• Home
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

June 9, 2017

Dining Room Buffet Table Makeover

I’m pretty sure that free furniture is the best kind of furniture. Well, maybe I should clarify that. I’m pretty sure that free furniture that is vintage and lovely and perfectly fits a space in your home is the best kind of furniture.

A couple of years ago, my in-laws moved into a retirement community and with the purchase of their home came several items left behind by the previous owner. Some were…ahem…interesting to say the least.

But, one piece was a beautiful vintage Drexel dresser. My mother-in-law/love knew that I had been looking for something to replace my giant china cabinet that I had recently sold and she kindly offered me the dresser.

I first shared it with you here and I was convinced that I really wanted to leave it untouched. But, two years later, I was starting to feel like it was just a bit too yellow-y and against my yellow-y walls it just wasn’t working for me anymore.

So, one day last week I decided it was time to give it a little bit of a facelift.

And, apparently it was sooooo little of a facelift that when my husband came home from work and I excitedly ushered him into the dining room and asked, “Do you notice anything different?”, it took a LOT of prodding from me before he realized it had been painted. 😉

But, that’s ok because I honestly didn’t want to do anything too dramatic and even though I know some folks really like a super distressed look I wanted to keep it fairly crisp looking. I used DecoArt Chalky Finish paint in ‘Primitive’ color.

I did lightly sand over the raised molding detail to let some of the gold come through and I love how it adds more depth to the piece.

I also decided to keep the original hardware and I left the top as-is because I liked the contrast of the darker wood against the lighter color on the body.

I have several projects that I’m planning to tackle around the house this summer and it feels so good to get the first one checked off the list!

Even if I’m the only one who notices it. 😉

What are some of the projects you are hoping to get done this summer?

Thanks so much for meeting me at the fence today friends!

24 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Dining Room, Good Ideas Tagged With: budget decorating

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « The Power of Puttering
Next Post: Tied to the Rock »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandy says

    June 9, 2017 at 3:26 AM

    It’s beautiful!

    Reply
  2. Kim says

    June 9, 2017 at 5:21 AM

    Vanessa, that sounds like my husband. It looks great white. We are supposed to tackle the master bath at some point. It was supposed to be started in April, but life got in the way.

    Reply
  3. Susan says

    June 9, 2017 at 5:59 AM

    How do you like the yellow color of your walls in northern light. Most of my windows are on the north east side of the house and to my eye it gives colors a gray-green cast. I love white walls but they are just dreary in this house. What is the name of the paint and where did you purchase it? Do you think it will stay the soft beautiful color that you have or turn green in my conditions?

    Does anyone out there know of a white-white that can stand up to northern light, especially on gray days?

    Thanks

    Reply
  4. Beverly Cook says

    June 9, 2017 at 5:59 AM

    I did notice the crisp difference right away, Vanessa! 🙂 I love it! I have similar colored walls, and I know the smallest change in furniture color can make a piece like yours pop beautifully! ❤️

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 10, 2017 at 8:26 AM

      Thank you so much Beverly! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Heide V says

    June 9, 2017 at 9:00 AM

    It looks fresh and beautiful, and still like itself….job perfectly done 🙂

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 10, 2017 at 8:26 AM

      Thank you so much Heide!

      Reply
  6. Pamela says

    June 9, 2017 at 10:27 AM

    Looks great. Love the original hardware.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 10, 2017 at 8:26 AM

      Thank you Pamela!

      Reply
  7. Vicki Obenhaus says

    June 9, 2017 at 10:35 AM

    What a wonderful piece! My goal this summer is to tackle the shutters that I have gathered over the past 10 years and put a clear coat of something on them to preserve their chippiness and attach it to the wall behind our bed as a headboard. There are other things that need to be done, but if I get that one thing done, that will be a great success!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 10, 2017 at 8:26 AM

      Oh that sounds like such a neat project Vicki! And I agree that even if you just get that one thing done you can count it a success! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Kathy Hunt says

    June 9, 2017 at 11:01 AM

    So glad you’re enjoying it still! Love what you’ve done with it!

    Reply
  9. Julie Briones says

    June 9, 2017 at 1:34 PM

    Oooo, I love the ‘white’ update… and how you just sanded the moldings. It was a good choice!

    My updates for this summer: My half-finished-dresser-turning-TV-console
    Little chair that will be turning white
    Side-table that will be getting a ‘grain sack’ look
    And…. eventually, but probably will not get done this summer. The Hoosier aka baker’s cabinet that I inherited from my mom’s move into a retirement home. It will be white, as well! @.@

    Can you guess what my mantra is when I’m shopping?… “Paint it white” >.<

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 10, 2017 at 8:25 AM

      LOL Julie!! That is quite the list! It sounds like you have your work cut out for you but it also sounds like you love it and I know everything will turn out just beautifully. Have a great weekend! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Robin says

    June 9, 2017 at 4:02 PM

    Love the finished look. Anxious to try this product on a buffet. How long do you have to wait to put things on it?

