Re-finish antique buffet help

11 years ago

Hi,
Some of you might shudder to think of what I want to do!
My father bought this piece for a lot of money and has since given it to me. I have NO interest in this piece, but want to "make it my own", because it IS well-made.
Some background: I have a large wall that I am stressing out over what to do. (this is my first home) The walls are light blue, couches are beige, and the current furniture is black/brown. I am going for a more eclectic look (mainly becuase I have no idea how to follow a design style)
I want to paint (yes, not strip and stain) this. Should I paint it to match the current furniture (sort of a satin finish black/brown or black)? Or go with a white color? (not thinking a distressed look)
I will change the hardware to a more modern style, but also wondering if it would look better with visible shelves instead of doors.
If any of you have any osuggestions I would love to hear them!
Thank you so much!

Featured Answer

houssaon

11 years ago

OK you have no interest in the piece. Why not find out the value of it as is?

If it were worth let's say $1200 in its current condition, would you sell it? If it were worth $3500 in its current condition, would you sell it? If you painted it and then tried to sell and found was worth $200 would you regret painting it?

I don't know how much it is worth, but I can tell you that collectors want original condition. If you've ever watched Antique Roadshow, you'd know that even polishing some pieces destroys the value to a collector. Pieces that were once worth 5 to 6 figures come down to a couple of thousand. Would it be better to see if you can get good money for it and buy pieces you really have an interest in (or are suitable to make your own) or just go ahead and paint it?

Even though your Dad gave it to you, please, ask him his opinion and what the history of the piece is.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (25)

