To Paint or Not to Paint

by Angela

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I purchased this replica of an antique Scales ofJustice and can't decide whether or not to paint it creamish white and distress it or leave it as is. I feel it's too dark and is hard to make out the details. I have been considering painting the kitchen island an antique cream. Maybe then the scale would show up more. What do you think?

to paint or not to paint, home decor, kitchen design, kitchen island, painting, repurposing upcycling

134 answers

Funnygirl on Mar 23, 2014
Cute piece.I really like the finish but if you want to bring more attention just paint the "bird"? On top and the 3 hooks a metallic color

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- Angela on Mar 23, 2014
  @Funnygirl I hadn't thought of that! Thanks!!
  
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Diane on Mar 23, 2014
If it were mine I would not paint it. I love the way it looks old and I think painting it would just make it look cheap. Maybe a different spot would make it stand out more. It is really a nice looking replica.

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Darcy Seferoglou on Mar 23, 2014
If was in my home I would just live the way it is!!!

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Cheryl on Mar 25, 2014
I like it as it is. I think you have the right idea about painting the island, or maybe just move ot to another spot.

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MM&D on Mar 25, 2014
Cool piece. Takes up a bunch of your island though. Do you use the island as a work surface? If not, just put a runner or something down the middle to set a contrast. If so - then the other suggestions are valid. I don't think I would paint it either. Gotta love a challenge! :)

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Bonnie Lewenza on Mar 25, 2014
I think with it sitting on the silver platter would make it appear darker then it is. If it is only a replica then you could just paint the bird and try placing it on something more colorful to see if you like it better, experiment a little.

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Linda on Mar 25, 2014
Perhaps I'm feeling rebellious right now, but I'm thinking this piece might actually look good in a cream color, distressed. Or even the 1930's green kitchen color. Perhaps painting all of the body, and only the trays of the balances. And maybe not the hooks either. It would certainly be easier to see it.

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Michele Eures on Mar 25, 2014
I think it gets lost on that island. Look at how it appears in the picture with the color of the wall behind it. Before painting, I would try to find a better place to display it and see how that works.

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Caroline T on Mar 25, 2014
Great piece, I'd leave it as is.

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Mary on Mar 25, 2014
Love it just as it is. Great piece.

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Debbie DuVall on Mar 25, 2014
I like it the way it is. I would not change it at all.

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Amanda DeLoach on Mar 25, 2014
leave it its great like it is

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Caroline Hargrove on Mar 25, 2014
If any thing, agree, only the bird and hooks and I would also paint the star. But on an item such as this think I'd seal it and preserve it's original finish.

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Terri Palmer on Mar 25, 2014
Leave it as is awesomeness

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Carol on Mar 25, 2014
I would leave it alone and place a colorful runner under it. The way it is, it looks like a real antique; if you paint it, you will lose the antique effect.

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Mary C on Mar 25, 2014
Leave it as is. It's fantastic

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Ann R on Mar 25, 2014
I agree that the silver is misplaced with it. I would us a distressed wood round underneath, maybe a red?

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Tina Lewis on Mar 25, 2014
I would not paint it. It is FAB.

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Cheryl McMillion on Mar 25, 2014
Leave it and change accessories so it is the only dark piece in the setting. Add color in the accessories.

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Cynthia on Mar 25, 2014
Leave it as it is! Beautiful!

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Betty Foster on Mar 25, 2014
Love it. It looks so authentic.

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Shirley P on Mar 25, 2014
love it just the way it is

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DzynByJules on Mar 25, 2014
Funny, I bought a similar item last year for my island which is, along with your walls, pretty much the same color scheme. I painted it a cream color and sanded down some of the edges to give it a distressed look and it totally adds a freshness to the space. Let me know if you want me to take a picture of it so you ca make up your mind on weather or not to change the finish. Love your scales!

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Debora Brown on Mar 25, 2014
Leave it. worth so much more natural and looks great.....

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Lela on Mar 25, 2014
Leave it ! You can always paint it later .....

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Diane Coakley on Mar 25, 2014
I would leave it the way it is. Try displaying it differently, with different pieces. It is rustic and beautiful, I'd display more rustic or antique pieces with it, maybe a wood cutting board or runner underneath. Try winding some red pips around the stem for color.

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Artist Kim on Mar 25, 2014
Leave it...

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Les Bush on Mar 25, 2014
Oh, please leave it the way it is. Such a great find!

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Rena Short on Mar 25, 2014
Before painting it, first try removing the silver platter and the little pie tins. Then set it on a runner that picks up your wall color. Hang a coordinating towel on it. Your repurposed sugar and creamer would also show up better against the natural metal. You are so clever to find a new use for your scales.

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Nedra Brush Bohan on Mar 25, 2014
I'm make it unanimous...leave it as is. It looks amazing!

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Angie W on Mar 25, 2014
Leave it like it is......I love it !!!!!

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Judie on Mar 25, 2014
I think it looks great just like it is. Whatever you like is what counts anyways.

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Mse304092 on Mar 25, 2014
Leave it!!!

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Susie Delp on Mar 25, 2014
Lrave in

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Dianne H on Mar 25, 2014
paint the island, do leave the scales as they are!

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Patty Geraci on Mar 25, 2014
Paint the island not the scales!!!!

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Patty Floore on Mar 25, 2014
I love it the way it is, I'm not a lover of painted wood but the Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. :-)

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Phyllis Mcdaniel on Mar 25, 2014
Leave it as is

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Marilyn Dinkens on Mar 25, 2014
leave it!

