Hey Guys! I say, let’s save the stain. If you’ve been here a while you know I paint, usually everything. But more and more lately I want to try to save at least part of the original look. Talking furniture of course.
Looking back on past projects some of my favorites are actually the ones where I showcased at least part of the original finish and updated the piece with a bit of paint.
13 Save The Stain Furniture Makeovers
Sometimes I just painted a few drawers, sometimes I painted the top of the furniture, and other times I painted the body or casing. The paint colors vary but the majority of the makeovers are white paint, sometimes antiqued or aged to fit the piece.
Take a look below and let me know your favorite. I have a couple and I’ll tell you what they are at the end. See if you can guess.
(click any of the pink text links to view the entire furniture tutorial with instructions and photos)
1. 1950’s Blonde Table With Turquoise Top
The blonde table belongs to my Aunt and I updated it for her a couple of years ago. The top was a little damaged. the original finish was discolored in a few areas or missing. I selected a paint color to match the pair of living room chairs and it works. Really looks good.
My Aunt recently moved to assisted living and the table and pair of chars are some of the furnishings she took to her new home.
2. Oak Dresser With Original Stain and White Paint
I’m not a fan of oak but left part of this piece unpainted. The mirror was missing so we cut a piece to make a chalkboard. Different!
3. Stool Bottom & Cabinet Door Top Table
One of our reclaimed projects. I found the stool base minus top at my favorite junk shop and the cabinet door was the perfect mate.
4. Vintage Buffet With Aged Painted Top
Ah, this piece is so lovely. I hated to get rid of it. I bought it to keep but really had no place it fit well. The top was a mess and I tried my best to do the buffet justice. Through trial and error I painted, aged, toned, until the top almost looks like original old wood.
5. Save The Stain on Two Drawers
The only part of this chest of drawers where the stain wasn’t damaged was the two top drawers. So they didn’t get painted, just cleaned and shined.
Save the Stain
6. Green Antiqued Table Top
The Eastlake style table is a style I see frequently in the antique malls and flea markets. The style doesn’t sell for the price it used to. No one wants antiques anymore. Have you guys heard that? I painted the damaged top and aged the paint. The bottom is cleaned up and oiled with Howard’s Feed n Wax (one of my favorite products).
7. White Paint Saves The Day
The vintage chest of drawers with details like the one above are hard to find. I love those legs and the carved details on the drawer. The white paint got distressed to show off the details.
8. Flower Power Table
The kids table needed a whimsical look and the daisies did the job. I think dark stain and white paint go together like peanut butter and banana.
9. Silvery Blue Dresser
I didn’t even have to paint this piece. I brought it home, distressed the paint, cleaned it up, and shined everything up with wax.
10. Sassy Small Table
The small table had a replaced top and it was stark white. I painted the top blue then decided to go back to white. Extra work. Then…..I antiqued the paint. You can see the technique I used in the video below…..
How To Antique Paint
11. Cedar Chest With Fancy Knobs
I think the pulls or knobs made all the difference in the cedar chest. I also removed a couple of curvy wood details that made the piece look really country and really outdated.
12. Two White Drawers
The plain jane sofa table needed just a bit of paint to make it look really modern.
13. White Wicker Table With Stained Top
I can’t take credit for this piece. I spotted it at the Nashville Flea Market and fell in love with the look. White wicker with stained wood, perfect.
Okay, I’ll tell you my favorites and you tell me yours. Mine are…….the Blonde table belonging to my Aunt and the vintage chest with the painted drawers. Leave a note please and thanks for being here. I know your life is busy. Thanks for spending a little time with me, Kathy
Marlene McCormack says
My faves are No. 2, 4 and 6. Oak furniture with an interesting woodgrain is fantastic. The No. 2 dresser drawer fronts are showstoppers. The craftsmanship on the No. 4 buffet would be a sin to paint. And your redo of the No. 6 EastLake table was just the updated fix that it needed. You know, I started to pay attention to vintage and antique furniture in the latter 1970s. At that time, EVERYONE in Northern California was stripping paint off their furniture to reveal the beautiful oak grain underneath. At the time, no one understood why it was ever painted over. How that pendulum swings! Your “Save the Stain” updating is the best compromise.
Kathy Owen says
Thank you Marlene! I do think a combination of paint and the original stained finish works well. I do love that buffet. Wish it fit into my decor somewhere but it didn’t. A friend purchased it so I’m happy about that.
Naomi Shelton says
Kathy, my favorites are the vintage dresser with turned legs and painted drawers. The white paint really brings out the carved details. I also really love the silvery blue dresser with the natural wood top. I like the hardware on this piece; I think it really compliments the style. I have begun to like the look of painted pieces with the tops done in a natural wood stain. Kind of the best of both worlds, you know?
This post represents a lot of work done by you! Thanks for sharing it.
Cindy Dennard says
If you want to save a wood surface, Rethunk Junk makes a product called stain top that is amazing. Just clean the wood good and paint the stain top on and watch the wood look like new. No sanding or anything. Rethunk Junk makes the best paint products that I have found.Also the easiest to use.
Marilyn Dudek says
I love #12. It has a classic look. Of course, I like all of them. You do great work.
Leslie says
I love #4. I have a beautiful sideboard that needs to be refinished. I can’t decide what to do and just painting the top might be the best place to start then decide if I want to do more. Thanks!
Rose Lefebvre says
Over the years I have seen you do some beautifully creative renovations.
Marie says
I can’t pick a favorite, Kathy because I think they are all beautiful makeovers in their own way! Nice taking a trip down memory lane with some of these.
Susan M Heppe says
Green antiqued table is my favorite but I love them all!
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Kathy, i just started staining and i love the look. My favorites are #5 and #9. It was hard picking a favorite because they all look good. Thank you for sharing.
Julie says
Love the vintage buffet. Really beautiful.
linda kaplan says
always love what you do