in a dumpster bin?! When I first spotted this buffet, it was being used to hold Tim Horton’s coffee and donuts while the contents of a house were being cleared out – but next stop was the dumpster. It’s pieces like this that are often my favorite makeovers. Not because I have more fun painting or restyling them, but because there’s huge satisfaction in knowing this piece was salvaged and gets a second chance.
Here’s the before.
And here is the sweet after. Wouldn’t this piece be perfect in a nursery or little girls room!
THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS USED. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
SOURCE LIST::
- Vintage Buffet – SALVAGED!
- TSP for Cleaning
- Savannah Mist Chalk-Mineral Paint
- White Wax
- Paint Brush
- Shop Towels for Applying and Rubbing off Wax
- Sterling Silver Gilding Wax for Highlights
BUFFET MAKEOVER::
- Repaired buffet (doors and drawers needed adjusting)
- Cleaned inside and out with TSP
- Painted 2 coats of Savannah Mist
- Lightly sanded the paint with 320 grit before sealing
- Protected and finished with White Wax
- Highlighted small areas with Sterling Silver Wax
I painted this buffet with two coats of Dixie Belle’s Savannah Mist – a beautiful soft blue with grey undertones. I white waxed the entire piece and then to add some extra interest and detail, I highlighted a few areas around the legs, swinging doors and backplate with Sterling Silver Gilding Wax. I’m not sure if you can see it in the pics but it adds a very subtle sheen when the light hits it just right. The silver gilded wax adds that extra ‘something-special’ to the Savannah Mist!
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS BUFFET MAKEOVER. AND FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY ‘HI’… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU!
Have yourself beautiful weekend!
Denise x
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Do you know where you got the knobs for this Buffett makeover? I LOVE THEM and would LOVE them for my nightstands!
Ya, arent’ they gorgeous! I bought them at Hobby Lobby Alyssa. 🙂
Hi Denise:
Love your blog. So many beautiful pieces. This one, in particular, as it is the perfect color for the chest in my daughter’s room. However, DB is too pricey for my budget. Does anyone know a latex equivalent color?
Thank you! As far as brand name chalk/mineral paints go, Dixie Belle is priced reasonably in comparison… but I TOTALLY get it! I mixed alot of my own DIY Chalky Paints when I first started out, and still do if there is a specific color I want and can’t find. 🙂 If you love DB Savannah Mist, try Sherwin Williams Tradewind SW 6218. Even if you don’t shop at Sherwin Williams, you could go and pick up the sample color swatch, bring it to any Home Depot, and they will color match it for you. Hope this helps. 🙂
Gorgeous Piece – I feel inspired
I feel for you and your sister! It’s hard to see our parents get sick and Alzheimer is particularly difficult. Not only does it robs us of our loved one but it robs them of us! Stay strong <3
Beautiful piece Denise. Knowing that I've salvaged something from ending up at the dump is what I love the most about what we do.
All the best to you and your family
So true Annie! And yes, it’s what I love most too. I hope you and your family have a beautiful holiday my friend. Hugs to you. xo
Hi Denise,
I’ve been following your blog for a little while and wanted to let you know what an inspiration you are. I’m new to rescuing furniture and have a lot to learn. Most of what I learned so far s from you. I have a small, distant dream to succeed in this and maybe earn a full-time living from it one day…?
Thank you for your inspiration. Love to you and your family
Hi Lisa!!! I’m so glad you find the SI Blog helpful. No dream is small, and you can definitely succeed in turning furniture painting into a full-time business! I hope you drop by again because I’m cheering you on from this end. Thank for your well wishes btw.
Absolutely gorgeous!!!! Do you use a sprayer or a brush to paint the inside? If a sprayer, what brand??
Thanks,
Jeannie Scott
Thanks Jeannie! To paint the inside of this buffet, I used a foam roller (for large flat surfaces) and a brush for the corners and tighter areas. I have sprayed the inside of pieces also and I use this paint gun here. 🙂
What a beautiful buffet. I can’t believe anyone would send it to the dump. The color is so sweet and the knobs are perfect. Your taste and style are breathtaking. So many beautiful re-creations. I too pray for your Dad and family. You have faced one of the hardest decisions of you life. God Bless you and yours Denise.
