Transforming a Petite Vintage Sideboard with Dixie Bell’s Pumpkin Spice Magic
Colourful Inspiration and Transformation
The driving force behind this project was colour. Inspired by Dixie Bell’s Pumpkin Spice, I embarked on a creative journey to transform a small vintage sideboard.
I discovered this small sideboard, along with its sister piece (now a Chessboard side-table), from a woman clearing her grandmother’s apartment. The decision to part with family heirlooms is never easy, but she entrusted these pieces to me, knowing I would breathe new life into them.
Both pieces posed unique challenges in their transformation. For this sideboard, colour took centre stage, guiding the creative process. It all started with the captivating hue of Pumpkin Spice, and from there, the interior design began to take shape.
From Cleaning to Creative Canvas
Before diving into the creative process, I started by acquainting myself with the sideboard through a thorough cleaning. This allowed me to closely examine the piece, discover its stories of use, and understand any imperfections it had acquired over the years.
The sideboard was in decent condition, although the drawer interiors had aged faux felt liners glued on with stubborn industrial glue. Stains graced the open cabinet’s interior, and typical watermarks adorned the top. The legs, especially the feet, showed the marks of years of use and movement.
With the old hardware removed, I filled screw holes and smoothed out visible imperfections. The legs and top underwent a meticulous process involving stripping the old finish and sanding.
Artful Details and Transformative Layers
Three layers of paint brought the colour to life. The legs took on a beautiful hue with Borma Wachs Antique stain, while the top required a more intricate dance with stains to achieve the perfect shade.
Originally, I planned to brighten the interior with a simple Wood Wax treatment. However, a decorative paper serviette caught my eye, leading to a creative decision to incorporate it into the design.
To enhance the drawer knobs, I used elements of the leaf pattern from the decoupage paper. After gluing and sanding them down, I sealed both the insides and knobs with a polyacrylic finish.
With the body, drawer fronts, and door slightly distressed and waxed, and the legs and top treated with OliNatura Hard-wax-oil, the transformation was nearly complete.
The Finale and Exciting Styling
The joy of seeing it all come together is invigorating. But before I delve into experimenting with various styling elements for that perfect photo, I must tidy up my workspace. A wooden toucan, a recent addition to my styling collection, has quickly become a favourite decorative element, hinting at exciting styling prospects in the future. Keep an eye out for its appearances in my upcoming projects.
