Workstation turned Buffet

After watching so many talented and creative bloggers out there in blogland, I finally got up my nerve to tackle a "painted furniture" project.

I had a need for more storage and looked everywhere for an old buffet. I search thrift stores, eBay, Craigslist...but I wasn't having any luck. Being on a very tight budget, I knew that whatever I found would probably need a lot of work.

It seems I was just hitting one brick wall after another.

Then one afternoon,

I thought about a cabinet I've had in my garage{for over 15 years.}

It belonged to my grandfather as his workstation. He was a minister and tinkered with clocks and watches as a hobby.

When he moved, we took it to our home and my husband used it for his workstation.

{As you can tell, he has a few projects himself!}

It was sturdy, in fairly good shape and had tons of storage. So I grabbed my tape measure and found a spot in my den. Kinda an unconventional place to put it but I had a wall grouping that wasn't working.

So I thought, why not?

After a few more measurements, I moved it out and clear it off.

It was definitely going to need some work.

I loved the label plates but not the formica top.

This was the look I was going for:

Love this island...the colors, the stained top.

Ok, I was ready.

First step...

...taking off the aluminum trim.

Then priming and sanding,

painting and sanding.

While things were drying, I started making labels for each drawer. Searching on Windows Word, I found a font that I liked and printed the numbers I needed. Because the paper was thin, I ModPodged the papers to an old folder to add weight and thickness. Applying several coats on top would also protect the numbers as the drawers were being used.

From the inspiration piece, I knew I wanted a stained top. We purchased a piece of birch plywood, stain grade. It was the the most expensive part of the project, about $42.

My husband cut the top, mitered the edges, and sanded everything down with steel wool. Next, he applied several coats of stain, with a light sanding of 220 grit sandpaper between each coat. I knew that I would be decorating the top or actually using it for a buffet, so 3 coats of Poly were applied as the final step.

After bringing the new project into the house and attaching the top, I lined the drawers...

...and put the label plates back on their original spot. I added the numbers and everything was set.

I love this piece, not only for the storage, but because it has a story...a family story.

Thanks so very much for visiting...enjoy your day!

I'm linking with Susan for her Metamorphosis Monday over at Between Naps on the Porch.

Be sure to drop by for loads of amazing transformations!