How should I redo this buffet from the 1960's?

I have a buffet that my parents bought in the 1960’s. I want to redo it to match my farmhouse theme. I plan to paint it with white or gray chalk paint. I’m not sure if I should paint the existing hardware black. Any other ideas?

  9 answers
  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Jan 12, 2019

    I love the hardware on there and you could paint it here are some more paint ideas

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQCyIdGVI8I


  • Christierei Christierei on Jan 12, 2019

    This piece shouts "midcentury". I don't think it will look "farmhouse" if you paint it. It will look like midcentry that was painted. Leave the hardware. They have a lot of old patina. Are they brass ?

  • Gk Gk on Jan 12, 2019

    Here's an idea of how your cabinet painted white might look. You could leave the top stained as is or stain it darker. You could add a more rustic farmhouse top using boards you attach together--a kreg jig is helpful. The hardware could go either way. Your buffet is beautiful as it is. I LOVE the front of that buffet and the hardware! This is one time where it would be hard to decide whether you should paint it or not! I just painted a 1970's hutch a dark charcoal gray (chalk paint). I do love it so much better than the old brown wood look--and the paint disguised some of the plastic detail on the lower doors--which was really ugly!! I do have some farmhouse decor. While my hutch isn't really classified as a farmhouse design I have been able to fit it into my decor with other accessories that scream Farmhouse! It works!

  • Christierei Christierei on Jan 12, 2019

    You could strip it to the natural wood and see how it looks. Natural wood with a white wax looks lovely.

  • Gk Gk on Jan 13, 2019

    Here are two pictures Christine that resemble the hutch I mentioned in an earlier comment. My hutch is very similar to the tall lighter gray hutch but the color is darker like the smaller buffet. I used Annie Sloan Graphite. Rustoleum Chalked makes a very similar color called Charcoal. It's a very dark gray--not black. I waxed with a clear wax.

    • Christine Kampe Bullis Christine Kampe Bullis on Jan 13, 2019

      Thank you for sharing the pics and the info about what paints you used! I love what you did with the pieces. Seeing what you did helps me invision what I can do with my buffet

  • Debi53 Debi53 on Jan 13, 2019

    You have inherited an amazing piece. Mid-century is my favorite! But I know you want it to fit in. Here is my suggestion: Try white-washing the body and leave the top and the hardware alone. You can find recipes for white washing online. Basically it is just thinned down white paint. White wash and let the paint settle into all the grooves and wipe away the excess. You can do this very lightly or do multiple coats to make it whiter. It will bring out all the lovely lines without completely covering the wood. If you like it, you're done. If after doing this you realize you still want it completely white, then go ahead and paint it. It is very difficult to undo a full paint job, but easy to move forward after white washing. Also by leaving the top natural when you whitewash, you will know if you want to leave it if you decide to paint the body or if you like the look of the wood top.

    • Christine Kampe Bullis Christine Kampe Bullis on Jan 13, 2019

      The piece has a lot of sentimental value so I want to be able to use it. I think i’ll Try the white wash and I like the idea of keeping the top stained. Thank you for your ideas - very helpful!

  • Luna Rose Sanchez Luna Rose Sanchez on Jan 13, 2019

    I would remove the doors and add sliding panels on the front sand and paint it with contrasting colors maybe add texture paint to make it look like concrete, and do faux metal on the top. It would make for a nice tv stand.