Pine Sideboard ideas

[jolies1]

I’ve inherited an “antique gold” pine sideboard which I would like to use as additional storage / countertop in my kitchen (it’s a great size - just dated and too yellow for my colour scheme.) My kitchen is stone Symphony cabinets with a Brazilian walnut worktop, floors are Karndean, limed oak I think. So far walls are not painted.

Any suggestion of what I could do? Happy to paint / stain etc and explore colour!

I’m not sure what you mean by antique gold. I have an antique pine one which I sanded, treated with rot and woodworm treatment and then waxed - very natural looking.

I did think about painting it but didn’t want to ruin its natural charm.

I know what you mean. I inherited some lovely hone furniture but it was simply too orange for my taste. I painted it all with no problem, though I know many people see that as criminal. Just make sure you gently sand it first so the paint has something to adhere to, and wax it afterwards. The wax felt like a mistake when I was doing it as it STANK but it’s kept it all in great condition.

Thank you! This is the colour/ style if it helps - I know not everyone is a fan of upcycling furniture but at the end of the day it is as old as me and would have been on the way to the tip otherwise… the wood is much better quality than an ikea job but colour just too warm. It will need sanded whatever to sort scratches!

The pine of your sideboard is very pretty.

I have a multitude of pre-loved pine furniture pieces. I tend to sand and paint the bases and oil the top surfaces.
'Natural' pine tends to yellow over time - not my favourite effect! The is a product, from Osmo, which in two thin coats, protects and lightens the wood slightly. No yellowing. The product is Osmo 3040 Polyx Hard Wax Oil Tints.

Google French chic as there are loads of photos of upcycled cabinets that have been painted which should give you some ideas.

Sand it and wax it - it's natural wood colours will come out and it will look less 90s shiny. Please don't paint it!
The amount of beautiful pieces of furniture I've seen ruined as they've been painted with bloody French Grey. Don't do this.

It’s fine to paint it - it’s only a pine cupboard. Do what you want!

the only thing that shouldn’t be painted is antique walnut or oak. Pine was never ever a fine furniture and can always be painted pretty much

If you don’t feel it is essential to sand it ( it can be difficult to get it even) you can buy a pre painting treatment which will mean the paint will adhere to the surface and not flake or bubble because of previous polish or varnish.

I would be inclined to paint it in a contrasting colour ( not grey ) which would make a feature out of it. You might use a similar tone on the walls , a few shades lighter. An oil based paint would be best in a kitchen, as it will be in a steamy atmosphere, and you will probably need to wipe it down ( unless you are miraculously un messy).

Changing the knobs would make it look more expensive and modern, as well. I’ve got loads of painted furniture, mainly pine ,it’s much easier to live with than that sort of wood, and you can change the colour if you get bored!

@everygreensock , that's interesting. We have a beautiful chunky pine fireplace that we bought when we moved in here at the end of the 90s, it's gone really orange as well. I absolutely love it and the pattern of the wood, but I can't deny it looks really dated.

Can you give me a bit of advice on sanding and waxing please? I don't have a sanding machine but could buy one if needs be. There's lots of "sticky outy" bits on it though (not a technical term!) so I'm wondering if it would be better done by hand, no matter how time consuming. And if you could also suggest a wax that would be so helpful too. Please SOF (Save Our Fireplace)!!