A Citrusy Nightstand Makeover
Remember the old dresser that my neighbor gave me to that I repaired and painted in beautiful shades of green? Well, she also gave me a cute little white nightstand that she was tossing away. Having no need or space for this piece of furniture either, I decided to give it a cheerful makeover and pass it on to my friend Melissa for her new apartment.
I can’t find the year when this table was made but it was manufactured by Bassett Furniture, a nearly 125 year old American home furnishings company, founded by the Bassett family of Bassett, Virginia. A quick Google image search indicates that this specific nightstand with its beadboard panels, carved apron, and turned feet was manufactured in the early 21st century, making it between 15-25 years old. A simple review of Bassett bedroom furniture on the company’s website lists the price range of nightstands from $450 for a clearance one up to $2,500 for the most expensive one. So if price is an indicator of quality, I would assume this is a very high quality nightstand.
Other than some minor discoloring on the top, the nightstand was in great shape when it made its way to my garage. A fresh coat of paint and furniture wax was all it needed to give it new life. I generally dislike natural wood furniture and white furniture is not a favorite either. In case you haven’t noticed yet, I prefer bright, joyful, whimsical colors on home decor items including wood furniture. I also just love painted wood furniture.
For this makeover, I decided a bright citrusy color palette would be super fun so I mixed up a bunch of different paint colors that I had on hand to create homemade chalk paint in a range of shades in yellow and orange. I painted all the sections in different colors, lightly distressed it with sandpaper, and sealed it with a coat of furniture wax. The end result really makes me smile! And of course, Melissa loves it. Since she already has a coordinating green nightstand for her bedroom, she is using this citrusy nightstand as a living room end table instead. It coordinates perfectly with the colorful kitchen set that I salvaged and upcycled for her!
I really, really, really am hankering for a space that I can use as a work room and a show room for my upcycled creations. I have so much fun turning old junk into fabulous new functional pieces but I don’t have the space to keep bringing the old junk home! One day, when we move from our cute little house in the city to a more rural location, I will look for a property with a barn that I can use as my creative space and I will spend my retirement years creating lovely, cheerful things for other people!
Do you like painted furniture or do you prefer the look of natural wood instead?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
6 Comments
Sally in St Paul
Natural wood is quite pretty but the painted furniture is so cheerful and fun! Love the citrusy yellow and orange colors on this one.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Sally! I want to paint all of the natural wood in my house. I can’t stand it! LOL Although there are a few pieces that I will keep natural like an old 1880s school desk that my grandfather refinished about 45 years ago. I use it as an end table in my living room.
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
I lvoe this cheerful nightstand/end table! I do hope your friend Melissa will send you some photos to share of her beautiful space with all this fun furniture! Primarily, I have wood furniture. Our dining room furniture was custom made in Tennessee back in the 90s. Mike had just refinished the top of the table before we moved. The movers gouged it so it needs redoing. There’s a very big part of me that would love to paint it, but Mike really doesn’t want me to do that. And, he rarely has an opinion on things like that. Our bedroom suite is alderwood that looks like Queen Anne cherry, and I love it though it’s always dusty because it’s a dark color. I have several small painted and distressed tables throughout the house which brighten everything up. I also have a couple of oak pieces that are have veneer coverings. I might be able to convince him to let me paint them!
Have a wonderful weekend, Shelbee!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Marsha! I hope I didn’t offend you by saying that I hate natural wood furniture. I like it just fine in other people’s homes, it’s just not my preference! But I do have some antique pieces that are natural wood like the 1880s school desk that my grandfather refinished about 40 years ago. My sister inherited it and then she passed it on to me this year. I am really happy to have it and will definitely leave it in its natural woods state. I also have my maternal great-grandparent’s dressers and vanity in the 1920s art deco style the are in desperate need of repairs and refinishing. I haven’t decided yet if I am going to paint them or refinish them and keep the natural wood. But I am definitely waiting until we move to our next home to do those since the dressers are both sitting in basement out of use right now. The vanity is in my bedroom. As much as I don’t like the wood finishes, I think veneer is even worse! Definitely paint those! LOL
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
This might just be my favorite furniture makeover yet! I wouldn’t have thought I’d like these colors so much but this color palete is so soothing and pretty.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aww, thanks so much, Joanne! The colors remind me of a big scoop of refreshing sherbet! I am going to use this color palette, with a little more green in it, to paint my kitchen…whenever I get around to that giant project. Probably in the spring. The bright colors really cheer me!
xoxo
Shelbee