Sunday, May 24, 2009

From Sad to Sensational: The Story of a Little Buffet Table

 
When I was in the throes of redecorating my home in the cottage style, I was obsessed with perusing the furniture section of my local Craigslist.
Obsessed, I tell ya! (Have I mentioned I can be a bit obsessive/compulsive?)
At least several times a day, I would scan the ads for pieces of out-dated and unloved furniture that were begging for a cottage makeover with white paint.
One Sunday morning I saw an ad for this drop-leaf buffet table on wheels. A heavy piece of glass, custom cut to fit the top center section, was even included.
These are the actual photos the owner posted in the ad.

0101030115010104012008051841d1f4537d25c1195500440a

01150901021001030620080518ee3e1b14c49fd094c0006486 

Asking price: $50.00!
Believe me, I couldn’t call the phone number listed in the ad fast enough!
Once I saw it in person, I could tell years of obvious neglect had left this once pretty little buffet table in very sad condition. It had more than it's share of normal bumps and bruises. The finish on the top was all bubbly like orange peel and would require extensive sanding before it could be painted. One of the wheels wouldn't stay on because the leg was split. The hinges underneath the drop-leaf side extensions were so rusted, they would barely move.
Even with all of it's "flaws," I was willing to pay the $50 because I could see the potential in this little gem.  However,  just for the heck of it I wanted to see if the owner was negotiable on the price...ya know, because it was in such rough shape.  I asked her if she would be willing to take $35.  I fully expected her to be firm on her price of $50 but I thought if I was really lucky, she might counter offer with $40 or $45.  Much to my surprise and delight, she agreed to $35!
The trash-to-treasure transformation required extensive major surgery to repair the broken leg so it would hold the wheel. My husband carefully drilled out the center of the split leg, inserted a wooden dowel for support and then rebuilt the leg a little bit at a time by adding thin layers of wood putty around the wood dowel. (This was before I blogged so unfortunately, I don’t have any photos of the repair process.)
When the leg repair was complete, I soon discovered sanding was not going to be enough to remove the bubbly finish. I had to strip it down to the bare wood. Many times during this labor intensive process of prepping the buffet for painting, I asked myself if the $35.00 I paid was perhaps even too much.
In the end, I think this little buffet table turned out so cute.

IMG_0178 C&R

Of all the pieces of furniture I have painted, I do believe this is my favorite piece. And certainly well worth $35.00 now.  Don’t you agree?

 

Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch is our hostess for  Metamorphosis Monday    Be sure to visit her blog if you want to see more inspirational transformations.

Pic_for_Body_of_Blog3



24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, how beautiful! This is a remarkable makeover! I love your little table painted white and you've decked it out beautifully!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Robin's Nesting Place said...

I'd say it was definitely worth it! It is beautiful. You did a great job and I love the decorations. For some reason pink is my favorite eye candy color!

Nancy @ Live love laugh said...

Wow! That's a remarkable transformation!!!So pretty!!
~Nancy

Carol said...

Love the makeover on your table and beautiful decorations!

sarah @ abeachcottage said...

beautifully done..I am the same doing over this cottage, I only wish wish wish Craigs list was big here I think I would live on it, isn't it just amazing what a coat of white paint does?

love the makeover

happy met monday

Sarah

Kathi said...

Your table is absolutely beautiful!
It turned out great! I'm in the process of painting my bedroom furniture. It will take forever but I sure hope it turns out like this!

Anonymous said...

Wowza! Very inspirational, Shari! I love it! Come visit me sometime! ♥

Terry said...

What a wonderful addition to your home! You did a really nice job!

the pleasures of homemaking said...

That turned out more than cute! That's beautiful! Well worth the effort!

Manuela

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a fabulous piece and I love the way you have is accessorized. You did a great job and it was well worth the price and the labor. Hugs, Marty

Cindy said...

Wow, what a great deal! I love it! It's always so amazing to me what white paint can do!

I was just on craigslist this morning! I had picked up some chairs on the side of the road a couple months ago. I then realized they were too large for my apartment so I put them on craigslist for free....an hour later they were gone! I had about 10 people that wanted them! Gotta love craigslist!

Debbie from NJ said...

Girlfriend, this piece came out beautiful!! I wish I could have fit it in my suitcase, I would have taken that baby home!!!

bee'nme said...

Hi Shari!

How nice to meet you here at Met Monday!! You did, as we say in Texas, a "bang-up" job on that buffet!! (that's a good thing!) LOVE it...and the way you have it accessorized is fabulous! I know those fixer-uper pieces can be a challenge, but boy, what a payoff in the end! And isn't Craigslist just the best...?

Hey, I read back through to the beginning of your blog and I want to commend you on what a great job you've done making an interesting, beautiful, witty, tasty, and creative blog! I've added you to my blogroll under Creative Cottage Inspiration - hope that's OK...? I am looking forward to looking in on your future creative endeavors and getting inspired!!

BTW - LOVE your blue, white, yellow guest room/office...it's just beautiful! And girl, your photography skills are great!

Hope you have a wonderful week - see you soon!

Hugs & Blessings,
Becky S. at Just Bee 'n Me

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

That buffet is so pretty! I love how you fixed it up. Well worth the $35 and more. My hubby has been obsessed with craigslist recently. Every 10 minutes he's calling me into the room to show me a new piece of furniture I might want. He has become an addict!

Your piece is beautiful.
~Michelle

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Definitely worth it...I love the style of this piece and you did a great job painting it! I love all the treasures you have displayed on it, too! :-) Susan

Donna said...

That is REALLY beautiful. Great job. and Great deal! :)

D

Barbara Jean said...

Shari,
That is a beautiful piece.

Great find, and great job!!

Blessings,
Barbara Jean

Traci@ Beneath My Heart said...

This piece turned out wonderful! You did an amazing job restoring it to life again.
Blessings,
Traci

Nina said...

You hit the jackpot!! Great job.

Jean said...

It turned out beautiful. I love it!
Jean in Virginia

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

You did a wonderful job on your little buffet. It doesn't even resemble the original picture. I love it.

Blessings,
Spencer

nikkicrumpet said...

Now THAT is one amazing transformation!! It really looks expensive and perfect for so many different parts of the house. It was so nice of you to give it a new life!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that buffet came out beautiful and so cottagey. Great buy for $35.

Lorrie said...

Lorrie@VictorianRabbit says that is so beautiful. Oh I wish I could find such a beautiful table. It turned out amazing