Mid Century Hutch | Thrift Store Makeover
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This mid-century hutch was a great deal for only fifteen dollars! The reason it was so cheap? The glass in one of the doors was broken.
Thrift Store Mid-Century Hutch
Other than that, it was in pretty good shape, except on the side edges of the bottom. This is pressed wood under veneer, so refinishing it wasn’t an option.
Can you see the bottom edge here? And the broken pane of glass?
Preparing to Paint MCM Hutch
A putty knife and needle-nosed pliers helped remove the glass in the mid-century modern hutch.
This is how the glass was held in place in the cabinet. I took a picture of the hinges to know how to reattach them when the time was right. Tip: take photos that will enable you to reassemble your project.
Step 1 Clean and Degrease
When you buy thrift store furniture, you never know what it’s been through or where it has been stored. TSP is an excellent cleaner/degreaser to remove grease, grime, and nicotine. Look how dirty the water is in the bucket.
Excellent All Purpose Paint For Thrift Store Projects
My new best friend, the Homeright Finish Max Super, is becoming well-loved and broken in. I mixed up some DIY chalky paint primer using some blue oops paint and plaster of paris.
Leaving the inside of the bottom cabinet original wasn’t a difficult decision for me. When a cabinet is meant for storage, paint can get scratched up. For this reason, I prefer not to paint the inside of storage pieces. I used a scrap piece of thin plywood to prevent overspray inside the lower cabinet.
Thinking that I would leave the MCM hutch a dark blue; however, it wasn’t the color I intended. I got the color mixed up with another, oops, blue.
Replacing Glass Shelves With Wooden Shelves
Did you notice that the buffet was missing shelves? They were glass and were broken when they arrived at my home. Honestly, I have no idea if they were already broken or perhaps they broke when there was a “load” shift in the truck. I had no idea the shelves were glass when I bought the furniture piece, or I would have transported them separately. In the bottom image, you can see the difference in the colors of the blue paint.
Related Content: Navy Blue Furniture Projects
The buffet is beautiful after two light coats of the chalky paint primer and two light coats of the navy (dark denim) top coat!
Replace Hardware
It’s time to put the hardware back on. The top left photo shows that I put the hinge on wrong—even after looking at the picture. I was not paying attention to the knuckle. It needed to rest beside the edge of the door. I also added the magnet closures and the plates that line up with the magnets.
The plan was to add some decorative brass metal where the glass had been. The pieces I had were not large enough. I didn’t want to invest any more money in the buffet now. I’d love to hear your thoughts on what you would do with the naked hutch doors.
EDITED TO ADD: Melanie on FB said, “I liked the doors hung the original way. But besides that, it is awesome.” Too funny! I didn’t even realize I hung the doors upside down. So, now I have another question for you . . . should I FLIP them back?
For now, I added some pieces to take pictures, and being sans glass made it a LOT easier to photograph.
You can see that I didn’t paint the inside of the bottom cabinet.
I would love for you to PIN IT!
Please leave your thoughts in a comment below, by email, or on Facebook about what I should do about the missing glass. Would it be ridiculous to have a mid-century hutch like this with naked doors?
gail
See other buffets I’ve done below:
Love what you did. By the way you hung the doors properly and this pieces is worth a lot of money so good on your $15 thrift store find! I found this piece but larger on someone’s curb! But it’s go some serious damage on the base how did you fix yours as mine is also compressed wood with veneer.
Erica,
I love that you found your piece at the curb. You can’t beat FREE!
I’m not sure how to advise you about the damage on the base of your cabinet because I don’t know where it is or how bad it is.
gail
I like the doors hung the “new way” better! and It is soooooo beautiful. That shade of blue is perfection! Love that you always show us when you “make a mistake”. Because we newbies are ALWAYS making mistakes. You remind us that even the pros screw up every once in a while!
Ohhh Susan! I am far from perfect and I don’t mind sharing my mistakes if it helps my friends get better results.
Thanks for stopping by, and leaving such a kind comment.
gail
I think it looks beautiful the way it is. If someone who buys it wants glass, they can buy it.The doors look fine, too.
