7.30.2010

The Gardner Hutch - Before & After

BeforeI found this hutch back in December. I found it at a second hand store and just could not believe that someone had donated it. I called Mike on a day that was super busy for him and told him that I had found my Christmas present. I just could not wait to have him paint it for me. Well it took us seven months to get it done. And it was well worth the wait. I am in love with it. I just could not have found something better for our home.
We made a few cosmetic changes that really enhanced the beauty.

After
We painted it white and added all new hardware. The original warm dark stain shows all of the beautiful characteristics in the distressing. We kept the original dark beadboard backing to compliment the hardware and give depth and a nice contrast to our dishes and best dinnerware. I love all the dimensions of this hutch. It has four bottom doors and two side drawers with a large middle drawer. Moving up above the main landing are two more doors and another large middle drawer as well as another landing to display precious old dinnerware and memorable hand me downs. Above this is still another landing for additional displaying options. This hutch is quite large and provides for tons of storage.
You can see one of the cosmetic changes we made here. The doors all had beadboard backing plus an additional curvy wood feature on top of the backing. We did not think the additional detail was needed and just wanted the beadboard so we pulled those off. I think it provides a nice clean fresh look.
We used oil rubbed bronze cup pulls on the two outer drawers and placed vertical pulls on all the doors. We used five knobs on each of the middle large drawers. This hardware really compliments the distressing and adds so much visual character. You can see back at the before picture that the top two landings had wooden rails which I thought were not necessary and a bit distracting. We pulled those off which is much more visually appealing as well.
I love the warmth of the dark wood peaking through the clean white. I love the contrast of the dark beadboard against the white. We debated and debated on painting it and not painting it and I could not be more pleased with the results. And finally there it is. The Gardner Hutch which will live with us through the rest of our days. Coming up next is the reveal of our barnwood table which is nestled comfortably next to this hutch. You can catch a sneak peak of one of our chairs there in the corner. I never did pick out new fabric to cover the seats but have decided that what we currently have will work just fine for now. After all, we just recovered them last summer.

Happy Friday all. I know I am going to have a good one!

Featured at:

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92 comments:

michelle said...

I LOVE it!! What a beautiful piece!! I am so glad that you are keeping this one, it looks so great in your dining area!! You guys are amazing!

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

What a huge piece of furniture and it looks like it is in great shape. I love what you have done with it. I am just learning and playing with painting furniture. I have started distressing and glazing which takes some practice!

Korrie@RedHenHome said...

It's lovely. I think your decision to leave the back dark was a great one!

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

I would love to find a piece just like that for my dining room. I need more storage and display space. Thanks for the inspiration. I think the changes you made really enhanced the piece so much. Beautiful job!!!!! Love & blessings from NC!

mommyroo said...

I love what you did to that hutch!
I have a hutch very similar to it that I bought second hand many years ago that is now looking a little beat up. (kids and pets will do that) My husband wants to buy me a new one once we move to our next house, but I think I'll try to do what you did first! Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Kristen

Karie Waters said...

I love this piece. I haven't been brave enough to tackle a piece this big. Great job!

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Oh Wow! This looks wonderful and it is sooo BIG! I noticed that you took the curvey part off the doors immediately! I would have never thought that you could do that! It really does look so much better with out it! I have been looking at old hutches in the resale stores for some time and always overlook the ones with odd little details I don't like. This will change the way I look at things from now on, for sure! I love it!

Jean said...

wow!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Love this piece. It is fabulous painted white. I really like the detail and the fact that you left the back stained. I think it is absolutely stunning. Such a fabulous piece. Hugs, Marty

Anonymous said...

You two have such great talent and a great eye for potential. Looks wonderful!

Hannah said...

Wow wow. i just love your dedication to your vision in this piece. it looks AMAZING! how inspiring.

Twill Jill said...

Wow! What a lucky find! I've never been a big fan of distressing because I don't think people know how to do it right. But you really nailed it. Your pictures look like something right out of a catalog! Amazing job!

