Blogger Brick, NJ on Aug 22, 2012

Should I paint them?????

I want to paint these to match my french country kitchen cabinets--with Annie Sloan Chalk paint in a creamy color! My family is freaking out--I have no other dark wood in the entire house, most items of furniture are natural oak or pine or white--Should I or Shouldn't I????????????????

40 Comments Displaying 25 of 40 comments | See Previous

Terri J York, PA

To determine if something is a true antique, call in a antinque appraiser/dealer. They usually don't charge for estimates, especially if you say "I am thinking of selling." He will give you a price, that may seem low, but look at the ecomony. Things are only worth what someone is willing to pay fo them or their sentimental value. I am in the process of doing all that now, and then I WILL PAINT THE PIECES TO FIT MY STYLE - not my great whoever's. You need to be happy w/ whateer you decide to do.

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 1
Shari Tampa, FL

Even if the one piece is old and had some value as an antique, the fact that it was/is in poor condition lessens any monetary value it may have. Then, factor in the repair your husband made. Although he may be excellent at woodworking, he's probably not a professional at antique restoration so an appraiser would take that into consideration when placing a value on the piece, most likely devaluing it even more. I thought it was very telling when you said the relatives who are against you ...»
painting the pieces don't want them. When you can't even give something away, there's generally a reason for it...and in this case, just maybe it's because in their current state, these pieces look dated. I still stand by my advice to paint them if it makes you happy.

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 1
diy Design Fanatic Charlotte, NC

I have the same(very, very similar and probably the same manufacturer)bookcase/hutch. I have been debating the same thing. I bought mine off Craigslist, so I didn't pay full price. Regarding value, painting the piece won't make it lose it's value unless it's an antique. You only ALWAYS lose value when you pay retail for furniture. If you are going to paint the hutch, consider leaving the top of the cabinet part stained wood. That will give it a nice contrast.

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 2
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

As a woodworker I don't like painted furniture much...I like to see the beauty of the wood show through...while these pieces may not be high end antiques they are some nice real wood and attractive pieces...they may not be as attractive to you but to someone else they may be just what they are looking for.
Have you thought about selling them as is and then use the proceeds to buy something that you ...»
like more?...this way the pieces are not "damaged" by painting and you get what you want.

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 4
Somewhat Quirky Grosse Pointe, MI

Check out the secretary - some of them are very valuable some (most) are not at all. The other piece is probably just your call. I say paint if paint is what you want.

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 0
Becky from Practips Camden, SC

I would not recommend painting them. The secretary because of the value, and the other piece because of the decorative elements. If you do choose to paint them, be very picky about the details. Sand, prime, then paint. Choose a color and level of shine (satin vs. gloss) that would enhance them, not take away from their original beauty.

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 0
Beth H. Diamond Bar, CA

I paint older furniture all the time ( you can check out my blog). That mahogany stain is very outdated. If the wood is in perfect shape, then you can strip it and re stain in a darker tone (a ton of work). It's your furniture. Nothing you have is rare or worth a mint. So if it makes you happy, paint it! Whats nice about ASCP is you can strip the paint if you don't like it without really hurting the wood! Go for it.

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 0
Sharron W Memphis, TN

If you paint just the inside of the hutch and leave the outside stained, the contrast will be phenomenal and the effort to strip it later, (if you decide to change it), would be minimal. Plus it would provide a nice bacground for your display pieces...I LOVE the two toned cabinets and such and think that would be a great compromise.... I still would not paint that secretary without having it checked by an antiques dealer...

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 1
Karen P Brick, NJ

Thanks everyone, lots to think about! Definitely not stripping all that detail on the giant cabinet I think its definitely paint for me. Tried to sell them for months-at a few different prices and times of year--no bites!

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 0
Linda @ it all started wi... Chicago, IL

I say paint them! I'm pretty sure those who said "don't paint" are men ... they can't stand to see wood painted!