Thank you Donna Marie!
gail
I actually thought that the door were upside down in your original picture and I hoped that you would switch it with the arches on top. It looks more intentional and finished to me.
I love the blue, but would personally prefer a shine rather than a matt finish on this piece. It would add to the simple elegance of the piece.
Sorry I don’t have enough experience with options for replacing the glass, other than just that, replacing the glass… 🤔
Evie,
You have a keen eye about the doors. 🙂
I hear what you’re saying about the shine. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us!
gail
I love the blue color and even if the doors are upside down I think it gives it character. Awesome job😃💙🩵💙
Thank you Kim. I love navy blue furniture projects. Love the blue hearts you added in your comment. Cute!
gail
Thanks for sharing ! This is now a beautiful piece.
I love the color.
I do think the doors are upside down, but who knows …?
Yes – the glass is important for displaying items and less dust.
Chicken wire would not look good on a MCM piece.
I think this is my fav of your redo’s 🙂
Yes !!! Feet would be a great addition.
Thank you so much for your awesome (thorough) comment! It made me smile that this is your favorite!!
gail
The color is fabulous! Once staged it takes on a new look. I like the doors on upside down. It gives the hutch a more elegant look. If you decide to put on handles, brass would give it an extra punch!
Thank you Frances for your comment. I appreciate you stopping by to read my article.
gail
Did the glass in the doors break? I like seeing the items displayed so I vote for the glass back.
I think the doors look great both ways.
Theresa,
Yes, some of the glass broke. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
gail
The thrift shop didn’t know what they had. See this: https://sweetmodern.com/products/vintage-brutalist-style-china-cabinet-/45439/c90/
amazing ! it’s the same piece!
Hi could you please share the primer and the paint brand and colors you used?
Hi,
I used an “oops” color from Home Depot. It was on clearance because someone didn’t take it after it was mixed. Typically after the person refuses the paint, the employees will add more tint to it to change the color so the customer can’t come back to get it at a discounted price. (at least that’s what I’ve been told)
So, I’m sorry, I can’t tell you the name of the color. The primer was mixed using the oops paint and some plaster of paris. I always do this to give the paint a really flat sheen in order for the topcoat to adhere.
gail
Thank you so much for sharing this! It looks great!! I have this EXACT hutch which was my Grandparents. It was a fixture in their dining room before I was born. When my Grandfather passed no one wanted it. So I took the whole set tables and chairs included. It has been sitting in my spare room since I got it home. Now I am doing that room over and want to paint it. My Grandfather hated painted future which is why I never did anything with it but I really have no choice but to paint it if I want to actually use and enjoy this piece. I found the original advertisement in the silverware draw. The name of this collection is Keller Furniture Dimension VII. If you could share what you used for paints and primers I would be grateful. If you want me to send you a picture of the advisement let me know… Thanks again for sharing everything you did step by step. .
Lisa,
That is so awesome that you have the entire set. Thanks for the information on the name of the collection.
As I say in the blog post, I used my own homemade primer with the oops navy blue paint I had on hand. I prefer to make my own primer with the plaster of Paris. (link in the post for the directions.
Then I use that same paint without the plaster as the topcoat. Generally, it’s a satin or semi-gloss, depending on what I have on hand. Mixing some of the paint with the plaster makes it have a very flat sheen that adheres very well. Then a few coats of the paint right out of the can protects the flat paint from chipping etc.
have fun, and good luck!!
gail
Thank you Gail for all your great info and help. BTW you have hung the doors the correct way. The arches on the top is how it was set up at my Grandparents house. I am thinking of painting it white with (MAYBE gold trim) but not 100% sure about the gold as I don’t want it to look tacky. I am going using it at a bookcase for my glam room that I am currently working on right now which was a spare room that was COVERED in s ugly wallpaper. I don’t have the heart to get rid of the whole set but I want to at least keep the hutch and actually us it. The room will have white and gold accents if that helps.. Let me know your thoughts.. Thanks again <3
That sounds awesome Lisa. We could all use more glam in our lives. I think your grandparents would understand, and want you to be happy with whatever you do!!
