Hey Friends!
So I’ve been wanting an antique sideboard to re-finish and put in my entryway. My entryway is quite large because we have an open floor plan, and I needed a bigger-than-normal table to fill up the long, empty wall beside the front door. I tried a regular-sized entryway table, but it just looked teeny against said wall (it’s my sofa table now). I’ve always loved antique sideboards, and since they are usually pretty sizable, I figured it would be a perfect fit for my huge entryway wall.
(Please note that in the title, I’ve referred to this as a “sideboard” “buffet” and “hutch” because the terms are used interchangeably for this piece of furniture. My family has always referred to these as “sideboards”, so that’s what I’m calling it here.)
I found this piece at a flea market a few weeks back. All the woodwork was intact and nothing was broken, and that’s always a big plus for me. It was pretty scratched and dinged up, but that’s to be expected on a piece as old as this and I was going to paint it anyway so it didn’t really matter. There was no large gouges or other heavy damage. But the most important thing? It was priced right! 🙂
Here’s how it looked when I got it:
Now, I’m not saying the original finish looked bad at all. A little Old English would have probably done wonders for it. But I wanted to paint it, so that’s what I did. 🙂
Sideboard Buffet Hutch Chalk Paint Makeover
First thing I did was sand the laminate top. I wanted to try re-staining it with only antiquing wax, just because I’ve never seen it done before and I wanted to see if it would work. I used an electric sander and did it in the house instead of our shop because it was 105 degrees outside when I started this project. I don’t know if that was the brightest idea, because although I kept cool, there was an inch of dust on everything within 20 feet of where I was sanding! I knew it would be bad, but wow- I don’t know if it was worth staying cool for after that! 😛 Anyways, here is how it looked after sanding:
I wiped everything down with a wet cloth and took all the hardware off in prep for painting. With any furniture refinishing project, I always put all the hardware in a jar with a lid so nothing disappears while I’m working on it. You’d be surprised on how tiny stuff just wanders off when you have cats! 😉
Now I was ready to paint! For this project I decided to use Valspar Chalky Finish Paint in Kid Gloves, Antiquing Wax, and Sealing Wax. I’ve heard great things about this paint, so I thought I’d give it a spin, and I’m glad I did- I really like it! It goes on smooth, covers well, and dries to a beautiful finish. It’s easy to distress afterwards, and both the Antiquing and Sealing Wax goes on easily and smoothly and dries to a lovely sheen finish. I’ll definitely be using these paints and waxes for future projects! (If you’re wondering, this isn’t a sponsored post, but if Valspar wants to send me a few bucks for it anyway, I won’t say no.) 😉
The painting went smoothly until I got to the doors. There was some kind of funky varnish on the laminate that was only on the doors that crackled and flaked off like crazy after I painted it! If it was just a little crackling, I wouldn’t have minded, but there was nothing little about it:
The pic on the left shows how bad it crackled; the pic on the right was after I scraped all the paint off the middle sections of the doors. Once I repainted it, everything was fine and you couldn’t even tell there was any issue. This is the first time this has ever happened to me, and it was weird! In the future, if I refinish a project that has a questionable finish, I’m going to either sand it or test it with a bit of paint before I proceed.
Next up was distressing. I used 150 grit sanding paper as I like a light touch when distressing.
Time for antiquing! I think this is my favorite part of working with chalk paint. I love how this gives it the finishing touch and really gives the project character. I used the waxing brush to apply the wax, then wiped it off with a cotton cloth. Like I mentioned before, the Antiquing Wax was very easy to use and very forgiving- if I got too much on in one place, I simply wiped off the excess with a wet cotton cloth.
Once that was finished, I refinished the top with the Antiquing Wax. What you see below is three coats of Antiquing Wax and two coats of Sealing Wax. It came out gorgeous- better than I expected! In the picture below, you can really see the shine with the sunlight hitting it from the front door windows. I’m really glad I tried it this way, and if I ever decide to re-stain anything again, I’m definitely using this technique!
