Chalkboard Buffet diy



Chalkboard Buffet diy

Welcome back diyers.  I hope you like this project as much as I do. This is actually my fourth project from props I managed to salvage from the theatre company a few weeks ago.  This could be my favorite, but every project I work on is my favorite at the time.

The other projects were the painted bench, so cute with it’s bright colors…next came the sunflower seed packet sign that used boards just screwed together which I handpainted a huge vintage sunflower packet on and my last prop project was the vintage suitcase storage I shared at My Repurposed Life. If you have a stinky vintage suitcase, then that project is the one for you.

Salvaged Furniture

This cute little buffet had so much unfulfilled promise.  It was made well, the drawers worked, but years of it being used as a theatre prop was beginning to age him prematurely.

Chalkboard Buffet diy

I knew he was scratched up pretty bad on top and the veneer was flaking in the corners…

Chalkboard Buffet diy

…but I didn’t notice he was missing 2 toes, a busted rosette and the swirly trim was broken off. Poor guy needed help bad.

Chalkboard Buffet diy

Started with the top, because that seemed the easiest. Used a bit of varnish remover and a palm sander to take the finish off the top.  Didn’t end up replacing the flaking veneer, just sanded it down a bit so the entire edge laid flat.

Chalkboard Buffet diy

The top was then given a nice coat of warm oak stain. 

After staining (not shown) he was given a few coats of handrubbed tung oil finish.

Chalkboard Buffet diy

Since the drawers didn’t need much help either, they were next.  The drawers were sanded down, one of the two holes where the drawer pull was, was filled in with  2 coats of wood putty. When the putty was dry, the hole was resanded.  My new handles only need one hole.

Chalkboard Buffet diy

Of all the repairs, replacing the rosette is by far the easiest. Couldn’t find the exact rose, but this piece will do just fine.  Pried what remained of the old rosette off. Sanded off the remaining glue, then wood glued and clamped this piece in place.  Home Depot and Lowes have wooden pieces but this one was found at Hobby Lobby for $2. ($1.20 with coupon)

Chalkboard Buffet diy

Before I go on, I want to point out that I am not a carpenter…so here goes.

The broken toes were next…probably incurred dragging this stage prop across the stage a few too many times. Anyway, I noticed that this spindle was just about the same thickness and roundness of my toe.  Just needed to chop a piece off that would fit. If you don’t have a spindle, you’ll just have to do a bit more shaping of a block of wood.

Chalkboard Buffet diy

Look how nicely that fits.  It still needed a bit more rounding, but it’s a great start.

Chalkboard Buffet diy

The toes are glued and clamped into place.  Once they finished drying overnight, the palm sander came out once again and made the corners round and the edges flush with one another.

Chalkboard Buffet diy

The last piece to fix was the broken trim under the buffet.

1.  Copied the pattern from the side that was still intact.

2.  Cut out the pattern and flipped it, then traced it onto a piece of wood the same thickness as the original.

3.  Cut out my replacement piece with a jigsaw, then sanded the heck out of it.  The top of my replacement had a nice curve to it that you probably can’t see in the pictures,  The look was copied with lots of sanding.  Once finished it was glued and nailed into place.

Chalkboard Buffet diy

All the repairs are done and you can barely tell even in the bright sunlight.  At least I hope you can barely tell.

After sanding I gave the entire piece 2 coats of chalkboard paint (not chalk paint). Now this could have been the end of my project, but I painted him with chalkboard paint for a little fun.

Rudge Bicycle Ad

This Rudge bicycle ad was found on Pinterest, originally shared on Flickr. You can also find it on my graphics board on Pinterest.

Chalkboard Buffet diy

And this vintage bicycle was found at The Old Design Shop.

Chalkboard Buffet diy

Images were enlarged in Publisher to fit over top the buffet.  Publisher allows you to create any size picture which then prints out on multiple pages.  You just have to tape them back together.

Chalkboard Buffet diy

To transfer an image onto black paint, use chalk to cover the back of your printed page.  Tape your pages in place on your piece of furniture then trace over your lines with a pen or pencil.  Above you will see what the transferred chalk looks like.  Now it’s just a matter of going over your lines with a chalk pen.  A chalk pen is semi-permanent, it won’t smudge but you can wash it off if you want another design.

Chalkboard Buffet diy

The knobs, you can also find at Hobby Lobby for $4, but wait for them to go on sale for half price.  I liked how they looked a bit like my chalk.

Chalkboard Buffet diy

Chalkboard Buffet diy

Chalkboard Buffet diy

Chalkboard Buffet diy

Chalkboard Buffet diy

The fun of chalkboard paint is that you can change your decor around for any season or party.  What if you wanted a wine buffet at a party?  Just draw directly onto your furniture.  This wine bottle was done with real chalk and not the pen, in about 5 minutes.  Voila, instant wine bar.

Chalkboard Buffet diy

This is the perfect project for me because I get tired of graphics so quickly.  All the wallpaper in my house has long since been removed since I get bored with it after a couple of years. ..but now I can have an instant facelift…boredom no more!!

Shared at Think and Make Thursday, Handmade Hangout, Home Matters Link Party,

Link Party Palooza, Upcycled Link Party, The Painted Drawer,

Be Inspired Tuesday, Wow us Wednesdays. Hit me With your best Shot,

Friday Furniture Fix,Vintage Inspiration Party, Friday Favorites,

Amaze me Monday, Share your Cup Thursday, Super Saturday

Treasure Hunt Thursday, Creativity Unleashed,DIY Sunday Showcase,

Silver Pennies sundays,  Saturday Sparks,  That DIY Party, Frugal Fridays,

and I was featured at

1-Funky_Junks_Party_Junk_link_party.29-AMhandmade hangout- logo with hostesses OCIinspired150

Knockouts-GraphicFFF feature button 250x250_zps1dj53s4v

 

 

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