Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Furniture to paint, Furniture to not paint

EDIT - I just want to assure everyone I would never paint these - I am just interested to see if you would! These aren't even mine to paint, they are my mothers (well they probably are mine now as she recently passed away, but still I will would never paint)

I wanted to show you this divine intricately carved cupboard that has always sat by my mother's front door, no matter which house she has lived in.  This piece is very old and originally would have been a chamber pot cupboard for next to the bed. Aren't you glad we now live in modern times and have lovely stuff in and on our bedside tables and not big bowls of wee? ok best we don't go there mentally... 


My mother's great uncle was an antiques dealer and he had given this to his daughter, my mother's Auntie Gwen, who in turn sold it to mum for 2 pounds when mum was first married to my dad.  At the time she thought it was a lot of money but I think it's pretty good value seeing she's had this cabinet to use and love for around 50 years. It has a little white ant damage on one side but besides that it is lovely.


The wood in the central panel looks like leather. It's such an interesting effect.  I love the carved handles and all the flourishes.  This is a piece that I wouldn't paint (if it were mine). Although it would look fantastic antiqued glazed. See my antique glaze tutorial



This funny little green and gold bowl below has sat on this cupboard for my whole life also. Don't you think it's interesting that you can love something just because it's been around for a long time? If I look critically at this bowl I don't know if I even like it. I'm never a fan of gold but I do love this bowl just because it's always been in this spot.


This chair on the other hand I would definitely paint. My mother's friend moved into a nursing home a few years ago and gave her this chair. It is now sitting by mum's front door. 


The chair is very unusual with it's shell like back. It would look fantastic painted white and slightly distressed to show off the details.



sweet little fan details on the legs


How good would this carving look all painted white with antiquing glaze or dark wax in it's crevices. 


Do you have furniture that you would never consider painting?  Do you have furniture that desperately needs some paint to refresh it?  If you are not confident to do it yourself or just like outsourcing I'm always happy to provide a quote for painting your furniture if you live in Sydney.  It is a cost effective way to bring new furniture to life and can really brighten up your house, while either keeping pieces that you love or totally transforming an ugly piece.

cheers
Fiona

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18 comments:

  1. If it's antique or vintage and beautiful timber in good condition I might strip, if finish is poor or too dark, but I won't paint...if on the other hand it needs lots work, finish is poor and timber is not special I will paint!

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  2. I don't have anything I wouldn't paint, but there are definately a few things at Mums I wouldn't.

    I have never seen anything like that chair - do you know if it was part of a dining setting or something else?

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  3. Oh my… I beg of you… No paint.

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  4. If you have to ask if you should paint them then don't. You may end up regretting it later. They can stand on their own as they are. They are gems!

    Lynette@thistlebleu.com

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    1. hi Lynette - good advice - I agree I would never paint these pieces - they are beautiful as it.
      thanks for stopping by and commenting
      cheers Fiona

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  5. Old pieces with original finish, never paint. Pieces that are broken, have been repaired or that have water damage I would paint.
    Rachel @ remastered Relics

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    1. hi Rachel - thanks for stopping by. I agree with you. for me it also depends on how I've come across a piece - side of the road or super cheap at auction I figure I can do what I want with but beloved pieces handed down I won't paint.
      cheers Fiona

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  6. These pieces are the real deal, and if you paint them expect the Keno Bros to faint. Just sayin'.

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  7. Please don't paint either one. They are beautiful on their own. Personally I'm getting tired of seeing *everything* painted, especially chalkpainted, on all the blogs. It has become so overdone. Ugly trash pieces from the 60's-70's- paint to your heart's delight. Beautiful antiques passed down through generations- only lovingly restore the wood finish. I predict that in 20-30 years people will think all the chalkpainted furniture looks dated, just as all stainless steel appliances will be as dated as avocado green appliances are now. Those wood pieces you show in this post will still look as elegant in 30 years.

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    1. Don't worry I am not actually going to paint. I was just interested as to what everyone else would do. These were my mum's and not even mine to paint but thanks for commenting. very interesting advice you have and probably true. We don't have chalk paint here in australia so nothing has that finish except for a tiny few people who make their own paint.
      have a lovely weekend
      cheers Fiona

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  8. I'm with the above poster and say don't paint either piece...I've never used chalkpaint, but do like the finish - I definitely think it's a fad and is being way overdone...one thing to paint a cheap 70-80's piece, but to paint something that's beautiful on it's own is a sin...

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    1. Thanks for commenting. Chalk paint is definitely not over done here yet -not for sale here at all in Australia but yes it certainly has taken the USA by storm. I won't be painting either piece BTW, they aren't mine.
      have a lovely weekend
      Cheers Fiona

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  9. Hi Fiona! I agree, good quality wood piece (especially that first cabinet you showed) should NOT be painted. I have a stink-wood corner display cabinet that I inherited from my grandmother and I would never paint it! I have painted a number of other pieces though such as a dresser that I turned into a TV stand (which I found by the dumpster) but certainly nothing made from nice wood!

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  10. I would not paint either pieces. Though I like a combo of painted and wood furniture together. I also have inherited pieces I like to leave as is, if in good condition.

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  11. Woodworkers love wood grain. Properly sanded and stained, the grain of most woods is beautiful to behold. Woods like cherry and mahogany are great for furniture making because of the charming grain that is accentuated by the staining process.

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  12. Hi Fiona, I have dark oak corner bench and chairs. Is this possible to repaint. My mother gave it to me and is so old fashioned with tapestry upholstering,I want to paint it white french provincial . Any Ideas. I also have tan leather I wanted to recover the seating with.

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    1. Absolutely you can paint oak. I would just prime first with a shellac based dealer like Zinsser BIN.

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  13. Love the vintage stuff, colour is perfect!

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Thanks for taking the time to comment! Sorry if you have trouble commenting, you can always email me at lilyfieldlife@bigpond.com