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...