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Monday, October 17, 2011

Drab To Fab Buffet

When I refinish furniture I usually don't get started on it right away.  Rather I let it sit and I will look at it in different lights and at different times of day.  I know this sounds very cheesy but I let the furniture speak to me.  I keep staring at it until I can see the vision of the finished product.  Unfortunately this sometimes is trial and error.  (This is how I am with rooms in my house.  My husband knows that if I am staring at the walls or looking around the room then that usually is a bad sign, and will eventually cost more money.  I try not to do this too often).   

So when I got this piece of furniture from a client, I sat, and stared...and stared...and stared some more.

The first thing I saw was that the band of detail around the top of the buffet was barely noticeable.  Why have a detail like that if you can't see it?  Second, the knobs do not make any statement and were much too small. 

And lastly, the orange color was horrible!  That had to change. 


Here is the finished product.  I love the way it turned out.  The detail around the top is how it should be!  You can tell it's there.


As I was painting it I remembered smiling, thinking that I am so glad that I get to do this job.  Old furniture is suppose to look old, don't you think?  I like clean lines but there is just something about giving furniture charecter so it doesn't look like something bought at the store.  (p.s. I really don't know why I try writting in cursive...I don't think I have since the 5th grade; and it shows!  It should say Life is too SHORT to not take chances).


And to finish it off, beautiful vintage inspired glass knobs.  The only problem is, I don't get to keep it. 


What is your preference, old furniture looking clean and fresh and new?  Or trying to give it a unique character?  I would love to hear your thoughts, it is a hard one I know...
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6 comments:

PhoenixRising said...

ALISON! Thats fantastic! So glam :-D

Jessica said...

Wow - I love it!! The two-tone detail is gorgeous.

Valerene Matthews, Malaysia said...

You are absolutely right about the details...that last pic brought out the best in the piece. Great job!

The Rustic Alley said...

Thank you ladies! I love it when people share the love through comments.

Kammy's Korner said...

That is a REALLY COOL piece of furniture! Love what you did with it! Also, I'd just LOVE for you to share this over at Trash 2 Treasure Tuesday on the Korner!! http://kammyskorner.blogspot.com/2011/10/trash-2-treasure-tuesdays-3.html

bozinski said...

Hi Allison, I normally don't make comments, I just like stuff or don't. But your creation was such a great idea! I'm probably as old as the original piece :) so I've been seeing this style for a very long time, so in answer to your question, YES, I love sprucing up old furniture, not just dust n' wax it. Thanx! Celeste in North Carolina

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