Buffet Makeover with Chalk Paint
- By Joan
- August 9, 2023
- 7 Comments
Buffet Makeover with Chalk Paint
Welcome back friends, today we’re working on an old buffet makeover for my son’s farmhouse vacation rental in Luray, Virginia.
I found this buffet on Facebook Marketplace. It’s in great shape but just needed a little updating. Just a change in handles would have updated this piece quite a bit but it’s about to be painted with black chalk paint!
This is a fairly easy makeover, drawers are in great shape, no big scratches, no veneer repairs. Everything is just cosmetic.
If you are going to replace your handles, take them off now and fill the existing holes with a wood filler. Chances are that any new pulls will not be the exact width as the old ones. I left the knob holes alone.
I know a lot of people have a problem with painting wood furniture but this is the room that the buffet was headed to. There just might be a little too much wood.
People love chalk paint because you don’t have to do a lot of prep to get your furniture ready for painting and often times it covers in just one coat.
That is all true, but I would say that you still have to have a clean surface to paint on and if your surface is very sleek you may still want to give it a rough sanding before beginning. The sanding just gives the surface a little tooth for which the paint has something to grab onto.
Since this buffet was going in an old farmhouse I wanted the edges to have the worn look of having been around a while. Take fine sandpaper and lightly sand the edges. How much is up to you. If you go too far with the sandpaper, it’s so easy to just get out the black paint again.
Finish the chalk paint with clear or antique wax to complete the look. Paint on the wax, rub off the excess, then buff with fine steel wool when dry to give a nice sheen.
This is the problem with taking a picture in the sunlight… my very black buffet suddenly appears very grey.
The knobs and pulls were both from Hobby Lobby. As always, make sure you wait until cabinet hardware is on sale to purchase. Every other week they are half off…it’s well worth the wait.
Yes, this is the same color as the buffet above, but it’s more true to color not sitting out in the sun.
I love how the buffet looks anchoring this end of the farmhouse dining room.
Since I took this picture, I was able to find 6 more semi-matching chairs at 3 more thrift stores for a total of 10 seats. Everything in this photo with the exception of the rug was either from the dump, the thrift store or Facebook Marketplace. See if you can spot the dump find. 🙄
Don’t you love a good before and after? The top picture was a view of the farmhouse dining room on the sales listing before purchase. The bottom photo is the made over dining room with the buffet and newly painted white walls.
As of this post, my son’s Luray, Virginia, Airbnb (Vrbo) is ready for visitors. Click on the link below for the VRBO to find all the projects I’ve already shared with you over the past couple of months in their new home plus a bunch more. If you’ve been following me for a while, you will probably be able to pick out my pieces.
As always, stay inspired.
Also from the farmhouse. Click on any of the pictures to take you to the DIY.
Copyright © 2024
What a beautiful before and after!
What would they do without you? Really good choice for that room! That first picture is so crowded with stuff and so “woody” the bottom picture is a breath of fresh air!
I’m sure they would do just fine but spend a bit more money. I love the challenge and the thrill of the hunt.
What was the dump piece??
I’m glad you couldn’t tell. It was the table which was actually more than one find. Someday I’ll post that recycle.
It’s always amazing what a coat of black paint can do to update a piece of furniture. Great job and the room looks great.
Just a suggestion….When hanging drapes, if you will go to the ceiling, it gives a window more presence.
I totally agree about the curtains but when I said everything in the room was thrifted that included the curtains. You use what you have. I was beyond thrilled to get 8 matching curtains.