Curbside Buffet Makeover in Behr Chalk Paint Green Agate
A buffet rescued from the curb is transformed with Behr Chalk Paint in Green Agate, a soft, sophisticated green that steals the show.
The Painted Drawer · June 2020
Some of the very best finds cost nothing at all. This handsome buffet was rescued straight from the curb, the kind of solid wood piece that someone set out for the trash without realising what good bones it had. A little wobbly and badly dated, it was nonetheless sturdy, well proportioned, and full of potential. A coat of Behr Chalk Paint in Green Agate was all it took to turn a castoff into a showstopper.
Curbside rescue
There is a special satisfaction in saving a piece destined for the landfill. Curbside finds are often dismissed because of a dated finish or minor damage, but underneath the surface they are frequently better made than anything in a big-box store. This buffet needed a little tightening up and a thorough cleaning, but its dovetailed drawers and solid frame made it well worth hauling home.
- Condition: structurally solid, just dated and a touch loose at the joints
- Prep: cleaned thoroughly, minor repairs to firm up the frame, light scuff sand
- Why save it: real wood construction and classic lines you cannot buy new affordably
The magic of Green Agate
The colour is what makes this makeover sing. Behr Chalk Paint in Green Agate is a soft, sophisticated green, gentle enough to act as a neutral yet rich enough to give a room real personality. It reads sage in some light and a deeper, earthy green in others, pairing beautifully with warm wood, brass, and crisp white walls, and it is well worth browsing the paint colour gallery for similar soft, livable shades. Behr’s chalk paint covers well with minimal prep and dries to that lovely matte, velvety finish, just as it did on our vintage cabinet flip in Behr Shasta Lake.
- Paint: two coats of Behr Chalk Paint in Green Agate for full, even coverage
- Distressing: lightly sanded on the edges and details to add age and depth
- Seal: a clear protective topcoat for durability on a hardworking piece
- Hardware: original pulls cleaned and reused, or swapped for fresh ones to suit
Green Agate is that rare green that behaves like a neutral, soft and sophisticated, it brings a buffet to life without ever overwhelming the room.
Finishing touches
After the paint cured, gentle distressing along the edges gave the buffet a subtle sense of age, just enough to feel collected rather than brand new. A clear topcoat sealed everything for the daily wear a buffet sees, protecting the surface against plates, serving dishes, and the occasional spill. The hardware was the final decision, original pulls cleaned up beautifully and kept the vintage character intact.
From curb to centrepiece
This buffet is the ultimate reminder that one person’s trash really can be another’s treasure. A free curbside rescue, a thorough clean, a few small repairs, and two coats of Behr Chalk Paint in Green Agate transformed a discarded piece into a sophisticated centrepiece worthy of any dining room. Soft, green, and full of charm, it is a true before-and-after, and a satisfying one at that.