apple_pie_order
11 years ago
How about giving it back? The piece will lose significant monetary value if painted. If your father bought it for its style, he will probably not be delighted if you ruin its value by painting over it. If he doesn't care, sell it and buy something you like.
rubenator
11 years ago
I would steer away from modernising this piece. The beauty of furniture like this is in its style and hardware. If you want to create an eclectic style, then a piece like this combined with modern furniture and a few more vintage pieces will give you the look you want. I would take the walls back to a neutral tone, paint the skirting a lighter step again and play up the flooring. Let the uniqueness of the sideboard/whatever it is be a feature. If you don't want to do that, I would sell the piece and get a modern alternative. I have always, always regretted the modernising of older pieces and have learned from my mistakes.
Related Discussions
Antique buffet?
Q
Comments (7)
That's exactly how I do it, Annie. When I go to auctions, after I get a good look at an article I may be interested in, I always set up the price in my mind to which I'll bid, depending on how badly I want it. The $ figure is as much dependent on my lust as its value. I also ask myself how much I'd spend on a piece with a similar function if I had to go out and buy one new. LOL. Nine times out of ten, if it's not some rare museum piece the vintage or antique item is as cheap or cheaper. If you bought a buffet today for a hundred dollars, it would be made out of pressboard with contact paper for a finish.
...See More
Want very simple iron tripod tamp for antique buffet
Q
Comments (13)
Hmmm, this is tough, as you're painting now and will be getting a new table. How soon before we can see the new paint color and table? :-) Your style is mainly primitive in that beautiful room. If you want the lamp on the off-white jelly cupboard, the fact that the sign behind it is almost the same width means that you need something with a fairly small shade or a hurricane that doesn't block the sign. I have a lamp fetish....I love OLD lamps, such as tole or Bouillotte style, and I have bought most of mine on eBay. I also like to make lamps out of old crocks, lidded baskets, tea caddies - you name it. I love this little cutie in the link, but you may not like the color. I really think you were on a good track with the tripod style you mentioned, or a set of slender simple candlestick lamps. It's EASY to post a link. When you reply, note the 'Optional link URL' below the text box. Just copy the address of the page you're on in that box, and give it a name in in the 'Name of the Link' box below. Here is a link that might be useful: Vintage Tole Lampshade and Brass & Marble Arrow Weathervane Lamp
...See More
Buffet is done!! Antique mahogany gone lilac.
Q
Comments (21)
thank you all so much for the kind words! now i'm just waiting on amazon to finally deliver my pneumatic staple gun so i can reupholster the drexel heritage dining chairs. i refinished them a month ago! then the furniture for my future dining room will be complete! i'm going to do a big piece of art too so maybe i won't call it complete until that's done. haha the projects are stacking up though - gotta keep moving!
...See More
I finished something....buffet & barstools
Q
Comments (22)
My3dogs, I'd glady takeany of your lamp rejects if that addiction gets out of control!! I took a pic but it is on the other camera that DH has. I am having probs getting my bad photos to load today. The buffet had lacquer paint so I had to use oil based paint(yuck). I have gotten spoiled to latex But. Anyways, I always buy good brushes - Purdy. I used flat Lowes off the shelf oil based paint 2 coats w/ lots of dry time between. Took a med. grit sanding block & sanded back revealing green base color on high spots & high wear areas. Paint what ever you want your reveal color to be 1st. After sanding, it looked kinda chalky. So, I thought I could wax or polyurethane. I didn't have any oil based polyurethane but did have wax. Store is 25 minutes away. This is the wax. It is a wonderful wax for furniture & lasts a very long time. Antique mahogany. So I waxed on & waxed off. HTH. Smiles:)
...See More
Related Professionals
Linton Hall Interior Designers & Decorators · Washington Interior Designers & Decorators · Taylors Architects & Building Designers · Palm Harbor Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Woodstock Furniture & Accessories · Detroit Furniture & Accessories · Fallbrook Furniture & Accessories · Indian Creek Furniture & Accessories · Eau Claire General Contractors · Elgin General Contractors · Forest Hills General Contractors · Fort Pierce General Contractors · Jefferson Valley-Yorktown General Contractors · Renton General Contractors · San Bruno General Contractors
User
11 years ago
What about placing a short modern geometric runner over the top of it, down the middle, to spruce it up?
Laura
11 years ago
I'm all about painting furniture, but this piece has such lovely details and looks to be in good shape. I'd recommend leaving it it as is. If you want to paint something, find a piece on Craigslist.
carole
11 years ago
please do not paint this piece,the inlaid wood tells it is a real antique,buy a piece of furniture that is from the 80's or 90's,they are cheap enough now and there are so many that painting them is oke,if you really dont like the cupboard take it to a valuer and then decide what you want to do with it
januarisun
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I would paint it a terra cotta or coppery red. My office has light blue walls, drk brown furniture, a beige rug accented with a terra cotta HM Mirra chair, and I just love it! The touches of warm really finished the space. I think the best thing to do for a piece that you aren't crazy about, it to make it an eclectic, stand out point of interest. Bring attention to it and make it pop!
0
anthip
11 years ago
I have a suggestion: Give it back, sell it or keep it in storage until you find somewhere it will fit as is. This is a well made piece of furniture. It really shouldn't be changed in any way.
alwftw
Original Author
11 years ago
Ugh. Sorry, I should have been a bit more clear. I am aware some of you won't agree with my choices, and I didn't really want opinions on that.
My father, like most baby boomers, is downsizing, and he doesn't want it. I don't want to sell it, nor will I regret changing it to suit my taste.
I'll post my question elsewhere. Thank you for your time!
igal
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
How about wide horizontal lines of silver then black then repeat.Then pick up some nice glass handles or silver.Make it modern and interesting. ,,
0
ruthmand
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
How about black and hot pink! That would be awsome and go well with your eclectic look! Who cares what it really looks like, what it is worth or who gave it to you. The important thing now is to make it yours! Do polkadots do it for you? Maybe a leopard print? Lime green is a hot color today as well. Make that useless old cabinet POP! Go girl...
lissa4d
11 years ago
you could take out the drawers and change the handles --keeping all original things somewhere in case your style changes again...remove the doors and drawers-with only a shell and a fabulous runner as calilkym said above -you may find you don't have to paint it, it will be changed enough good luck
0
nevadan
11 years ago
This is not really an antique. It is a factory made piece from about 1910. I doubt that many people would find it pretty. The case and the feet were probably from separate pieces and were later joined together. If he paid a lot for it he was robbed.
Vicki Magee
11 years ago
If you are going to paint it and it is between the options you gave I would say the black/brown.
0
elcieg
11 years ago
i would remove the feet. I do not think they are original to the piece. You could give this a cool Asian feel. Remove all the hardware and paint it a lacquer red or black. Now see how the original hardware will look if you replace it. I bet it will be fine. Mid century modern and Asian has a lot in common. Consider it.
User
11 years ago
I think it is time to resume your meds.
Jayme H.
11 years ago
Is this thing some valuable Byzantine relic or something? IDK, just don't think it's that great looking to avoid painting, but I am also all for making a buck..but it's not my piece.
0
User
11 years ago
nevadan and judyg may be on to something. Although I'm all for maintaining good wood furniture from the last century, the legs throw the piece off. What about removing them, lacquering it black and mounting directly to a wall for a modern look. It's difficult to tell the hardware quality from the one pic, but if it works after lacquering it, great. If not get new. Just figure that out before laquering so you can patch wholes as needed. It's an odd piece but it might make a super entry hall piece of a console below a flat screen t.v.. Doing a really good metallic finish is another option. The only thing I'd do first if it were mine is try to find out if there is any real value to it as if there was, it might fund several pieces you'd really like.
0
User
11 years ago
Don't let the feet fool you.

