Help with decision for flea market finds
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My husband and I have been rebuilding the condemned house that his grandfather build when he came to Northern California back in the 40's while living in the rebuilt 700 sq ft basement that we basically converted to living space, kitchen and all. We just finished with the drywall upstairs and I know I have a while yet but I'm looking towards furniture and decorating the upstairs. Especiallly our very large living room. Over the weekend we found two pieces that we'd like to incorporate into a bar for entertaining and I thought I'd ask every one what their thoughts were about painting vs cleaning up and maybe restaining the pieces. I know this is a touchy subject for some but I'm looking at the fact that the two pieces are from different eras and while they have great lines etc they are not a matched set. He's thinking that we'll mount the hutch part to the wall giving us about 12 to 16 inches between the two pieces so if done right it could look like one piece. I'd love to hear thought and ideas.
8 answers
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One way to unify them is to stain them the same color. Pick up some Citristrip. 1 application will remove the varnish, and if you're patient, it'll start removing the stain as well. I follow the website tiny directions and scrape off the BBQ-like stain go then wash it down with water and a scrubbie. I'm down to bare wood on 7 of 15 antique doors. It's AMAZING. The other item is the space between the units. Check normal credenza/hutch spacing. Perhaps in stores or email web vendors. I know the norm for kitchen cabinets is 18" (18 3/4" if you plan a light rail) so there's room for stuff on the counter. That bottom piece has an interesting veneer. Be careful to squeegie the water off if you strip it. It's water soluable (no space suit required) and water can lift veneer. I've had to glue a few pieces back down, but no biggie. I'd love to see your finished product -- of the entire home!
Christine
on Nov 11, 2013
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I have both painted and stained furniture, painted bathroom cabinets and oak kitchen cabinets. It's what you like and what fills your needs. Some people are purists, I'm not. Sometimes I see painted furniture and actually like the unpainted before picture better, sometimes love the change. As for your project, you could use both. Although the staining and stripping mentioned before was a good suggestion, it depends a great deal on what is under that red stain. I've found it much harder to stain pieces to match, especially if the wood is different, while paint is more forgiving. There's no limit to the colors you can have matched, if you have a favorite item you would like to match. Any good handy person center should be able to help you. Personally, if it was my project, I'd see what's under that reddish stain before committing to a plan.
Cynthia H
on Nov 11, 2013
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The more detail the harder to strip. And if you strip it use a good stripper. Start in small area never large area's sometimes it dries to quickly and makes it harder to strip. The table I just refinish was so old the stain and sealer was turning to dust. Even cleaning it with TSP it was coming off. I kept half wood half paint on my old table, find a lot of things you like. Then decide. I think paint updates furniture and if you want stain you can incorporate it into your design. Post pictures I love the piece you bought.
Sherrie
on Nov 11, 2013
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http://www.anniesloan.com/ Have you tried Annie Sloan Chalk Paint? It's fabulous for flea market find furniture. No sanding or stain removal necessary! I love a home with a mix if stained wood and painted pieces. It's all in what you love to live with! Good luck!
Deborah Jean of DANDELION HOUSE BLOG
on Nov 11, 2013
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I would paint them. I think if you stain them they still have trouble going together but paint would solve that, also is that a mirror in the back of the top piece, if so I would ditch the mirror.
Cj
on Feb 21, 2014
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I would chalk paint (no sanding or priming required!) the china cabinet & leave the smaller piece as is! If you check out Hometalk's painted furniture you might get an idea on what you would like or Pinterest for that matter! They have ideas from all over the world! Good luck!
Sandra Hellewell
on Feb 21, 2014
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Yesterday while visiting a huge upcycle store, I saw a couple of matching depression-era dressers that had been painted. I paint old furniture, and I think if a piece is yours you should feel free to do what you want--you're only have to make yourself happy. However...these two pieces that we saw would have sold for LOTS more (not that they'd sold) if they'd been refinished. I would paint your two pieces, but not necessarily the same color. You can use different eras together, and different shades of the same color can add dimension. While I would have bought and painted the second piece, I ADORE the first!
KathrynElizabeth Etier
on Feb 21, 2014
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I think the chalk paint on the bottom at least, maybe both pieces. The lower piece seems rather modern with the parquet fronts. If you mount the top high like you mentioned, perhaps you can put in a backsplash between the two pieces that will help tie the two together. Maybe some old tin ceiling tiles?
Josephine Howland
on Mar 15, 2015
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