8.15.2011

Grandma's Buffet - Before & After

Look how filthy dirty this old buffet is and the years of dust it has been collecting! This is my grandma's old buffet that I distinctly remember sitting on her red shag carpet in her basement. She moved out of her home several years ago and my dad has been storing this piece along with a pedestal table for quite some time.
My mom at one point decided to paint this red and put it up at the ranch house in one of the guest bedrooms to store a flat screen tv. Then the last time she took a look at it she decided this piece needs to be restored and not painted and displayed on one of the main walls next to the kitchen. I couldn't agree with her more.
The after pictures do not show the hardware as she was still playing with a few options. She ended up putting the original wooden knobs back on instead of going with an updated look. We tested a few different knobs but nothing worked quite like the original hardware.
Because this is a family piece we decided to go ahead and have our little one model the piece for us. Little does she know the history she is standing by and the stories it could tell.
The old beveled mirror is still in great shape. I asked my dad about where this piece came from and he called my grandma for a refresher! When my grandparents bought their first house some sixty years ago the sellers added this piece in with the price and left it for them.
We searched and searched for a maker and a date and came up with nothing.
All I know is that I pulled Old Maid playing cards and ping pong paddles out of the drawers and cupboards. I believe my aunt had some of her music sheets stored here and I loved to sit and listen to her play the piano. My grandma had an old player piano but sold it with the house as it was too difficult to get it up the narrow stairs of her home.
I am so happy we had the chance to restore this piece and know that it will be in the family for many years to come. We delivered it this weekend and spent some time with family. There was much fun had by all. Even if we only got a few hours of sleep!
The little girls claimed the playhouse and quickly made "NO BOYS ALLOWED" signs to make everyone aware who was in charge.
The big boys would try to sneak up there but the girls would kindly let the boys know what the signs said and then decided that cute boys were allowed. And my nephew Zach is very very cute.
Here is another cute nephew who was exhausted by the day in the sun and cuddled up with his shoe. There were lots of "jeep" rides, four wheel rides, and motorcycle rides.
We saw some competitive flag football games and
enjoyed the warmth of the sun on our face and the wind in our hair. It was good weekend despite only a few hours of sleep. :)

23 comments:

Cassie Bustamante said...

that is beautiful!!!!!! and even i of all people panicked when i thought you may have painted it. so glad it is left as a natural beauty!

Rachel said...

I agree with Cassie! I, too, about panicked when I thought you were going to paint that beautiful tiger oak! :) You've done a gorgeous job of restoring this piece. I love it!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Such a beautiful piece and heirloom. So glad you didn't paint it. Sounds like the perfect day. Hugs, marty

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

What a beautiful buffet ~ perfect just the way it is! And I don't say that very often! Looks like you had a wonderful weekend! And who needs sleep anyway!

Jen said...

OMG. Thanks for posting this. I couldn't believe the pics, I have the top part (mirror and all) just without the bottom. I came across it at a farm sale when on a trip back home (Michigan)about 25 years ago, I paid 5 bucks. It even had the label on the back and it read from the 1900's made in Michigan. I made the mistake of taking it in to be refunished and specifically requested they not mess with the label---but they did...stained it. I cried. Anyway, thank you for sharing your pic, now I know what the rest of the piece to the one I have should have looked like. Awesome.

Between Blue and Yellow said...

That is such a great piece and a great story. So glad you restored it to it's natural beauty.

Jenn said...

Thank you for demonstrating that some pieces shine without the paint.

What a glorious woodgrain that is! You are tremendously lucky to have that in the family!

Kim @ A Brush of Whimsy said...

Gorgeous! Looks like everyone has So much fun!

Christa @ Stories of a House said...

I can only imagine the work involved in restoring your Grandma's buffet, but wow, it's beautiful! So is your family; you are obviously very close, and your daughter is precious.

Unknown said...

Did you guys restore it? I have a piece I want to get restored too. Call me if you are up for it. :)

Jeannies Bottle said...

The buffet turned out beautifully. My Mimi had one the very same!

Sylvia said...

Thank you for not painting this beautiful piece. I read a lot of blogs and see very talented people paint everything. I'm considering buying stock in paint stripper... someday they will realize what beautiful oak is under all that paint.

andrea@townandprairie said...

You know, I saw a mirror like that once by itself at a sale and I had no idea what type of piece it was from. Now I know! Yours came out very nice! Andrea @ townandprairie

niartist said...

WOW! What a transformation. Oh you give me hope that I can do this myself one day!!!! Really, WOW. I'm bookmarking so I can remember this!!

I love transformations! I just turned my secretary into a bar area in my dining room. I really hope you'll stop by and check it out: http://niagaranovice.blogspot.com/2011/08/picture-is-worth.html

See you soon, I hope!
Artie

Unknown said...

SO Beautiful!!!

Beth Adams said...

What a lovely piece of furniture! I am in awe & a bit jealous.....ok a lot jealous! Following your blog now.I would love for you to show this off at my Wickedly Crafty Saturdays! Linky is still up & running. http://wiccanmakesometoo.blogspot.com/2011/08/wickedly-crafty-saturdays-82011.html

L Dizzie said...

Awesome job. it's incredibly beautiful. Aren't pieces with history so special?

Elle and Lou said...

Such a special piece in so many ways. I treasure my Nan's two tables that we restored and treasure telling my daughter about them and the amazing lady who owned them. Lynda

Nan ~ Playful Decor said...

Hi, I love that buffet! I'm a lover of old furniture of a certain style - not sure what it's called, but when I see it, I know it. Coming from BNOTP (#162) & new follower. I also just opened a new link hop, if you'd like to join - it's focused on kids' rooms & nursery decor - if you've done anything for your kids rooms. Hope you can make it and look forward to seeing more furniture refinishing. Havea great week!

Jennifer said...

What a gorgeous piece! So glad you didn't paint it. I probably would have and it would have been a mistake. Love it!
Jen
Scissors & Spatulas

Megan Gunyan said...

Sometimes restoring it is just the perfect idea. I love how you kept it in the family. It's a great piece! I love the curved drawers. :)

Olive said...

No paint needed here, the wood grain is stunning and well worth the effort put into it.

Debra@CommonGround said...

Looks like the perfect kid weekend! your family piece is just amazing, you all did a great job, you'll mom will love it! xo Debra

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