Tuesday, March 12, 2013

PAINTED BUFFET PEEK



This is NOT a "final reveal", but a big work in progress...

and a story...


There was once a professor at a major university who taught a Behavior Science class.  The class was held in a large auditorium holding about 500 students.

The room was filled with ready-to-learn students and the professor was keeping them engaged by his very interesting lesson.

About 20 minutes into his class the professor stopped...

"Oh, I forgot to mention... PLEASE don't look at that giant picture of the blue dog on the wall... PLEASE! Refrain from looking at the giant picture of the blue dog on the wall!"

Of course all the student's attention was then focused on the giant picture of the big blue dog on the wall behind and to the left of the professor 

"If however, you should look at the giant picture of the blue dog on the wall even after I have instructed you not to, PLEASE use your answer buzzers and push it each time you do".

Let's just say there was a buzzer frenzy! Once pointed out, it became almost impossible for the students not to look at the giant picture of the blue dog on the wall!






What I want to tell you today (but will not because I know then you will) is to not look at the very dated marbled wall paper on the foyer walls... or the arrangement on the top of the buffet.... or the sanding dust lying on the hardwood floors... or the stack of mirrors and pictures that are reflected in the mirror.









I want to tell you that the foyer is the last to be painted a beautiful soft putty white because we have to scrape off wallpaper... and I was up this morning at 4:00 with the dog and while I was waiting for him to come back inside I was finding things to plop on the buffet just to pass the time... and my back is acting up, so wiping up paint dust is far down on my list... and that the foyer has become sorta a dumping ground for all the wall hangings we really don't know what to do with as we finish the living room and dinning room we have been working on first because we didn't have to scrape wallpaper off of those walls!

 I'm afraid that if I tell you then you will look at it... and miss the buffet... and the pretty new mirror... and the new lamp that is both silver and gold... and the very cool burlap lamp shade!







This buffet used to live in my dining room.  It was a piece we bought from Ethan Allen 26 years ago. Solid as a rock... and still in great condition.


I have learned that there are just some pieces that I can not afford to replace. They were such an investment years ago and I could not replace them  with a piece that equaled their quality.

So I am am painting them.

 I decided to paint the buffet white... and once everything is in and decorated we will see how it looks!

It took a lot to cover the dark wood! So if I want to change the color I have a great base to work from!






I painted the buffet with ASCP Pure white to mirror the wainscoting in the dining room.

The buffet was gently sanded and softly stained... for now.








The original hardware is solid brass, but I chose to replace it with updated silver knobs and handles.







I chose to sit this little sturdy buffet in my foyer tucked under the stairs for a very useful reason!


I'll share that with you on Saturday when I give you a peek at Abby's bridal shower!








This watery blue mirror (Ballard) was something that I could not get out of my mind when I first saw it... and when the buffet was finished, I knew why! It belonged in the foyer too!








There is a whole lot to do and change and fluff before my foyer is complete... but for now I hope you liked the little peek!






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35 comments:

  1. The makeover is beautiful. I so agree with you about not being able to replace older furniture with anything new of quality. Those old pieces were made to last for years, and so they have. It all looks so lovely, I can't imagine why you would apologize. I saw no paint dust or anything else to distract me from the furniture.
    Cindy

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  2. Always fun to take a peek at an ongoing project. LOVE the color of the mirror frame.
    Mary Alice

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  3. It really looks like it was designed for that spot. You really did a fabulous job with the buffet. Time and talent win the day and while I suspect time is something you search for, your talent abounds. Yo have created such a beautiful home. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  4. So beautiful! And this post makes me feel better about showing scuffed up walls in my post yesterday :)

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  5. Beautiful mirror Yvonne. Actually beautiful everything. The buffet is fab in it's new shade of stained white. What dust?? That is designer enhancements!! :-)
    The end results will be stunning.
    Hugs, Gee

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  6. The lovely buffet it's coming along beautifully..and I didn't see anything teacher...so I'm not pushing the bottom!! Please take care of your back while painting away. Big hugs,
    FABBY

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  7. My buzzer has not gone off....well, maybe once;):) I love the buffet there. I remember it in the dining room but it is perfect there! Can't wait to see you Saturday!!! I posted my Morning room in her Easter finery. Come on over if you have a minute. XO, Pinky

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  8. Like? I love it! Thank you for sharing, it is all beautiful!

