Early 20th Century Jacobean Elizabethan Revival Oak Buffet Makeover
English Jacobean Revival Carved Oak Buffet Sideboard Makeover Using a Wiped-Back Technique Enhanced with Metallic Paints
by Kim Hansen, Co-Founder and Artist, JK Hansen Studios
This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
ON THE HUNT!
As a furniture artist I’m always on the hunt for unique used furniture pieces to repurpose, makeover, or transform into stunning one-of-a-kind pieces of artwork. My daily morning routine is to search through online local groups for that special piece. When time allows my husband and I love to visit our local thrift stores, garage sales and estate sales. You never know what you’ll find!
I have a high demand for my one-of-a-kind hand painted buffets. My finished pieces usually sell right away. I even had a few pieces sell before I finished painting them!
Used antique Jacobean buffets in our area are difficult to find – especially ones in fairly good condition. So when I found this one online I immediately contacted the seller. She had just listed it for sale in my area. It was a heavily carved oak early 20th Century Jacobean Elizabethan revival buffet in good condition – just a few scratches and dings here and there and the top was a bit worn. It had two long central drawers flanked by outer storage cabinets. The carvings throughout the buffet were beautiful! It had a serpentine apron, a sleek backsplash and turned baluster supports leading to bun feet connected by a stretcher. I knew exactly how I was going to transform the buffet. I negotiated the sale and delivery with the seller. I couldn’t wait to begin it’s makeover!
PRODUCTS AND PREPPING THE BUFFET FOR ITS MAKEOVER!
STEPS
- I gathered my products and supplies to start the transformation.
- I removed the knobs and drawer pulls.
- I lightly hand sanded the top.
- I cleaned the buffet with soap and water then wiped it dry.
Knobs and Pulls Removed – Top Sanded – Buffet Wiped Clean
TIME TO PAINT!
I wanted to give this buffet a unique finish to expose its natural wood tones. Using a two-inch paint brush I applied a light coat of General Finishes Lamp Black Milk Paint in small sections then quickly wiped back the areas where I wanted to expose the original oak underneath to give it an aged dusty effect. (See photos above.) I applied two regular coats of the Lamp Black to the top.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DETAILS!
I really wanted the gorgeous details to stand out. So I chose metallic paints in a variety of colors. Using a one-inch paint brush I applied a custom blend of Dixie Belle Moonshine Pacific, Steel Magnolia and Gold Digger Metallics with touches of Modern Master’s Champagne Metallic and Oyster Metallics to the trim, carvings, decorative moldings and apron.
KNOBS AND PULLS
I like to reuse the original hardware on the furniture pieces I acquire – if they are in good shape – and touch them up with metallic paint. The drawer knobs and pulls on this old buffet were in nearly perfect condition for its age. To match its new look I painted each of the knobs and pulls using Dixie Belle Moonshine Steel Magnolia Metallic paint.
LEGS AND BUN FEET
To dress up the legs and bun feet I brushed on a light coat of Dixie Belle Moonshine Steel Magnolia Metallic paint and a kiss of Modern Master’s Champagne and Copper Metallic paints over the Steel Magnolia.
FINAL STEP!
The next morning — to protect this newly transformed, one-of-a-kind Jacobean buffet — using lint free cheesecloth I applied two coats of Rust-Oleum Chalked Protective Topcoat Matte Clear over the painted areas and three coats to the top.
DONE!
FINISHED! Early 20th Century Jacobean Elizabethan Revival Carved Oak Buffet Makeover
CONCLUSION
Antique Jacobean buffets are my favorite pieces to refurbish, transform and makeover. This stunning one-of-kind, hand painted Jacobean buffet sold within hours after listing it in our Etsy Shop to a customer in California.
So for now, I’ll continue doing what I love – hunt for those rare, unique and long-forgotten furniture pieces to bring home with me and breathe new life into them.
I hope I have inspired you for your next DIY project!
If you have a question, please feel free to contact me, or leave a comment below. Your feedback is always appreciated.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The products I used for this project can be purchased online in our Amazon Shop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Be sure to visit our Etsy Shop to see what other pieces of art I have created.
Don’t miss our latest news! Receive inspiration directly to your inbox. Subscribe here
Blog and Audio: 1920s Jacobean Buffet Makeover
Blog, Audio and Video: Blue Console Cabinet and Mirror Makeover Using a Blending Technique with Chalk Paints and Acrylics
Blog, Audio and Video: How to Create a Patina French Country Style Lingerie Chest with Dixie Belle Paints and re.design With Prima Transfers
Blog and Audio: Our 5-Night Stay Aboard the World’s Most Haunted Ship PART 1 –The Queen Mary
Blog and Audio: Our 5-Night Stay Aboard the World’s Most Haunted Ship PART 2 –The Queen Mary
Blog and Audio: Magically Transform Your Space Into Something Special
Blog and Audio: Helpful Tips for Planning Your Next Mural Project
HOW TO VIDEOS: JK Hansen Studios’ YouTube Channel: Subscribe here
Tutorial! How To Create An Old World Patina Finish on a Vintage Hexagon Side Table
Tutorial! How To Transform a Vintage Dresser Into a Shabby Chic French Country Sideboard
Tutorial! DIY – Vintage End Table Makeover Using Annie Sloan Waverly & Rust-Oleum Chalk Paint
Tutorial! How to Create a Patina French Country Style Lingerie Chest with Dixie Belle Paints
Tutorial! Blue Console Cabinet and Mirror Makeover Using a Blending Technique with Chalk Paints and Acrylics
Tutorial! 1800’s Jacobean Hutch Makeover Using Chalk Paint
Tutorial! “BEFORE and AFTER” Italian Provincial Sofa Table – Thrift Store Find
Thank you for stopping by!
