Help, I need painting ideas!

Question

I bought and stained the armoire and cupboard for my living room 20 years now. They have been recently restained. I'm looking for ideas to upcycle them. I don't want to completely paint them but add color here and there. Is there any 'rule'? Do I paint the doors and drawers or the base? Can you paint sections of the door or all of it? My style is casual, country.  Hardwood floors and dark dusty blue on the walls. I would like to antique any paint that I put on. I don't want to go black or white. I was thinking of an antiqued grey.

MaryStLouis · Answer

You can do any of your own suggestions. The worst that happens is that you don't like the look so you end up painting the whole thing. You could paint the doors while keeping the box and frame stained or do the opposite. I don't think there are any rules here but I would suggest that you look at photos online before you make any decisions.
Since you live locally (to me, at least) there's a store at the Chesterfield mall called Wood Icing. They offer classes in chalk painting and other decorative finishes so if that interests you just give them a call. I found them worthwhile when I was a beginner.

Tess Borgra · Answer

Thanks!

Belinda Todd · Answer

You could even use wallpaper on the raised panels and drawer fronts and paint and distress the rest

Gail Salminen · Answer

@Tess Borgra I would suggest you search the site for updating or refinishing furniture. There are lots of ideas on hear that will inspire you. You might consider the repainting but also altering the furniture somewhat. Take a cupboard door off and create open shelving - so so many ideas here. Take your time searching and paste ideas you like to a board on your site and then choose the ideas you really like and meld them together.
Do give us an update with pics Thanks for posting.

Palm Frond Art · Answer

Tin cabinet panels paint whatever color you want and antique the paint ,,

Polly Zieper · Answer

Just my opinion, but I think they look great as is, but if you want to add some color, how about painting just the raised panels of the door/drawer fronts, in an accent color found somewhere in the room?Or choose a color you like, and make it your new accent color?

Kayo Frazier · Answer

Here is something you can try...http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/indian It might be too much work to do everything that is in the kit, but you can pick 1,2,3 parts of the kit that appeal to you to most.

Tess Borgra · Answer

Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas. I've tried to find websites for references but can't find many for what I'm trying to accomplish. Most site paint the piece entirely. Anyone have any suggestions?

Gail Salminen · Answer

@Tess Borgra I think the best thing to do is search through the refinished projects. The piece may not be the same as your cabinets but any idea can be adjusted to your tastes. Here is one site that gives a few examples http://www.hometalk.com/diy/painted-furniture-1639559 If you look at enough posts an idea may pop into your mind that is a compilation of many posts. Just wondering what your idea of up-cycling the piece is? Do you want to use them in different rooms, or change them somehow?

Marilyn · Answer

If you like a rustic style you could cover the raised panels with leather, or cow hide with the hair on for added color/texture. You could also add brass tacks to finish the edges and add another design element.

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