Doug Eash said...

WOW! great job that piece looks so much nicer in white really sharp.

Jeralee said...

A hutch you get to keep! It turned out beautifully!

Kacey said...

It really is stunning! What a makeover!

Kacey said...

It really is stunning! What a makeover!

Allison said...

That's beautiful, Melanie! I love it in the white with the wood undertones peeking through. Great hardware, too. I like that you mixed differnet styles and sizes and keeping all in the oil rubbed bronze. Very striking piece!

Ange said...

What an impressive piece of furniture Melanie and you guys do such fantastic work!
Angex

Shaunna said...

AAHHHH!!! This is BEAUTIFUL! I really love the dark wood paneling in the back. I love all the changes you made and of course, I love the white! Thanks for linking up! -shaunna :)

Nicole Joelle said...

Goodness! It turned out beautifully! I love all the little details that take it from ooh to ooolala. I want one like it but I'm afriad something that big would take up my whole kitchen :)

Carly@Humble Housekeeping said...

How beautiful! Love the white and the distressing. You made this a knockout piece~!

Cindy said...

That is really BEAUTIFUL!!! Wow! If only the original owners knew what beauty lurked there! I would love a piece like that in my home. Really great finish and the dark back is perfect to show off your lovely white dishes.

Hollie Rae Keller said...

So pretty! Great job guys!

oops! said...

I love everything you do!

Jenny said...

That is a fabulous makeover. You have both done a great job and should be really happy with it. Well done!

Doug Eash said...

looking at your hutch again today and think everything you did to it was perfect and it is hard to believe someone donated that piece?
also watched your studio 5 segment that was awesome, good job, the two of you should be spotlighted you are doing a great job with all the piece's of used furniture you do. Doug&Michelle

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful transformation!!! It was worth the wait!
I love your wall color too-

bee blessed
mary

Dutchie said...

Hi there, can you tell me if you did a coat or 2 of polyerthane on this? if so, do you have any tips on how to evenly put the polyerthane on? thanks :)

Heaven's Walk said...

Melanie - you two never cease to amaze me. What beautiful work you do. I can't believe the size of this hutch! And the cosmetic changes you made were absolutely spot on. Just perfect. What do you distress with? Do you use an electric sander? Love it!!!

Happy Met Monday!

xoxo laurie@heavens-walk

Shell said...

Beautiful! Love the changes you made they definitely show off the beauty. I really love the pitchers &canisters you have on the top shelf, could you please share where you got them or who made them? Thanks so much

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

What a beautiful piece this turned out to be! A true diamond in the rough, now shiny and sparkly. Did paint right over the original stain? Did you treat/prep it before hand? My favorite is the little drawers. Oh and the hardware. Oh AND the color. Oh, oh and the distressing. I guess the entire thing is my fave!

beth kruse custom creations said...

this looks so beautiful! we have almost the same hutch at our cabin and i'm trying to convince everyone we should paint it. i'm forwarding this to them all. i think it will work!

Denise Marie said...

It is amazing for such an old hutch. All the fret work is awesome. I love what ya'll did to it...it is perfect now!!

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

This is beautiful! I have a similar piece in the same dark wood that I've been thinking about painting. Now I know I need to do it. Thanks for the indpiration!!!

decorating diva {aka deanna} said...

so beautiful, it was meant to be creamy white! what an awesome find. you made all the right moves in all the right places-great transformation!

decorating diva {aka deanna} said...

oops, i forgot to mention that i am visiting you via cottage instincts party!

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

I love what you did to this hutch. Amazing what a little paint and updated knobs can do. You have a great eye.

Marty said...

Fabulous! Just fabulous! =)) Glad I found you=)

Anonymous said...

Your hutch turned out so beautiful.It really looks gorgeous.Can't wait to see your table and chairs....Kathy

Biljana said...

