French Linen Painted Buffet
We’re sharing a French Linen painted buffet and hutch today as we continue to give my childhood home, Loblolly, a total refresh!
Several years ago, my Mom and I were leaving Loblolly when we decided to stop at a local thrift store.
We needed a buffet for the dining room to help with storage.
But once we got the dining room table installed, we knew a standard-size buffet was not going to work.
So, we set our sights on a dresser that could act as a buffet.
And as luck would have it, we found exactly what we needed.
The only problem was that it was not my Mom’s style at all.
In fact, the fake stained glass window totally threw her off.
Not to mention, it was in rough shape.
Honestly, I don’t even know how the shoe prints even got on there.
It took me a bit to convince my Mom this was the piece we needed.
I knew it would be perfect the minute I saw it though.
And at only $40, which never happens anymore, it was the right price too.
French Linen Painted Buffet: The Makeover Process…
With no time to spare, I hauled the dresser back to my home on the island and got to work.
First, I removed all the drawers and cleaned the entire piece.
Then I painted the dresser with 2 coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen allowing plenty of drying time between each coat.
My bestie S helped me replace the fake stained glass window with chicken wire so my Mom could have the French Country feel she envisioned.
We also sprayed the existing hardware with Rust-Oleum’s Hammered Bronze.
Finally, I distressed the edges with 220-grit sandpaper.
Then I sealed the French Linen painted buffet with clear furniture paste wax being careful not to disturb the chippy goodness my Mom adores.
Truthfully, this transformation is one of our favorite makeovers to date because the before and after is so drastic!
Adding the French Linen Painted Hutch…
The thrifted dresser turned French Linen painted buffet served our family well for many years.
But once my Mom’s ironstone collection started growing, we knew we needed a hutch.
So, my Mom convinced my Dad to build her a beadboard-backed hutch and I painted the frame in French Linen.
Then sealed the body of the hutch with clear furniture paste wax.
At the last minute (read: after most of the pictures had been taken), we also decided to spray paint the original hardware with a Rust-Oleum Metallic color called Champagne Bronze.
It was a very subtle change but one that helped to warm up the French Linen painted buffet and hutch.
Once all the painting and sealing had been completed, we loaded the shelves with my Mom’s ironstone collection.
Slow Decorating…
This French Linen painted buffet and hutch are both great examples of slow decorating.
Sometimes you’ll find exactly what you need at exactly the time you need it.
While other times, it takes an entire season or longer to find just the right piece.
No matter how long it takes, stay true to your vision.
A layered look takes time but the effort is always worth it!
Let us know what you’re projects you’re painting or working on this season! Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Many blessings,
CoCo
That’s an amazing transformation, Coco. I hope you feel better soon ;(
Thank you so much, Mary Beth. It’s definitely been an interesting week but I’m feeling better each day. Sending you hugs, CoCo
Wow CoCo~ That is a Fabulous job on the dresser. Thank you for sharing this with us. I can’t wait to see that farmhouse table.
I really appreciate it, Krys, thank you so much!
Oh Coco, it is gorgeous! You, my friend, are such a talented artist. I am so sorry that you are sick, will say some prayers for healing, you rest and get better! Hugs!!
I so appreciate your prayers, Kimm, thank you. I’m hoping to take some extra time to rest and heal and then come back stronger than ever. Thank you bunches for your kind words about the buffet. My mom is so proud to have it which makes me totally excited. Hugs, CoCo
Oh my gosh CoCo – we think this is our new favorite transformation from you! This dresser/buffet is gorgeous! You have a keen eye for design and style. I’m sure your family will love this for years to come!
Thank you so much ladies! Of all of the furniture pieces I’ve painted this one will definitely rank right up there in my top favorites too. It’s hard to believe it’s even the same piece. I’m so glad I was able to talk her into getting it. We love the way it stands out in the dining room now. Hugs, CoCo
Oh CoCo I do hope you feel better soon! This is such a great transformation! I would love for you to share it over at Friday’s Furniture Fix. The dining room at Loblolly Manor is looking so fresh. Beautiful.
Thank you, Nancy, I’m feeling better each day. I’m so excited the dining room is starting to take shape and we’re so close to having all of the final pieces in place. Once we get the lights up we’ll be good to go. Linking up later today. Hugs, CoCo
Oh my! Coco this is beautiful! I love the legs on this piece and all the other little details that make it so special. It’s amazing how big of a transformation was made. You couldn’t notice all the little carvings and details before. This is stunning and beautiful and perfect for your space! 🙂 Well done! I hope you have a great day!
