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Mid Century Modern Sideboard upcycled with Old Fashioned Milk Paint

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A few months ago I was in New York visiting my sons.  I stayed with my younger son in his apartment. Speaking of which, that house has been accumulating all sorts of pretty MCM pieces over time.  I really don’t know how that happened.  Every time I visit them… well, there is another one and this Mid Century Modern sideboard caught my eye!

Of course, you all didn’t think I’d be living the high life over in New York, did you?  No I had to work hard all day while my son was at work.  So today I’m sharing with you a piece I upcycled while visiting the boys.  It’s a Mid Century Modern sideboard using my favorite new paint Old Fashioned Milk Paint.​

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Before Mid-Century Modern Sideboard Upcycled with OFMP www.theboondocksblog.com

I’m a big fan of Mid Century Modern so I’m lucky to have this piece.  I love those clean lines and simple designs. This mid century modern sideboard was in solid shape but on top it was full of scratches and gashes. I tried sanding it but it didn’t come out and I felt as if I was spinning my wheels. 

I was due to leave New York in three days and had to get this one finished.  Maybe if I had more time I would have taken a different route. In fact I had wanted to redo it with Tung oil and bring out the beauty of the wood. But this top was damaged beyond that point.  If I had sanded it more how much wood would I end up removing?  Because of time constraints I decided to paint it and hide that awful top. 

Scratches on top, Mid-Century Modern Sideboard Upcycled with OFMP www.theboondocksblog.com

I was aiming for a masculine look and chose to use Old Fashioned Milk Paint in Pitch Black.  But I didn’t want it to be depressing in there so I added a tiny bit of Oyster White. 

After I was finished painting the MCM sideboard I sealed the it with Daddy Van’s all Natural Beeswax and Lavender Furniture Polish.​

OFMP Oyster White and Pitch Black, Daddy Van'd Beeswax, Mid-Century Modern Sideboard Upcycled with OFMP www.theboondocksblog.com

This is how it looked after I mixed it up.  I waited for 20 minutes and came back to find a nice thick paint.  This was in marked contrast to last month’s Mirror project where I had also used Old Fashioned Milk Paint.  

the mixed paint, Mid-Century Modern Sideboard Upcycled with OFMP www.theboondocksblog.com

On the mirror I had used it as more of a whitewash and had thinned it out with water. Here I was looking for coverage. I added more powder and a bit less water.​

This was after the first coat of paint on the sideboard. It went on really smooth.  In fact, my dad who is my greatest critic was so impressed he said I had surpassed him in brush stroke techniques.  Of course I wasn’t about to tell him it was the paint and not so much my technique. 

painted top, Mid-Century Modern Sideboard Upcycled with OFMP www.theboondocksblog.com

It was at this point that I decided to paint the sides along with the top.  It looked kind of silly having just the top painted. In the end I added three coats because I wanted to let the paint cover the scratches and gashes.

I then finished it off with the beeswax. ​

adding the beeswax, Mid-Century Modern Sideboard Upcycled with OFMP www.theboondocksblog.com

And is the mid century modern sideboard all finished.  You can see a little bit of the white.  I didn’t mix the paint thoroughly and so there were different shades in the cup.  I think it gives the flat gray more dimension.​

The finished top, Mid-Century Modern Sideboard Upcycled with OFMP www.theboondocksblog.com

All in all I was able to finish this in two days.  I waited about 2 hours between coats and on the final day I sealed it.  Not bad for a rush job. 

No more scratches and gashes!  I was very happy with how Old Fashioned Milk Paint covered this top!​

I’m kinda liking the gray against the original wood doors.

​I went over the doors with the beeswax and gave some life to that tired wood. 

​I had talked to you all about Old Fashioned Milk Paint and how I used it for the first time last month when I redid the mirror. You may want to refer back to that post to find out about the joys of true milk paint. 

As for me, I managed to finish this mid century modern sideboard refresh in the nick of time because the next day I took a flight out of New York.  But I know when I go back I will find my MCM sideboard upcycled with old fashioned milk paint, waiting for me!  And that is the greatest satisfaction of all. 

If you love simple furniture makeovers, be sure to check out how to paint a dresser at Sustain My Craft Habit!

Now tell me, how do you feel about mid century modern?  Yay or nay?  And should I leave the doors as they are or paint them too? (Spoiler alert: I did end up painting the doors of my MCM sideboard after all!!!)

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Mid Century Wooden Stool Makeover - The Boondocks Blog

Saturday 19th of September 2020

[…] I have done MCM transformations before, but this one was a piece of work!  […]

Marjan Hoebeke-Pfaff

Monday 6th of March 2017

Hello Mary, the grey coat is really lovely but to me it's just a tad too much contrast to the wooden doors. I'd probably give them a touch of grey too, maybe just the woven pannels though... Sorry, I'm no good at this (that's why I stick to my yarn and needles) but you did ask... Have a great week, Marjan

Mary

Monday 6th of March 2017

Marjan thank you for being honest. I would have probably done something else too had I had the luxury of time. Unfortunately I was leaving the next day. I really like your suggestion of just doing the woven panels. It will soften the whole piece quite a bit. I will definitely be making some changes when I go back.

Caroline

Monday 6th of March 2017

I love upcycling furniture or anything. Never used milk paint only chalk. Love the new look

Mary

Monday 6th of March 2017

This was only my second time using milk paint. And I am so happy with the way it covers, especially that horrid top of the sideboard. Thank you Caroline.

Zografia | Bisozozo

Monday 6th of March 2017

Yes, i'll agree with you Mary. They grey looks great next to the furniture doors and the floor!

Mary

Monday 6th of March 2017

I originally wanted to go with white but it would not have looked good in the room. So this was a good compromise. I will eventually add a little more grey to the front. But that is for the next trip!

Ntina

Monday 6th of March 2017

Another amazing transformation Mary! I really thought you were living the high life in New York though! :)

Mary

Monday 6th of March 2017

Ntina I spend a great time with my family, that is enough for me. ;)

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