We are coming to the end of our kitchen renovation…..thank goodness! It has taken longer than we expected but we are finally in the end stages of it all coming together and now it’s the fun part of decorating the space! Many months ago I picked up a very large French dresser at an estate sale and knew that it would be the perfect size for a large empty wall in the kitchen. It is now a gorgeous French buffet!
When we found it , the finish was an ugly yellowy color.
Because the kitchen is white and very neutral with white and gray cabinets, Carrara marble countertops, and white subway tile, I wanted to bring in some color with accessories and furniture.
So out came the Annie Sloan chalk paint! I used layers of five colors beginning with a full coverage base coat of Aubusson Blue, then layered and highlighted with Provence, Duck Egg, French Linen, and Paris Gray.
I wanted it heavily distressed so that the layers came through and I had planned on adding some gilding highlights with gold leaf wax. However, I didn’t need to. Once I started distressing, the original yellowy paint came through and against the blues gave it the gilded look I wanted.
I finished her with clear wax and dark wax to highlight the details.
The original hardware had wonderful patina and I loved how the old ornate pulls looked against the blue.
Topping the buffet with a gorgeous antique mirror and some of my favorite finds were the perfect finishing touch!
A vintage cement birdbath with Spanish Moss and blue, gray, and white velvet pumpkins tie in more of the blue color and helps to usher in my favorite time of the year, Fall!
Gilded French clocks with a religious theme and a pair of wrought iron lamps featuring the Greek symbol for Christ topped with burlap shades.
A couple of gilded French crucifixes, old plaster sheep, a small chalice, and a pair of old tattered books by James Fenimore Cooper…….a distant ancestor of mine.
It’s slowly coming together and hopefully we will be doing a full kitchen reveal in the next few weeks! I have just a little bit more painting to do and then it’s finished!
We are taking a few days off from the renovation to head to the South for a few days of treasure hunting! I’m writing this post in the car (no, I’m not driving!) on my IPad so fingers crossed that it comes through ok!
Hope you like the addition of the French buffet……or as my Southern hubby likes to call it, “boo-fay”!
Eucharisteo,
Cindy
You said you did a full coverage of Aubusson Blue. How did you apply other colors that you used? I love your final result! Absolutely stunning! Thx.
Hi Denise! Check out this post, it has a bit more application detail: https://wp.me/p5Xug9-n9
Stunning! Truly
Thank you Lynn!
Beautiful job on the piece. Blue is my favorite color so I love it.
Thank you Jean!
Do I out have any step by step pictures of you painting this beautiful blue buffet. I do believe it is the most beautiful painted piece I have ever seen. I want a piece painted just like it. So seeing the process would be so helpful. Thanks. My email is elaineshardin@bellsouth.net
Thank you Elaine! We have an upcoming post about painting the blue buffet, so stay tuned!
Cindy, I just came upon your blog. I am so in love with your decor! I also would like to get the step by step on your boo-fay. :-))
Thank you Evelyn! {Love your name!} I am going to work on a tutorial soon so stay tuned!
Absolutely stunning! You have inspired me to experiment with layering! Enjoying your blog; Thank you for sharing. Smiles Theresa
I am in love with your decor!! You and your husband are so talented. I am inspired by all your hard work. Labour of love. Can’t wait to see more of your home! I want to buy an older home to fix up too. I hope you don’t mind me stealing a few ideas !
Thank you Stephanie! Steal away!
Cindy, this is just the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen! Your home is becoming beautiful – room by room!
love and blessings~
Lynda @ Gates of Crystal
Thank you Lynda!
Hmmm, what happened to the pair of white lamps on the buffet?
Hi Dena! We originally had some lamps made from salvaged iron on the buffet. Later on we replaced them with the tall Italian buffet lamps with burlap shades. If you check out the post “The Kitchen is Finished”, you will see the white lamps!
Love Love Love It !!!
Love this!
I don’t like blue… but your buffet is fantastic!!!! Great job! 😉
C est superbe…bravo…pour le buffet et pour la cuisine…
I have painted a lot with Annie Sloan and love all of the blues so much. Did you just pick areas to layer the additional colors? This is one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen. Would love a little more info on how you accomplished the layering. I want to try it. Your kitchen will be published many times I am sure, it simply stunning. I just found you via Robyn Story on facebook. I will be a follower for sure!
What a great job. This piece is an amazing feature and I love the blue. French furniture adds such style to a space doesn’t it? Love it :O)
Wow! Stopped by to see your kitchen renovation I saw on Hometalk and then I see THIS! What a stunning piece in the perfect location. Well done! I am your newest follower and excited to be! Wishing you a lovely day.
Thank you so much Tracy!! I appreciate the kind words so much and appreciate you following along. The kitchen renovation is finally coming to an end and we will posting the final reveal soon!
wow. That looks stunning the way you have it staged! Magazine worthy!!
Thank you Beth!
This turned out absolutely beautiful! I loooove the way you styled it!
Smiles!
Terry
Thank you Terry!
Love the layering and blue paint. My goal is always to make new paint to look like old paint. Beautiful.
Love, Love, Love…….elegant and chic, perfectly shabby!!!
It’s absolutely beautiful Cindy! You guys only know one way…EXCELLENCE!
Utterly Devine my dear……
Great job Cindy! I love it!! Looking forward to the reveal!!
Thank you Celia!
mouth wide open gorgeous!!
Thank you Debbie!
oh my!!! this is stunning!!!
Thank you Lynn!
OMG…what a wonderful boo-fey! Your finish is just fabulous!
Thank you Denise!