HOW TO REDO THIS ONE

Donna Narciso
by Donna Narciso
OKAY I AM HAVING FUN REDOING FURNITURE SO FAR SO GOOD STILL HAVE ALOT TO LEARN ....SO I AM HOPING TO GET SOME SUPER EXPERIENCED RESPONSES TO HOW TO REALLY ACCENT THIS DETAILED TABLE BASE COLOR SUGGESTIONS AS WELL FOR BOTH BASE AND TABLE TOP
  28 answers
  • That is GORGEOUS! I too am new to furniture re-design...There is a piece similar to yours in my inventory which I am waiting to do. I really want to know my "stuff" before tackling it. To start, you may want to give it some Circa 1850 Furniture Refinisher. It's a liquid which restores the original finish without stripping. Once you have done this, you will see the integrity of the piece and although it may sound strange, the piece may tell you what to do! After "refinishing" you may consider keeping the base as is and just adding some wax to bring it back to life. Perhaps change only the surface of the piece to marry into your dĂ©cor...
  • Donna Narciso Donna Narciso on Mar 02, 2014
    YES I KNOW TANA I AM WAITING TO GET MY SELF A LIL MORE EXPERIENCE IVE BEEN WANTING TO THIS FOR THE LONGEST TIME GLAD I AM FINALLY DOING IT!!!!
  • Janet Smith Janet Smith on Mar 02, 2014
    Such a pretty table. I'd have it appraised before doing anything to the original surface as changing the surface would greatly diminish the value.
  • Patty Morgan Patty Morgan on Mar 02, 2014
    I love wood and only paint on top when it has wear to it to give it new life. I would look into colors of furniture that you would see in France. Rocco period with a twist. I can see it is a light blue tone and then you can add silver to the details to really make them pop. A mirror top would give it a fresh look. It is such a nice piece. I like the look of different textures in a room. The paints in the background are really beautiful too.
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Mar 02, 2014
    How do you see it? I bet you have idea's already. Curious about your thoughts!
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Mar 03, 2014
    I would never paint something this ornate and special. There are too many wonderful "rubs" you can put on wood that brings out a "sparkle" and gives new life. Once painted, it's just another piece of painted furniture. At least try to research this on line and perhaps with someone who knows antiques. I remember seeing a piece I liked but was actually nothing much to look at. The price tag at the antique store was over $7,000! It just so happened it was from the late 1700s...handmade frontier piece! Keep in mind that you are in that part of the country that has some of the oldest furniture known...NY, NJ, PA...!!!!
  • Donna Narciso Donna Narciso on Mar 03, 2014
    thanks I am not even sure how to go about looking into the value of this any ideas on that?
    • @Donna Narciso Donna, if I am unsure about the history of a piece I take a photo of it, download it into my computer and take these steps: go into Google, click on images and you will see a little camera beside the subject box. it will ask you to download your photograph which is super easy, just find it in the file where you saved it... Voila, it will appear and match up all similar pieces on the internet along with explanation of history, style, etc. Give it a try!
  • Donna Kracinovich Donna Kracinovich on Mar 03, 2014
    https://www.facebook.com/JerseyShoreCottage I about to paint a table just like this. Check out my facebook to see the colors and paint I used to paint the china cabinet to match. Happy to help with any questions you may have. Thanks
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Mar 03, 2014
    I have side tables to match it. Mine aren't antiques but reproductions. Check the joints, the bottom for any stamps and dates. Thin or thick veneer. The older piece the thicker the veneer. Is it machine cut?
  • I agree find out if it is a reproduction or true antique... if you are looking to sell this absolutely matters and if you want it for you and your home... & if you go with painting... do the raised area in an accented color different than the legs and center piece that compliments well... And you can use glaze, dark wax or even dust of ages to really pull out all the beautiful lines and details.
  • Donna Narciso Donna Narciso on Mar 03, 2014
    thanks
  • Terri Austill Terri Austill on Mar 03, 2014
    Don't paint it!
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Mar 03, 2014
    My favorite over the years has been Old English Dark. I am just about to buy some on line because it is hard to find in stores. Someone mentioned Circa 1850 Refinisher but after reading about it, I am not sure...but you do need to check it out.
  • Barbara Kendall Barbara Kendall on Mar 03, 2014
    Only use color on the top. You will be sorry if you paint over the carving.
