who makes that white dish (left on top shelf) that is shaped like a boat ? it is gorgeous !!

all of these ‘before and afters’ really make me want to go bargin hunting – not that i have room for anything else – but tempting!

these posts are so great, grace. you’ve got some ubër talented readers!!

Wow! What a transformation! Makeovers always make me want to go out to out and scavenge for things that have great potential!

This hutch is gorgeous. Ok, here’s my stupid question. Can someone take me through this process, meaning: what grade of sandpaper? How smooth does it have to be? What type of paint for that “glossy finish?” I have two chairs I want to redo and I am completely intimidated by the sanding off of the old paint and the repaining. Covering the cushions (hello, staple gun) I can handle…

totally stunning! i just bought a sad little nightstand that will soon be a glossy white as well, let’s hope it turns out half as nice as this!

oh yummy, i love how clean and fabulous it looks! just…gorgeous!

I do love glossy white but I actually liked it better the way it was. It was perfect!

Were those glass doors already in the hutch or were they added as part of the renovation?

I agree with ingibjorg. It looks reminiscent of shabby chic motifs now… eh.

I have to agree with ingibjorg on this one. I think danish furniture is to beautiful to mess with. I guess if it had some damage and wear I might consider a new coat of paint.

I don’t understand painting this – it looks better in the before. To me its totally ruined (especially if it is real mid-century), and now looks like it’s made of melamine or fiberboard.

I think another aspect of “shabby chic” is that all your wood furniture is painted white … sometimes with a “shabby” patina, but always, always white.

While I do not hate the end result, I think it’s a crime to paint a nice mid-century piece like this, unless there’s something horribly wrong with the wood/finish.

Pink Mango: I think that dish is vintage. I found the exact same one in an antique store a while back and have been kicking myself ever since for not buying it. The inside is turquoise.

Whoa. Ok, let me try and put some peoples minds at ease. This hutch is no where close in quality to a true Danish piece. When looking back at the before picture, I do think it does it too much justice. The surface of the bottom and biggest shelf was formica-we actually replaced it with wood rather than try to paint over formica. The rest is sturdy enough, but far from solid wood.
In it’s before state, it would actually match my other furniture much better–I would never paint over a quality wood (I believe this is the only thing I’ve ever painted white before.) I just really loved it’s lines and thought my collection would stand out nicely in it.
Thanks all for the nice comments!
“pink mango”-I think Grace has the source for the pottery dish.
Paige-I am definitely not an expert in the painting of furniture, but rather than sanding off the paint (if you don’t want to strip it) I think the idea is to make it a rough surface that will “hold” the paint better.
Laura-The glass doors came with it.
Thanks again, Grace!

Nice transformation!
I agree (as others mentioned) that you probably wouldn’t want to paint over a “quality” item. However, there is a lot you can do with a piece of furniture that has a nice shape but maybe a not-so-nice finish (like formica) .

Oooh, if that dish is NOT vintage, I too would love to know where to get one. And if it’s from a whole line of cute dishware, I might die of joy.

And nice to know the piece was in such shabby condition before you took your paintbrush to it, Kimberly. That makes me like it lots more. :)

awesome. i paint *Everything*.

so basically the before/after feature requires a can of white paint.

I agree, it should have been kept original

oh, i liked the before better… beautiful wood :(

People people people – this is beautiful wood, not an ipod – put away the glossy white paint. Enjoy the beautiful forms found in natural grain…glossy white paint is a travesty on such a beautiful vintage piece.

Paige, if you want to find out how to paint over furniture start here
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/painted-furniture?lnc=9e55ab78367ee010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=collage_home_home-renovation-remodeling_p8

Oil pant or melamine paint is best. Latex tends to get ’sticky’ over time (if you leave something on the surface eventually a ring will form on the finish.)

Basically you sand until the surface is smooth and then you prime the surface and apply your paint. I find mini foam rollers create a smoother finish than brushes but sometimes you need a brush for the tricky parts.

That turned out gorgeous! It really lightens and brightens the piece!

Did you win those salt & pepper shakers on ebay? If so then I lost to you! I’m still looking for a set! I collect that pattern as well. Love, love it. Nice work on the hutch. I have one i’m debating on painting. Thx for the inspiration.

Yeah, I agree w/Grace, this is more mid-century modern. Nothing to do w/shabby chic.

The dish in the upper left hand corner is a caserole dish from the Taylor Smith Taylor Ever Yours line, in the Boutonniere treatment. They were produced in the late 50 to mid 60’s and are easily available on Ebay and at Antique Stores, at least in VA and PA.

I Love the transformation!!!

It really emphasizes the beautiful lines of the piece. Even though its painted, it now looks like a high class piece.

I agree with Mr. McGinnis and several others. I would be a bit more severe….the piece has actually been ruined and has little or no value at all – monetarily or aesthetically. Before anyone decides to “renovate” anything…..I’d suggest research first and find out what your really have!

I have to agree, I liked it better before. The wood accented the hutch’s simple lines, where the paint makes it look a bit Ikea.

I think people mean that it is more the Shabby Chic formula- slapping white paint over everything instead taking the time to refinish the wood.

I think it looks great in white. Midcentury style furniture is not sacred.

wow..what a beautiful makeover! great job!!!!

I hesitate to add to the snarkiness… but I too prefer the classic look of the “before”. The “after” looks a bit more generic and ikea-esque … but hey it is your piece to do with what you please! One of my best friends once painted her coffee table to look like giant slice of watermelon. :p It just goes to show that we all have our own unique taste!

Yikes! You destroyed a classic piece of furniture! Now it just looks like cheap poly-lam. No patina. Another antique lost for future generations.

i have the same hutch, tapered legs and all. i love the white paint. i’m so inspired. thanks for the great idea.

if anyone is in Austin and wants to try this, the exact same piece is on CL right this very minute for $195. http://austin.craigslist.org/fur/561066358.html

I’d do it but i already have a little hutch and it’s perfect already!

oh, i guess i should have mentioned i DID go look at the CL hutch in Austin. i passed because it was NOT a quality piece, and up close it was obvious the wood was not beautiful but rather dry, worn and tired looking. and like mentioned above, there is formica, the blemish of all blemishes. so in this case i think the project is a great idea to give a piece with nice lines but a bad ‘complexion’ a little face lift.

this hutch was not, and never will be an heirloom piece, so might as well have fun with it!

Good on you GRACE, keeping things in perspective.

Ok, what i am interested in is the bear figure on the top… oh man, love it! Skateboard bear w/ attitude? Where can i find such a thing?! Oh, and chill people, I’m pretty sure once you spend money on something, you own it. And can do with it as you like. Including paint.

Goodforyou!

I would agree with Suzie have fun and see what works for you.

I absolutely love that, white or cream changes the look of anything, and boy it has really changed this It really was not that great before the make over, and its not something that I would have looked at but now its something that looks clean and fresh.