Mid Century Modern Sideboard upcycled with Old Fashioned Milk Paint
A banged up mid century modern sideboard got a much needed refresh with some Old Fashioned Milk Paint and finishing wax.
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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Really love the way the Milk paint looks on this piece. I think a bright pop of color on the doors would bring it all together.
That is the idea Melissa. I will definitely finish it when I go back to the States. Thanks for your input.
When it comes to MCM, I’m a traditionalist. I would have restored using the colors it came in. But, that’s me, and it has no bearing on what you decide to do. I would love to find some MCM furniture that I could afford!!! I think our house is screaming for it. Best wishes…Fonda
I would have loved to have done just that but I didn’t have the time to do it right. My initial idea was to use Tung oil on it. But since I had never used it before I was afraid that it would not have dried in time. The scratches on the top were pretty deep and they really needed to disappear fast. Thanks for your comment. When I go back I’ll have some more MCMs to work on and hopefully I can do them justice instead of hiding them .
I need to have as much fun with paint as you do. Great upcycle!
It is an adventure every time I pick up that paint brush. Lol! I never know how something will look till I’m done.
What a blessing for your son that you visited for a month! I say, next time you charge him, lol. Great job as always, Mary!
Haha Jas, you are so funny! He could have cared less if I did all this or not. All he wanted was for me to cook! 😉
Hi Mary, it was a shame you couldn’t keep the top natural, the grain looked nice (without the scratches). I’m not a fan of the colour grey, but I do like the colour on the sideboard, and I think you were right to leave the doors natural. The different shades in the paint makes it more interesting.
xx
I only wish Debbie. I loved the natural wood look. But those scratches were too deep and I didn’t have the luxury of time. I chose the grey because going white would not have looked good in that room with all the other pieces, and black would have made the room look even darker than it is. Hopefully when I go back I’ll finish it up and make things a bit more interesting.
The milk paint did a really good job of covering the wear scars. Reading up on milk paint I found out it has been around forever, but personally I haven’t tried it…..at least not yet.
I remember seeing furniture with the weave like the doors on this sideboard. Its funky and kind of bohemian looking to me.
Nicely done refurbishment as always. Leanna
Leanna you are going to love milk paint. I always thought it was just for chippy furniture or distressing but in fact it has proved to be so much more than that.
Mary, your sons are lucky to have you! You worked magic with the sideboard!
Maya I saw those scratches last time I was there and they bugged me but back then (before blogging) I was clueless as to how to handle this. Now this is a solution but you never know how it will progress.
Oh Mary, this looks so nice! I wonder from where you have the inspiration to do such beautiful things!
Cristina I get my inspiration from blogland. I spend so many hours in blog it’s impossible to not be inspired.
Oh I love what you did with this, Mary! Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm!
Such a great transformation. Love your thought process. i have never attempted such a project. kudos. Thanks for sharing your wonderful transformation at DI&DI.
I love those doors. The beeswax must have really brightened them up. The color choice on the milk paint was a good one and turned out lovely.
Thanks Debbie. I will have to eventually do something with those doors as they seem to be too jarring next to the soft grey.
Loving that grey custom mix Mary playing with Milk Paint is such fun! . And since you asked here’s my input, I would paint the door frames to match but add a wash on the rattan with some soft distressing for added interest.The original stain is just a tad to orange for me, to pair well with the color of paint. Hope you had a great trip!
Brenda I left feeling that it was not finished and after putting that question out to all of you my suspicions were confirmed. When I get back I will definitely have to work on those doors. Thanks for your valuable input.
Mary, what a great chest and great makeover! Thanks for sharing. You are one of the feature at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week’s bash! http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2017/03/make-pretty-monday-week-210.html Hope you have a happy week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Mary, it turned out beautiful! I love that you kept the doors as they are; they have so much character and that mid-century vibe! 🙂
I am not an MCM fan, but more of a traditional, shabby chic, antique-loving, ornate-ish kind of person, but I know MCM is having its heyday again. You did a good job on the chest! Now confess…you love working hard while you’re in NY or home! Me, I don’t like to be idle either.
Great makeover, Mary! Well, I guess I’m in the minority. I actually like the look of the warm wood and soft gray. Very clever to wax the doors to revive them. Only thing I would change is possibly the addition of legs? Guess you’ll have to travel back to the States! 😉 Take care, Cynthia
Now there’s an idea Cynthia! I will definitely have to look into that when I get back!
Mary, what a great piece — and you did a wonderful job reviving it. When I looked at, I thought that hairpin legs may be something to consider. I saw your link at Blogger’s Pit Stop party; this is the first time I’m visiting.
Mary, I think it turned out great. I do agree with others that the doors would look better with some gray also. Great job!
xo Dianne
I’ve never used milk paint, but you now have me intrigued! This piece turned out lovely! I would love for you to share with us on Party in Your PJ’s link party. It goes live on Tuesday evening each week.
Love the color! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!