Asked on Jul 19, 2014

Do you like the red with dark wood?

I would usually refinish a piece like this but the piece was badly damaged so I opted to paint and stain what wood I could salvage. It is painted in oil paint and then black oil glazed all over. The top and drawers were stained with General Finiishes Java Gel and then given coats of Tung Oil on top. The pulls were tin with a worn brass finish so I painted them copper and then put a glaze over them. All in all I'm pleased with my efforts. What do you think?
#red #desk #oil paint #antique #vintage #serpentine #hometalk tuesdays
  48 answers
  • Jean Vercler Jean Vercler on Jul 19, 2014
    I love it! I agree with you, would rather refinish. you did an awesome job in saving what you could and using the method you used for the paint you were able to save the "essence" of the piece. VERY NICE!
    • Porta Verde Studio Porta Verde Studio on Jul 19, 2014
      @Jean Vercler Thanks. I was going to paint the whole piece right up until the last minute. Then I figure I could stain it to see if I liked it and if not, paint over it. There is a fairly large veneer chip out of the top corner but I filled it with epoxy and painted the grain to match. It blended in very wall.
  • Michelle Thompson Michelle Thompson on Jul 19, 2014
    I love it!
  • Linda Linda on Jul 19, 2014
    Beautiful!
  • White Oak Studio Designs White Oak Studio Designs on Jul 19, 2014
    I very much like the color combo together! A great job!
  • Your style is fantastic. Absolutely mouth watering piece. Brilliant idea staining it. Makes for a truly unique finish. The fact that you had the guts to use oil is admirable and worked out beautifully!
  • ps. your patio is lovely!
  • Michelle Thompson Michelle Thompson on Jul 19, 2014
    I keep coming back to view this... I absolutely love it! Guess now I need to 'find' one for me to do...to fill an empty spot in my new home
  • Sally Roesner Fuhr Sally Roesner Fuhr on Jul 19, 2014
    If you need a pop of color, why not make it a featured piece of furniture. My house is so neutral. I hadn't thought of this.
  • Denise Denise on Jul 19, 2014
    Simply gorgeous! You have created a very classy looking piece. Congrats! :)
  • P.j. C P.j. C on Jul 19, 2014
    Really nice!
  • Peggy Peggy on Jul 19, 2014
    This piece is so lovely. You have great vision and creativity!
  • KatieAnn KatieAnn on Jul 20, 2014
    It's a keeper!
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Jul 20, 2014
    Stunning!
  • Elaine Simmons Elaine Simmons on Jul 20, 2014
    I LOVE the combo. Looks so rich!
  • Linda Stroney Linda Stroney on Jul 20, 2014
    I think it looks great, you used some thought in choosing colors, instead of like so many just throwing white paint on it. Love it.
  • 243107 243107 on Jul 20, 2014
    Love it!!!
  • Jan Varga Jan Varga on Jul 20, 2014
    Absolutely beautiful - so rich and well done - I would love to have this piece!
  • Nancy Nancy on Jul 20, 2014
    I really love the fact that you didn't distract too much from the original character of the piece. Painting a vintage piece like this would be a shame if done in a color such as white, etc. The red keeps the woodlike appearance while covering the flaws. Good job!
  • Debby Boyle Debby Boyle on Jul 20, 2014
    Awesome!!
  • Joann Belcher Joann Belcher on Jul 20, 2014
    Great job! I agree with Nancy, it looks like it is still wood but not quite.
  • Somewhat Quirky Somewhat Quirky on Jul 20, 2014
    It is beautiful. Oil based paint is so nice on furniture. Beautiful color. Beautiful result.
    • Porta Verde Studio Porta Verde Studio on Jul 20, 2014
      @Somewhat Quirky Thank you. So many newer painters have never tried oil paint but there is nothing I have found that duplicate the look.
  • JVIJANE JVIJANE on Jul 20, 2014
    Very nice!
  • Elizabeth Elizabeth on Jul 20, 2014
    I love the parts that are painted red...but leaving the stained part makes the whole thing look like it is not finished. You should have opted to paint the whole thing red...then it would have looked complete and beautiful.
    • Porta Verde Studio Porta Verde Studio on Jul 20, 2014