  • Jill B Jill B on Mar 03, 2014
    I would stain the top a beautiful kona stain (espresso) and paint the legs white. Use an umber glaze to get in the details and make them pop.
  • Sweet Peas Charm Sweet Peas Charm on Mar 03, 2014
    I love love love to paint furniture and with all of those wonderfully carved details on your table, it would look fantastic! If you use Plaster Paint, you don't have to do any prep work to your piece...just wipe down clean and start painting! You'll only need 1 coat, possibly 2...this paint is seriously awesome! I'm happy to answer any questions you may have so feel free to message me! Here's a link to a blog I wrote about the paint...you'll love it! http://sweetpeascharm.com/1/post/2014/02/get-plastered-with-sweet-peas-charm.html
  • Diane C Diane C on Mar 04, 2014
    Check out this link. The bed has raised ornamental carving. This technique is different and really makes the detailing pop. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/bedroom/furniture/painted-french-bed-by-junk-drawer-diva-3169826
  • I would paint the base leaving the top in its original condition (if it's good enough to keep). Paint the base in a warm cream like ASCP Old Ochre and then clear wax it. Follow that with some distress sanding on the carvings to bring out the detail. Or alternately, dark wax the detail to bring out the depth. Check out my posting on a side table with similar carvings - http://www.newhousenewhomenewlife.com/2013/09/ornate-side-table-in-ascp-old-ochre.html
  • Denise Clemons Denise Clemons on Mar 04, 2014
    It is s beautiful piece. Antique or reproduction, I would just stain it or leave it as is and enjoy it. It's bound to be a stunner. I, too, tend to paint pieces (in coastal colors), but your piece is too special to paint.
  • The Blue Heron Studio The Blue Heron Studio on Mar 04, 2014
    Lovely piece. If you decide to paint, maybe only paint the pedestal base. Use a candle where you want distressing if you like that look. Easier to sand back. You can also layer a lovely glaze on your paint, and finish highlighting the carving with a finger wax to get a little play of light on just the right parts of the carving. Leaving the top natural or staining it to refresh would be very pretty. You can always use a ceiling medallion stencil in a nice color or metallic on the top if you feel it needs something.
  • Donna Narciso Donna Narciso on Mar 04, 2014
    well i decided for now to store it in the attic i have 2 other tables now so I will fuss with them thanks to everyone who has commented I appreciated all...thats what I love about this site everyone seems helpful even if our taste vary have a blessed day everyone and happy refurbishing!!!!!
  • Linda Stroney Linda Stroney on Mar 04, 2014
    Yes I'm like some of the others, I wouldn't paint that one unless it was all scratched and in bad shape, it's just too beautiful.
  • CynK CynK on Mar 04, 2014
    Selling antiques is not easy, so go ahead and enjoy the piece the way you want. If you want paint then do it. I would go with a soft white and dry brush on grey to highlight the carved wood areas. You only want a hit of color to make the detail stand out. Do not overfill with paint and lose the carved effects. Have fun. Life is too short to not do what you want. ENJOY
  • GR GR on Mar 04, 2014
    I've been 'refinishing' ,'upcycling' or whatever you like to call it, furniture for about 15 years now (long before all these terms existed!) and I generally don't paint the top of tables unless they are too far gone to restore. Sanding and waxing them is a better and usually easier option, it also means that whoever buys the table can refinish any damage themselves. I nearly always paint and distress the carved bases as that is what my customers like, off white, grey or cream are always popular.
  • Brenda Young Brenda Young on Mar 04, 2014
    You could pull out the carved details with layers of paint and a distressing technique, or you could use guilding wax to accent it with a metallic finish.
  • Rebecca Platt Rebecca Platt on Mar 04, 2014
    I would paint the top with chalk paint and distress it. I would leave the legs alone. I've seen a lot of pieces on Pinterest done this way. Quite stunning.
  • Kathy Kathy on Mar 04, 2014
    I saw a carved piece where the just cleaned it up with wood conditioner and then added a small amount of gilding wax to accent the details. To me it was the best of both worlds.
  • Marlene Wilson Marlene Wilson on Mar 05, 2014
    Please Don't paint the table!Clean with soap and water,don't get it too wet.Might use liquid gold.put a fan on it to dry.