A Buffet

You’ve already seen in an earlier post last that recently found a buffet at a thrift store.  I’ve been looking for a while.  I really like the older antique ones with long legs and really detailed designs but I am not sure that style goes with my style of my home and other furnishings.  I needed something with lots of storage I found this one at a local thrift store for $67.99 after asking for a discount I got an extra 15% off, love a good deal. 
If I ever see another that I just can’t live with out I’ll sell this one and replace it. 
However, I am quickly falling in love with this newly painted version.

I used chalk paint again for this piece in the color Paloma.  It turned out much more lavender than I thought it would be, I was going for a dark grey with a hint of purple.  But purple is my favorite color and it really is pretty. 
Here is a look back

I ended up keeping the original hardware, which was my big issue with this piece.  I say that because nothing in furniture painting ever goes exactly as planned for me.  Good thing I love doing it!  I bought this hardware from Target. 

I tell you this saga because if you need hardware this was a great source for money savings.  The pulls were $19.99 for 6 and the knobs were $10.99 for 4!  I really liked the clean lines on both of these and felt like they would keep the buffet simple and clean and help match the style of my table and chairs better.
Problem #1, the pull on the drawer is a smaller width between the holes than the width on the cabinet fronts.  So, I planned to use the Target pulls on the cabinet doors and the original pull (painted) on the drawers along with the knobs from Target because the buffet was missing one of the original knobs.  So I proceeded to spray paint my hinges and 2 original pulls brushed nickel to match the new ones….

 
I used the Fusion first, just because this stuff really sticks to anything and that way I could be lazy and not clean any of the hardware.  I sprayed with the brush nickel over the metallic shimmer. 
Once the spray painting was done I started putting on the knobs from Target, creating Problem #2.  They looked really big on those tiny drawer fronts.  I didn’t take a picture, but they looked ridiculous and they were quickly removed.   So even at a great price, all hardware is returning to Target. 
Since I really loved the spray color and the hinges were done I sprayed all the hardware and used that.  It’s not bad, but I will probably change it out eventually (there is a missing knob).  Because the knobs need to be really small I think I will look at the flea market on my next trip and find some old pieces and spray those brushed nickel, who knows maybe I will find a match to the missing one :) I would be so LUCKY as Napoleon Dynamite would say. 
I was also really really eager to finish and share this piece with you all….here are some more shots. 


I am a light distresser, alot of that is fear that I will ruin it and I am not sure I love really chippy pieces.   This color looked a lot better with a bit of distressing.  Just sanded heavy around the corners and edges and little at the bottom.  


So in conclusion, just want to share a few more notes about chalk paint in case you are still considering it. 
#1. Every piece I’ve painted I’ve needed 2 coats of paint.  If you were going to heavily distress a piece I think one coat is enough.
#2. I still LOVE the wax the best.  I should have showed you but I thought about using the dark wax on this piece and I tried it on the inside of the cabinet doors. I really liked the color but it goes on heavy in some spots and you have to be careful.  This piece doesn’t have a lot of detail and I didn’t want a dark spot on a flat section.  If I tire of the color I will put the dark wax on.  Tip, Use the dark wax only after you’ve applied the clear wax as not to stain the piece.  This wax is so easy to work with and I love the finish. 
So I hope you like it and if you have questions about chalk paint I will do my best to answer. 
Now to brag a little :)
I LOVE these hydrangeas!! They are from my yard, from a bush I transplanted from my old childhood home that has been in our family for years!  The blooms are blue in the spring but  purple and green in the late summer. 

p.s. I stopped the design inspiration on Thursday for now….my heart wasn’t in it and this blog is about my heart’s desires :)  I felt like a lot of other bloggers were doing it and I didn’t want to copy.  I will always try to share those inspiring finds that truly capture my heart!  
April