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 10, 2017 at 8:23 AM

      Hi Robin! It dried really quickly, especially since it was a warm day. I didn’t do anything to the top so I was able to decorate it right away but I waited a few hours before I put the hardware back on. 🙂

      Reply
  11. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) says

    June 9, 2017 at 9:17 PM

    Looks lovely! Nice job, Vanessa! That sideboard is beautiful!

    Have a great weekend with your family!

    Blessings!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 10, 2017 at 8:22 AM

      Thank you so much Mary-Ann! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Doris Raab says

    June 10, 2017 at 7:10 AM

    Very pretty and the hardware is gorgeous!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 10, 2017 at 8:22 AM

      Thank you so much Doris!

      Reply
  13. Sandy says

    June 14, 2017 at 6:27 AM

    I love the subtle changes that you made to the buffet/dresser. I hope to find a nice buffet to replace the Hoosier cabinet I have in my dining area. It’s nice to be able to add lamps to a buffet pice. It takes forever for my husband to notice any changes I make to our rooms.

    Reply
  14. Rose L. says

    June 14, 2017 at 10:01 AM

    It looks nice and job well done!

    Reply
  15. Shirley @Housepitality Design s says

    June 26, 2017 at 5:04 PM

    I love it! …. great job and it looks fantastic….and I definitely would have noticed it!

    Reply
  16. Ashlyn says

    July 17, 2017 at 7:19 PM

    Love the county chic look!! I actually love it both ways but I will say, with the gold, it looks more expensive. =)

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Rose L. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Take the Quiz

Stay updated!

Get all the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Must Reads

Recent Posts

  • My French Country Christmas Mantel December 4, 2019
  • Incorporating Advent Candles Into Your Christmas Decor November 27, 2019
  • Simple Hot Cocoa Station November 21, 2019
  • An Update From Me to You November 15, 2019
  • My Crazy Christmas Shopping at Hobby Lobby November 4, 2019

Get all the latest straight to your inbox

Footer

Instagram

Instagram post 17855252689670737 “The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity--hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory--because at the Father's will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross.” (J.I. Packer).
.
We’ll light the second candle of Advent tonight. The candle of hope, according to the reading schedule we’re following. No little doors to open or gifts emerging from bags hanging from clothespins on a string or chocolates hidden inside tiny drawers.

This isn’t that kind of a countdown to Christmas.

Instead, we’ll reverently and simply light two candies tonight and reflect on the hope that came to earth in the form of an infant Who was the most wonderfully unexpected King. I’m so grateful for this time to pause together as a family during a very busy season. It only takes a few minutes and yet it resets our hearts and minds and prepares us for the week ahead. Do you celebrate Advent at your house?
Instagram post 18042969043211010 Raise your hand if these cold, dark mornings have you feeling a bit befuddled. 🙋🏻‍♀️ So far this week I’ve put a sweatshirt on backwards resulting in me getting a really good look at the inside of the hood and today I tried to put sweat pants on without taking my pajamas off first. 😂 #winning.

But, hey, at least I can take comfort in the soft glow of twinkling lights and having my halls decked for Christmas!

Today on the blog I’m sharing the details of my soft and simple mantel decorations and I’d love for you to stop by! ✨
Instagram post 18116596168021683 Happy Saturday friends! Can you believe that tomorrow is December 1?! I think it’s time for my annual gentle reminder about this month. I don’t know about you but, for me, December is a month of mixed emotions, ranging from joy-filled moments to ones that have me wanting to pull my hair out.

There are so many expectations and we put so much pressure on ourselves to create magical memories. And for years I have felt the added weight of wanting to make sure my family had opportunities throughout the month to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We celebrate advent and read all of the appropriate Baby Jesus books and encourage a spirit of generosity and heavily emphasize the real reason for the season.

But sweet friends, I want to remind you today that one month out of the year does not a strong relationship with the Lord make. December doesn’t define our faith in Christ.

For our kids or for us.

There are 11 other months in the year. 11 other months to live out our faith in front of our children. 11 other months to pray with them. 11 other months to help them wrestle through their questions and add depth to their walk with the Lord. 11 other months to encourage them to have generous spirits.

Let’s stop putting so much pressure on this one month out of the year. Let’s be surprised at the ways we might be able to celebrate the baby in the manger without a dozen countdown calendars. Let’s give our kids some grace when they are focused more on gifts because…well…they’re kids after all.

And while we’re at it, let’s give ourselves some grace too.

Grace when we think we should feel all the warm fuzzy feelings about Christmas but we really just want to take a nap.

Grace that reminds us that this month will soon be over and we will have a brand new year ahead of us.

A new year filled with big moments and little moments and everything in between.

A new year to draw even closer to our Savior.

