There is nothing like finding a vintage piece and giving it new life.
I have a slight problem when it comes to vintage furniture pieces. It is hard for me to pass them up, even if I have nowhere to put them in my home.
I will make space!
Some of my favorite places to find furniture include: Goodwill, Resource, and online Estate Sales. You can find furniture at unbelievable prices, you just need to be able to see the potential.
Things to keep in mind when deciding to bring home a preloved piece:
- Condition: How much repair work will the project take?
- Material: Is it solid wood, veneer? This can affect repairs.
- Purpose: Is this for your own home or to sell? I will typically pay more on pieces for my own home.
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Check out the before & after photos at the end of this post!
You found THE ONE…now what?
It is time to figure out design, which will depend on where the furniture will end up. The colors and technique you choose can vary depending on purpose. I will be focusing on Fusion Mineral Paint for this post. It is my favorite paint and can be used on a variety of surfaces. It has a beautiful buttery finish and doesn’t require a top coat for most pieces.
I typically stick to neutral colors on my projects, unless it is a commissioned piece and a specific color scheme is requested. There is also the decision on product and technique. Do you want to incorporate wood tones or will you paint the entire piece of furniture? I usually like to leave some wood showing if I am refurbishing a dresser or table, unless there is extensive damage or a veneer top prevents sanding.
You have your design, now where to start?
1. Remove: The first step is to remove all hardware, drawers, cabinet doors. Put any screws or pulls into a container or zip lock bag so you do not misplace them…trust me I have ended up one pull short.
2. Clean: The next step is always to deep clean. Older furniture can have a lot of built up grease and grime. I always use TSP Cleaner with a rag and scrub every inch to make sure the surface is ready for paint.
3. Sanding: The amount of sanding required will differ with each project. If you are refinishing the top, you will start sanding with a lower grit sandpaper (150) and finish with a higher grit (300-400) to create smooth the surface. If you are painting the entire piece, then all you need is a quick once over with 250 grit to create some texture for the paint to adhere. Clean…again. After sanding, wipe off all of the dust and create a nice clean surface to get ready to paint!
5. Staining: If you are staining a portion of the furniture, I would recommend staining before painting. Tape off any area around where the stain is being applied and be prepared to let it fully dry before moving on to painting. I like to use a foam brush to apply the stain and then use a rag to wipe off the excess. Use long even strokes and then then allow the stain to sit on the wood for the recommended time (usually 10-20 minutes). The longer the stain sits, the deeper the color.
There are times where I will just use a rag and rub the stain on in one step, if I want a lighter stain and want a less opaque finish. Allow the stain to fully dry before moving on to the paint.
6. Painting: The great thing about Fusion Mineral Paint is the coverage and how easy it goes on. To prevent brush strokes, apply thin coats. This paint is pretty self leveling if you apply in thin coats. I love the Cling On brushes, they are a little pricey but you can really tell the difference with application.
If you notice brush strokes, you can sand with 400 grit sandpaper in between coats. Most projects only take 2 coats, and this paint covers amazingly. I can finish a cabinet or dresser and only use half the container.
If you are painting the top of a dresser or table, I also will brush the paint on and then use a foam roller to really smooth out the surface and make sure there are no brush strokes. Allow the paint to fully dry between coats to avoid pulling of the paint.
7. Finishing: As I mentioned before, Fusion Mineral Paint does not require a top coat. It dries with a hard finish and is very durable. The exceptions for this are surfaces that may get a lot of wear and tear, such as a dining table, kitchen cabinets or dining room chairs. Fusion also makes a product called Tough Coat, which can be applied on heavily used surfaces and comes in a matte or gloss finish.
Some other finishing touches I like to incorporate are furniture glazes and wax. Applying beeswax as a type of topcoat, really gives a beautiful sheen and adds an extra layer of protection. For some of my lighter colored pieces, I like to use a darker glaze which can help bring out any of the detail and gives the piece some depth. You can also sand the edges and details to create a weathered feel. These techniques are all optional and will depend on the look you want.
Hardware: Many vintage pieces have unique hardware, and it is your choice whether or not use the original hardware or opt for new. I typically use the original and use Brasso Cleaner to bring them back to life. Make sure to use this outside, the smell is STRONG.
Other places to find new hardware are flea markets and thrift stores, I have an entire collection I have found over the years and they come in handy with projects where I need to replace pulls.
Below are some of my finished pieces. I am running out of space in my house, but will continue to look for those special finds you just can’t pass up!
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