Beautiful makeover, great job, bravo:))
I am your newest follower, come to visit me.
Greetings from Europe, Biljana

Ashley said...

What a beautiful piece of furniture! I love all the lines of it, the storage, and what you did with the paint! It looks amazing!

Anonymous said...

This is fabulous, you did a fantastic job!!
lifeofperks.blogspot.com

Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures said...

I think this is one of the best hutch transformations that I have seen. It was so smart to remove that extra wood piece on the doors. Terrific job. I am so glad I saw this link at Show and Tell.

Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas said...

Wow! This is impressive!
It just looks wonderful!
Thank you for sharing~
Leticia

Natasha in Oz said...

GORGEOUS!!!! I just don't don't know what else to say!

Best wishes,
Natasha.

Rita's Recipes said...

WOW! That looks great! What a difference.
Cheers!
Rita

Kelsie from Our Country Home and Studio Photography said...

I am in love with this piece...You truly have an amazing eye...Those cosmetic pieces you change were just right...I can't believe how much better the over all design looks with those additional curves on the doors removed. I will be looking at dressers for my own dining area very differently now.

Can't wait to add you to my favorites.

Kelsie

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!
Everything you did on this piece is spot-on! Love it!

Julia said...

What a wonderful piece:)!! It looks beautiful in your kitchen!!

~Julia

Laura @ House of Thrifty Decor said...

What a great transformation! I would love to have a piece like that in my home. Good job!!!

Fiber & Fire said...

This hutch looks AMAZING!! 7 months was worth the wait!

Jenny @ Words on Wendhurst said...

Gorgeous. :-) Saw this featured on another blog (I came from Miss Mustard Seed) and it is one of the freshest redos I've seen in a while. :-)

Dianna@DecorMadeSimple said...

I'm in love with your cabinet. You did an amazing job. Painted white, with the bead board, and new hardware
transformed it completely.

Tania said...

visiting from miss mustard seed- oh my goodness this is stunning!!!

Sarah @ Cozy.Cottage.Cute. said...

I just love all the features of that hutch... the shelves, the drawers, the cupboard doors, the paint finish. It's a beautiful piece!

:)
Sarah

Randi~Dukes and Duchesses said...

Wow. It's just stunning! Visiting from Mustard Seed Creations.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

That looks great. Good job on the finish and distressing.

LYNDA QUINTERO-DAVIDS said...

LOVE the finished project! VERY good eyes to have spotted this piece and its potential for greatness! The oil-ribbed bronze hardware really does compliment the distressed detail and adds charm to its character!

Found you through a link party - but been through so many today - I can't recall which one! lol

Thanks for sharing!
:D Lynda

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh my, it is indeed stunning. I love the small changes you made, it totally enhances the finished look. Painting it white and the distressing, along with the new pulls, gorgeous. I absolutely adore it. Thanks so much for joining TTT. This is fabulous. Hugs, Marty

Angie said...

I want it for my kitchen! It is fabulous!!!

KimMalk said...

I saw this in one of your previous posts. It's extra pretty in all of it's close-ups!

Lynn said...

I'll just share the first word that came to mind - "Wow"! It is really beautiful-enjoy!

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

I CAN'T STAND IT...IT IS SO ADORABLE! I love it. I have wanted a hutch for our back patio and now I'm thinking forget the patio...I need something like this in my house! I love what you have done and how you have decorated it. how fun this piece will be to decorate seasonally too!
Woohoo for you!
Blessings,
Debbie

Debbiedoos said...

That is an awesome piece...I can't get over the finished look. You would never know that is the same piece. Nice job indeed! Visiting from Marty's.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

What an awesome job girl...love it hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

That looks outstanding!
What a beautiful job and what great vision you had!
If only the previous owners could see it now!
Cindy

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Wow, This doesn't even look like the original piece...fantastic job! Love the changes you made and the new paint color.
Hugs, Sherry

The Inspired Nest said...

