I was given this vintage buffet back in the early spring. It’s been sitting in storage looking all pitiful just waiting for the tlc it deserves. When I got this piece and blogged about it, Susan remarked that she had it’s twin. I already knew it would make a perfect media center since it was missing the middle drawer, but after seeing Susan’s, I just had to have this in my living room to replace the one I built from scratch years ago.
Free Vintage Buffet-Perfect for a Media Center
Sure, she has some problems, but great bones!
The first thing I did was tackle all of the bad veneer. Some was loose, and some was missing. In the middle left picture… I just took the rest of that veneer off.
This is the top of the vintage buffet, it was in pretty rough shape, I sanded it totally down.
Chalky Paint Primer
You can see the top here, and I gave everything a quick coat of my diy chalky paint as a primer.
It was ready for the paint booth, but first I had to protect the top from paint, because the plan is to stain the top. I always lay a layer of painter’s tape on first, then I tape paper onto that.
Using a Paint Sprayer on Furniture
While I was spray painting during the 24 in 24 challenge in Cleveland, I figured out a great way to spray drawers without getting paint on the inside. During that challenge, there wasn’t time to tape of the insides of the drawers. You can see here, that I simply lay them upside down—no paint getting inside these drawers when I use my HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer
. NOTE: I did not tape off the insides of the drawer areas, look how little overspray there is.
It even worked well with this extra large drawer. You can see the difference in the paint here. The drawer hasn’t been sprayed yet. I used Behr Premium Plus paint (Beluga) in semi-gloss.
Look closely at this picture. You can see along the bottom where I did the primer coat with the chalky paint.
Look at the top of the paper, very little overspray there either. To be honest, a lot of this has to do with how much I use this sprayer, I’ve gotten really good at it.
Stain the Top of the Vintage Buffet, Media Center
Here is the top of the vintage buffet, ready to be stained.
I used Minwax Jacobean to stain the top, then I sealed it with several light coats of Minwax Wipe-on Poly (satin).
What to do With the Hardware?
Well, I decided to spray paint the hardware, using a semi-gloss black.
The poor old thing is missing some trim But I just think it adds to her charm, and is part of her story.
Don't you just love old furniture? They just don’t make ‘em like this anymore. Remember, I didn’t tape these drawers… love that Finish Max! It makes my life so much easier, and gives a great finish. win/win. Isn't the vintage buffet turned media center gorgeous?
This is where I keep it real. This piece has been finished for several weeks….in storage just waiting for one last touch. I’m hoping to have it in the house very soon, thinking if I show you this much, I won’t keep putting it off.
gail
EDITED TO ADD: updated pictures. Finally, I added some wheels, and I also changed the color of the hardware—see the details in my post Updates to the Vintage Buffet Media Center.
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Rhonda
I so want this!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
I still love it so much, it's perfect for my living room! I LOVE the storage it offers, it is totally full!
Teresa Parsell
Have you ever dealt with veneer that was wavy or rippled? I'm trying to figure out how to fix it or if it makes sense to rip it off since this piece will be painted. Is it difficult to remove veneer?
Thank you!
Cathy LeBlanc
I am curious abt the minwax you used. I refinished a desk a while back & used minwax paste finishing was but it didnt come out near as beautiful as yours here did. Can you elaborate on the type of minwax you used.
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Thanks Cathy. I used Minwax Wipe-On Poly. It's in a can, and you pour it out. I use a soft rag, and wipe it on. I used that on the top of the piece.
The black is semi-gloss latex paint.
gail
Laurel Stephens
Wow! Your new media cabinet looks great! You really are a champ with the sprayer, and how smart to simply turn the drawers over before painting them!!
Missy Homemaker
This is just beautiful! I love the paint color you chose. I've nominated you for a Liebster Award (based on Bloglovin' followers). You can see your nomination on my Saturday September 21 blog š
Pat
gorgeous...
Now get it moved in...so we can see it.
and what is it with BUNCO everybody?
Patricia
Mimi
Fabulous makeover! I love that style of furniture and your choices are perfect for it. and as always you make me want that sprayer š
Trish
This is so nice. I know you will get her done in time.
Sherry Whitworth
It looks wonderful, I want to see it in your livingroom, let me know when you have finished.
Sherry Whitworth
Very nice, you are so good.
Diane | An Extraordinary Day
Wow! It is an impressive piece of furniture, Gail! And you did a great job. Love how your sprayer is so precise. I'm looking forward to seeing it in your living room...all set up. And so are your Bunco friends! [wink]
Hope your weekend is Extraordinary!
Mindi
I like to be held accountable too! It looks great!
Pam
Wow.....great job. I have a secretary that looks just like that on the bottom only it has a top part with glass doors. I love that piece....but I can't bring myself to paint it.......
Holly
It looks great! I know you'll get it finished up in time! š
Britnee
Looks really good! Clever idea to turn it into a media center.
peggy
Thanks for the technical tips. I just bought the sprayer but haven't used it yet because of garage overload so it's just as well that I saw this first. The advice on drawer painting is a huge time saver. Do you spray the chalky paint or brush it on?
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Peggy,
I have done both. I recently did about 6 tv's consoles and such with some diy chalky paint. It went really quick. You can see where I've used it in my sprayer in these posts.
https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/09/ascp-in-homeright-finish-max-sprayer.html
https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/09/easy-frame-makeovers.html
gail
Stephanie@cre8tive
Oh wow, that is going to look so nice in your house. I love that you thought of using the missing drawer for a purpose. Those type of cabinets are selling for a lot lately, so you really scored. I also like the top stained, the contrast is awesome!
keya
love it - it is absolutely perfect!
Betsy
Great job Gail. I love the color and natural top.
Nadine
Gotta love a good rescue and this turned out beautiful!
Terri
Gorgeous...you really rocked it girl!
I had a lot of fun doing my daughter's media center, would love to do another!
girlfromwva
This looks lovely!!! I love how you re-did it and made her new again!!!
Paige @ Little Nostalgia
Gail! Don't forget to finish the project! š
I'll tweet at you later, too. It looks beautiful! I can't see anything else to do, but I bet you have a trick up your sleeve.
Susan
Gail I made the exact same one out of the bottom of my Grandmother's hutch and I love it, it is the TV stand in our living room. Instead of the top 2 drawers I put baskets in the space... I even stained a new top because there was no top when I removed the hutch... we have twiin TV stands now! š Beautiful piece!
Susan
cassie
it looks great! i always love black with wood! and love the new use for it!
kirby carespodi
I love the piece--love the Hepplewhite hardware--and REALLY love that you play Bunco! I've played with the same group of women for 23 years!