Rustic Modern Liquorice Console

I can’t tell you how happy I am to finally be back on the painting wagon. With all the changes going on in our lives, I needed to make sure to take some time to work on some of our personal pieces that needed much updating like this Mid Century Modern Console we have had for years. It now sports a “Liquorice” look that flows with my favorite aesthetic, Rustic Modern.

Here is a little preview of what it looked like before it’s fancy new makeover.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Of course this beauty was great as is, just a few scratches and dings here and there…and the hardware needed some polishing. But it was missing that extra “umpf” to give it some dimension, and pizazz. With our move to Virginia, and us living in a different era home, I wanted this to pay tribute to its 60’s heritage while adding some rustic flare. I have lately been falling in love with mixes of rustic and modern furniture and design. And here is where my vision came to life!

I am so thrilled with the final look! If you watched my Instagram stories on this piece, you will know how much prep went into getting this console ready for paint. If you missed it, no worries. Here is a shortened version:

• Remove drawers and hardware and vacuum with ShopVac
• Strip top with Citristrip and steel wool (2 applications)
• Clean stripper residue and wood surfaces with Mineral Spirits
• Let dry 24 hours and sand top with 80, 120, 180 grit paper
• Scuff sand surfaces to be painted with 180
• Clean with Krud Kutter
• Let dry 24 hours. Ready to paint.

After my buffet had been prepped, I sprayed 3 coats of Country Chic Paint in the color “Liquorice.” The humidity was so high during my spray times, so I had to make sure to spray thin coats. They took forever to dry but I was able to get full coverage.

Since I was going for a Rustic Modern look, I did what I call “precision distressing.” This differs from regular distressing in that you are not just distressing over the entire surface and letting the paint chip where it may. Precision distressing is specifically choosing where to distress by using a MicroZip Sander and ensuring your sanding looks even and symmetrical rather than random. I hope that makes sense!

After my distressing was finished, I used a  tack cloth to pick up the dust and debris. My piece was ready for poly, so I sprayed 3 coats of Varathane Crystal Clear Polyurethane in Satin. I’ve recently started using this brand of poly, and while the application differs from my usual route (milky white in can, sprays with a blue tint, dries clear), I have found that so far it is an excellent product in durability and quality at 1/2 the price in what I usually spend. I also use Varathane stains and oil based products so I know I can trust their brand.

Most of my Instagram followers will be curious to see how the top turned out. At first I was a little stressed out at the spotted appearance of the top. If I was selling this piece, I would have removed the top and replaced it with a birch or oak plywood. However, once I took a step back and really appreciated the look and the age of the butternut wood, I decided that these spots really just add another level of uniqueness to this console. Trying to figure out what these spots were drove me crazy, so I’m just going to chalk it up to old age marks. I stained using Varathane Dark Walnut stain and sealed with Varathane Poly.

The hardware is probably my favorite feature on this console. I love the style, the lines and how well it compliments the shape of the drawers. But I was not about to polish all that brass, especially having to deconstruct and reconstruct the handles to get into the grooves. So I opted for a quick and easy fix. I applied one coat of Rub N Buff in Antique Gold on the foot caps and handles. I love this color because it looks like a great combo of copper and gold so you don’t have an obnoxious yellowy gold color on your hardware. Up close it looks like burnished gold!

Well thats it folks…this is the first piece in our new home and I can’t wait to get it in it’s spot! For more inspiration, make sure you are following Country Chic Paint’s Instagram Page!