Two-Tone Console Makeover: Chimichurri Green + a Dark Wax Wood Top

We moved my son into a new bedroom. The furniture really didn't fit his vibe. Instead of buying new, we painted what we had.

This console was solid, useful and already the right size for storing electronics and video game consoles. It didn’t need replacing. It needed a whole new look.

I kept the wood top, painted the base Chimichurri Green and refreshed the original hardware in matte black. The result feels completely different without buying another piece of furniture.

Before

Before of the Before 

How fun finding this photo memory from 10 years ago when I had discovered BB Frösch and was painting everything in sight.

After

Supplies

Next Project Kit with Dark Wax - comes with the quart size Paint Transformer, scoop, whisk and jars, and cloths

Latex or acrylic paint in Chimichurri Green

Paint sprayer (you could also totally roll or brush paint this) 

Furniture stripper and scraper for the wood top

Sandpaper for smoothing the stripped top

Plastic or paper and painter’s tape

General Finishes High Performance Topcoat in Semi-Gloss

General Finishes High Performance Topcoat in Dead Flat

Rust-Oleum black spray paint for the hardware

Gloves, safety glasses, face mask and any protective equipment required for your stripper and sprayer

Before You Begin

The painted base did not need to be stripped, sanded or primed. I stripped and sanded only the top because I wanted a natural wood finish there.

Do the messy work on the wood top before painting the base. This keeps stripper and sanding dust away from your fresh paint later.

Step 1: Remove the Hardware, Drawers, and Shelves

Remove the hardware, drawers, shelves, and any other pieces that will be easier to paint separately.

Step 2: Strip the Wood Top

Apply furniture stripper to the top, following the product’s safety and cleanup instructions. Scrape away the old finish, remove any remaining residue and allow the wood to dry completely.

Sand the top until it feels smooth and the wood is ready for its new finish. Remove all sanding dust.

Why strip only the top? I wanted real wood to contrast with the painted base. If you plan to paint your entire piece, you can skip this step when the existing finish is sound.

Step 3: Protect the Wood & Clean the Base

Cover the stripped top completely with plastic or paper. Tape the edges carefully so paint spray cannot reach the wood.

Clean the console to remove dirt, grease, wax and loose residue. Let it dry completely before moving on.

Step 4: Mix the Paint

For 8 ounces of paint:

1. Mix 2 heaping tablespoons/scoops of BB Frösch Paint Transformer with 1 to 1½ tablespoons of water.

2. Stir until the mixture is smooth and about the consistency of donut glaze.

3. Add the mixture to 8 ounces of latex or acrylic paint in Chimichurri Green.

4. Mix thoroughly.

Step 5: Spray the Base

Add your paint mixture to the sprayer. You can also thin your paint with water if needed. Spray the base, doors and other painted parts in thin, even coats. Allow each coat to dry completely before adding the next. Two coats is typical.

Because the paint was mixed with Paint Transformer, I did not strip, sand or prime the sound finish on the base.

You could easily use a roller or brush to paint the base too.

Step 6: Seal the Painted Finish

Once the paint is completely dry, apply two coats of General Finishes High Performance Topcoat in Semi-Gloss. Let each coat dry, then finish with one coat of High Performance Dead Flat.

The semi-gloss coat builds a strong, clear foundation. The final Dead Flat coat controls the sheen and creates that beautiful velvety matte finish.

Helpful finish tip: Build your protection with a higher sheen first and use the flattest sheen only for the final coat. For pieces that will get heavier use, add the number of protective coats appropriate for that surface.

Bottom drawer is the semi-gloss. Top drawer shows the matte finish.

Step 7: Finish the Wood Top with Dark Wax

Remove the protective covering and make sure the wood top is clean and dust-free.

1. Apply a very thin amount of Dark Wax to the end of your wax brush.

2. Work with the grain in small sections, about one square foot at a time.

3. Wipe away the excess immediately and buff with a lint-free cloth.

4. Continue until the entire top feels smooth and even, not sticky.

The Dark Wax deepened the wood into a rich brown that looks especially beautiful next to Chimichurri Green.

Step 8: Refresh the Hardware

Clean the original hardware, then spray it with Rust-Oleum black spray paint. Apply light coats to avoid drips and let it dry completely before reinstalling.

Step 9: Reassemble and Let Everything Cure

Reattach the doors and hardware after each finish is ready to handle. Give the painted and sealed surfaces time to cure before loading the console with electronics or other items. For cure times, follow the manufacturer's label for the polycrylic you use.

The Finished Two-Tone Console

Same solid console. Same useful storage. Whole new look.

The combination of Chimichurri Green, a rich Dark Wax wood top, velvety matte paint and black hardware gave this piece exactly what my son’s room needed. Before buying new furniture, take another look at what you already have. You may be one color away from loving it again.

Ready to transform your own piece? Start with BB Frösch Paint Transformer, choose any paint color you love and get to the fun part. Or snag the Next Project Kit with Dark Wax which comes with the quart size Paint Transformer, scoop, whisk, jars, wax and cloth.

Mix it. Paint it. Love it.