Once I was finished with this, I did two coats of Sealing Wax over all the painted parts. I probably could have gotten away with one coat, but I wanted to make sure the finish really shined! Then I put all the hardware back on and I was finished!
I gotta say, I am super-happy with the results! I got some of my other flea market finds and used them to decorate. I didn’t have anything that would work for underneath and around it though. I guess it’s back to the flea market I go! 🙂
I hope you enjoyed this sideboard makeover! Let me know what you think or if you have any questions in the comments section below!
I love your painted piece. I have bought the same brand of chalk paint as you, but have not used it yet. I have read to prevent bleeding or paint not adhering to the piece to shellac it prior to applying chalk paint. I haven’t done this, so I don’t know if it works or not. I have an old mirror I want to use my chalk paint on and distress it some. I plan to use clear wax afterwards and then use a bit of dark wax to make it look old. Articles I have read says to wipe the dark wax off but leave enough on. So……I will let you know how my piece turns out. This will be my 1st chalk paint project.
Thank you Jeanie! 🙂 I’m glad you like how it turned out! And thank you for the tip! Definitely going to try that next time 🙂 Good luck with your project!
I have one almost like yours and I’m getting ready to paint it , Yours looks so nice great job!
I loved it , I am doing chairs,tried to crackle them, but did not come out right , going to get valspar, tomorrow. It looks fantastic ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks so much Sharon! 🙂 You will love working with the Valspar paint!
Hi, I went to Lowes today and bought the products, all three, not cheap, but I want a good look on my chairs. So if I do it right it will be well worth it. I guess I do not need to strip or sand before, good.
When you distressed,did u use sandpaper or an electri sander?
When I finish I will post the pictures. Thank you for the idea❤️
Hi Sharon,
Chalk paint in general is not cheap to buy. The Valspar Chalky Paint is actually a better value than most other brands of chalk paint, and in my opinion just as good as the more expensive brands.
I just used sandpaper when I distressed. Takes a little longer, but I like the effect better 🙂
Can’t wait to see the pics of your finished project!
I love everything about it!!
Awe, thank you Judy! 🙂
Think it looks great good job.
Thank you Claire! 🙂
And what a beuty she is. Thanks for the tutorial.
You’re welcome Mary, and thank you! 🙂
Beautifully done! I would like to invite you to share this pretty sideboard at my Making Broken Beautiful party this Thursday. I so hope you will join in!
Smiles!
Terry
Thank you! 🙂 And thank you for the invite- I will swing by on Thursday!
Love this! It is a beautiful paint job, but I also have to comment on how well you decorated it also. Very good work!
Thank you Crystal! 🙂
Beautiful!!
Thank you Lara! 🙂
Hi Michelle, your sideboard buffet is beautiful! You did a fabulous job with this makeover. Look for it Pinned to our DIY Sunday Showcase Party Talent Board this weekend.
Thank you so much Marie! 🙂 I’ll swing by this Sunday to check it out!
It feels so good to have the perfect piece for the space. Glad you found one that works, at the right price, and that you love it! It’s lovely. 🙂
Thank you Rachel! And you’re right about finding the perfect piece for the space, especially after I went through 3 other tables before it! 🙂
Very pretty! I like that the darker color peeks out in tiny areas – it gives it such a classic feel.
Thank you Sagan! 🙂
What a beautiful transformation! I would love for you to share this at our new vintage link party, Vintage Charm, Thurs Oct 15! Blessings, Cecilia
Thank you Cecilia! I will swing by on the 15th and share it! 🙂
Turned out awesome! I love it. We have one similar that was in my Grandma’s dining room.
Thank you! 🙂
I love how this came out! Just wanted to tell you that I featured them in our party this week and I will be pinning and sharing on my Facebook page this coming week. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend! XO
Thank you Diana! I’m flattered that you chose this for one of your features this week! 🙂 You have a wonderful weekend as well!
Stunning makeover! And you styled it brilliantly- really love this. Thank you for linking up at Snickerdoodle Sunday- hope to see your latest makes & makes tonight!!