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 0
Donna R Lumberton, TX

@Linda, I think Becky, Sharron W., Jamala, Jeanette and I are all women and we said don't paint or at least think twice before touching them with paint. Those are the ones I remember, maybe others said so as well. I think Karen has her mind made up unless someone from Hometalk, who also lives in her area, wants to buy them from her since she's been trying to sell them.

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 3
Karen P Brick, NJ

thanks for the answers everyone, I really appreciate it! I am leaning more toward the paint but I think I will give an appraiser a call first!

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 1
Sandy Portland, OR

I found an old antique buffet on the side of the road with "free" on it,,,,not the best condition so I am painting it!!!! my first attempt to paint an old piece, but i think it will pop and get alot more attention with it's beauty of color, plus it's fun to do when you can't restore it back. Look forward to seeing what you decided

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 1
Becky J Troy, IL

I have always been taught to NEVER paint an antique (if that is what it is).

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 1
Melissa-TheHappierHomemak... Aberdeen, NC

I'd paint it. Or get rid of it. Your home should reflect you, even if "you" likes lighter furniture!! I recently painted a "nice" wood nightstand I've had for years and love it so much more now.
on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 2
Becky Blair, NE

Thank you Donna for sticking up for us women that love stained wood. It's not just a guy thing. Women love wood too.

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 3
Becky Blair, NE

I must add that I agree that everyone should do what they want with their own things. I and others were only answering the question posed by the OP.

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 2
Karen P Brick, NJ

If it not an antique Im painting them, if they are antiques they stay as is! thanks for the advice and opinions everyone

on Aug 24, 2012 · Like 1
Ally Schenectady, NY

I think I'd paint the desk but maybe not the other piece entirely. You could paint the back of the shelves on that one to lighten it up..

on Aug 24, 2012 · Like 1
Becky Blair, NE

If you find they are worth a good amount of money then I'm with Ally only I'd just paint foam core and add them to the backs. That way there's no harm done to them at all and an easy fix if you want to change their color again.

on Aug 24, 2012 · Like 1
Cathy Barbeauld Oak Lawn, IL

NO

on Aug 24, 2012 · Like 0
Lifetime Services, LLC Jacksonville, FL

Don't you dare paint these.... especially that beautiful desk!

on Aug 24, 2012 · Like 1
Pamela Walker Chino, CA

PAINT THEM, PAINT THEM, PAINT THEM!!!!! For goodness sake, even if it is vintage or an antique paint them! Do what you like, if you are keeping the item for an investment then sell the dang thing. If you have it in your home for your pleasure do what you want that makes you happy, people are so hung up on it being vintage or an antique.

on Aug 28, 2012 · Like 0
Angie P Moreland, GA

I love painted furniture. You do what you want, but since your asking for opinions, I wouldn't paint the desk. But the hutch, i would. The hutch is big and that's a lot of dark.

on Aug 31, 2012 · Like 1
Jill Smith Ruskin, FL

I go through the same dilemma and opposing opinions in my house. I have an ecletic mix of contemporary, coastal and antiques decor... So, I go by a 'guide of sorts'...
If it's something from my husband's family, passed down...then we don't paint it...i.e. hall tree & a secretary similar to yours. :)
If it's mine, I struggle... I have an early 1900's mahogany vanity/desk that has the prettiest ...»
natural patina, I just can't put a paint brush to it.. Same thing for my antique radio from the 30's. Some times, the nostalgia and the pretty, natural patina just should not be touched...It does bring down the value, IF you were to ever sell the piece. You cannot undo it, once it's painted over the patina.
But, I have a c.1920-30's waterfall art deco vanity with mirror and I'm in the process of painting it!! It's going to be BEAUTIFUL and I'll love it even MORE!
Also, I have found cool antique & vintage items that were inexpensive and even had some minor damage...I painted them!! Like a Dillingham cedar chest... Painted antique white, distressed w/a sand dollar painted on the front... I looks BETTER than the dark stain it was previously stained with. Whatever you decide, is your business... I just shared how I gage some of the pieces I paint or not. :)

on May 08, 2013 · Like 0

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