Looking for Ideas as to These 3 Pieces or Do I Sell Them I Can Only Post Picture of the 1 Piece Though

Question

Hi.. I am looking for some suggestions as to what I can do with this French provincial bedroom furniture... New colour is a definite as I am sick of the finish on there. This will be a spring time project for myself. Please include process. thank you

Shari · Answer

Ooooh, this is a really pretty furniture set so be prepared to have a bunch of people tell you that you should not 'ruin' it with paint, it could be valuable as a vintage/antique etc. However, I say if you need a change, go for it! Wood is not sacred. 
 Do you have any ideas of how you want the room to look? You have sooooo many options to make this furniture over and it just depends on the look you are going for and your personal taste. You can paint each piece completely, or you can paint part and leave part of the wood showing. You can use any color under the rainbow (gray is VERY popular right now), combine two colors, use metallic paints etc. You can also enhance the pieces with stencils, fabric, textured wallpaper, or wood or resin appliques (like the china cabinet in the last photo). You can leave the hardware as is, paint it, or replace it to give a more modern look. 
 Since a picture is worth a 1000 words, I have attached some photos of some of my favorite makeovers. Some of these I found right here on Home Talk. Others I found on Pinterest, blogs or by doing an internet image search, which you can do to come up with more examples if you don't get inspired by any of these pictures. 
 As you can see, there are endless choices and combinations that can be achieved! Once you have determined what you want your furniture to look like, post a picture and members who have furniture painting/makeover experience can guide you through the steps (and products) you can use to achieve the look you are going for. Good luck!

Jane · Answer

Ooh, sorry! I am one of those people...at least with this furniture! I really don't think all wood is equal in quality and I certainly have painted plenty of my own in times past but the color of your bedroom set is so beautifully warm and rich, it makes me cringe to think of it being painted. Having said that, I absolutely agree with Shari in that you live with it and you have to do what makes you happy. But before you put paint to it, may I suggest that you review what it is about your bedroom that bothers you. Is it only the furniture or could it be the linens, wall color, flooring, etc.? Just asking! Good luck with whatever you decide. The furniture is beautiful whatever the color.

Shari · Answer

Here's another pretty example that just popped up here on Home Talk! http://www.hometalk.com/diy/bedroom/dressers/diy-lace-painted-bedroom-set-2890440

Patty Morgan · Answer

It is so beautiful already. The wood is amazing and in such nice condition. I usually paint on furniture when it has damage to give it new life. I would paint the walls and think about the windows and other details in the room. It will make your furniture come alive. It does need a different piece of furniture to take it to the next level. Have fun and look around for an eclectic piece of furniture to break it up. It is ok to break up your set and move it to a different room. Their are no rules, it is your space enjoy.

Linda Crandall · Answer

don't sell them Chalk paint them using Annie Sloan paints. Find a seller there of paint and take a small class to show you how to use the colors.

Vickie · Answer

I really don't like to paint old pieces but I think painting these would make them beautiful again and make you love them so go for it.

Liliana Wells · Answer

Your furniture is beautiful they way it is. If you want a different look for your room, display different things on top. Try different color on the walls or floor treatment. Move some pieces to a different room. Don't sell. I once had an antique dining room set someone gave me because I wanted to update that room. Now I could just kick myself for not keeping it.. Good luck.

Cynthia E · Answer

I agree you need to research research research, look at lots of furniture makeovers decide what type of change /look you are wanting. And the style you are leaning towards. That will help in deciding on how to proceed. - options are endless- you could paint, paint and distress, strip and stain a darker (almost black), combo of these treatments. you could silver/gold leaf and add real or faux mirrors to drawer fronts (or mirror whole thing), and then can buy or make your own overlay (I would make from luan or thin flexible molding) over mirror. Or mirror mosaic (or even broken tiles/plates ) Since Shari put pictures of different painted ones I will put different mirrored ones.

Cynthia E · Answer

3 more pics couldn't post all.. Just more examples to show-- but again everything depends on your style and the look you eventually want. GL and post pictures here of what you do! Keep us updated.3 more pics couldn't post all.. Note with the curve on your pieces I would use the mirror look contact paper w/ or w/o overlays if you decide to mirror. Or silver leaf them.

Cynthia E · Answer

This is an interesting idea I saw on pinterest for another way to combine stain and paint while refinishing

Natalie Carroll · Answer

@Ruby Gutka , I love all of the ideas and I really love your beautiful furniture....if you are looking for a new look consider changing the colors of other things in the room like sanding the floor and giving it a different wood stain, perhaps paint the walls a different color to add some more pizazz to make other colors stand out more. Also if you really want to just change the furniture consider changing the color by literally stripping off the old color with some kind of paint stripper and then pick a beautiful New varnish to stain the wood to either a darker or lighter color such as maybe a Cherry, or Oak, or if you like purple maybe something like purple heart wood.

The whole thing is that you need to plan things out a bit more and then see which colors appeal to you the most that would either bring more light into your bedroom or make it dark. As people have been saying the options are endless but I know most are always on a budget...so get creative and look for pictures as examples through google, or maybe even bing.com. I hope this helps you with your final decision, after all the final one is yours...best of luck and have fun with your project!

-Natalie

Rosalyn Harwood · Answer

I think you are looking to redo the bedroom into a retreat of sorts..so I would start with fresh paint on the walls, maybe a soft blue, and also do bedcovers...the light blue would be a wonderful compliment to the dressers and give the room a whole new look..love the furniture as is, they are in great shape...lucky you.

