Pages

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Plain to Pretty Pine Buffet

** AFTER **
I was given this pine buffet numerous years ago by a dear friend of mine (you can still purchase it here).  She was moving across the country and she knew I always liked it so she gave it to me.  I loved the bun feet and the doors/drawers placement, even though I did find it a tad plain.  I used it for a number of years as a change table.  Then when we needed more drawer space, it went into storage and has sat there for a year or two.  Well, this week I pulled it out and did a number on her.  Hard to believe it is the same thing, huh?
** BEFORE **
 First, I needed to reinforce the drawers.  It is not a super well built cabinet but it was repairable.  The dowel joints were loose so I pried apart the ones I could and reglued them.  To add some excitement to the front of the cabinet, I added shelf trim to each of the doors and drawers.  Those were glued and nailed to the front.  The moulding certainly adds a bit of interest. 




Once the mouldings were done, I sanded the buffet down and painted it white - "Powdered Snow" by Behr, to be exact, in Satin finish.  I love the warmth and creaminess of the color - not cold and stark at all.  It took 3 coats before I was happy with the coverage.  Since I used the Behr Premium Plus Ultra, the primer was in the paint so technically it was one coat primer, 2 coats paint.

Since this buffet will once again be used as a change table (not for me, in case you were wondering!), I needed to add another piece of wood to the top.  The width of the buffet top is only 13" - quite narrow for a change table.  I bought a pine laminated project panel - 3/4" x 16" x 48" - and, after sanding it smooth, stained it with MinWax Ebony stain.  Once attached, this will make the top wide enough to accommodate a change pad.

Once the buffet and top were dry, I attached the top to the buffet with gorilla glue, a few clamps, and screwed from the inside.  That top will not budge.


Since the moulding I added covered up the holes for the knobs on the doors, I drilled new holes in the center of the doors.  Sparkly new knobs were added as the final touch to this furniture makeover (though I still need to add the poly to the paint/stain - I will leave that for next week).  Since the screws for the new knobs were too long for the drawers/doors, I had two options.  Either I could cut the screws shorter or I could make blocking to go on the inside of the drawer/door.  I chose to make the blocking since I thought it was the easier way to go.

Over all, I am thoroughly pleased with the transformation.  I had intended to distress the buffet but I wasn't confident in my ability to do that.  I am glad I left it as it is.  I had also planned to paint more on the inside of the buffet but decided to leave it plain pine.  I know this isn't a building project like my bathroom cabinet or my porch swing or my Adirondack chairs but I did use a few tools so I think it qualifies as a building and painting project.

Just one more look at the difference:
 

** BEFORE**


** AFTER **




 Tools used:
compound mitre saw - cut the mouldings, cut blocking for knobs
air nailer - attach the mouldings
glue and clamps - repair the drawers, attach the mouldings, attach the top to the buffet
cordless drill - drill new holes for knobs, drill holes in blocking, attach top to buffet
palm sander - sand down buffet prior to painting/staining

I am linking to these parties:


The DIY Show Off




Domestically Speaking

(On October 11)

PS:  Please excuse the poor picture quality on most of the photos - my hubby took my SLR and left me with my sons tiny little digital.  I will replace the photos with better ones when he returns! 

8 comments:

  1. I love what you have done with the piece. I am impressed by your skills with tools, ( I'm still at thingy and whatchamacallit!)I'm going to have to grab some goggles and do better! Thanks for the inspiration!
    Your new follower,
    Patti

    ReplyDelete
  2. This turned out FANTASTIC! Love the transformation! I really like the contrast of the stained top with the white color. I'm having a twinge of regret for not adding molding to the front of a dresser I recently finished. I considered, but then decided not to. Really adds interest to your project!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It absolutely qualifies and it's lovely! I absolutely love the added detain of the moulding. Great piece.

    ReplyDelete
  4. If I could actually get to the saw in the garage....maybe I could use it! This dresser turned out beautifully. Very impressed with your skills. I think I might learn a thing or two from you! : )
    ~Tina

    ReplyDelete
  5. Outstanding. Hope your kids like mine learn to use tools while just watching you. It happened to mine like osmosis.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Plain to pretty is right! Loved reading this post and seeing all your photographs. Amazing Job!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Loved how it turned out! The trim is a great idea and the sparkly knobs too :). Looking forward to see how it fits in its new home :)!

    ReplyDelete