My hope for you is that, as you head into this season, you will be given fresh perspective and that you will give yourself (and your family) permission to just ‘be’. ✨
Instagram post 17937591637321018 Have you ever longed to belong?

Have you ever felt like you are on the outside looking in at everyone else who seemingly have it all together?

Are you craving more peace in your heart and your home?

Well, today I’m having a conversation with @drbarbaralowe on her podcast and it could not be more timely with the holiday season now upon us!

You can find the link to it on her page and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it and what resonates with you! ❤️
Instagram post 17903771584388964 Confession...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
Instagram post 17846094718750175 Temperatures are dropping here in the Willamette Valley and I got our hot cocoa station set up just in the nick of time! My kids LOVE this sweet (literally!) spot in our house and my daughter added her own personal touch with the little sign on the wreath. I’ll be happily restocking ingredients over and over throughout the season as my kids and their friends make a pit stop here. We’re definitely ready to cozy up!! Do you have a hot cocoa or coffee station at your house? What are your must-haves for the perfect hot beverage? ☕️🎄
Instagram post 17880974047462626 It’s begun!! 🎄🎄 My best girl LOVES decorating the family room tree (we do a fresh tree in the living room after Thanksgiving) but she does NOT like me to take her picture while she’s doing it (see photo two). Ahhhh...preteens. 😂🤪 I’m just so grateful to have a buddy who is as obsessed with Christmas as I am and who still wants to be apart of it all with me!
Instagram post 17864348974529213 I'm struggling to find the right words on my book proposal for a book that I never thought I would dare to write. The words are in me, I just can't seem to get them onto the page. I'm so passionate about this message even though it is so different from anything I've ever done and might not be considered 'on brand'. And yet it's never been more clear to me that I'm supposed to keep moving forward. It's a message that might not be considered very 'popular' (this ain't a 'pull yourselves up by your bootstraps' kind of message about being a Christ-follower) but it's one that God has placed on my heart and in my very BEING and I have to get it out there.

But at every step of the way I find that the enemy of my soul tries to keep me silent and what should be so simple (writing two paragraphs giving an overview of the book or writing an outline) ends up being paralyzing. He whispers words into my ear that are lies tinged with just enough truth to tempt me to keep silent. “You're first book didn't sell well enough so why should any other publisher take a chance on you? They won't care that it wasn't really your fault." "You write a lot about home decorating so why would you have any authority to talk about scripture?” And that's how satan works...he is masterful in his deception, weaving our fears and insecurity into the lies so that we are much more likely to believe them. And if we believe them, we stop being obedient to the Lord and the callings He places on our lives.

But, I WILL NOT BE HINDERED. “Since the first hour in which goodness came into conflict with evil, it has never ceased to be true in spiritual experience, that Satan hinders us. He checks our importunity, and weakens our faith in order that, if possible, we may miss the blessing. Nor is Satan less vigilant in obstructing Christian effort. There was never a revival of religion without a revival of his opposition. What then? We are not alarmed because Satan hindereth us, for it is a proof that we are on the Lord’s side, and are doing the Lord’s work, and in his strength we shall win the victory, and triumph over our adversary." - Charles Spurgeon
Instagram post 18114202198050565 Happy weekend friends!! This has been one of my favorite kind of days today. The boys went and had some guy time and my daughter and I got some sweet girl time and now we’re all cozied in together at home enjoying just ‘being’. I’m doing some baking and dreaming about this year’s Christmas mantel. This photo is from a few years ago but it’s still one of my all-time favorites!

What’s been the best part of your day today? ❄️
Instagram post 18073546234147166 Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.”.
.
When I was a little girl we took a trip to Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson, MO. One of the attractions there is the Marvel Cave. The whole theme park was actually built right around the cave! I will never forget the feeling of descending into the darkness. We had to walk down a steep, narrow path and I could feel the rocky walls beginning to close in on me. From time to time, our guide would even have to call out for us to duck our heads so as not to whack them on rocks that were jutting out. And just when it felt like we had been walking forever; just when it felt the most narrow and the most dark; just when we were starting to get really weary from navigating this path, we turned the corner and found ourselves awestruck as we gazed at this enormous room. Everywhere we looked there were stalactites and stalagmites. Lights had been installed and they reflected off of these formations creating the most beautiful colors on the walls. There were pools of water in a shade of aquamarine I had never seen before and waterfalls flowing from upper levels. That long, winding, damp trek had been so very worth it. The descent into darkness had revealed light…and life!

My prayer for you friends, is that you will look at that narrow path with the small gate as an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to experience the kind of freedom that our souls are longing for. The wide and broad path of the world promises us a freedom that is fleeting and temporary. But at the end of the narrow path, there is hope and peace and life everlasting.

I’m choosing the narrow path. And in spite of the hardships, in spite of the challenges and the fears and the times that can feel as dark as the journey down into a cave, I wouldn’t trade a single minute of it.
Load More... Follow

Copyright © 2019 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2019 At The Picket Fence