Glad to know I hung the doors right. It has been rehomed, I hope the new family loves it.
gail
I just bought this same piece today at an estate sale. Not quite as cheap, but still a good deal at $50. Mine had the arches at the top, but I prefer them at the bottom. Mine also had peg legs. // I didn’t take a photo and I’m not picking up until next weekend, but I thought it was marked “Miller” inside the left lower door. Did you see any markings on yours?
I don’t remember there being any markings in the hutch.
Enjoy your new project!
gail
I did some research and had another look inside. The brand is Keller and this hutch – Colonnade – typically sells for between $300-$600. I’m just going to clean mine and keep the arches at the top. Thanks for the inspiration with all your fantastic makeovers!
I just bought this exact same hutch TODAY for a steal and found this on Pinterest! I’m so excited to refinish mine. In reviewing your site, someone mentioned the doors were hung upside down. They’re actually hung correctly the way you have them!! Beautiful piece!
How fun that you bought the twin! What do you plan to do with yours?
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment, happy you found it on Pinterest!
gail
If it’s in good shape, don’t refinish it. I painted the Keller Colonnade Hutch sells for between $309 and $800. 1stdibs has it at $1,300. It’s a valuable Mid-Century Modern piece.
Unpainted, not “I painted.” The unpainted hutch is valuable.
Gail,
I like the blue/gray finish on your refinishing of the hutch. I also like the doors better with the arches at the top. It would be nice to replace the glass that was broken. Would acrylic or plexiglas be less expensive?
Barb,
I’ve been so busy around the house I haven’t checked into replacing the glass with anything yet. I will probably try to sell it as is, including the one piece of glass I have in case someone wants to replace the glass, they will only have to buy one piece. 🙂
gail
Love the color and for sure arches on top. Hope you post a picture later of what you finally decide.
I love when a piece gets finished and is actually designed better than when it was new. The scallops are definitely better on top. It’s like a crown. I love the color. I love that it’s an open shelf hutch now. Less glass to wash. I love that I’m not the only one to take photos before I take things apart.
Thank you so much!!! This thing is a monster. I don’t know how I’m going to get it to my booth. 😉
gail
I think the arches belong at the top; maybe the last owners had it wrong. As I hate to dust, I would add the glass. Chicken wire is not modern looking enough for those lines in my opinion. You did a fabulous job. My milk glass collection would be gorgeous in it…but then so would my blue and white Staffordshire!
ohhhh Milk glass would definitely look beautiful in this piece! For now, the doors stay as they are, naked and upside down from the original orientation. Honestly–I’ve been wondering if the piece was placed on the base upside down which would of course make the doors wrong. hehehehe
gail
I agree with the majority! Leave them how you hung them. The other way covers up part of whatever you are showcasing. Why would you want to do that? As for the glass, I say leave it naked. It looks modern & fresh.
P.S. Love the white hutch makeover. So country chic.
Thank you Debbie for your sweet comment, and for checking out the white hutch. It’s long gone to it’s forever home.
gail
Naked doors, and I prefer the doors the way you put them back on.
I much prefer the doors hanging the way you have them – arched part at the top. I also think some small bun feet or similar would look great. Nothing needed in the open spaces of the top doors where glass used to be. It looks great just like this !!
Thanks Cherie! I actually have bun feet, and I also have some very short “peg” legs that might look fabulous. Not sure why I didn’t think of adding feet.
gail
I like the glass. Having purchased furniture in the 50’s, I think the glass looks better than chicken wire, but maybe I have a mental block on using chicken wire on mid-century pieces. I love the color. In the before picture I though the doors of the upper section were on upside down, so I like the arch at the top. Thanks for sharing your information. Jo
I like the idea of using the glass. Since I bought furniture in the 50’s I think the glass would look better than the chicken wire, but maybe I have a mental block about using chicken wire in this mid-century piece. Also I love the color. In the before picture, I thought the doors on the top portion were on upside down, so I like the arch at the top. Thanks for sharing your information.
