When I see a super flat surface on a piece of furniture, I get giddy! It’s like being given a clean canvas to do with what you will. I’ve wanted to do an image transfer for some time now. I haven’t done one in ages. I’ve also had a break from custom work, making this the perfect opportunity to be creative. When I purchased this flat vintage buffet I knew the surface was perfect for adding an image. Adding an image transfer gives a whole new personality to a piece, and this project is no exception. Click here to see more image transfer projects: Image inspiration.
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French Image Transfer on Vintage Buffet
Materials Needed
Staging / Home Decor
The Unfinished Vintage Buffet
The buffet itself was in pretty nice shape when I got it. With no major damage, clean, straight lines and clean drawers. But, inside the cabinet doors were shelves that had been lined with contact paper. Whoever thought that sticky stuff was a good idea? The shelves had not only one, but two layers!
On the positive side, once removed the wood underneath the contact paper is actually very pretty! The shelves were wiped down with rubbing alcohol to remove any leftover sticky residue.
The Makeover – Prep and Staining the Buffet Top
The buffet was prepped as every other piece of furniture is, you can see my full process for How to Prep Painted Furniture. The top of the buffet was sanded down to bare wood, leaving a gorgeous wood grain. The top is stained with a dark chocolate protective wood stain. The first coat is a very rich dark espresso stain, so for a second coat, I am using a lighter brown wood stain. Combining the two gave the rich dark stain that isn’t quite black and isn’t quite brown, but somewhere in between. 
In between coats of stain, the top was lightly sanded. The top was also lightly distressed along the edges creating a slightly worn look.
Even though the protective wood stain does not need an additional sealer I wanted a super soft finish. I decided to sand the top with my flexible sandpaper and seal again with a clear satin finish. Sanding the top leaves a finish that is soft like a baby’s bum. 
The Paint – Painting Layers for a Cloudy Finish
The body of the vintage buffet was painted in layers. The first coat as a pure white. The second layer is a very light gray and then a cloudy light gray. Each layer is only a very subtle difference from the previous layer. Doing this allows a bit of depth once distressed. You can find great furniture paint colors with Dixie Belle (HERE)
The buffet was lightly sanded in between each coat and then distressed using flexible sandpaper. 
Distressing of the layers give a bit of a subtle depth to the piece, giving it a slightly cloudy appearance.
The Hardware
The original hardware was too dark, too bold and too wrong for the piece. The buffet needs a softer style pull to not distract from the image. Besides the fact that I don’t think they were the original pulls to the piece anyway. New clear vintage glass pulls from D. Lawless Hardware were a perfect choice. 
The clear knobs compliment the piece while not taking away from the image transfer. 
The Image Transfer
I chose a French image that would fit perfectly across the center of the buffet. The image was measured and taped in place with painters tape before being carefully transferred to the piece. This was my first time using this particular type of image transfer and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Though I did not make a video tutorial on how to apply the image transfer with this particular project, I did make one with another makeover. If you need a more visual instruction there is a video tutorial for applying the image transfer available in this post here: How to Transfer Images like a Pro
The dark espresso chocolate of the top pairs beautifully with the cloudy gray painted finish and vintage style french image transfer print. To seal for protection, both the image, as well as the painted surface, are sealed with a matte clear sealer.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or just starting out you can always start at the beginning with How to Paint Furniture – a Beginners Guide 
You can order image transfers here. Better yet, check out these:
How to Transfer Images to Furniture
Collection of Easiest Image Transfers
If you liked this makeover then make sure to check out: Painted Media Console with French Image and Transfer on Painted Toy Box
If you like this post make sure to check out all of the tips & secrets that I wish someone told me when I started painting furniture here: Painting Furniture Secrets 
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Peggy says
How wonderful it was to find your blog post , I love the step by step instructions . Your pieces are incredibly stunning . I look forward to tagging alone and learning from you , Thank you
Kandice says
thank you so much for such a sweet compliment 🙂
Charlotte says
You did a beautiful job on this piece. Very talented. I am attemping to repaint my first piece of furniture and let’s just say its been a struggle.Thanks for sharing on Family Joy Blog Link-up. Please come back and join us again! Remember to leave your host a comment to increase the chance of being featured.
Kandice says
thank you so much!
Catherine says
Hi Kandice
Wow – this is such a pretty makeover on this cabinet! Had no idea large transfers were available on amazon.com! Ooooh the possibilities!! Thank you thank you for sharing this!!
Catherine (newest follower of your blogging adventures!)
Kandice says
thanks so much! Amazon has everything! lol
Jennefer says
This is beautiful! I am still a rookie so working on jewlery boxes instead of big pieces is my focus right now:). How did you transfer the image? I have tried a million methods, but still can’t find a “go to” process.
Kandice says
this image transfer is transferred on with a popsicle stick. Its the easiest Ive tried to date!
Debrashoppeno5 says
You did an amazing job. The buffet is so beautiful, every detail so thought out. And Amazon is wonderful. I will need to check out the transfers.
