White Hutch - A Labor of Love
I'm a bit of a hutch addict, and have redone three antique hutches with chalk paint. Each one has been an absolute steal...mostly because they were in pretty rough shape to begin with! Maybe my very favorite hutch makeover to date is my shabby white one...and it may have been in the roughest shape of any!
Here she is, in her 'before' state.
Yes, you do see palm trees! I bought and restored this hutch while we were still living in Florida.
I found it on Craigslist...for $40!
You read that right. The guy was asking $60, but it had been on Craigslist for so long, he was very eager to sell, so I offered $40 and he accepted.
It meant a 45-minute drive one way to pick it up, borrowing a truck from a friend, asking another friend to meet me there (for safety's sake). All this for my vision of what this hutch could become.
Because as you can see, she was no beauty when I bought her. But wait...oh, just you wait!
Mr. DIY had to help me with Every.Single.Repair.
Here she is, in her 'before' state.
Yes, you do see palm trees! I bought and restored this hutch while we were still living in Florida.
I found it on Craigslist...for $40!
This post may contain affiliate links; you can read my disclosure policy here!
It meant a 45-minute drive one way to pick it up, borrowing a truck from a friend, asking another friend to meet me there (for safety's sake). All this for my vision of what this hutch could become.
Because as you can see, she was no beauty when I bought her. But wait...oh, just you wait!
It's hard to see all the damage in the above picture, but there is peeling and chipping veneer, a gaping backboard, those not-so-lovely fake gold stripes. Not to mention the numerous cobwebs, and the fact that the shelves inside were badly cut plastic.
I was bummed big-time because before I could even get to the painting, I had to tackle all the repairs first!
Some of the repairs we needed to deal with were:
- applying furniture glue to areas where the veneer was pulling away
- large clamps to hold everything in place while the glue dried
- scraping off the gold stripes on the glass with a sharp blade
- using paintable wood filler for the areas where veneer was missing or chipped
- adding new wood for the shelves (purchased at Home Depot) - while glass would have been nice, it was really expensive!
- nailing trim pieces onto the wood shelves to finish the edges
This was no longer my project. It became Our project...I literally didn't know enough to tackle this on my own!
My dear, dear husband spent many hours with me and this hutch, measuring the interior so we could cut our own wood shelves and trim, convincing me to rethink my idea of chicken wire (my original wish) to replace the glass, and showing me how to scrape the stripes off with a blade. Of course, he also did all the heavy lifting when it was time to move it for painting - thankfully it came in two pieces!
I am so glad that we persevered though!
Because it was SO worth it!
I chose to paint her in a custom chalk paint mix of creamy white with an interior that is my own custom version of 'Paris Gray'. If you want my home made chalk paint recipe, you can find it here.
Did you notice the glass, free of gold stripes? We hadn't put the door on yet at this point.
Can you see those beautiful new wood shelves, with their custom trim? Made to measure, by one smart husband and his willing assistant!
Even the inside of the hutch bottom got a complete paint job, which was not an easy task as the middle 'door' is faux and doesn't open! I had to pretty much climb inside!
I love the detailing that came through on this decoration at the top of the hutch. It's very French, non?
And let's just keep it our little secret that it's plastic!
I achieved this detail by going over the piece with a sanding sponge after the paint had dried. The sand paper removed the paint from the raised areas, which gives an incredible amount of depth and detail.
Yes, it was a lot of work...but I love this hutch! I love the French provincial style, the curves ... and the storage (it's the perfect place to display my milk glass collection...and other treasures I've found).
This project taught me a lot about making repairs, as well as making the right choices for a piece of furniture. The hours that my sweet hubs and I spent on this project are reflected in the beauty of its completion.
I have been tempted to sell it at various times...but I think it's right where it belongs!
What's the biggest furniture repair you ever tackled? Was it a success? I'd love to hear about it!
bringing beauty to the ordinary,
Your hutch turned out beautiful!! I cannot believe you only paid $40 for it on craigslist, such a steal!! And I am super jealous you live so close to Nashville, that would have been awesome to go to the CMAs! I hope you go next year, and I can live vicariously through you lol.
ReplyDeleteHaha, next year I'll have to start hinting early so Mr. Diy gets tickets :) Thanks so much for your sweet comments about my hutch!! Have a great weekend!
