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Saturday, April 6, 2013

Charcoal Gray Buffet

Well we're not exactly having a heat wave just yet, but at least it was warm enough to paint in the garage this past week. I still needed a heater and only opened the garage doors a bit for ventilation. I tried painting in the driveway, but it was just too windy. But I completed four projects and I'm feeling pretty darn good about that. First up, this pretty charcoal gray buffet.


This one was a curb side find, thanks to a phone alert from my friend Peggy. And funny little story ... this particular house has a somewhat questionable reputation in the neighborhood with some odd comings and goings. When I saw the huge stash by the curb, I actually felt the need to ring the doorbell to be sure the furniture was really up for grabs. As we were waiting on the porch, a car pulled up with five young guys. At that moment, I was really glad I wasn't alone. But I have to say, they were as nice as could be and even helped us load this piece (super heavy) before jumping back in the car and disappearing again. Three trips later, I had two buffets, a farmhouse table and four chairs in my garage!


I bought this color last fall when a client requested black for another project. It ended up being a little too charcoal gray, but I knew it would be perfect for this piece. It's my favorite paint - Behr's Paint and Primer in One. The color is Cracked Pepper and I just love it!


I went over the entire piece with a sanding sponge, then washed it down with TSP.

 
I used two coats of paint and distressed lightly.


Then I finished up with two coats of Minwax Wipe On Poly. And be sure to follow the directions and use steel wool between coats, it makes all the difference!


I just love the slightly curvy drawers ...

 
and the pretty doors.
 
 
 
The pulls were classic and perfect for the style of the buffet, so I just freshened them up with a little Rust-oleum Hammered Metal Spray Paint in Dark Bronze.
 
 
 
The door knobs were missing, so I just pulled some from my stash of old knobs and gave them the same finish.


The hardest part was moving this piece. Pictures in front of the garage doors was as good as it was going to get. Then we barely got it loaded back up and delivered to Main Street for our upcoming tag sale. There was no way we could get it up the steps and into the house without help, but thankfully we have some very nice (and strong) neighbors there!
 
 
So there you have it, my first piece of furniture in quite a while - woohoo! There are some showers in the forecast this week, but we might actually see 70 degrees. I feel a painting frenzy coming on!
 
 
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44 comments:

  1. Korrie@RedHenHomeApril 7, 2013 at 12:26 AM

    So pretty! Glad you had some strong backs to help you! Can't wait to see the other pieces.

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  2. NanaDianaApril 7, 2013 at 2:56 AM

    Well, THAT was worth waiting for! Boy- what a find and what a do-over- xo Diana

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  3. I Play Outside The BoxApril 7, 2013 at 6:05 AM

    Gorgeous!!!

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  4. Susan - Uniquely Yours or MineApril 7, 2013 at 7:04 AM

    I cannot believe you got that for free! It came out beautiful, I just love the colors you chose! - Susan

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  5. Cassie BustamanteApril 7, 2013 at 7:25 AM

    it looks beautiful! i love that finish- so sleek! you did a beautiful job with the poly!

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  6. Lisa @ Shine Your LightApril 7, 2013 at 7:34 AM

    Such a pretty piece with it's curves and the fluted detail on the side. It looks so pretty in it's new color!

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  7. HettyApril 7, 2013 at 8:58 AM

    Very beautiful piece Sharon! Thanks for the tip about using steel wool in between the poly coats.

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  8. UnknownApril 7, 2013 at 9:18 AM

    I love this dresser! And such a great deealll!!! lol

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  9. AnonymousApril 7, 2013 at 9:24 AM

    I love Behr's Cracked Pepper - one of my favorite colors for odds and ends. This dresser looks great! It almost has a matte, metallic look.

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  10. AnneApril 7, 2013 at 9:50 AM

    Beautiful transformation Elizabeth! LOVE that bit of silver!
    xx
    Anne

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  11. Amy@TheBlissfulBeeApril 7, 2013 at 12:30 PM

    Oh I love that gray! It really turned out beautiful. Would love it if you would link up at my {all things creative} link party:)

    http://www.theblissfulbeeblog.com/2013/04/1-year-blogiversary-linky-party.html

    xo,
    amy

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  12. LaurieApril 7, 2013 at 12:42 PM

    Wow!! I love the transformation! Can't wait to see what other miracles you work!

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  13. Twice NiceApril 7, 2013 at 1:00 PM

    Sounds like you had a great find at that house. What a great buffet Sharon!

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  14. UnknownApril 7, 2013 at 1:43 PM

    What an incredible find Sharon - it's just stunning now - really!!!
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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  15. Good Time CharlieApril 7, 2013 at 7:04 PM

    So fun to see the free houseful of furniture getting a gorgeous makeover! Just a suggestion, for what it is worth. TSP your piece first, then sans. Sanding first w/o degreasing pushes the dirt and oil into the furniture further, then they work their way out. Love that color, and as always, the finish looks perfect!

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  16. Sue@Uniquely ChicApril 7, 2013 at 7:21 PM

    Amazing what people put to the curb...lucky you! I love the color you chose for it. So happy we are finally going to get some good painting weather!

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  17. Laurel StephensApril 7, 2013 at 8:03 PM

    Beautiful, Sharon! I've been telling my husband that lucky people back east can just pick up furniture left on the side of the road. For free! He didn't believe me until I read him your post. Maybe if we Idaho bloggers start leaving a few old pieces at our curbs, the same system will catch on here. I wish!