268742 · Answer

I bought some French pieces like this for my guest bedroom and painted them with Chalk Paint (my very first time to ever use it). I had no idea what I was doing, but I ended up with a finish that I love (by accident). I left the tops stained to keep some of that deep natural wood color in the room. Color makes such a difference...and Chalk Paint is very forgiving, so if you don't like what you've done, you can just paint right over it with a different color!

Sandra Hellewell · Answer

I agree! If I had that set ,I'd have my favorite Annie Sloan Chalk paint out so fast & get started! They would be beautiful when I was finished & look like expensive French Furniture!! I'm so envious!! There are many tutorials on YouTube on how to use chalk paint correctly. I love it, no stripping or sanding!

Pat · Answer

Can you take the mirror off and change the knobs? Clean the wood (ask about a cleaner at a big hardware store) and then hang a pretty mirror or even art over the dresser. On top of your dresser and chest put a plant, a lamp, pictures, statues, pretty bowls...or etc. Paint the walls, add pretty bedding and curtains and even a colorful rug. If you can, rearrange the furniture.....Walla! a new looking room.

Natalie Carroll · Answer

@Eileen Smith I think that learning to appreciate and have a certain fondness for antique furniture can take time to let it grow on you. As for myself I have always loved the classic look of wooden furniture in its purest state..if someone were to stain it another color that looks right for the time period of the furniture that would make sense to me. Varnishing as I understand it is like putting on a clear coat to protect the furniture is also another nice option too.

Carol · Answer

@I know exactly how you feel. I have the same pieces, but different style and last summer I painted them a cream color with Annie Sloan paint and I am so happy. My bedroom is light and bright now, in the middle of winter.

Pamela · Answer

Paint. If you're afraid....paint the drawer fronts first with a color you love. See how they look with the wood body, if you don't like that, paint the whole thing. Consider using two colors. If you use chalk paint you can't mess up.  Google Annie Sloane chalk paint and you'll see lots of updated bedroom furniture just like yours. It can be gorgeous...don't be scared.

Anna · Answer

Those pieces of furniture are beautiful as they are, but admittedly they might not seem that to everyone. If they don't appeal to you sell them and buy the furniture that DOES appeal to you. Please don't alter them.

Janis Hill · Answer

Change the wall color, change the bed linens and comforter, but don't paint that beautiful furniture.

Sandra Hellewell · Answer

I have to be honest & tell you I've never done it! I don't know what to tell you other than check online. There is a lot of people that use ASCP so there should be some info on that subject! Good luck!

Sandra Hellewell · Answer

Just look for a ASCP Stockist in your area. I had to drive an hr. there & back to get mine from a stockist that was the closest to me! They are all people who love & use the paint & also teach classes on how to use well! Good finding someone in Texas! I live in Ontario, Canada! I found my stockist online! Happy Painting!!

169756 · Answer

An example I saw above of Songbird Cottage turned out beautifully. The pieces are really pretty but if you absolutely need to change, do it. Songbird left the tops with the wood finish and that look was very nice. You could try new drawer pulls first to get you started without going overboard and to get your feet wet. I love my piece that I did. Went with silver and black. Very retro and cool. I did my little chest using new pulls from Liberty Hardware and loved the design, plus very reasonable. Got them online.

Pat · Answer

Do not paint them....they are perfect as is. They are true antiques....sell them.

Ashlie · Answer

If you want to paint them, go for it! My husband got me a 1920s vanity and it looks so much better after i brought the old dark wood to life with a couple lighter creamy colors and dark soft wax. have fun with it, it's yours! I would personally get black chalk paint and pant all the sides, leaving the top and the centers of the drawers the way they are. also put some nice new hardware on it and botta boom! you got a nice refreshed room... or if you go lighter, i would paint everything but the tops, then maybe use dark wax if you like that look. just a tip, if you use dark wax and dont like it, youre stuck with it, but if you use the clear wax first then use dark wax, you have a chance at being able to remove it without messing up your new paint job if you try just a small part first.

Tracy · Answer

They are great pieces with a great shape. To me it is too many pieces with the same finish. If you paint - don't paint them all. I can understand you wanting change but maybe breaking up the set or just painting one piece. I love the handles and would not change them. They fit the piece. I think it would be a lighter look to remove a drawer and paint the inside cavity and place a colored basket in it's place. The nightstand would also look nice with mirror cut to shape on top. I am not a big fan of chalk paint unless you are going for the shabby chic look.

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Don't paint. Too good for that. Sell if you are tired of the finish. Or apply a darker stain for a new look.

Saz703268 · Answer

If you love the style of this furniture, go ahead and paint it. You can use chalk paint (I use American Chalk Paint from Shizzle Design) and get a high quality finish. There's no need to use dark wax or sand it down to look shabby. You can use a top coat or a clear wax. Either way, a soft, creamy white (not stark white) will serve you for several more years. I have this style furniture in the original lighter color with gold in the grooves. If you like, you can certainly try doing that with a slightly darker version of the same color so it looks more like a shadow. I see your floors are wood also, probably another reason you're tired of the brown look. Go ahead and add a soft rug around the bed. And paint the walls too. I like medium to dark colors in the bedroom. They're more restful. I prefer older furniture due to the workmanship and materials. Sometimes I paint, sometimes not.  It's a personal choice. Make the rooms of your home evoke the right mood you desire. You'll enjoy them so much more. Good luck.

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