Category: Lacquer Painting

Custom lacquer paint finishes by The English Refinisher in Dallas, TX, in matte, satin and high gloss.

  • Two-Color Lacquer Finish: A French Buffet and Hutch in Two Greens

    Two-Color Lacquer Finish: A French Buffet and Hutch in Two Greens

    Most painted furniture is one color all over. This French buffet and hutch got two: one custom lacquer color on the outside, and a second, lighter one waiting inside when you open the doors.

    Before: The Original Wood Finish

    French buffet and hutch before lacquer refinishing, in the original warm wood finish
    Before, in my workshop: the hutch and the base in their original wood finish.

    The piece came to me in its original warm wood finish, with glass doors on the hutch and panel doors on the base. It was well made and full of character, with diamond keyholes and sawtooth shelf supports, and my client wanted to keep all of that while giving it a completely new look.

    Two Custom Lacquer Colors

    French buffet during lacquer refinishing, door open showing the lighter interior and sawtooth shelf supports
    In process in my workshop, with a door open to show the inside and the sawtooth shelf supports.

    The outside is Benjamin Moore Rosemary Sprig. The inside, including the shelves and the original sawtooth shelf supports, is Silken Pine. Each started as a color chip, which I had converted to a lacquer-based paint, so the finish is far tougher than ordinary paint and will stand up to daily use. I chose a satin sheen, which is not so formal and suits a piece like this.

    Painting the inside a different color takes more time, but it changes the whole piece. Behind glass doors, the lighter interior sets off whatever is displayed on the shelves.

    What I Kept

    The original diamond keyholes stayed, and so did the distressing. Those details are part of the history of the piece, and a new color should not erase them.

    After: Two Greens, One Buffet and Hutch

    French buffet and hutch after refinishing in Rosemary Sprig satin lacquer, original diamond keyholes kept
    Finished: Rosemary Sprig on the outside, with the original diamond keyholes kept.
    French buffet with a door open showing the lighter Silken Pine lacquer interior and sawtooth shelf supports
    Open a door and the second color is waiting inside: Silken Pine, shelf supports and all.

    Thinking About a Two-Color Finish?

    Any color can be converted to lacquer, in matte, satin or high gloss. You can read more on my custom painting and lacquer finishes page. If you have a piece in mind, send me a photo for a free estimate through the contact page, or call (469) 371-1468.