Neutral Sideboard Transformation

A cream-colored, vintage sideboard with ornate gold handles and intricate carvings sits on a hardwood floor. The sideboard features three drawers and four cabinet doors. It is flanked by lush plants and decorated with books, a candle, and a small sculpture on top.

A wooden sideboard with four intricately carved cabinet doors stands in a workshop. The sideboard features ornate detailing and a polished finish. In the background, various tools and workshop equipment are visible on shelves and a workbench.

A vintage wooden dresser in the process of being painted sits in a workshop. The top drawers have been removed, while the rest is partially painted white, revealing intricate carvings on the lower sections. The text "Made with bristles" is displayed at the bottom.

A top view of a light-colored wood dresser with brass handles. On the dresser are decorative items, including a white textured vase, a small golden elephant figurine, and a glass orb on a marble base. The backdrop is a light gray brick wall.

A light-colored wooden dresser with six floral-patterned lined drawers. Three top drawers are opened, revealing the lining. Decorations, including a statue, books, a vase, and a bowl, are on top. It's surrounded by green plants and has a wooden floor base.

A close-up of a vintage, light-colored dresser drawer featuring an ornate gold handle. The drawer front has intricate carved details, and there are some plants in the blurred background.

Sideboard

Ally had a beautiful vintage sideboard, but its orangey-varnish finish wasn’t quite right for her modern home. She reached out to me for help updating it to a more stylish neutral colour.

After sending her some some “greige” paint samples, Ally chose Cool Beans by Frenchic, a gorgeous creamy taupe/greige shade that perfectly complements her contemporary decor.

CREATING THE DESIGN

Ally knew that she wanted the top sanded back and finished in a paint wash so you could see the wood grain, but she was unsure whether she wanted the drawer fronts painted in a solid colour or paint-washed too. I was able to generate some photos to show Ally what it might look like, and so we decided to paint-wash the drawers and if she didn’t like it, then we could paint them.

We opted to keep the original hardware, as its design and curves beautifully complemented the sideboard’s unique character. The vintage charm of the original hardware was the perfect finishing touch to this refreshed piece.

THE TRANSFORMATION

This once dated sideboard has been transformed into a modern masterpiece, ready to grace any contemporary home. The delicate paint wash on the drawers and top adds subtle depth and texture, enhancing the sideboard’s elegant lines and intricate details without overshadowing its timeless beauty.