Ways to update my Mediterranean bedroom furniture?

Question

I want to redecorate my master bedroom, which right now looks very European / Mediterranean - especially the furniture. I don't have a problem deciding on what I want to do with the walls, floors, windows, lighting, etc; but I'm procrastinating starting the project because every time I look at my very Tuscany looking bedroom set, I draw a blank. The dresser and night stands have very dark marble tops. The wood is a deep, dark mahogany; there dark brown iron scrolls on everything, and especially the bed head and footboard. Ideally, I'd like a transitional, traditional leaning, tranquil space: a space that is timeless and not so 'themed'. I just don't have the funds to buy new bedroom furniture ... any ideas on how to make the furniture I have look more transitional would be most appreciated! I'm attaching pictures of the furniture. There is also a large TV armoire that has all the same features. I could actually get rid of that piece and get some kind of unobtrusive flat screen TV stand.

CJ · Answer

My very heavy, bulky bedroom furniture looks like something pulled off a pirate ship from England in the 1700's so I feel your pain. I am choosing to chalk paint the pieces in pale grey and antiquing it with rich brown stain. The hardware will be oil rubbed bronze. You could try something like that.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Honestly loose the old furniture. As far as I can see there is no way to update.

Teri Broberg · Answer

Oh my gosh! I would love to get my paintbrush on that furniture. The lines and features are gorgeous! You need to discover chalk paint. You can paint right over varnished wood, metal, or even marble. There are several brands of quality chalk paint on the market. Annie Sloan's, CeCe Caldwell's, American Paint Company. They each have their own color palette. I would trust any of those three brands. Order sample jars, or better yet, find a local dealer who can advise you if there are any. The most helpful people in the world are fellow chalk-painters.

Kerry Holmes · Answer

Thanks Teri; but I think this furniture needs more than paint. And would you paint all the rustic dark iron on the bed and trim as well? I'm afraid what it needs to satisfy me would take a creative carpenter, paint, and definitely new hardware. I wouldn't even know what to tell the carpenter to do ...

Dee · Answer

The iron can be painted with Rustoleum. Chalk paint can be tedious but worth it if done correctly. If you had a paint sprayer you could use a latex paint with glaze or dark wax. This is going to be a project not something fast and easy. Pinterest has lots of tutorials on painting furniture.

Debi53 · Answer

Since updating your furniture would require painting, why not sell it for whatever you can get for it and then go bargain hunting for pieces that you like better (and won't mind painting).If you can't sell it, donate it and take a tax right off. I have furnished every bedroom in my house with 'finds' that cost me only a few hundred dollars for headboard, dresser, chest, night stands,etc. None of my pieces matched when I bought them, but through the magic of paint, they are now cohesive. Each piece I buy is solid wood and in great condition except for the color. Why spend the time & effort redoing something that you don't like. Spend that effort redoing simple solid pieces that won't go out of style. You don't have to have the whole room at one time. Start looking at thrift stores, goodwill, salvation army & garage sales. The hunt is half the fun. When you find a piece you like, buy it and redo it and replace your current piece. It won't be long before you have completed your redo and you will love it instead of regretting settling for something you don't like.(You can buy a simple bed frame to support your mattress/box springs for about $40 and then attach a headboard when you find one you like.)

Mary-Ann · Answer

Your furniture is beautiful, but theme rooms are a little dated these days. I agree with debi53. Someone with a bed and breakfast would love this furniture. If that does not work, you could replace your drapes, remove the themed bedspread and replace with a hotel type bed dressing. Get rid of the wallpaper panel over the bed or update it. The entire idea is to simply streamline and make classic. Then your furniture would look lovely.

Kerry Holmes · Answer

Good advice, debi53 and Mary-Ann. If I don't come up with any more satisfactory solutions, I may choose to do one or the other of your ideas. To be honest, I am NOT a DIY'er - in fact, I remodeled the downstairs area of my house this past year (one of the main reasons I now can't even think about buying new bedroom furniture!) and had several antique pieces upscaled / painted - and paid someone else to do it. Even with the cost of paying a professional to do the painting, I know I can save money shopping for used pieces that have the right lines and are well made and then painting them the color I want. The only problem this presents is that I don't have a pick-up truck so getting furniture to and from anywhere is a hassle. I don't even know anyone with a truck well enough to ask for their help. I had to pay a moving company to transport the pieces I had painted downstairs from the shop where they were painted to my house. This isn't such a bad plan if you are transporting all the pieces at one time; but most moving companies have a trip charge and a 2-3 hour minimum - so you're going to pay the same amount for every individual piece you have moved. This makes Debi53's idea (looking around and replacing each piece as I find something I like) much more expensive ...

Ozzys Girl · Answer

You could sell it. Depending on your budget will you get enough to buy what you want. ?
If you paint what you have you can always reprint when you change up again. 
I use a Deglosser I get it at homedepot in a white plastic bottle blue letters. It's like sanding in a bottle. It works great I used on a china cabinet. You have a lot of detail but would great aged out. The iron I have not felt with but you can spray paint it they have so many now I'm sure 1 to fit what your doing. 
And you could start looking at thrift stores might get lucky find at a price you can afford and sell old. Also check consignment stores might get all in one place buy and sell.

Diana · Answer

Sell it and shop local consignment or craigslist.  The design is really to distinctive to alter with paint, etc.  and you probably won't be satisfied after you paint it.  Potentially, painted the value won't be as high.

Donna Pace- Blahut · Answer

I would paint it with a cream color that would go with the tops, then accent with gold.The same with the headboard and footboard. It would brighen things up.

Johnavallance82 · Answer

You could add a bit more gold to help lighten up the suite. use rubbing wax on some of the inner moldings etc. Also add colour into the room by using maybe Turquoise or Maybe go for Opulence - Rich colours on Bed etc.

Mogie · Answer

Just removing the attached mirror to my dresser made a big difference. The scrolled work on the mirror really dates it.

Ann|The Apple Street Cottage · Answer

You could try painting it but, if you really want something new, try selling it at a consignment store and then get something more to your liking - maybe at that consignment store!

Ways to update my Mediterranean bedroom furniture?

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