Happy Monday friends! I hope you all had a great weekend. I’m so excited to share this Blue Buffet Makeover with you today AND a generous giveaway sponsored by Dixie Belle Paint Company!
I picked this piece up from a young German family in Toronto. The buffet was listed on Craigslist because they’re clearing out their apartment and heading back to Europe next month. Moving this heavy 5′ buffet into the elevator, down twenty-some floors and through a busy lobby was interesting, but it ended up being an interesting joint-effort. Even their little ones dressed in jammies were “helping” out… so cute.
THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY DIXIE BELLE PAINTS & CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
Before I get into the products I used to get this updated old-world-look, ISN’T THIS BLUE AMAZING? It’s Bunker Hill Blue. I’d describe it as a deep sapphire jewel tone. What do you think?
The 411 on this buffet:
I started by cleaning this buffet with TSP and then sanding the entire top. There was no need to sand the body. This Chalk Mineral Paint adheres nicely and no sanding is required.
It was painted with three light coats with Bunker Hill Blue leaving some of the original wood grain showing through for a distressed look. After the third coat was dry, I sanded with a 400 grit sandpaper for a perfectly smooth finish.
For the highlighted details, I used Dixie Belle’s Bronze Paint. It compliments the blue perfectly!
I love how this metallic paint plays off the jewel-toned blue so I added some additional bronze pin-striping on the top and bottom drawers. To keep the pin-striping perfectly straight, I used a small artist’s brush and green painter’s tape. I have a pretty steady hand so the one piece of green tape did the trick. But, if partial free-hand painting is not your style, another piece of green tape on the other side (or any straight edge) will do the trick.
Once I was happy with the metallic detailing, I applied a coat of clear wax. The wax is odorless, soft as butter, and it’s super easy to use. While applying, it looks and feels exactly like lotion – including a white-ish hue, but once it’s all rubbed in, it’s perfectly clear and leaves a gorgeous finish.
I used the black wax over the clear to age slightly around the edges. Very subtle, but I love the effect. It definitely adds depth.
I was going to change out the hardware but then decided to go old-world-original. They were updated and painted ‘new’ with the same Bronze Metallic Paint. I love updating these pieces with color while keeping the historic feel and antiqued charm intact.
To finish this buffet off, as I mentioned, the top was stripped, sanded, and then I stained it with a this warm Chestnut Gel Stain. Gator Hide Poly was used as the topcoat. Spiffy. It’s not only water-resistant, it’s also water-repellent!
This Gator Hide Poly is easy to apply with exceptional results! There are no visible brush strokes, giving a beautiful, hard matte finish. The stained wood looks spectacular.
And of course I HAD to test the water-repellent promise. Take a look for yourself…very impressive!
So, now I have something exciting for you!
I’m excited to giveaway THREE Prize Packages of Dixie Belle Products so you can give their Chalk Mineral Paint and new products a try too!
$150 Dixie Belle Package
$100 Dixie Belle Package
$75 Dixie Belle Package
It’s EASY to enter. Just click on the ENTRY WIDGET below and then come back daily to complete more chances to win.
Open to U.S. & Canada residents 18 years and older. Contest is open for the next 7 days and three (3) lucky winners will be announced here on the SI Blog on July 18/2017.
Good luck everybody & happy painting!!!
Denise x
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Love your piece and I’m actually preparing to do a buffet also in bunker hill, my question is on my piece it has a veneer fish on it and I’m wondering if I need to sand. I did use white lightening to clean but I’m also planning to do the top of it like yours so should I sand that to take the stain? Im going to use this piece as a kitchen island, thanks for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.. sincerely Carla
Hi Carla! Yes, if you’re planning on staining the top, it’s best to start with bare wood if you’re after a look like on this buffet. I created a post on sanding and staining tops you may find helpful. 🙂
Denise, thank you for all the wonderful DIY tutorials and inspiration all around your blog. I’ve been admiring your handy work for several weeks now, and am ready to take the plunge with stripping and painting an old Jacobian revival side board that’s been in my family for generations (no pressure – eep!).. I love what you’ve done with this somewhat similar buffet here, but before I start, I’m curious – what role does the wax finish play? I thought that wax was a way to seal furniture, but then I see you’ve also put a poly-acrylic finish on top, so I’m wondering why you would also use wax (and how that interacts with the poly). Thank you so much for your advice and all the tips you’ve already so generously shared here.
Hi Elizabeth! For this piece, I used Gator Hide Poly for the stained top. This poly is not only water resistant – it’s waterproof! I wanted the top to be super durable. For the body, I used wax. And yes, you’re absolutely correct. Wax does seal and protect furniture and the dark wax is also a way to give pieces a worn/antique look. Depending on how much use your Jacobian sideboard will receive can dictate what top coat to use. I wrote an article here that you may find helpful. 🙂
That article is super helpful! Especially reading through it and the follow up comments together.. Thank you so much for the quick response and for clarifying about what you did here. i was thinking that you were using both and poly over the whole thing. Now I get it 🙂 I have a pretty high-energy household so that Gator Hide stuff sounds amazing. Though I do love how the black wax gives the body of your piece depth… I probably won’t get to the finishing stage for a couple weeks yet so something to think about! Thank you again 🙂
Fabulous job, did you seal the bunker hill blue
Hi Mike! Yes, it was sealed with clear wax and aged around the edges with black wax.
Absolutely beautiful. How much paint did you use for this piece.
Thanks Karen! … and not very much at all. I posted how much I used on FB here.
What a beautiful makeover, Denise! I’m swooning over the color and the dusting of bronze. Pinned
Thanks so much Marie! I had a lot of fun on this one. 🙂
This color and piece is divine! Makes me want to paint the town blue!
Thanks so much Charlotte! This shade of blue IS fun! xo
Denise, you are, as always, gifted with an eye for color and good taste. Beautiful piece, dear friend, thank you for sharing.
BIG hug Ellen… thank you! xo
I didn t move the piece and know it took a lot of work and effort to do so.
However, it was worth it . the piece is beautiful! The color, the finish, all of it, I think this is one of my favorite painted pieces I ve seen of late. Love x 100 !
Awww thanks DiB, you just put a huge smile on my face!!! 😀