I had been looking for an inexpensive piece of furniture to use in my basement family room for a display area and extra storage.
So when I saw this piece on Craigslist for only $25.00 I bought it.
Hey, it's not pretty now, but I knew I could work with it.
It is the typical 1980's little girl's bedroom hutch with 1980's paint.
Not sure why the two bottom drawers were a slightly different color than the rest of the hutch, but for the price I wasn't being picky.
Oh, and I didn't notice it until the drive back to my house, but the old owners were smokers. Heavy smokers. Very heavy smokers. So lesson learned - sniff before you buy.
It has a cute little flower embellishment at the top.
I used Murphy's Oil Soap to clean it. Then went over the entire piece with vinegar to try to eat up the smoke odor. And as a last step before painting I used Krud Kutter Pre-Paint Cleaner to clean it one more time and degloss it.
I went to Home Depot with a thoughts of possible colors swirling in my mind. I could be safe and paint it off-white or black. But that would be predictable and a little boring. I really wanted to paint it a french blue, but since my family room walls are yellow and I have some red accents, the blue wasn't going to work too well.Since I've been in a green phase, I decided to go that route. I looked at the Martha Stewart colors and decided on Bay Leaf (MSL105) as the main color.I found it interesting that when I took my color chip to the paint mixing desk, they immediately said "but, you don't want that in the Martha paint, you would want that in the Behr paint right? Behr is a much better paint." Uh, I guess I'll go with the Behr then. Does Martha know they are swaying people away from her paint products?
I bought the semi-gloss Behr Premium Plus Ultra which is primer and paint all in one. I'm on the fence if the primer/paint combo was the way to go though. Now, it took me two coats to paint the piece, but there was no way in the world that only one coat would have ever covered it. Not even close. I was just thinking for the price and that fact that it had primer and paint in one that it may cover fairly well with one coat and then I would throw a second coat on to even it out. And it just wasn't that great of coverage on the first coat.
When I bought the color for the hutch area, I did go with the Martha paint because I bought one of her tester bottles from the chip display area. I went with Sharkey Gray (MSL 240) because it was the only one that was close to a cream color in the tester bottles. It was more than enough paint to do the area I wanted it for.
I used Rustoleum's Oil Rubbed Bronze to spray paint the handle pulls. I had to get rid of that nasty gold and white on those handles.
And the finished project!!!!!
I think the green really brightened it up and brought it into this century.
And look at the little flower detail. It's not as obvious as it was previously, but sometimes classy and understated is best.
The top on these old pieces can either be used for a bookcase or display area.
The bottom will be great for storage of tablecloths (once I get the smoke smell 100% out of this).
She's so pretty now.
And look how cute she is with some accessories added to her.
BEFORE
AFTER
LUCKY 7 DESIGN
You did a great job, love the green. I just purchased a hutch from Craigslist. I was hoping to have it redone already but its been scorching hot here in NJ so not great for painting. I'd do it indoors but I have a new baby so for now I'll admire your beautiful work. Thanks for commenting on my blog.
Kathy
I LOVE this....I got a chest from a friend that smokes and I too noticed the smell once we it home...so I was wondering if the painting helped? I had read that if you put a bowl full of baking soda in each drawer it will help..it does!
Gayle
Very nice transformation
Chase and McKell
oh i love that hutch! especially the green you chose!! (my fav color)
and thanks for your super sweet comments on my blog 🙂
Lisa
GREAT Color! I love green, its my favorite. The hutch turned out fabulous! Enjoy.
Thanks for the visit today as well.
Lisa
Cincy
That hutch is adorable & I love that apple green. Good job!
Kelle Dame
It turned out lovely! Great job! Thanks for stopping by my blog and following. You made my day!
Amanda@The Hand Me Down House
I absolutely ADORE your new hutch -- that color is absolutely AMAZING! You did a wonderful job! 🙂
xinex
Wow! She's a real beauty now. Great job, Pam. I love the color!..Christine
Dee
Speaking of Martha...she says to put a small dish of vinegar in the drawers until the smokey smell dissapates. It's worth a try!
Kelly @ Lucy's Daughter
What a gorgeous transformation. I love that color green and think it looks great on the hutch. Great job!
The Working Home Keeper
Visting from Debbie's B & A - Absolutely beautiful! I love the color. Funny, I was asked the same thing at Home Depot when I bought some Martha Stewart paint. I've used both MSL and Behr paint plus primer and they both seem about the same to me consistency-wise. I still like Valspar a little more. Better coverage with fewer coats.
Mary Ellen
Olive Cooper
Pam, you rocked the casba with the green paint. I like it! I know nothing about Martha's paint but I adore Behr paint. Found you via the B&A Party. ~olive
P.S. Will follow U
Debbie
WOW that sure did turn out fantastic! I love the green, so bright and cheery! Thanks for linking up to my first Before and After party...so glad you did. Debbie
Emily {Frilly Details}
Wow, you did a great job!! I really love the new color. 🙂
karen
very nice job:)