Stark and Warm

If you have an old piece of furniture that’s been sitting around waiting to get a makeover, but you just feel stumped, well, I am happy to unstump you.  Perhaps you’ve considered painting the whole thing black, but that just seems too heavy.  Maybe you’d like to refinish just the wood, but also crave more pizazz.  Well, why not combine the two?  Black and wood! It’s crisp, it’s classy, it only lacks a name.  Black and wood!  That’s all I got. 

This poor buffet had been relegated to the garage after its owners ruined the top with a hot pan, then decided to just get rid of it. Sad! Luckily Margo and Chris swooped in and restored the walnut top, stripped, restained, and lacquered the doors and drawer, then painted the frame – you guessed it – black. 

See more from Margo and Chris on Facebook at Second Chance Furniture Iowa.

Michelle had purchased a dream of a mid-century-modern teak table at a vintage shop, but could only dream of the $400 chairs (each!) she desired to go with it. Unwilling to settle, she just used this old office chair and a little stool instead.  Handy for dining, but only if you happen to be feeding your accountant and a child.

Then one day, her mom showed her a similar table in a magazine that had black glossy chairs, and surprise! Michelle loved the look of the stark black against the warm wood. She scored a sweet little set of chairs at Salvation Army, fixed them right up, and now she has a perfectly stylish and functional dining room.  See more on her blog Sweet Suite 10.