Did you fail to notice the burled wood?
Jayme H.
11 years ago
The more I examine it, the more I do like it, however!
carole
11 years ago
oke,sorry!!was just a comment,ofcourse it is totally up to want you want to do with the piece,if i was to paint it then i would use 3 bright colors and keep some of the wood as is!!and change the feet or as sjkingston suggests,mount it directly on the wall,whatever you decide have fun "making this your own"also a tip,if you paint the top also use a finishing coat over the color,just paint it scratches easily.
0
Jayme H.
11 years ago
I think the original poster is long gone.
PRO
R J Hoppe Inc
11 years ago
The piece appears to me to be true mid century modern, probably made in the middle of the last century. I think the piece is machine made in quantity, the reason it appears to be well made is because it was. The "mass production" machine made of the 1950's and the machine made of today, well there is no comparison. The finish appears to be worn and dirty. I would be the first to ask you to clean it up however, as you said. it's yours. The only sugestion I would have is to keep the center figured section. Because of it's figure it can, if treated right, lose all appearance of wood and become a purly decorative element. The large upper section appears to be slanted back, thats very interesting as well. I think with the right paint choice and pattern you can come up with a peice that is wonderful.
0
lefty47
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
HI - This is a piece of "Depression Furniture " NOT an ANTIQUE - just VINTAGE ! It was probably part of a dining set . Depression furniture was sold in room sets , factory made from the 1920's to about the or late 30's early 40's . They were a cheaper furniture made more affordable for war vets and lower income familys using thin wood vaneers and sometimes parts from other furniture . It is probably worth only a few hundred dollars . SO - do what you want with it . If you paint it , then remember paint is a good wood perservitive ,so all will not be lost. BUT -- there are collectors of this kind of furniture and maybe it would be just what someone is looking for . Remembering what was called cheap in those days ,is not cheap today. If you paint it then go with an off- white . I do think it would be a bit of a shame to cover the details . So paint it , or sell it or keep it as is , it's up to you , - no big deal !!
hamburgerbudget
11 years ago
Be careful painting it, as sometimes dissolves the glue that attaches the veneer. I have struggled with this situation, using both acrylics and oil type paint. I have painted when the veneer was so bad, it could only be filled and painted. I'm wondering what glazes would do with this, unless you want and even color look. Best of wishes.
0

Re-finish antique buffet help

houssaon

Comments (25)

apple_pie_order

rubenator

Related Discussions

Related Professionals

User

Laura

carole

januarisun

anthip

alwftw
Original Author

igal

ruthmand

lissa4d

nevadan

Vicki Magee

elcieg

User

Jayme H.

User

User

Jayme H.

carole

Jayme H.

R J Hoppe Inc

lefty47

hamburgerbudget

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Re-finish antique buffet help

Comments (25)

Related Discussions

Related Professionals

alwftwOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

alwftw
Original Author