A couple of years ago, I bought a hutch off Facebook Marketplace. When my husband brought it home, I was disappointed because it turned out to be particle board. I felt a little scammed, but it wasn’t worth replacing at the time… until I saw this one.

Stunning, I know, but I could see past the state it was in. It was my dream piece of furniture. So much so, that when my husband saw it, he immediately agreed to go pick it up because it looked like it belonged in our home. Usually I have to convince him, but this one looked like me.

The “Before”

This hutch had character — partially painted, a crack in the glass, missing some trim — but it also had its quirks. The wood was old, warped, and brittle, and the shelves didn’t fit anymore. I had to add brackets just to keep them in place. It was also so dry that I didn’t think I could restore the finish, so I decided to paint it. I went with a classic black, and I’m so glad I did.

The Process

This turned into more work than I expected, which made me even happier I chose to paint. Here’s what I did:

Sanded the shelves
Added metal brackets for support
Painted it in Cracked Pepper by Valspar (satin finish)
Added William Morris’ The Strawberry Thief wallpaper to the back
Swapped the hardware for gold pulls
Added a glass protector to the doors for safety (three boys… accidents happen!)

Supplies I Used:

Black Paint: Cracked Pepper Valspar (satin)
Gold Hardware: Hobby Lobby
Metal Brackets: Hobby Lobby
Wallpaper: William Morris’ The Strawberry Thief
Glass Protector: Amazon

Note: The glass protector was easy to apply, but I couldn’t get all the bubbles out. I actually think it looks like vintage glass imperfections, so I don’t mind. The wallpaper is attached to cardboard and lightly tacked in place — smooth, but easy to remove later.

The “After”

I’m thrilled with how it turned out. This is a piece I’ll keep forever. I love how the wallpaper helps my pink dishes blend in — they’re not my favorite, but they’ve been passed down by multiple family members, so I display them lovingly.

A Matching Surprise

Later, I found a mirror on Facebook Marketplace that matched the hutch perfectly. I painted it black to match, and now I’m obsessed with how they look together.

I still smile every time I see this hutch. It’s proof that a little patience, some creativity, and a few tools can turn a secondhand find into a forever piece.

Your Turn: Have you ever given a piece of furniture a second life? I’d love to hear about your favorite thrift or Facebook Marketplace transformations in the comments below! And if you’d like to see more makeovers, check out some of my other posts:

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