Smiles!
Terry
I really appreciate your sweet words, Terry, thank you. I’m totally with you it was hard to see all those pretty details with just the wood finish. I’m glad the French Linen was able to bring her back to life. She definitely needed some extra loving. Hugs, CoCo
Beautiful! I can’t believe how different it looks from the before photo! Great job girl!
Such a sweet compliment, Angie, thank you. It is really hard to believe the before and after photos. I think adding the chicken wire and playing up all those pretty details made all the difference. Hugs, CoCo
This is seriously my favorite piece in Loblolly. Perhaps even my favorite piece ever.
Aww, that’s so sweet of you to say, sis, thank you. I’m so glad we were able to save it from the junk pile and use it at Loblolly. I still can’t get over the faux stained glass 🙂
Hi CoCo – what a beautiful transformation. Too funny with the foot prints.. although I think I have had to step on a few pieces in my storage now that I think about it. It is such a great piece with beautiful detail, can’t believe only $40! Hope you are having a great week and that you feel better. Can’t wait to see the table!
-Shayla
I appreciate it, Shayla, thank you so much. I’m definitely on the mend and feeling better each day. Were those footprints not totally crazy or what? We hardly ever find furniture that reasonably priced anymore so I’m excited that we able to give this piece a little love. Hugs, CoCo
So sorry to read of your illness, CoCo. Hope you’re on the mend and feeling better real soon!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful transformation of your dresser turned buffet. It’s amazing what vision and paint (and a whole lot of talent) can do. I had thought I was over Annie Sloan paint, but you’ve made me want to run out and buy a can of French Linen. 😉 Take care! Cynthia
You’re sweet, Cynthia, thank you! I’m definitely feeling better each day. I know what you mean about the chalk paint but you’re totally right that French Linen gets me every time too 🙂 Thanks so much for your kind words, CoCo
Oh my goodness! This is an amazing transformation! It is beautiful!
CoCo
It looks beautiful and I love the chicken wire. Clever idea.
Gorgeous! I love it.
Gosh that’s SO PRETTY!! You did such an amazing job of re-finishing that furniture piece, CoCo. It looks just gorgeous with all of that Ironstone displayed!!!
I bet your mom couldn’t believe it when she saw the difference after you painted it! Such a pretty piece! So lucky to have such a crafty dad to make those shelves! Her Ironstone collection looks beautiful!!
Absolutely beautiful.
Thank you so much, Denise, I really appreciate it! It’s been fun to work alongside my parents to create a little retreat space our whole family can enjoy. Hope you have the best day, CoCo
That’s just gorgeous! Thanks for sharing the story behind it, too! I always love the stories…;)
Such a beautiful transformation. How did you get it to chip like that?
Thank you so much, Cheryl! I’m pretty sure the chipping came from the varnish that was already on the buffet because the paint started lifting almost as soon as I started painting it. I believe Dixie Belle Paint Company, Country Chic Paint, and Folkart Home Decor Paint all make their own version of a “crackle medium.” I’ve never tried them but they might be a great place to start if you want to recreate a similar look. Good luck and happy painting, CoCo
Oh my stars!! This turned out AMAZING!! You clearly have a great eye for furniture with potential. I don’t think I could have seen the potential in this piece. The hutch your Dad built is perfect – it look as though those two pieces have always been together. Thanks for inspiring us with another furniture transformation. (Oh and the champagne colored hardware is fabulous!!)
We practice slow decorating here all the time, if I do not take my time in decision making, I often find I am not happy with what I rush into. This piece turned out perfect, you did a wonderful job with it CoCo! I love the addition of the hutch, like it was always meant to be.
What a gorgeous makeover, CoCo! Love the color, and the chippiness! Great idea for the ‘window’ door, too! So glad you shared this at Tuesday Turn About. 🙂 I’ll be featuring you at this week’s party! Pinned!
WOW CoCo this is an amazing before and after, you have the magic touch (and eye!) love it and love the color too 🙂 Hugs- Tanya
This is an AMAZING before-and-after! Wow, CoCo–your vision is amazing! I love what this project demonstrates. With some imagination and elbow grease, you can create something beautiful!
Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!