PAINTING WOOD FURNITURE
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Question....I love all the post of thrift store finds and such that people have painted. Most of them are beautiful! I have many fine antiques, and other wood furniture. What is the rule of thumb for painting what furniture. I don't want to decrease it's value as an antique by painting. Example...about 25 years ago I spent weeks stripping paint off of a piece of furniture, stained and loved it for many years. Now I look at it wondering I should paint. OMG after al that effort of stripping and now I want to repaint. I don't know what to do??Please help..
13 answers
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I don't think there is a real rule of thumb. I would say it is basically what you like and what you are comfortable with. Some people nearly have a stroke at the thought of painting wood furniture. Others don't even bat an eye. (I fall into the latter category.) Obviously you don't want to paint anything you know or suspect to be of great value but my philosophy is you should enjoy your home and it's contents NOW and not worry about what "might" become valuable some time in the future. When I started my furniture painting spree about 5 or 6 years ago, none of my furniture was hand-crafted or valuable; just mass produced, mid-priced furniture that I had for many years and was sick of looking at it so I didn't have to think twice about painting any of it. If you are tired of this piece you stripped 25 years ago, go ahead and paint it! My guess is you will fall in love with it all over again once it is painted. When you stop loving it painted, you can always strip it again. If it gives you hives thinking about painting it (or any of your current furniture), consider putting it in storage or loaning it to a family member. Then replace it with a used piece of furniture from the thrift store, Craigslist etc. that you won't have regrets about painting.
Shari
on Mar 01, 2014
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I just started painting furniture very recently. I began with a couple of rules in mind: a) no family heirlooms that will be passed down; b) mass produced items are fair game, as is anything metal; c) laminate pieces with the laminate peeling off; and d) anything I would throw or give away without a moment's thought. If I buy a piece, it will generally be to paint it. Be careful - I've discovered this is pretty addictive!
Lisa
on Mar 01, 2014
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I agree with Lisa. If it is a valuable piece or a family heirloom, leave it alone. Thrift store finds or curb side finds do whatever with. Whatever makes you happy.
Nancee Barnett
on Mar 01, 2014
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Sometimes you find an antique that is so destroyed you can't restore it to its original self---those I don't mind painting but if it is a piece that just needs a refreshed stain I could not make myself paint it ----just my opinion on what I do :)
Linda McDaniel
on Mar 01, 2014
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I have found many pieces of fine furniture that were well beyond fixing,but with a little imagination,the right tools and time you will be surprised what you can do,i have four pieces of solid wood that I pulled from the trash,with a few pieces of venner you can repair just about any fine piece of furniture,i always strip them down and restore them,its time consuming but well worth the time.i have never painted my pieces of furniture but might in the future.
Cesar Ramirez
on Mar 02, 2014
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I am planning on painting (chalk paint) my oak kitchen cabinet this spring does anyone have a preference to what company has the best chalk paint? Thanks so much
Maria Peruso Catamusto
on Mar 02, 2014
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I agree with the group...something from the family leave it alone, age and beauty marks add to it! or have a pro refinish it, if you know and can afford one. I have alot of the trash to treasure pieces around and sometimes they sit for awhile, being moved from place to place until it "fits" and then I know what to do in the refinishing dept. Sometimes it stays as is. As you go along and get into this , you'll know when it's right! Good luck and HAVE FUN!!!
Elaine
on Mar 02, 2014
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@Mary S Thanks for the advise
Maria Peruso Catamusto
on Mar 02, 2014
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There are many chalk paints on the market, however we prefer Powder River Organic Paint. If you want acrylic or latex paint it would be much less expensive to go to a big box store. Proper prep is key to a professional finish. Grease is a major factor in the kitchen. Using an oil-based primer may cut down on the cleaning time.
Bob Mount
on Mar 02, 2014
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it depends on the shape it's in for myself. I have painted antiques because of the damage on them made them worthless and ready for the trash. A prefect vintage piece I didn't touch it because it was beautiful and in prefect shape. Some pieces dated and not valuable you can tell by looking at them. But if your unsure if it is of value or not find out before you paint it, if it's just outdated and needs updated paint it.
Sherrie
on Mar 02, 2014
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I agree with the group. But I make my own chalk paint and love it. It is much cheaper. 1/3 cup plaster of Paris, 1/3 cup cool water 8 oz paint. I use satin sometimes flat. I refuse to pay crazy prices.
Kara Spurlock
on Mar 02, 2014
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You just have to use some logic in deciding what to paint. Of course anything that belongs to you is yours to do with as you please. However, on some of the really old pieces, even the scuffs add value...i.e., those old white kitchen bins from the 30s. But some of that dark, ugly stuff from the 70s almost needs to be burned! HA! (Like my buffet and hutch! That was a very expensive piece in 1972 which I got on sale!). Some people have painted those and they are STUNNING! I want to paint mine but just don't have the strength or energy!
Jeanette S
on Mar 03, 2014
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Lisa put everything in a nutshell. Good luck.
Liliana Wells
on Mar 04, 2014
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