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
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
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
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.
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