Tastefully Painted Denim Blue Buffet

An estate sale in Jackson MI is where this small but mighty buffet was found. Forlorn, it remained unwanted at the end of the sale, must be it waited just for me. A good deal at full price ($45), I paid half. Great bones, terrible surfaces. Not even cherry wood is easy to make fresh, hip and, appealing.

For the record, I do not paint furniture that is in good shape. Odd as it may sound and as a painter, I respect and adore natural wood tones, grain and finish. I paint that which is doomed otherwise, water stained, scratched to hell, missing veneer, and cheap particle board. This is what I buy. This is what she is.

Doing Brittany’s piece in the last post, got me interested in a return to doing more transfers and bling, but still not too much. Looking ahead into 2024, trends seem to be going from whites to dark rich colors. I feel it in my home too. Whites are nice but they can take the personality out of you.

Blues are a great color for kitchens and dining rooms, in my humble opinion. Maybe I feel that way because my kitchen and dining room is blue with white trim, charcoal counter top and original hardwood floor. I WISH I had a blue buffet. One of these days, Alice.

Serious Planning

Can you spot the differences from the planned and actual makeover? A. Stripes were nixed. It would have been super fun to do but I couldn’t figure out how to add them without the buffet becoming an eye chart. B. Paint color started out White and Seagull Gray. I’m so glad it went for something warmer, richer, and moody. C. Raised stencil became textured wall paper, a refined aesthetic IMHO.

Too much bling and activity on a piece can suck the air out of a room. There is a thin line between tasteful and gaudy. I believe this one is tasteful and wow.

Materials Used

• Paint: DIY Chalk paint using Sherwin Williams Mineral Gray – it looks like denim to me.
• Door Inset: textured wallpaper cut to fit inside the grooves.
• Transfer: ReDesign with Prima A Day without Wine bits and pieces- now retired transfer
• Hardware: original cleaned with water and vinegar soak and a skim of Rub n Buff gold
• Raised Detail: Dixie Belle glimmer mousse Bronze
• Top Coat: General Finishes High Performance Flat
• Tassels: from Joanne – so expensive there and not much of an inventory to choose.

Faux Wood Top: General Finishes Java Gel (it’s oil based)

Where I live, in the rust belt the economy is in a stagnant period but at least not worse. This piece sold to a couple from Traverse City for $220, not exactly what I think she’s worth but I am happy for the sale. During the pandemic, when federal money grew on trees, painted furniture sold for much more and buyers were plentiful. Oh, those were the days.