How To Remove Veneer (Buffet Transformation!)

Ooo Ooo OOO! I've been so excited to share this one for a long time! This buffet's awesomeness is twofold.

a) we refinished it ourselves.
b) it was free

That's right.  FREE.

I'll tell you the story in a moment, but I just can't resist the affects of a before and after shot. So here they are kids!

We went to pick up this run-down little vanity that we had found on craigslist. And as the man ushered us through his house to show us the vanity... we passed by THE BUFFET. And I thought to myself... awesome. I wish we could take that instead of the vanity. I mentioned to the man (because I have a big mouth),

Me: "I wish you had this buffet for sale on craigslist."
Him: "actually it IS on craigslist."
Me: "Seriously?!?!?! well I didn't see it on there."
Him: "it's listed under the free section."

Husband performs CPR.

So we cleaned her up, gave her a little love... you know the story.  And can I say that there something incredibly validating and gratifying for me to bring an item from bane to blessing. It's my fave.



The top surface had some SERIOUS chipping veneer issues. But the wood beneath was in good shape and had a beautiful wood grain, so we went at it with a putty knife and chipped away at it till it was gone! All you need is a little elbow grease!

We refinished... but not without a little wine.

Found us some sweet new hardware at Hobby Lobby (my other lover). Wood puttied up the old holes, and drilled our own:

Slapped on some paint.

Being the amateurs that we are, we glazed using our blackish/grayish glaze, without thinking that... the top surface is stained dark brown, and the hardware is also in the brown family. After glazing, I was extremely disappointed in the outcome. Doesn't it look a little cartoonish? And BLUE?  Hate it.

After a trip to town, we reglazed with brown, and I actually love the two-toned glaze we've got going on. Much better. Can you tell the difference? I can.

So there you have it folks!

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