Hi guys, I hope you had a fun and relaxing weekend! Andrea and I had a sister-shopping-day on Saturday – FUN! And Sunday I was planning to work on my taxes (ughhh) but it ended up being a laundry and Netflix day. You know it’s not good when I pick laundry over… well… anything! 😉
So, have you ever come across furniture where the wood was near perfect in one area but far from perfect in another? It leaves you feeling torn on what you should do with it, right? Today I’m sharing this classic-vintage-beauty I found on Craigslist that had that very problem. I think it’s the perfect project for a painted and stained furniture makeover!
Here’s what I started with….
And here’s the finished piece. Don’t you love the warm wood mixed with vintage black?
THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
SOURCE LIST
- Vintage Buffet – SALVAGED!
- Paint Brush
- Caviar Black Chalk-Mineral Paint
- DeWalt Sander
- GF Java Gel Stain
- Minwax Gunstock 231
- Sandpaper
- Black Wax
- Shop Towels for Applying and Rubbing off Black Wax
- Waterproof Topcoat
PAINTED AND STAINED FURNITURE MAKEOVER
Step #1. Clean & Strip
I started by giving this buffet a good cleaning and then stripped off the badly damaged veneer top using this method here.
Step #2. Sand & Stain
Once the veneer was removed, the wood underneath was sanded smooth with this sander using 80-120-220 grit sandpaper (in that order) and then hand sanded for an ultra-smooth finish before applying the stain. To match the color to the rest of the buffet, I used Minwax Gunstock 231 for the red base and then finished with General Finishes Java Gel Stain for a deep rich finish.
Step #3. Freshen up Front Veneer
The veneer on the front was in good condition. Sun exposure had made it look a little dry and dull so I touched it up with some Trade Secrets. (This stuff is amazing btw. If you have wood or wood veneer with little scuffs, dings, or looks dry or dull, you just wipe on Trade Secrets and it looks like a brand new finish!) Take a look at the difference!
Step #4. Paint & Faux Drawer
This buffet was painted in the perfect vintage black – Caviar! I left some wood showing (using this paint technique) so there’s a warm undertone throughout. Also, this piece is LARGE so to visually trick the eye, I created a faux drawer using paint and new hardware. As you can see in the pic below, the bottom is one long drawer, but now it looks like 3 bottom drawers.
Step #5. Topcoat
After the buffet was painted and stained, the stained top was sealed and protected with Gator Hide (and it’s waterproof – not just water resistant which I love!) and the painted areas were buffed with this black wax.
My takeaway from this piece – when I actually find a piece where the wood is in good shape, it’s nice to find a way to work it into the restyle. The stained wood can add a lot of warmth and character teamed up with paint. 🙂
I’D LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS BUFFET AND IF YOU’VE EVER PAINTED AND STAINED BEFORE. IF YOU HAVE ANY TIPS YOU’D LIKE SHARE OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU!
Thanks my friends and have an inspiring day!
Denise XO
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Wow….. love this piece! You are unbelievably talented! Love your work!
Hi Debra!! So glad you like it and thank you! 🙂
Wow! Gorgeous! I love how you can see the wood peeking through the black, gives it the time worn look but loved. Such a great piece.
That’s the look I was going for Lorin… so thanks so much!!! XOXOX 🙂
That is absolutely stunning. You are so talented!
Thanks Cheryl. Glad you like it. XO 🙂
I absolutely love this piece. The mixture of the stain and wood really makes a ugly, worn piece come out beautiful as yours. As a matter of fact, I love all of the work I’ve seen you do. Thanks for your easy to understand instructions.
Thanks so much Gloria! XO And ya, I lucked out with this buffet. I hope to find more pieces with the wood in half decent condition. A paint and stain combo is an elegant look. 🙂
Denise I just LOVE your creativity and good taste. I never miss any of your posts as I know I will see something wonderful! Only one draw back I am from South Africa and often don’t understand what some of the products are that you are referring to. .
South Africa… WOW! I just love meeting readers from different countries. It’s exciting for me!!! 🙂 Anyway, no worries. If you have any questions as to what something is – maybe we can figure it out together. I have a lot of readers from the UK and they kept asking what latex paint was… because they call it emulsion paint. So sometimes we have the same thing available – but call it something different. 🙂
This is absolutely gorgeous! Question: can you use RESTORE in place of TRADE SECRETS?
Hi Jackie! If you’re referring to Howards Restor-A-Finish yes, I believe they are along the same lines. I’ve never used – it but have heard it works well. 🙂
Great find! Also love it when the original hardware is all there!
Thank Mary… and me too! 🙂
Very clever idea making the bottom drawer look like three – love it! Another stunning makeover, Denise. Your post today was very timely because just this weekend my sister and I were discussing a cabinet she picked up on a buy & sell site. She wants it painted black but my concern is it would make the piece too heavy for the small room. After seeing this gorgeous buffet, I know exactly what we should do. Thanks for the inspiration!
Yaay, glad it inspired an idea! This piece is huge so I debated on a light color but for whatever reason, it screamed classic black to me. And you’re so right Marie, black is always a winner but it can take over a small room… your sister should listen to you! 😉 😉 😉 hehe I’m really happy with the faux drawer too. 🙂
You are a magician, my fellow Canuck! I am writing down every product you used for future reference. I would never have thought that a top as damaged as this one could be stripped of the veneer and redone. Excellent job and explanation!
I wish I had a magic wand that would repair some of these pieces. 😉 Happy you like the makeover Margaret! 🙂
You are the Queen of Re-do. Another great piece. I always wondered what to do if the veneer looks awful. do you peel it off or sand it, or glue it? Great tips. I’ve pinned for the future. Thank you.
Right! Veneer can go so many ways depending on the shape it’s in. Thanks for the pin Cindy. 🙂
This is a stunning redo. Beautiful work,love the drawer design
Thanks so much Betty! xo
Stunning as always and thank you for the tip about Trade Secret. I am going to try some of that!
Julie
Hi Julie!! 🙂 Ya, it works great, you only need a small amount so it lasts forever AND its pretty cheap. 🙂
it is, I am excited!
I like things that last forever!
J
xo
Me too!… it’s the thrify in me. 😉
Awesome! Love the faux drawer idea, You’re always so original with great ideas. You even had extra matching pulls!
Thanks! 🙂 And I have such a hardware stash you wouldn’t believe Tracy…lol. 🙂
Hi Denise. What a lovely buffet! Making the bottom drawer look like 3 separate drawers was genius. I love the finished outcome. I’ve tried Trade Secrets to restore old tired wood and I agree with you…the stuff is amazing. A great tip for all your readers.
Ya, it works great and it’s so easy! Glad you like the makeover. 😀 (Hugs!) xo