Modern Credenza Makeover

Hello Friends! How have y’all been lately. I am just finishing up an anniversary vacation week on Hatteras Island which is where the y’all came from:) Those little southern contractions are just so infectious especially when you hear them all week from one the best islanders Miss Kathy!

Kathy owns Changing Tide in Frisco, NC, an amazing repurposed furniture shop. She is the sole inspiration for me opening a shop of my own and has been a mentor to me since the first time I walked in her shop 2 years ago. She continues be a mentor and true friend and if you ask her about me she will try to turn that story around but this is the true story.

She of course had a project all ready for me to go when I got down here which I gladly took on because we all know I can’t go a full week without painting something!! I would be institutionalized if I couldn’t paint furniture people. Even on vacation.  Even on an anniversary vacation.

So this is the lovely credenza that was in need of some Amy love. One problem! I brought no supplies with. No paint brushes, paint, wax, nothing. I don’t know why, I guess I just figured I could get what I needed down here. Thank you ACE Hardware for being on the island. I picked up everything I needed in a pinch.

As you can see, it’s a little drab and little dated looking but my goodness look. at. those. details!!! I mean those squares and geometric shapes alone are phenomenal.

The first thing I had to do was obviously pick what color I wanted. I just felt like a nice blue-ish grey was the way to go on this piece because I knew I wanted to do some sort of metallic accent and grey goes great with all metallics in my eyes.

I first sanded the whole piece with a medium grit sanding block to rough up the existing surface a little. I washed the piece down with a warm water and vinegar mixture and then started painting. The ACE man recommended Clark & Kensington paint so I gave it a whirl. The color I chose is called “old soul”. What a great name for a paint color.

Here is what one coat looks like. Pretty impressed so far.

I did a light second coat and let that dry overnight.

I then took my same medium grit sanding block and distressed all of the edges as well as on the flat surfaces to make it look extra worn.

Now it’s time for the gold!!!! I found this bright gold paint at ACE that I never saw before. It looked interesting and like it was what I was looking for so in my cart it went.

I bought a very small cheap brush, swirled the gold paint around and brushed it on just the edges of the square and triangle details.

This literally took me 5 minutes. I am totally painting everything gold when I get home. Be prepared!!!

I then took my piece outside and sprayed a clear coat of enamel gloss over the whole piece to protect it. Had I had wax on hand I would have waxed this but they don’t sell wax down here so spray it was. I did 2 coats and called it a day.

Now whatcha think of this old credenza. I think it looks pretty rad. I actually have one at home in my garage so guess what’s getting the same treatment as soon as I get home:) Oh yes this is happening again!

Until then, you can find this lovely piece for sale in Kathy’s shop Changing Tide. And if you haven’t been to Hatteras Island, its worth the drive folks. Just make sure to leave me a few treasures at Changing Tide for when I come again;)