I went to an antique show a few weeks ago in search of a hutch to put on a buffet my grandmother left me. I found this incredibly old and dirty wooden piece with a ton of potential:
I’m not really sure what it used to be, but I loved the cubby holes. It had “Post Office” painted on it, so it may have been out of an extremely ancient one. It’s more likely some kid wrote those words on it for play.
I vacuumed it out with a brush attachment and then wiped it all down with a damp cloth. It probably could have used a lot more cleaning, but I just jumped into painting from there.
I planned to use chalk paint and after some research, I settled on Folk Art Home Decor, conveniently located at my local Jo-Ann’s.
I mixed a little Maui Sand in with Spanish Moss. If you mix colors, make sure you blend plenty for the whole project. I learned this the hard way, sending my husband out for another Spanish Moss and trying to match my previous mix.
The color looks much lighter when you paint it on the wood, but it darkens nicely. I used a small amount of paint, almost dry brushing, so the wood would show through a little bit. Here are a couple of different areas:
After the paint dried overnight, I brushed on clear wax by pouring a little at a time into a plastic container.
About an hour after the wax application, I wiped down the whole piece with a lint free soft cloth. I decided it needed a little more of an antique feel, so I brushed on antiquing wax with a smaller brush, wiping it immediately with the same cloth.
Here is the final product:
And here it is mounted on the wall above my grandmother’s buffet:
I don’t know about you, but we are always fighting over phone chargers in our house. My favorite part of this creation is the many charging stations created by drilling small holes in the far back bottom of 5 cubby holes. I used little plastic removable hooks, made to hang a string of lights on the wall, to hold the cords in place.
Thanks so much for visiting with me! Let me know if you have any questions about this project. I would be glad to help.
That is SO cool, Candace! We need to go shopping together sometime! 😉
Thanks, LuAnn! I bet you have some fun antique shopping in your area :). I was so excited with this find. My family thought I was crazy to buy it, but now we all love it!
Love it! That look is so attractive!!
Great job!
zozozo
Thanks so much, Chris! It took me forever to paint it. I was not very pleasant while working :). I feel like my hard work paid off though!
Love it! What a useful, beautiful topper to your grandmother’s buffet. The charging stations are brilliant. xo, P
The charging stations have stopped many arguments lately, Pamela. I’m so thankful when the beauty of antiques and the functionality of technology are merged :).
came out really cool! Love the charging station idea and it really looks good with Homer’s cabinet!!
I can’t wait for you to see it in person, Nic! Homer would be proud :).
oh Candace, I absolutely ADORE cubbies! i think it dates back to kindergarden when we each had our own little space for crayons and whatever.
here’s mine …
https://creeksideministries.blogspot.com/2012/12/vintage-office-organizing.html
no wonder you and I get along so well! just too fun!
Cubbies are so perfect, Linda! I’m shocked at how many messy areas have been merged into this one wonderful space. I can’t wait to see yours!
Beautiful item…. and very useful. Those extra areas help so much. 🙂 Looks great.
Thank you! I’m really excited how much cleaner my kitchen looks now without the many paper piles scattered around it. The cubbies even make piles of junk look better!
Wonderful job and I especially love the place to charge up devices. I’ve been wanting to do something with the wax at the end. Beautiful and it looks perfect on your grandmothers cabinet.
The charging areas are my favorite feature too, Tammy. They were much needed. I’m not sure about my waxing abilities. I do think I like this more watery and paintable type than the Annie Sloan soft wax, but I’m really not educated enough to know what’s best.
That turned out so cute! Great job!
Now I want one, actually I think I need one. All of those cubby holes would fit our piles of paper nicely!
It is incredible to have all of those little piles merged here, Jen! You must get one. My kitchen has never been cleaner. I have a real problem with paper piles. My husband says I turn every flat surface into a desk :). It is so true…
I love it! Especially the color and the cubbies. Have a blessed day.
Thanks, Sandy! I was really happy with the color too, and the cubbies are making even messy me organized :). Hope you had a great weekend!
That looks AMAZING!!! Gosh, Candace- you have such a gift with this!! I just love love love that Hutch and it is perfect on your grandmother’s buffet!!! Gorgeous.
Thank you so much, Chris! It has really completely changed the look of my grandmother’s buffet. It used to just have piles of junk on it. I’m smiling big these days when I walk in my kitchen :).
You did a great job. It turned out really good. I like the charging stations that you made, I’m they are getting a lot of use.
They are getting tons of use, Sonya! I’m so thankful for them. We are no longer yelling at each other about who unplugged our device :).
You did an amazing job. I have no talent for painting – only for filling up spaces with jewelry, beads, and paper.
Those cubbyholes make perfect charging stations = great invention.
Thank you, Linda! Painting is a new thing for me. Chalk paint is where it’s at! You can paint over almost anything without any prep work. It makes life so much easier :).
Love that Candace. It’s neat. I’m not that talented.
Thanks so much, Debbie! I’m really enjoying it. It changed the whole look and organization of my kitchen :).
YES! YES! YES! It’s beautiful!
Oh, I wanted to also add, I think it would be perfect for my new linky party starting this Saturday at 8pm called “Found & Foraged” Can’t wait to party with you at house of hipsters.
Thanks for the sweet comment and the invite, Kyla! I put it on my calendar. See you there ;)!
Yeah! I’m so happy to hear you’ll be stopping by!
Yay, I’m so glad you linked up to Found & Foraged!! This is a great piece.
It looks like it’s going to be a great weekly party, Laura! Thanks so much for starting it :).
Laura, Kyla and I are so happy you stopped by our linky party! See you next week.
Thanks, Grace! I was glad to get Kyla’s invite and learn about your new party. Looking forward to getting to know you ladies better!
Thank you so much for linking up at Found & Foraged! PINNED! Hope to see you again this Saturday night at 8PM!
Thanks for the invite, pin, and party, Kyla! I’ll see you soon :)!