I think the doors look much better this way, you can see what is on the bottom! I like the openness but if you had to put in ‘something’, how about the small gauge chicken wire? I love seeing your projects and cant wait to have a space to do my own!
I love the color! I think you need to replace the glass or take the doors off.
I love it as it is! I wouldn’t put anything else on it, I love the simplicity and “purity” of it. The colour is stunning, so much depth and warmth.
I think it is beautiful. What a wonderful color. Doors look fine upside down to me! Simple legs would add to it.
`There is a Japanese paper that is fairly heavy, but almost see-through. Inexpensive compared to glass and easy to “install”. And as much of a pain it will be to flip the doors, they would actually look better. The entire hutch looks great in that particular shade of blue!
I’m so in love with this piece! <3 I wish i could find those bargains in my town! i love the way it turns out with the doors down side up, it's just perfect. I would put some some legs, a small ones, but that's just me 🙂
Ohhh, legs are a great idea!
I think it looks great open and I know chicken wire has been done to death, but if you painted some chicken wire gold it would really make a statement against that navy!
I love that! …. to paint the chicken wire.
I don’t know – chicken wire (even painted) would get a country vs MCM vibe going. I don’t think it would mesh (no pun intended) well.
Painted white chicken wire would look awesome.
Super suggestion, thanks!
I love the color, the piece looks beautiful. I would put another piece of glass in, but if you want to make it look farm like, you can use chicken wire. Or Hobby Lobby has aluminum decorative pieces which might work.
The decorative metal is what I was going to use… but my pieces weren’t large enough.
Love that smokey blue color, it looks great with the white props. Beautiful piece of furniture that is just stunning!
Thank you! I appreciate your sweet comment.
Thanks for the ideas!!! My brain is going wild with the changes I can make!!!
Awesome! I need to figure out the doors. Whether or not they’re upside down. 😉
That’s a beautiful color, but I think it needs something more. I think the attraction of MCM, besides the sleek look, is the wood tone. Since you’ve painted it, I’d give it some more interest. What about handles on the bottom that mimic the arches? Or take off the doors? If you’re not going to put in glass, it would be more functional as an open hutch.
Is it me or do your decorative pieces look as though they are in a jail cell..lol.
Thinking with your imagination, there must be a way to remove the vertical bars & leaving an open shelf effect. No glass~ no bars~ just wide open shelves.
I would have a problem deciding what to do about the top arches though. Should they be left in place, but figure a to finish them off so they look like a plan or remove them & go with something more ‘straight lined’?
You created a beautiful piece, as usual, from that $15 hutch… Let me know when a house near you goes on the marked.. I really need to be your neighbor ☺
I would go back to glass in the doors. Anything else would obscure what one would want to display. I’d leave the shelves made of wood, but is the span too long that thin boards would sway. Maybe put a support in the middle where it won’t be noticed much. The reason I say go back to glass is that if I’m going to do a nice display, I don’t want to have to dust. I’d rather clean glass than dust!
It looks beautiful I love that color of blue. You did a wonderful re-do!
Fonda,
I saved the one piece of glass so IF I do glass I only need to buy one. The wood is thin, but won’t sway because they sort of lay in edges just like the glass did. They seem to be very strong. (thanks for bringing that up)
thanks !!
gail
It’s beautiful! LOL I too am ‘hinge challenged’ and always have to take pics before I remove them! Too bad about the glass because it really makes the piece. I would definitely leave it open as anything else I think would detract from the displays inside. I’m sure replacing the glass would be expensive though.
Lauren,
Happy to know I’m not the only one that always struggles with hinges!!! We have a glass shop nearby, maybe I’ll stop in and get an estimate.
thanks so much!
gail
Honestly I like it as is. No handles with no glass not a problem. Gives it a clean sharp look.
Thank you Stephanie!
There were no handles to begin with, there are cut-ins on all the doors. Maybe when I sell it, I’ll make a note telling the buyer that I have one pane of glass if they want to purchase another. 😉
gail