To Paint or Not to Paint, That is the Question!

Our thoughts on painting vintage furniture.
One day while in our shop, a couple came in and started talking to me. They asked me if we do custom painting and proceeded to pull out an iPad to show me photos of a buffet and hutch that they were at odds with. It seems the woman’s mother had passed away and she had been given this piece. It was a high quality solid wood piece, but the problem for them was that it just didn’t suit their decor. We suggested that perhaps they consider painting it to get it to work for them in their space. The woman felt anxious. She had been thinking of getting rid of this piece as she wasn’t sure what to do with it, however she felt it was a piece of her mother that was left for her and she knew that it had meant a lot to her mother.
We decided to meet at their place to take a look at the spot where it would go in their home, and to figure out the best look for this piece if they were to use it. They had found a wall in their living room where they felt it might work. So, upon getting to their place, we were taken back by how wonderfully she had decorated the space. Her husband is a contractor, so there were many special touches and features in their quaint home. After some discussion, colours were chosen and off we went to get organized. Before beginning, we decided to paint a small jewellery box in the colours that had been chosen so that the customers could visualize how the piece would look in their home. We did two finishes on it and gave them a choice. They loved it! Although they had given us the impression they would want it finished more cleanly, with the lighter colour inside the hutch and perhaps a tiny bit of the wood coming through, we had decided to paint the right side of the hutch with the lighter colour underneath and then pulled it through using a resist technique. They ended up both immediately pointing to the right side of it and said, this is the look we want!
There was still anxiousness and concern on the part of the woman. She expressed to me that she was worried her mother would be upset with her for painting it. I asked her, if you didn’t paint it, what would you have done with it? She said honestly, it would have sat in her garage or possibly have been sold as she just didn’t want it in her current space. I suggested that perhaps, if this piece was that special to her mother and if she had wanted her to have it, that she would be more happy with her refinishing it to suit her taste and loving it again, than to have it stored away or sold. She agreed… with hesitation!So off we went to create a new updated look on this. We started with an undercoat of a light colour over the wood.
I have to admit, it looked nice with just the undercoat! Lightened the piece up and gave it a fresh new look. But the next step was to put on the top coat. We used a resist technique (wax puck) to ensure that we would only sand down to the lighter colour and not pull it down to the wood.
We had to create custom colours for this piece. Basically her home was done in Benjamin Moore’s Willow and Farrow and Ball’s Shaded white. Willow is a wonderful colour. It is what I liken to a greyish brown.
Finally the piece was finished and it was time to get the couple over to see it and pick it up. Now I was nervous! I am always nervous when I finish a custom piece because I am finishing it to someone else’s taste, so I always worry that they won’t like it! I tend to send my husband out first to show it, I’m such a chicken!! So off he went to open the studio doors and reveal it. I wandered out a couple minutes later, and found the woman crying lightly by the piece. Oh dear, what had I done! She looked at me with tears in her eyes and thanked me profusely for giving new life to a piece that meant so much to her. She could hardly wait to get it home and set it up! I was relieved and she gave me a big hug.
A week later, photos of the piece in it’s new space were sent to us!
I see this often, people struggling with what to do with family pieces that just don’t work for them anymore. They struggle with guilt for not using them, but don’t want to give them away so they sit, collecting dust in their basements and attics. Often I discuss this with people as many come into our store and reminisce about pieces they see refinished. ”My grandmother had this piece, it was so ugly, but look at how beautiful it is now!” is often heard around the shop. Or, “OMG, I just gave this set away! I had no idea it would look like this if I painted it!”
I guess the reason for this post is in response to comments I get from the wood lovers out there about painting over wood pieces. It’s not always the answer. We also try to update wood pieces with more modern stain colours, often trying to highlight the beautiful wood on the tops of pieces. Some people think that painting furniture is a “trend” that will go away soon. I think they are wrong. Painting furniture has occurred for thousands of years! Often I visit Antique markets with very old pieces finished in original milk paints. They are beautiful. Did you know that the term Shabby Chic came about in the 1980′s. If this is a trend, it has been trending for quite some time, I really don’t see it fading out. I do see techniques and finishes changing as we go along though. Sometimes there can be too much wood in a room, and a painted piece can fit in beautifully. Everything does not need to match. Would you rather see these pieces in our landfills? They are usually solid wood and so well made compared to the Made in China pieces we see now! You can love old outdated pieces again… just use your imagination!!
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