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  9. It's beautiful Yvonne!
    Did not notice anything that didn't look just lovely.
    I remember when my hubby took off wallpaper a few years back.
    Oh what a hard job.
    And it was quality paper and was supposed to be removed easily.
    Ha! That doesn't happen.
    Happy Tuesday,
    Cindy

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  10. Looks gorgeous, Yvonne! I love that you painted your buffet white (with a bit of glaze) ... it contrasts beautifully with your fabulous mirror from Ballard (have always loved that when I've spied it in their catalog)!

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  11. Very pretty!! Love the mirror!!!!

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  12. It's always great when you can find a new spot in your home for a piece to move to, Yvonne! This is definitely a "keeper" and it looks great white. It fits your foyer perfectly, too!

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  13. Yvonne, the buffet looks very nice and the mirror is gorgeous. It is obvious you are having fun but take care of your back. Shannon

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  14. Yvonne,
    The buffet appears as if it were MADE for that spot in the foyer!!!
    I love that you've painted it and what elegant hardware you've added!!!
    The blue mirror and the lamp were what caught my eye in your photos,
    dear friend...honest...no buzzers going off here!!!
    Whew!!! A bidal shower...you AMAZE me!!!
    I'll be back to see all the gorgeous things you've put together
    for this wonderful event in your lives!!!
    Take care of your back! Prayers for ease of movement and free from pain!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  15. Haha! You are too funny! I love the buffet and I'm sure we will love everything else at the final reveal too. Blessings, Patti

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  16. It is beautiful Yvonne. We once stayed at a hotel on a river that had signs on the balconies that said "No Fishing Off Balconies" and of course many were indeed fishing in the river off the balconies.

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  17. The buffet looks great, Yvonne, and perfect with the blue mirror. So my colours too :)

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  18. Yes, love the little peek at your foyer! The buffet looks wonderful so far. Very, very pretty!
    Cecilia

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  19. Oh, my- Yvonne it looks GREAT!

    As for your funny professor story, LOL you are so much fun.

    Hope your back feels better soon- go get a nice deep tissue massage soon.

    Loving all your changes!!

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  20. Great work - I'm sure it took a lot of your time. I am looking forward to the reveal.

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  21. You are hilarious Yvonne, and I LOVE your piece. Great job on the painting, and I didn't notice a thing.

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  22. Hi Yvonne,

    You are funny:) and no one notices any of this things! You did a wonderful job on this piece. I was looking at an old side table today and thinking about painting it rather than spending $$$ on a new one.

    xxleslie

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  23. Ohhhh you are so making me want to paint mine. I have been resisting for months now. It was a freebie, and I love the dark wood (and would keep the top the dark wood) - but I am afraid I won't like it and will hate myself for doing it. aaaaaaaghhhh

    I love your progress so far. Don't EVEN get me started on removing wallpaper. grrrr

    Have a happy hump day! xxoo

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  24. I love your Entry....the buffet and all of the pretty accessories!

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  25. The buffet is very pretty. Mirrors can be tricky. I live in a house in renovation and when I take pictures, the mirrors always reflect things that shouldn't be seen!

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  26. Yvonne,
    It turned out so well. I love the vignette on top and the mirror beautifully fits with the buffet. I look forward to seeing and hearing the rest.
    Karen

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  27. Can't wait for the final reveal, Looking good so far.

    Cynthia

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  28. It looks great, Yvonne, and the mirror is perfect.

    I have some of those great old Ethan Allen pieces, too. The quality cannot be better.

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  29. What wallpaper? What dust? ;-)

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  30. The buffet looks just great! I'm a chicken...I usually edit out the dust and stuff...unless I'm PURPOSELY posting about my messes....which I do, on occasion!

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