DeleteA wonderful transformation. Love the distressing. Nicely done. Not selling it was a good thing. A very good thing.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks for the comment love, and I agree, I'm very happy I kept it :) No one else could appreciate it quite the way I do!
DeleteWhat a very beautiful job you did with the hutch. It hardly looks like the old one at all. Great job.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have you to link up at my weekly Clever Chicks Blog Hop: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/11/clever-chicks-blog-hop-60-with-grandpas.html
I hope you can make it!
Cheers,
Kathy Shea Mormino
The Chicken Chick
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/
I linked up Kathy, thanks for the comment love :)
DeleteI am from WV Brad Paisleys home state and I have met Brad 6 times. And I have 2 family memebers that went to school with Brad. I am very proud of him! He is a true mega talent.!
ReplyDeleteYour hutch is a beauty!
Susan
Thanks Susan! Wow, I haven't bumped into any super-stars yet...any day though, I'm sure of it :)
DeleteThis turned out beautifully! I'm hosting a Starburst Mirror Giveaway that you should enter! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/11/starburst-mirror-giveaway.html
ReplyDeleteI love this piece!! I am featuring you tonight!! Thank you for linking up!
ReplyDeleteBrooke
startathome.blogspot.com
How gorgeous, Cindy! I have a hutch that I'm looking to make over too, and this is quite the inspiration! Thanks so much for linking up at Get Your DIY On! I hope to see you back on Sunday at 7pm EST with your holiday signs! Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDelete~Abby =)
Why thank you so much! I love inspiring others :)
DeleteGorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous :) If you have a minute, stop by and share at my new link party, Everyday Vintage. Your style is the perfect fit. Would love to see you there!
ReplyDeletehttp://heleneslegacy.blogspot.com/2013/11/everyday-vintage-link-party.html
Lisa @ Helene's Legacy
This is wonderful! I have a mismatched dining set and hutch, so this is giving me some much-needed inspiration to paint the whole thing!
ReplyDeleteAwesome Dee! It would look wonderful painted, I love tying sets together that way :) See my post titled "Thrifty Bargains" and see how I did that with black paint :)
DeleteThat is one heck of a transformation! In love with your new hutch!
ReplyDeleteWell thanks so much! I was very glad when we finally finished :) Thanks so much for your sweet comments!
DeleteShe's amazing! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the fan favorites today at the Sunday Showcase from the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Pop on over and grab a Showcase feature button for your blog. Here is the link to the Showcase. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/11/sunday-showcase-from-make-it-pretty_17.html Hope to see your prettiness again tomorrow at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
ReplyDeleteWowzers, I'm so honored! Thanks and I will be sure to grab a button :)
DeleteWow! You have a very artistic mind to see "what this could become" - and then you persevered and it's truly beautiful! I'm so proud of you and your hubby. Congratulations on your feature at The Dedicated House.
ReplyDeleteHugs ~ Mary
Thank you sweet Mary! I'm proud of us too, for sticking it out :) I appreciate you stopping by and leaving lovely comments!!
DeleteSpectacular makeover! Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop, I will be featuring you this week, so please feel fee to grab a "featured" button!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Kathy Shea Mormino
The Chicken Chick
http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com
LOVE this, Cindy! I chose this as one of my features for tonight's Get Your DIY on party! Hope we see your creativity again tonight :)
ReplyDeleteXO,
Christy
What a beautiful piece! So glad it's a keeper!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharon :)
DeleteI have seen hutches like that with the pattern on the glass doors and have always wanted to redo one - but I have no more space for any new furniture. So it is secretly very satisfying to see how beautiful it became with all your hard work Cindy (and hubby's). Love it!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks Krista! Yes, I am having to put the stop to any more furniture purchases as our home is over-flowing :) Shucks. So glad you like!
DeleteI love this piece. You are one of the features tonight at The Round-Up at The Dedicated House. Pop on over and check out your feature. Here is the link for you. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-round-up-from-before-and-after_28.html Thanks for sharing it at Before and After Wednesday! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
ReplyDeleteWOW! The difference is AMAZING! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Heather, I am so happy with it :)
DeleteWhat a transformation. I would be so worried to take on such a big job like this in fear that I'd stuff it up, but you did a fantastic job. I love the chalk paint which ads character. Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteSamantha