It was right before Christmas I was driving home from town, when I spotted an antique dresser / side table / whatever it was on the side of the road.
Of course I screeched to a halt to inspect! I loved the small, compact size, and the lines were interesting!
I use to collect a lot of valuable antiques back in the day (as opposed to worthless junk today.. my how I’ve grown… LOL) so while I found the piece pretty fab, my first thought was that it wasn’t really my style any longer.
But rather than mull it over at home, I threw it in the back of my truck and stuffed it in my garage, promptly forgetting about it. I just didn’t really know if I liked it enough to hang onto it.
Until Christmas approached. I had this buffalo checked vision for a small dresser for beside the Christmas tree, so I decided to see if I could do something special to the piece I already had.
Upon further inspection, I had absolutely no guilt repainting it. It had a messed up veneer top even though all the rest appeared to be solid wood in reasonable condition. But it was super beat up and I felt my vision would benefit the piece anyway.
I first gave it a really good sanding, removing most of the varnish, but moreso, so the paint had some tooth to grab onto.
Knowing the top was going to stay wood, I only very lightly sanded it to retain the original patina.
I have this thing for things not looking brand new. I just prefer a little ‘old wood’ in the mix.
And then, fiasco time!
At first I wanted to Buffalo Check the doors with the rest of the side table in red for Christmas. I know it would have looked amazing! But I knew I wouldn’t want to leave it like that.
But then I had a (another… sometimes they transpire in rapid fire) vision of white… that would be pretty beside a lit up snowy forest Christmas tree scene, right?! All snow-like and everything. I had been scrolling an Instagram account that had me doing THIS to the kitchen island, so I was on a white mission at the time.
But as soon as I got this far, it felt wrong.
It needed to be black. With a woodsy top. It told me so…
So late at night, I painted just the front black. Bringing it upstairs, I wasn’t sure…
So I painted the front white again.
Nope. Not working.
(At some point, you put the camera DOWN because what’s the point?!)
So I had a new vision. I wanted to do some houndstooth detailing to the door panels, but Christmas was the next day (oh yes, this was on Christmas eve)…
… so I painted the base Fusion Mineral Paint’s Coal Black and set it up for our special day, knowing what would come next.
I promptly put the piece to work, filling it with potatoes and onions and my daily journal slipped into one wooden side pocket. I was getting VERY attached to this little thing and it wasn’t even done yet!
So two months later, I got around to doing what my heart said to do.
I brought down the little side table one more time and got to work.
How to make the houndstooth panels
Two wooden shingles salvaged from my parent’s farm from THIS POST were perfect to add some fun to the doors!
The insets were measured, then drawn on the shingles, then cut down to desired size with my sliding miter saw. Loved it already!
Now let’s do something fun on those shingles!
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Grabbing the Houndstooth – small stencil… (found HERE)
I stenciled the houndstooth pattern on the shingle with Fusion’s Ash.
Giddy, I slipped the first panel into place, then stepped back…
Oh my goodness YES! A pop of rustic funk to this little vintage side table thing had me loving it even MORE if that were possible!
With both panels done and taped into place, I was completely smitten! What a cutie pie!
The houndstooth stenciled shingles are currently attached with masking tape from behind. I could see velcro being a great fix and I’d have used that if I had some.
(Hence, wanting a sewing room… it’s coming!)
And yeah… I already gave my kitchen cabinets a sideways glance after this cutie came back into the kitchen again…. wouldn’t that be unusually cool?
Don’t even dare me because I just might…
I’m just so in LOVE.
And was I right about the black? Isn’t it decadent?!
Now I want to redo my subway bedroom dresser with wood drawers…
.
And just so you can share in the ordeal I went through, here’s a short video on the painting… and repainting… and overthinking… and seeking cat therapy! Oh the tragic drama… but… is love a possibility after all?
The video story tells all…
After this little gem came upstairs, I can already feel the valuable antiques love kicking back in.
So much so, I just got word that I’m picking up another much larger (and more valuable) piece (that I bought!) that’s going to dramatically change my boy’s bedroom look yet AGAIN… oops. 🙂
(Thank goodness for landing freebie stuff so you don’t feel guilt changing them out.)
That said, this sweet little side table is not going anywhere anytime soon! It’s my new best friend.
I wonder what I could dress the door panels up with next? Hmmmm….
What would you have done to the piece to spiff it up a little?
More Houndstooth projects:
Visit ALL my houndstooth makeovers HERE
A fabulous houndsooth dresser and mirror makeover by Organized Clutter
What an adorable and inspired transformation! I love it!
Donna, this is so awesome! Rustic elegance!
Wow! Love this!
The shingles with the houndstooth stenciling is perfect. I so enjoyed reading your account. Painting it white, then black, then white….! I am so glad that I am not the only one to change colors repeatedly until I feel it. And yes, Donna, do it on your cabinets. You’ve just inspired me to do something similar. I am currently painting my kitchen cabinets. When my cast comes off, I intend to finish them. For years, yes, years, I pondered painting them. And pondered. I read extensively how to properly prepare them and paint them. Typical of me I started out the project doing exactly as is told. Bagging the hardware and numbering… and then promptly forgot where I put them. Bided my time because I know how my brain works and waited and low and behold, I found them. But I was getting nowhere fast. Two of them had been done for a year. And one day I walked into the kitchen, and thought, what the h…. I’m going for it,. See my cabinets were 35 years old and not in the best of shape. Not real wood. Just some heavily condensed, pressed together something or other. I left everything just where it hung and went for it. Yes, I prepped, but just painted them hanging up. And they look terrific. The saying that the right paint makes the difference is so true. But, I like to play with things and I am not done playing. My kitchen is so much brighter. The paint came from Home Depot and is a white with a hue of blue ever so light. It was from the department where people order paint but don’t buy it and is sold for a song. Now I have that song in my heart. Thanks Donna for showing your
OMG, you just hit on my favorite thing to do – curb shop! Haha I love picking up other people’s rejects and letting the piece say what it wants to be. That little table you have looked great with the rustic wood before the stenciling – it looks great with it too, but I love how you’ve left the panels not permanently attached so it can change when it wants to. And I love love that you used some shingles from your parents’ farm! How sweet is that??? I love black furniture too, on my long to do list is repainting and distressing my kitchen cabinets in black. I need 96 hour days! 🙂
This turned out amazing, Donna! I’m not usually a houndstooth fan but it is so perfect for this piece! I also love that you used masking tape. That is so me, use anything you can find that will work. Great job, as usual!
What a great idea! It’s beautiful. Bringing your visions to art pieces is amazing!
Love it! You know you are going to paint those kitchen cupboards lol! I just bit the bullet and painted mine. It wasn’t too bad. I have ideas and half finished projects all over the house lol!
Two words……RUSTIC DARLING!
That turned out really cute. Good curb find. 🙂
I absolutely love this piece! You have SUCH vision for your finds! I can’t wait to see what you do next!
what a beaute!
Love the new addition and that you found it along the roadside is totally amazing! The size is great and love that you settled black. This piece’s character is so handsome in black with just an element of wood still showing. I think the houndstooth is perfect for the traditional charm is piece emits. Well done!
Amazing transformation Donna, I Love it!!
I absolutely love what you did. Looking at it, I’m imagining two more teeny things…a natural wood knob on the door, and on the little diamond shaped embellishment!
So cute! I honestly wonder if you’re my long lost niece. I love everything you make. Roadside rejects find their way home with me, too. Sometimes they bond and sometimes they go back. The one I really wanted, and brought home, was a clawfoot table. But… it had obviously been in someone’s pasture with goats and I knew that smell wouldn’t go away. 🙁
Hi Donna! First of all, who would throw out a quality table like that??!! Sheesh! What an adorable little table it turned out to be! Soooooo cute! It definitely needed to be black with a natural top. Great decision on that. Love, love the houndstooth, cool idea. I never would’ve thought of that one. Yep, that one’s a keeper. Great job! Have a great week! ?
Love it and your funny story. You made me chuckel.
Love the color and what you did the the doors. Just genius. Thank you for sharing.
That is one sexy table Donna! Don’t ask me why I just love all that dark wood and the houndstooth together!!
It is so dear! Lots of personality. I always waiver between painting something black or white. Opposites, but I like both, so I recognized your dilemma. You made the right call. It is lovely.
Donna,
Your vision has proven spot on for your new friend. I am looking forward to your new piece in the boys room.
Karen