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  18. Ann @ Corner of Plaid and PaisleyApril 7, 2013 at 8:52 PM

    Love it!! Hard to believe these people were just leaving this by the curb! Meant to be for you to transform.

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  19. DaiseyJayne.comApril 7, 2013 at 8:52 PM

    What a difference! It's so beautiful now and the color is so elegant, love it :)

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  20. My Repurposed LifeApril 7, 2013 at 9:02 PM

    so amazing what some paint can do--it looks like a totally different piece!
    fab job Sharon!

    gail

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  21. Our Pinteresting FamilyApril 8, 2013 at 7:13 AM

    Sharon that turned out gorgeous!

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  22. UnknownApril 8, 2013 at 7:23 AM

    Beautiful! I love the color, will have to put Cracked Pepper on my must try list!

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  23. JennaApril 8, 2013 at 8:48 AM

    Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Awesome find! Would love it if you would link this up to Give Me The Goods Monday: 1 Party, 5 Blogs! http://www.rainonatinroof.com/2013/04/give-me-goods-monday-3-link-party.html
    Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof

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  24. Rosemary@villabarnesApril 8, 2013 at 9:51 AM

    Love the finish. Very classy.

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  25. Emily @ The Diligent OneApril 8, 2013 at 10:33 AM

    It's beautiful, and I love the color!

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  26. priscillaApril 8, 2013 at 2:32 PM

    Gorgeous ! Thanks so much for all your painting tips :)

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  27. Selene @ Restoration BeautyApril 8, 2013 at 3:55 PM

    What a lovely find! You did a great job..love the color!
    Selene @ Restoration Beauty

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  28. Leslie HarrisApril 8, 2013 at 4:01 PM

    I really like this color. I admire how creative you get with your paint colors. I'm such a bore, always staying with the shades of white on my furniture. I need to take more risks :) Good luck with the tag sale.
    Leslie (gwen moss)

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  29. UnknownApril 8, 2013 at 5:42 PM

    I love it !!!!! GReat color choice.
    I am now following your blog


    according2sharon.blogspot.com

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  30. SarahApril 8, 2013 at 8:49 PM

    This turned out beautifully! I love the paint color before - will definitely have to try it out!

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  31. UnknownApril 8, 2013 at 10:15 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  32. Jamie-So Much Better With AgeApril 8, 2013 at 11:37 PM

    Wow! Beautiful, you did a fantastic job ;)
    Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com

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  33. DeeApril 9, 2013 at 6:48 AM

    Wow Sharon, what a score! Happy Painting, Dee from My Painted Stuff

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  34. Melissa@daisymaebelle.comApril 9, 2013 at 7:44 AM

    Beautiful! I wish I could find a curb-side find like that! My weather is finally warming as well. After the mulching is done, the painting of furniture will begin! Life to the full! Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle

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  35. Doreen @ Hymns and VersesApril 9, 2013 at 9:22 AM

    I love that Cracked Pepper color! I think I need to make a trip to Home Depot today for a sample - doesn't hurt that Home Goods is right next door either! Can't wait to hear about the tag sale!

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  36. andi filanteApril 9, 2013 at 10:41 AM

    Omigosh, are you kidding me? This was a curb find? Sheesh. It's beautiful!!!

    -andi

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  37. Donna WilkesApril 9, 2013 at 9:37 PM

    Warm weather brings out the painting frenzy in me! That gray is a wonderful color - so elegant. great transformation.

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  38. Kadee WillowApril 10, 2013 at 3:48 PM

    Oh, I love your story on how those pieces of furniture came to be part of your home! So glad you had help lifting that into your car as you sure didn't want to leave it behind! A beautiful piece with so many uses!

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  39. AnonymousApril 11, 2013 at 12:03 AM

    Oh my goodness, that buffet is absolutely beautiful! If I lived anywhere near you I'd be begging to come to your store and buy it. But alas, I'm in Wisconsin, so I'll have to content myself with staring at pictures of it and hope I can find a piece to paint using those colors at a garage sale or flea market this summer.

    I always love your furniture redos - I wish people left furniture sitting on the side of the road here like they do out by you!

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  40. Cher-Ann TexterApril 11, 2013 at 9:52 PM

    So fabulous!! I am a huge fan of grey and that paint is beautiful! Do you use a bristle brush or roller to apply the paint? Found you through My Repurposed Life's Catch as Catch Can 117...

    Cher @ Designs by Studio C
    http://designsbystudioc.com

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  41. Jennifer Hope LongeneckerApril 12, 2013 at 7:32 AM

    It looks great!

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  42. Deborah@Green Willow PondApril 14, 2013 at 12:23 AM

    I can hardly wait for spray painting weather here either! We actually had an ice storm Thursday, and more snow today!

    The dresser turned out beautifully Sharon! Thank you for sharing it at to What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a lovely week!

    Hugs,
    Deborah

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  43. UnknownFebruary 5, 2014 at 10:17 PM

    Well now I'm commenting a second time because I coming from Glitter Glue and Paint throwback - love it just as much as I did then though !!!
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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  44. UnknownSeptember 24, 2014 at 12:13 AM

    Thank you for showing off this beautiful piece! And for stating what the colors were - I was making a decision of what to do with the vanity and a built in vanity top and hutch in the dressing area. Going with a dusty mauve (looks more like a dusty lavender/plum) and this color will pop on those dated pieces that I can't replace... THANK YOU!

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