To paint or not to paint? What color?

Question

I found these two hutch pieces that were too good of a deal to really pass up! The color they are blends well with our Pub Table in the dining area of the home. However, Im now thinking I would like to 'class them up' to look a little more updated. Look at the photos and share your oppinion? I am undecided...and what color?

Deborah Stone · Answer

I think painting would be great. I think black or the red garnett color I am seeing in your photo of the dining area. If it were me I would also shabby chic them up a bit. Rub some of the paint back off. Dont you just love a deal, I'm searching for a hutch myself. Good luck, would love to see when you get finished!

Simple Pleasures · Answer

Awesome suggestions Deborah! Wishing you ladies were at my house to help keep the inspirations coming! I had thought about cream, black, and even thought about the garnet color...the garnet color worried me a bit because of my color of the scarf window treatment...But I can also see some of that color peeking thru the black...Thanks so much for your suggestions! I like a little shabby chick idea with a Tuscan twist!

Becky P · Answer

if anything, I would paint the inside and all your stoneware would pop.

Simple Pleasures · Answer

Awww! didn't think of that Becky! Nice suggestion... what color would you suggest ?? and thanks:)))

117135 · Answer

I would paint Ina neutral color. You already have a lot of pops of color in the room on displayed on the shelves. A neutral color will make the color pop more. I would do an aged cream on the outside and do a very soft green on the inside(similar to your walls but softer).

Patti Biggar · Answer

It looks like you might have some vintage or antique looking items displayed. If it were me I would use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (so you do NOT have to prep the pieces...NO sanding!). and I would use Old White and seal and distress it with her wax.  I am doing my kitchen cupboards that way and they look awesome.  She has many other colors if you want something other than off white or cream.

Marielle Lambert · Answer

In my humble opinion, if you were to paint it should be black....it would tie in with the wrought iron light fixture & the wrought iron you have on the wall & you already have alot of colour in the room...go semi gloss so there is no conflict in sheen with ceramics you have on display.

Carol L · Answer

What fantastic ideas! Thank you everyone. Would love to see your finished project 'Simple Pleasures'.

Kyla Wootton · Answer

I think painting is a great idea. I have several painted pieces. I think black is a good choice with some antiquing. I have also, painted the back of a piece with a color so as to highlight the contents. Just recently did a piece in sliver paint, with some metallic leafing. Adding some mirror to the back of a hutch is pretty fun too.

Chris Keating-Ingelse · Answer

I like the black idea, too. I did this with an old dresser similar in color to your hutch- and sanded off some of the black to let the original color show through- looks great (in my opinion!). I think that I would go with a creamy very pale yellow (sort of a parchment) color for the interior- including the sides, not just the back- and age it with a wipe of a little thinned stain or burnt umber paint.

Debby Boyle · Answer

I would paint them cranberry!

Simple Pleasures · Answer

I love all of your ideas! I wish I had one hutch for each idea! Lots to think about! Thanks for the vision!

Marci N · Answer

I think just doing the back wall might make it look brighter and more hip? LOL A whitewash of that chalk paint? I have one myself but its a hand me down from my Mom and Grandma so its not going anyplace. There are lots of memories stored in that hutch. its not going to be painted either. I did oil it with some Swedish oil and it brought the natural glow back to the wood. But it was an old oiled piece to begin with not varnished. If you like the wood you could try that. To be honest the shabby look could go out of style tomorrow but the wood will stay forever.

Summer · Answer

I'm saying maybe a real pale yellow creamy color. maybe the wall color underneath and then distress it so some of the dark shows through?

Becky P · Answer

I would go with a cream color. I did the same thing to my oak microwave cabinet that has a hutch. Wish I had done it years before, it made such a difference in being able to see my decorative items.

Simple Pleasures · Answer

I am really leaning in to the cream color...I am not attatched to the way it is now, and wouldn't mind bringing some 'life' to the area. I feel a little bored with it as is, if you will. I like that idea Becky! Thanks for sharing your idea.

Lori J · Answer

Wondering about the back of the cabinets...kind of hard to tell in the photos, but a bit of wainscoting with a punch of color would brighten up cream cabinets.

Jane Burkhart · Answer

I think tey look great just the way they are.  The dishes you have on it make them pop, so I would leave it alone.

Liz · Answer

I would paint at least a portion of them. Some wall paper on the inside where the shelves are and the dishes sit (hope you understand). As far as colors you should go with what you like. They look a little sad make them happy with a little paint. :) Pick up one or two of the colors you have in the beautiful dishes you have displayed. Be very careful if you decide to go with yellow!!! Home depot (I think, maye Lowes), has a 'White Raisin' that is a very good yellow. Let me know what you do!!! Be sure to post pics!!!

Sia@South 47th · Answer

Nice finds and beautiful pottery! I'd paint the tops of both the burgundy color that is in your wall art, the bottoms a nice soft charcoal to tie in to your iron pieces and do the insides the green color of your wall to tie everything together. If you went with a dark outer color, I think the cream would be a little 'off', & cold looking. But that's just me. Maybe add a light inside at the top (hidden) to really POP those fab Pottery pieces! Whatever you decide will be fantastic and I can't wait to see the finished look! xo

Deanna Snyder · Answer

Painting the inside a shade that would like your pottery pop is a really fun idea! Also, if you want to have the look of a 'built-in', you could paint the outside the same color as your walls! I have an corner built in hutch in white and it is awesome. Thinking about taking my own advice and painting the inside to give it a pop. Everything behind the glass is clear so anything other than white will give it the 'pop' it needs! Uh, thanks for the inspiration!!! LOL

Diana · Answer

I like to paint wall furniture the same colour as the walls. It makes the contents of the piece, such as your stoneware and ceramics, really pop. And the hutches themselves look like part of the architecture of the room

Liz · Answer

You need to just do it, I am anxious to see what you do!!!

Kris Lee · Answer

I like the pale yellow idea. I have a cute kitchen cupboard/desk that is that color and it is my favorite. See it in the corner of dining room in pic.

Simple Pleasures · Answer

I know...my hubby and I have that on the list! OR at least I do, he doesnt know it yet! LOL

Terra Gazelle · Answer

You have such a lovely color in the pottery and the art work...the hutch and the dining room set look rather boring. I would redo all the furniture a creamy color and upholsterer the seats on the chairs and the table top and chairs a dark stain, 
I love your pottery.
You have two awesome hutches..lucky find for sure.

Patricia Drebit · Answer

I would do them a nice cream colour, your dished would just pop :)

Cyndie S · Answer

How about barn red with light gold or that creamy yellow interior? Picking colors from your art work and swag.

Country Design Home · Answer

Hi! Lucky you to have found such great bargains! I recently painted one very similar to the first one in a beautiful country red color with lightly distressed edges. I painted the back 'wall' of it a creamy white and really distressed that. It came out beautifully! Since you already have some red accents in the room, it would complement that perfectly.

Pat · Answer

Dark red would look nice.

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