      @Elizabeth I thought about painting it all red but the veneer is really beautiful and I wanted to save some of it. It actually looks very cohesive in real life.
  • Jim L Jim L on Jul 20, 2014
    Looks great...like the red with the wood. You have a very good eye. Thanks for sharing.
  • Audrey Audrey on Jul 20, 2014
    Stunning! Love the red. What is it called?
  • Stephanie P Stephanie P on Jul 20, 2014
    That is a great combination. I love it and would have never thought of something like that.
  • Colimbia1 Colimbia1 on Jul 20, 2014
    Like it. Great idea.
  • Vicki Vicki on Jul 20, 2014
    what a good choice! Beautiful!
  • Meredith Black Meredith Black on Jul 20, 2014
    I really like it & would never have thought of red with the dark wood.
  • GR GR on Jul 21, 2014
    I'm not usually a fan of red furniture partly because I'm a redhead and it doesn't suit me :-D Mostly because it rarely seems to cover well and can look patchy, but this is a stunning finish, perhaps it's the oil paint and glaze? The combination works beautifully too. I may have to give this a try!
    • See 3 previous
    • GR GR on Jul 23, 2014
      Wow that sideboard is absolutely gorgeous too, well worth all the hard work!
  • Shannon Muessman Shannon Muessman on Jul 21, 2014
    MAGNIFICENT! I would call this a "forever-piece" -- The beauty and work is so well done that in 100 years it will still be a piece being handed down to the generations! Thanks for sharing!! I'm going to remember this!
  • Mary Gilardo Mary Gilardo on Jul 21, 2014
    I love it...it is very unique and that's what i love about it
  • Monica MacLellan Monica MacLellan on Jul 21, 2014
    Stunning. this is my first visit to this site and I am 'gob-smacked" at this piece.. I would never have entertained painting a piece in this bold red but wow, does it ever pop. Thanks for sharing, thanks for the tip on using oil based paint. I am seriously thinking of redoing a small antique occasional table with a fitted glass top.
  • Vetsy Vetsy on Jul 21, 2014
    Very Nice! You did a great job on what you described was badly damaged....I love it!
  • Denise Denise on Jul 22, 2014
    @GR I KNEW IT!!! There's the reason we both have such fiery opinions and temperments: I was born a redhead, as well. My hair began to turn mahogany at the age of two, but at 24, I decided to help it along with chemicals. :) Take care, Red!
    • See 1 previous
    • P.j. C P.j. C on Jul 26, 2014
      @GR & @Denise Could be the reason we connect is that I'm the mother of a redhead! Not only is she very creative, she expresses herself well & has defended others who have shared restyled pieces on HT. :-)
  • Meliss Etner Meliss Etner on Jul 24, 2014
    Love it when folks know how and when to edit a piece. I does match because of the wax finish. Truly a high end piece. People take note and use editing a piece as you're template always. It will take it from same old to spectacular every time. Thanks for sharing you're gorgeous piece and hope to see more!
  • Cathy Kurpil Cathy Kurpil on Jul 24, 2014
    Very nice!
    • See 2 previous
    • Meliss Etner Meliss Etner on Jul 29, 2014
      @Porta Verde Studio Wow! Impressive!
  • Sandi Sandi on Jul 25, 2014
    great look!
  • Meliss Etner Meliss Etner on Jul 25, 2014
    Porta Verde Studio....checked out you're gallery...love you're inspiration!
  • Marie farrell Marie farrell on Jul 26, 2014
    i have the same little desk it looks fabulous...
  • Deanna Grace Deanna Grace on Aug 04, 2014
    I love it ,makes me want to do the same to a dresser I have.
  • Linda Linda on Aug 10, 2014
    Love it
  • Bonnie Bonnie on Jan 14, 2015
    YESYESYES!!! Love it!! Spectacular!! I have a brown oak curio cabinet I may have a go at since seeing this piece!! Very impressive, gives it a high end look!!
  • DeMarie I DeMarie I on Feb 09, 2015
    A fabulous makeover.
  • Sbeazley Sbeazley on Oct 26, 2015
    Absolutely beautiful. Could I ask what color red you used?
  • Mildah Kamutiana Mildah Kamutiana on Mar 05, 2017

    Sweet looks indeed

  • Louise Fitzgerald Louise Fitzgerald on Mar 08, 2017

    Look great, but I would have loved it in my bathroom. Cut hole in middle place a sink into it would be nice. just throwing it out there