A $50 Queen Anne buffet
For as long as I can remember, our formal dining room has been an office. I spend so much time in here and it’s the first room on your right when you enter my home. Here a glimpse of it when I first began blogging in 2012-13.
And here it is now. Not much has changed in this room five years later. In fact, some things never moved at all…I found a flow that worked for me and I didn’t feel compelled to change it.
But then…this buffet appeared on my screen.
For $50…and I started to think….a little change may be good? ;-) And maybe we can bring a little bit of a dining room feel back into the office.
While we really don’t need a buffet, nor do we need a formal dining room. — I always need a creative outlet! That could be decorating, writing, photography…or…painting furniture. Before (or if) I paint it, I’m sizing it up and giving this a piece a chance – it really depends on whether it works with my existing decor.
So here it is. I’m still deciding. What do you think?
A little paint may be needed. I’m thinking grey. And white walls. And a new frame.
She needs a little work. I can create the missing trim myself using this DIY clay moulding technique I learned from Nancy at Artsy Chicks Rule. I can stain the clay molding to closely match, or paint it a new color.
This buffet allows me to bring in a little more French inspiration into the house. If I do paint, I’m leaning towards a mix of Annie Sloan’s French Linen combined with Graphite along with a darker wax, much like the buffet makeover found on Urban Patina. But for $50 I’m letting this piece become the impetus for some small changes in our office-wanna-be-dining-room.
Update: I ended up selling this buffet when we moved into the new house. But it worked well when showing our house to sell that the room could either be a dining room -or- an office.
I like the buffet just the way it is. What is wrong with natural wood?
I agree completely!
I really hate to see that beautiful wood covered up, it is an amazing piece as is. Not all things need paint jobs in my opinion.
Thank you! My sentiments exactly!
I was on the fence about it myself! I love natural, antiqued wood that’s not too damaged. But I have been known to paint furniture — just warning you ahead of time :)
It’s gorgeous as is. Some pieces do need paint but not this one.
50 dollars! What a score! I love the buffet and I, too, would be tempted to paint it as well. I like to miss wood with painted pieces. I can’t wait to see what you’ll do with it. It’s interesting that you want to combine a dining room feel with the office space. I’m curious as to how you’ll do that.
I love it! And what a find for $50. I like the sound of the gray. It will be beautiful if you paint it or leave it as it is.
I think it’s beautiful as is ! I just purchased an antique dresser. I had plans on painting it, but I love it the way it is ! Just a personal preference I guess ! I’m sure it will look great whatever you do !
I agree completely!
I would never paint such beautiful wood! It shows some signs of “life experience”, but a good cleaning, etc. would make her shine!
What would you recommend to style the empty space under a queen Ann sideboard?
There was a time that I used to have LOTS of stuff and would decorate every nook and cranny. Today my advice would be to keep it empty. Let the piece speak for iteself :)