Flea Market Garden fix-up!

Jake Hernandez took an ordinary dining room buffet, cast off and left abandoned, and transformed it into a brilliant display in her garden.  It wasn’t a ‘precious’ piece and knew it would be somewhat temporary, lasting a few fun years and more, if she keeps it under cover in the rain.
“Making my “buffet garden” it was pretty simple actually,” Jake tells us….

An old and decrepit buffet, ready for its new life!

For starters, the Mr., Mike, rescued this gem from the side of the road on a snowy night during the winter.  This was, of course, after I had mentioned it.  The buffet did become a little weathered before I started work on it.   I removed one set of drawer pulls to be used inside, on the back of the bathroom door, as a “hook” to hold hangers.”

Primed, dry brushed and ready to paint

Step one
“I gave the top surface three full coats of exterior white paint, satin finish. The rest of the body I only did one coat. Some places I just skimmed the brush over, this gave it the same weathered look as though I had sanded it after painting. Yes, it was a short cut time saving measure., but it worked for the look I was going for. In the places that have engraved design I made sure not to get too much paint in those areas adding to the distressed look.”

Jake’s buffet garden,…finished!

Step two
“After it was dry I placed it where I wanted it and began to fill her up!
The drawer holds 3 small planters with flowers that will begin to “flow” over the edge as the season progresses. The top has been accessorized with a couple of complimentary planters as well as a couple of old mirrors and an old window frame,…there are even a few gnomes hanging out!”

“My buffet is the going to be the center piece of one of my gardens, which is done in my son’s school colors. He will be starting High School this fall and I anticipate this being the backdrop for his first Homecoming pictures!  Thanks for your interest and for providing a place for us to share our ideas!”  ~~Jake

Jake’s project works because she added extra protection to the top surface of her buffet, and used flower pots to plant in adding life to the furniture. She had a color scheme planned for the flowers she used, creating harmony and she decorated the top with indoor-type accessories which went along with the them.  Genius!  ~~ Sue

For more Befores and Afters, see our Facebook Album, Before and After!