What should I do with the antique buffet?
Answers:
It depends on what kind of wood it's made of.If it's oak I would not paint it.I would refinish it.You could hurt the value.If it's veneer than I would paint it or antique it Shabby Chic style.Good Luck
Other answers:
How precious is the item to you? Painted finishes always ring a little phony, and it's difficult to go back once you have painted a piece of furniture.
Refinishing can also be dicey, especially if the piece is made of base wood with a thin veneer on the outer surfaces. Older veneers will tend to lift from the base wood when any type of stripper or refinisher is applied. If the piece is valuable to you, I would suggest contacting a professional refinisher and getting a quote on a quality refinishing job.
How precious is the item to you? Painted finishes always ring a little phony, and it's difficult to go back once you have painted a piece of furniture.
Refinishing can also be dicey, especially if the piece is made of base wood with a thin veneer on the outer surfaces. Older veneers will tend to lift from the base wood when any type of stripper or refinisher is applied. If the piece is valuable to you, I would suggest contacting a professional refinisher and getting a quote on a quality refinishing job.
I love old pieces of furniture and would opt for refinishing the piece if it fits in with your current decor.
However, if you're keeping it because you can't make yourself get rid of it, why not give it a more contemporary look, either with paint or stencil or even having a marble top made for it.
If it has side doors, why not replace the door panels with glass and install lights at the back to show off some of your favorite serving pieces.
If all else fails, take a great picture of it for the family album and then sell it and buy something you really like.