I can't believe that is the same piece.. I had to look back at the before numerous times to really tell! Amazing! I want on!!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful job, it doesn't even look like the same piece! Thanks for sharing.
Sandy

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

This is SO INCREDIBLE... I absolutely adore it... You took a dated piece and made it timeless. AND you can see the details so much better with it painted... I have a similar hutch in storage and you just gave me some wonderful inspiration!!! Thank you SO MUCH.
Donna

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Melanie...

Wowzer!!! What a fabulous transformation! Of course, your hutch hardly looks like the same piece! I love that you added the beadboard to the door fronts and I love, love, LOVE the beautiful hardware! Who would have thought that just painting a piece would make such a significant difference! It really is lovely, my friend! Ohhh...and I love how you've accessorized it! Sooo very beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful hutch with us...definitely an inspiring transformation!!!

Warmest wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

The Style Sisters said...

Wowzers!! This turned out simply amazing! I love it! Who would have thought it would look so good. Great job!!

Karin

Kaysi @ Keeping it Simple said...

Beautiful!

Cassie said...

I am so jealous! I LOVE it. Great job...inspiring!

Unknown said...

That is so beautiful! I am jealous!

MJ said...

Hi Melanie! I love your work, I havent tackled any pieces that big yet. Such a fan of your stuff. Great job!

Julie @ followyourheartwoodworking said...

Wow, what a great hutch transformation. I found you through Jennifer Rizzo's Sanctuary Art hutch party. Now I'll have to read through all your old posts.

Anne Lorys said...

Absolutely gorgeous, what a great job you did! :-)

Free Art Printables said...

Its gorgeous and it looks like it has a ton of storage! What a great find!

Allison @ House of Hepworths said...

I featured you this week because you rock!

www.houseofhepworths.com/2010/09/22/hookin-up-with-hoh-17/

~Allison @ House of Hepworths

The Almeidas said...

Wondering if there is a how-to for this re: type of paint, method, distressing, etc? It does looked like it jumped straight out of the Pottery Barn catalog! :)

Sassy Sites! said...

Your transformations always amaze me!! Thanks for linking up to Sassy Sites- Trash to Treasure Tuesday! We are doing a LABEL giveaway today, so come back and check it out!

xoxo!
Marni @ Sassy Sites!

LizlovesVintage said...

Wow!! What a transformation.
Now, I know who to call for all my painting needs!
xx Liz

Olivia said...

Oh wow! This is gorgeous! Love it!
Hugs,
Olivia

ChiPPy-SHaBBy said...

OMG!*!*! What a difference white makes!!! Good for you to take on such a huge job!!!
Jeanine, ChiPPy!-SHaBBy!

{northern cottage} said...

yum...this is a wonderful wonderful AFTER. the before was - well it was obviously a before and you turned it into something stunning!

www.northerncottage.blogspot.com

Jamie @ DIY Home Sweet Home said...

That turned out fabulous. I'm having my 1st link party tomorrow (Monday) it would be great if you would stop by and add your project. http://diyhshp.blogspot.com

cherished bliss said...

Fantastic job!! This looks so great, never would have imagined what it looked like before! I hope you will share at my party!

http://www.cherishedbliss.com/2011/08/craft-and-tell-no-19.html

Amy Meyer said...

Love it! I love the distressing job! Thanks for sharing
Amy
C.C. Bugs

Maureen said...

That is so dramatically different and BEAUTIFUL! I love the slight wear you did on some of the edges, and the dark hardware. BEAUTIFUL JOB!!!

Tablescapes By Diane said...

Hi lovely lady.
Love it!! Love it !!! I have a large country Frnch cabinet for my dishes in my Garage. I have been working on, now looking at yours Im going to paint it.. Thanks so much~~ Im your newest follower on your lovely Blog. I will be back to see more, Im going to put you on my sidebar. Have a great day..
xxoo Diane
If you like come see my first year Anniversary on my Tablescapes.

Ellen said...

Very nice piece.....love the redo.
Hugs,
Ellen

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