Hi Linda! I appreciate your kindness, thank you. And so glad you like the buffet. When I put the white floral hardware up to the blue – it was a no-brainer! 🙂
Oh, this project is just dear…and staged to perfection! Good for you and your sister in making this difficult decision for your Dad….He truly will be better off and also stimulated mentally by the new activity surrounding him. Many of us have been where you are now….Blessings to you …
Aw thanks Deb! I’m glad you like the buffet. And yes, it was a VERY difficult decision so thanks for your kindness. I’m hoping he will adjust and start feeling comfortable… and yes, they do have a ton of activities. 🙂
Thank goodness you came along to rescue this lovely piece of furniture from its dumpster demise. Love Dixie Belle everything and Sweet Savannah is a beautiful color, especially paired with the white and silver waxes. Beautiful makeover, Denise and beautiful staged photos as well. Pinned
Denise, I know exactly the stress involved in placing a parent into a long-term care facility. If this gives you any comfort, know that it was the best decision we made for my Mom. You are in my thoughts and prayers as you all adjust to this new normal.
This was the first time trying DB’s Savannah Mist and I LOVE it! I’ll be using it, again and again, I’m sure. I sure hope we will adjust to ‘this new normal’… and I hope that for my Dad even more so. Thank you for ALL your kindness and understanding, Marie. It means more than you’ll ever know. xo
Another stunning piece.love the knobs staging and everything about it. Wishing you Godspeed as you enter this next phase with your Dads care.
Thank you Kim, I really appreciate it. Big hug to you. xo
What a wonderful transformation! Your color choice and waxing options bring out the sweet details on the buffet. Very on target with every step. So glad you shared this and saved it for future generations to love. Your staging is so beautiful, too.
I am sure it is heartbreaking to leave your father at a care facility, but realize that his continuous supervision is the best thing you can do for him and your families too. Hopefully as you visit him, you will find peace with his transition.
Hi Laura! It always makes me so happy when someone comments on the staging because I still fuss around with it for hours sometimes! And as for Dad, thanks so much for your kindness. Hopefully, the more we visit, my Dad will find peace with the transition… and Andrea and I too. xo
Denise,
What a lovely little buffet that you saved from the dump! I love the soft color and am wondering if you white waxed after painting? It has a soft look to it…
On a more personal note, I am praying that you and your sister are able to find peace with the difficult situation with your father. It’s so hard to know the right thing to do but you have clearly given this much consideration and thought. I’m certain he will be well cared for and IS very well loved by you.
Blessings
That is so sweet and thoughtful Trina…thank you. And yes, I did white wax after I painted two coats of the Savannah Mist. I also forgot to add that I primed this piece before painting so there would be no bleedthrough. Just goes to show I’m distracted. A friend on facebook had to ask before I realized I left this point out!
What a precious piece of furniture. You couldn’t have picked a more perfect color. My best wishes are with you and yours during this difficult time.
Thank you Monique, I really appreciate all your comments and support. And I’m glad you like the buffet. xo Hugs xo
Love, love, love this piece. Would be gorgeous also in a baby boy’s room. Beautiful details with white & silver waxes. You always have the best ideas for each piece you do. Don’t ever stop! (Thinking about your situation with your Dad, hoping you can make peace with it. XX)
So happy you love, love, love this piece, Tracy! You put a big smile on my face. 🙂 And thanks so much for your well wishes and thoughts re Dad. It means a lot my friend. xo
This turned out very cute. Love the knobs you used !
Hi Libby! I really like these cute floral knobs too – I found them for 50% off at Hobby Lobby!
Oh, I love what you’ve done with it!! I could never be so lucky to save something like that from the dumpster. Prayers for your family and your dad. It is sad that we have to make these decisions. You are correct about reversing the role of children and parent. I to am leaving in about an hour to meet with my 3 brothers to decide on what is the best next step for our dad. It’s so sad that we have to do this and my heart is breaking. I’ve prayed all day that we agree and make the right decision for him.
I’m thinking of you Vivian. I hope you and your brothers can agree and come to the best decision for your Dad’s health and well being. It’s important to have family all on the same page and supporting eachother. All the best tonight. And thanks for the kindness re the buffet. xo
The buffet looks beautiful. It really would be sweet in a nursery, you did a great job.
I’m sorry to hear about your father. It’s hard, I know. My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a couple years ago. It’s heartbreaking. Hopefully, you can find some peace knowing he will be safe. God Bless! XO
Sorry to hear about your Mother Sally. I hope she’s doing okay – along with you and the rest of your family. Sending blessings to you as well. And thanks for the kindness on the buffet. I kind of hope it does end up in a nursery. 🙂
Wishing well for your dad your sister and yourself. Life is hard and painful at time. I lost my husband this summer and I find my solace in refinishing and painting furniture, just like I have done before it was”cool” for about 25 years. I faithfully follow your posts and you have been my inspiration and guidance many times. Thank you and courage. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Oh Monique, my condolences.. I’m so sorry for your loss. I totally get it in finding solace in painting. It can take your mind off worrying and bring you to a more peaceful space. We are blessed that we have a creative outlet that can do this. Merry Christmas to you and yours. XO