Sarah (Sadie Seasongoods)
Thank you so much Sarah! And thank you for hosting the link party!
Beautiful transformation! Thanks for sharing. We love having you at Thursday Favorite Things blog hop.
Thank you! 🙂 And I love linking up at your blog hop!
Beautiful transformation and styling! Lucky you to have such a large entry space — and now you have one with STORAGE, as well! 😀
Thank you Cynthia! I do enjoy the extra storage for sure! 🙂
I really love how this turned out!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thank you Jess! 🙂 And thank you for hosting the link party!
Beautiful! Love the dark top with the lighter paint color.
Thank you Amy! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your sideboard this past week at Making Broken Beautiful! I hope you will join in again this week!
Smiles!
Terry
Thank you Terry!
Love this makeover Michelle – I am featuring over on my blog with the start of the new Brag-Worthy Thursday link party! Thanks for linking up to the last your turn to shine party!
Thank you so much for featuring this Gilly! I’ll pop on over and check it out! 🙂
I love your sideboard project……it turned out beautifully. I have wanted to redo one of those for many years but I haven’t been able to find one priced cheap enough. I live in southern California and even when I find one of these at an estate sale or thrift store(that’s rare) they are so expensive. I know I’ll find one someday and when I do I’m going to use your tips…..thanks.
You’re welcome Judy; and thank you! 🙂 I know what you mean about these being very expensive; I really lucked out finding this at a flea market. You might be able to fine one at a reasonable price on Craigslist.
This is such a beautiful buffet! You did a great job painting it. I love that you stained the top. Thanks for sharing at Submarine Sunday!
Thank you very much! 🙂 And thank you for hosting the link party!
Love this piece! For the top did you use the dark wax full strength or cut it down? You used just wax and no stain? I really am surprised with the results! love it!
Hi Cherie,
Thank you so much! 🙂 I used just the dark wax and applied it with a wax brush. I just barely dipped the brush into the dark wax until the brush bristles had a bit of wax. If I got too much on the sideboard, I wiped it off with a wet cloth.
Absolutely Gorgeous !!!
Thanks so much! 🙂
I just purchased a sideboard just like this at a local thrift shop for $142 yesterday!I love what you have done to yours and hope mine comes out looking similar. I’ve got a few questions for you. How do you antique the white portion? Do you use the dark wax over distressed parts and over the painted parts? I have done furniture before but never added the wax. Do you just wipe it on with a rag? Also, is that original hardware or did you purchase it somewhere. Mine just had wooden knobs. Did you spray paint them black?
Yours is absolutely stunning. Hope mine can look half as good! You are a dear for sharing! Thanks so much.
Sheryl
Hi Sheryl!
I’m happy you like how my hutch turned out! 🙂 To answer your questions: Working in small sections, I used the dark wax over everything (distressed and painted parts) and then wiped off the excess with a damp cloth. I kept the original hardware – it was brass hardware but had darkened with age. But you can certainly spray paint your hardware black or any other color to get the effect you want.
I hope this helps and thanks again! 🙂
Michelle
I love this piece! I’ve been searching for a sideboard for quite some time as I like the timeless style….and I happen to find one yesterday that someone was THROWING AWAY!!! Can’t wait to get started on it…thank you for the inspiration!!
Wow lucky you! 🙂 I always hear about people finding great stuff like this that people are just tossing but I’ve never had that kinda luck myself. Enjoy making it over and I’m glad my post inspired you! 🙂
What color is the chalky Finish paint?
Hi Wendy! 🙂 It is Valspar Chalky Finish Paint in Kid Gloves.
What did you use on the top? Did you sand it & refinish that as well??
Hi Kristie! The top was water damaged so I sanded the water damaged areas and painted it the same way I painted the rest of it. I would have liked to stain and varnish the top, but the top had veneer on it and I was worried that if I sanded to much I’d sand right through the veneer.
Can I ask what your wall paint color is?
Of course! 🙂 It is Pelican Gray by Benjamin Moore.
May I ask what color the kid gloves is? Is it a light cream? Thanks so much!