Hello my lovely friends! I’ve been hanging onto this makeover until today’s Furniture Fixer Uppers post with my blogging buddies (see their makeovers at the bottom) – it shows you what a difference a simple paint job can do to a piece with so much potential…
This antique sideboard came from a sweet couple who also sold me this desk I painted awhile back.
Here’s the inside – you can kind of see there’s a small hole in the lower back. I filled it (and the chip on the front bottom of the left door) with wood filler and then sanded it smooth. Thankfully that’s all the repairs that were needed this time.
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I knew the details would really pop with white paint and distressing.
First I primed it with my favorite Zinsser shellac primer and then applied a couple layers of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White.
Then came a big old mess because I sanded, sanded, sanded to bring out the contrast on all those beautiful lines and curves.
Doesn’t she almost steal the show?
To finish this sideboard makeover, it was protected with Fusion Mineral Paint Tough Coat topcoat. (Pssst… Post update: Now I always use Annie Sloan’s wax as a topcoat after using Chalk Paint. Discover my best tips for How to Chalk Paint Furniture and Apply Wax here.)
The backsplash, legs, and bottom are my favorites. Oh and I had to leave the original hardware alone because it was perfect as-is!
Over time I’ve learned that not every piece needs to have all the pretty “extras” like stencils, graphics, decoupage, etc. – although those are definitely fun to do sometimes. Some pieces like this one deserve a simpler makeover like one paint color and distressing.
Here’s a reminder of the Before of this painted antique sideboard makeover:
And now it’s time for Furniture Fixer Uppers with my creative blogging friends.
Below are the Before photos – click the links underneath to see the Afters and to learn how they did it. I know you’ll be inspired!
1. Confessions of a Serial DIYer
2. Just the Woods
3. Prodigal Pieces
4. Petticoat Junktion
5. The Interior Frugalista
Thanks for hanging out here today and checking out my latest project – I’d love it if you’d share this post or leave a comment below!
Jen
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
What a sweet find, Jen. Those pieces have endless uses. I love the refreshed look too!
Susan W. says
Hi, I love what you did with this piece. Its beautiful! I am wondering if you could have used vassal and a q-tip in all the lines in place of all the sanding to acheive the same results? Thank you for sharing.
kandice says
Love these small buffet cabinet pieces. This came out great! Love it!
Christy says
What a stunning piece, Jen! You are exactly right… Sometimes all a piece needs is a beautiful new paint job! I know this sold quickly! XO
Marie says
This beautiful buffet definitely stands on its own with a fresh coat of white paint –
love it Jen!
ROSE LEFEBVRE says
Such a better look! You did a great job.
Lisa Stephens says
Love the antiqueing style. My yarn would look fabulous in there?
Jane Abernathy says
If it’s not 100 years old, it’s not an antique, it’s just vintage. Does everything have to be painted white? The fella won’t go for it.
claire says
Love it 🙂
Helga Kivisto says
Jen… being a furniture maker, I would have left the cabinet door fronts and front of the top piece showing the gorgeous flamed wood grain. The rest could still be painted. That wood is getting to be quite rare… Just a comment.
Kathleen MacEllis says
I have this very sideboard down the basement collecting dust ! Maybe there IS hope for a new life for this piece afterall ! Beautiful
Sammie says
Absolutely love it! The distressing is just perfect. I am going to try the matte varnish. Thanks for the info!!
Jen says
Jane,
That took quite a bit of effort just to leave a comment criticizing my use of the word “antique” and my decision to paint the sideboard white. As a first time commenter, you must be new around here. You might not want to read any of my other posts if you’re that passionate about “antique” vs. “vintage” and white painted furniture. I hope your day gets better.
Jen says
Thanks so much, Lisa! 🙂
Jen says
Thank you Rose!
Jen says
Thank you Christy! Actually I had it for sale briefly (less than a day, haha) and it’s been at my house since. I’m still debating whether to list it for sale again. 😉
Jen says
Thank you Susan. I haven’t used vaseline on my furniture before, but I know it’s possible to create a distressed finish that way also.
Jen says
Thanks so much, Marie! xo
Jen says
Thank you Claire! 🙂
Jen says
Hi Helga, I agree that the wood finish was pretty. The left door actually had a big chip in it about an inch wide which I had to repair with wood filler. There were also some small scratches here and there. Thanks for sharing your thoughts though. 🙂
Jen says
That’s awesome, Kathleen! I’m glad you got some ideas for reviving it. 🙂 And thank you!
Jen says
Thanks so much, Sammie! I’m glad you like it 🙂
Helga Kivisto says
Thanks Jen! Of course you were able to see all the gouges and chips which isn’t so noticeable with a photo. The finished piece looks very nice and will generate a lot of interest, I am sure!
Candace says
Beautiful job! You really know what technique to use with a piece! I would have loved to have seen a picture of the inside of the cabinet. I am assuming with the repair that it was painted? I am sure it turned out perfectly!
Kat says
What a beautiful job! Well done…I love how it turned out. Love the color selection, it’s very French, I think ??
Leanna says
This piece looks beautiful in white. Love how you redid this.
Jen says
Thank you so much, Leanna!
Jen says
Thanks so much Kat! 🙂
Jen says
Sorry, I totally forgot to mention that! I left the inside unpainted. The hole wasn’t very big and it was in the bottom corner, so after I repaired it I used a dark brown marker to cover up the tan wood filler color. It was easy, and will be hidden as soon as anything goes inside the cabinet. 🙂
Candace says
Well that makes perfect sense!! Always love looking at your work.
Jen says
Do you know how old the piece was or the type of wood? I just picked up its twin and love knowing the history. Beautiful job on it!!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you! Unfortunately I don’t have any information on this piece. I’ve actually hung onto it though, haven’t been able to let it go yet. 🙂