Kandice says
thank you xoxo
Cynthia Chilson Finger says
Love this transformation, Kandice. I wasn’t aware there were transfers in such a large size. Thanks for sharing!
Kandice says
thank you! Yes, Im already itching to do another! lol
Shirley says
It’s gorgeous! I just love it! You did a fabulous job. Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday. We’re pretty excited about fall and looking forward to seeing lots of fall ideas shared at the next party now that we have made it into September.
Kandice says
thank you so much Shirley. Im so glad Fall is here! bring on the apple cider donuts! 🙂
Susie@TheChelseaProject says
This is one of my favorite pieces. The color combo really makes the image transfer pop. Some lucky person will acquire a very special piece. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Friday’s Furniture Fix. We are so thrilled to have you share with us.
Susie from The Chelsea Project
Kandice says
thank you so much! someone is coming to see it tonight, I hope she loves it
Angie @ ambient wares says
This is just amazing! Like so many others said, I had no idea they made transfers this large. Love your work!
Kandice says
thank you so much! I cant wait to do another
Susanne says
What a wonderful makeover!! The knobs are perfect!! You are very talented, thank you for sharing at TaDa Thursday….we love see what you do each week 🙂
Kandice says
thank you so much xoxo
Beverly says
What a beauty! You do such amazing transformations, Kandice. Thanks for partying with us at Snickerdoodle and showing us your wonderful furniture makeovers. Pinned.
Kandice says
thank you so much xoxo
Charlotte says
You are being featured this Sunday on Family Joy Blog link-up! Come over Sunday to grab the featured button and add your latest post. Remember to leave your host a comment with the # your post is in the linkup!
Kandice says
oohhh thank you so much!!!
Sharon@BlueWillowHouse says
Kandice, this piece takes my breath away. You did an amazing job on the makeover. Thank you so much for sharing at Vintage Charm.
Kandice says
awww thank you! it was fun to work on xoxo
debbie says
WOW! This is truly the most amazing piece I have ever seen even inside a furniture store. I want it badly! As soon as my life slows to a slightly less hectic pace, I am going to try this for sure. Thank you so much for sharing and for sharing where to get the transfer.
Kandice says
aww thank you so much for such a nice compliment!! xoxo
Geri Ann says
Just beautiful!!!
Kandice says
thank you so much!
Jeanne says
I Love This…So Glad I found Your Blog. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Kandice says
thank you so much!! 🙂
Tuula @ Thrifty Rebel Vintage says
That is an absolutely beautiful piece Kandice! I love everything about it. You have amazing skills!!!!
Kandice says
aww thank you Tuula 🙂
Jeannee Taylor says
This piece is stunning! Simply Gorgeous! I love the “cloudy” look!
Jeannee
Kandice says
thankyou Jeannee. Id love to be able to do another 🙂
Mandy M says
Thank you for sharing, I’ve been wanting to do something like this for awhile. Your video has given me the confidence now to give it a try. I’ve also started following your blog! Beautiful work!
kandice kullmann says
thank you so much!
Belinda says
Just saw this just was wondering did you cut the transfer to fit each drawer how did you get the whole thing lined up so perfectly I’ve ordered the transfer and received it I love it just kind of scared about the drawer thing
kandice kullmann says
I did not cut it. THe surface was completely flat and the drawers were flush so I didn’t have to worry about any bumps 🙂
Susan says
How could I find information on a printer to print my own transfers? Yours are lovely, by the way. I am new to this and thought it would great if the is a printer to print my own. Thank you
kandice kullmann says
hmmmm Im not sure. That’s a completely different technique that you are thinking of. The ones that I use are kind of the easy (cheating) way to do it lol
Pamela says
Hi I did a cedar chest in Little Lamb Mineral Fusion paint which is gray. Would the transfer show on this particular color?
kandice kullmann says
that color looks similar to this gray that I used on a table with an image transfer. here is that project if you’d like to check it out and see how it would look on a gray 🙂
Gill Passingham says
Hi again Kandice,
I am checking out the paint that you have used for this beautiful piece. You mention using Alabaster, Storm etc, I am assuming these are the colour names. I have often used Chalk paint but sometimes not happy with the finish.
What type of paint was it you used ? ie Acrylic ? – I have got a piece that I want to get started on, and looking forward to receiving my transfer
Also I don’t know if you can advise me, but I have also printed out a couple of small transfers onto Wax paper and applied them to small boxes. Even though I used new ink cartridges they don’t seem to come out very dark, but also when I try to seal them (after leaving them a day or two) just with a clear matt sealer, they seem to smudge. Any ideas please?
Thanks again
Gill
kandice kullmann says
hey Gill! I do use chalk paints. As far as the transfers smudging when ou apply clear sealer maybe try to lightly spray a clear sealer first to help set the image. Once that is totally dry then apply your sealer. (I had the same thing happen a few years ago and thats what I did) 🙂
Gill Passingham says
Thanks Kandice,
I have used a spray sealer first but maybe Im being to heavy hand when I apply the other sealer. I will keep practising !
Thanks so much.
Im sure I will be in touch again 🙂