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Charlene Neuenschwander on Mar 25, 2014
Clean it real good and leave it. I love the original look as is.

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Marjorie Brown on Mar 25, 2014
Leave it!!

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Terri Brodfuehrer on Mar 25, 2014
leave it, or add a TINY touch of patina if you want the details to show.. but use a really GOOD metal rub.. there are many to choose from on Google (images), or pinterest. these look really nice! found here: https://www.sculptnouveau.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=44

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Trisha on Mar 25, 2014
I love it just as it is, but, it's your treasure so whatever you like is what's best. It's a beautiful piece.

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Jo A on Mar 25, 2014
Leave it. It is beautiful the way it is.

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Kat on Mar 25, 2014
I'd leave it.

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Kelli Blanton on Mar 25, 2014
Well, it is a replica.... Paint if you wish!

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Beverly D on Mar 25, 2014
Try cleaning it with Linseed Oil if you are not going to paint it.

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Janine on Mar 25, 2014
I'd leave it just the way it is....classy!!!

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Terea H on Mar 25, 2014
I like it the way it is.

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Ophelia laurel on Mar 25, 2014
I like it the way it is, if you do decide to paint it black should look nice with an accent of gold.

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Anne L. Sergent on Mar 25, 2014
I would agree with them all ....... Leave it after you clean it ;-)

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Linda Eberle on Mar 25, 2014
Leave it!

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MyHardwoodFloors.com on Mar 25, 2014
No !! It's beautiful just the way it is.

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Sheryl Hart on Mar 25, 2014
Why would you paint over that beautiful patina?

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Randa Todd on Mar 25, 2014
Matches your kitchen this way... clean it up...

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Georgia dunlap on Mar 25, 2014
Love it like it is!

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Vicki on Mar 25, 2014
Definitely leave it as it is!

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Peg on Mar 25, 2014
I like it the way it is. I love old patinas on my decorations. Perhaps you will also. It is an interesting piece and I am sure you will do what looks best in your space.

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Kim Enwright on Mar 25, 2014
I like it the way it is :) Beautiful

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Jackie Steel on Mar 25, 2014
Leave it!!! It matches your kitchen & I love what you did with it...

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Diana Sue Mendez-Lucio on Mar 25, 2014
Definitely leave as is, but if you must gradually take the lighter color, one coat a time,,

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Melanie Robinson on Mar 25, 2014
No! leave it after cleaning. It has character.

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Jeanee Rockweiler on Mar 25, 2014
you could put a big old fashioned doily under it on the table to give some contrast but don't paint it............

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Lisa Bullard-Valles on Mar 25, 2014
I think it looks better the way it is. Matches your kitchen as we'll...

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Alma Williams on Mar 25, 2014
No paint! It's beautiful just the way it is.

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Lex263207 on Mar 25, 2014
As is!

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Jane H on Mar 25, 2014
as is

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Angie Martinez on Mar 25, 2014
lovely the way it is

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Debbie Thomas on Mar 25, 2014
As is

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Kathie Trogden on Mar 25, 2014
Clean it and leave it...it's beautiful

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Lucy Watson on Mar 25, 2014
leave it as it is!.

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June Boughton on Mar 25, 2014
Love it this way

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Kaye williams on Mar 25, 2014
Leave it as in.

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Kim Poulsen-Smith on Mar 25, 2014
Love it just like it is

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Marilyn McClelland on Mar 25, 2014
leave it as is, it looks great in your kitchen!

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Donna Steeber on Mar 26, 2014
So beautiful with character the way it is... like the idea of a doily under it.

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Therese C on Mar 26, 2014
If it were me, I would just use a good/fine wire brush on it to knock some of the rust. That's it. Let it show it's natural age and beauty. That is a very nice piece!

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Rose Toellner on Mar 26, 2014
Leave it!

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Marsha Berg on Mar 26, 2014
Leave it

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Sonya Soward on Mar 26, 2014
no paint

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Sandi Maurer on Mar 26, 2014
They way it looks!!!

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Karen B on Mar 26, 2014
No reason to paint; It's beautiful just the way it is! I love the way you staged it too.

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Trina Gibson on Mar 26, 2014
Leave it

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Penny-Linda Thompson on Mar 26, 2014
Clean it and leave it natural

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Glenda Fry-Gunderson on Mar 26, 2014
leave it

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Jme252407 on Mar 26, 2014
Leave it , its so primitive looking ,looks great , love to find things like that, I have gift shop in Fredericktown,Ky., and that would go good just like it is,keep on hunting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Laura Fenley on Mar 26, 2014
Leave it be!

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Connie Wiesniak on Mar 26, 2014
I'm one for painting almost everything, but in this case I would leave it as is. Looks great!

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Rick on Mar 26, 2014
NO!!

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Delores M on Mar 26, 2014
Guess you got your answer :-)

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Denise J on Mar 26, 2014
leave as is.

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Doreen Gregorchik on Mar 26, 2014
Leave makes a great center piece.

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Rosanne Cleveland-King on Mar 26, 2014
I like it as is, and even more so if you paint the counter. Also, remove the tray, as it doesn't add anything to the grouping.

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Susie LeCroy Stephens on Mar 26, 2014
Leave it!

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Sandra Randall on Mar 26, 2014
Lovely as it is.

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Rose Marie S on Mar 26, 2014
I like it the way it is also. IMO the tray is what takes away from the piece as it is shiny and bright. Either use a different tray or even an antique dollie under it. it would be more befitting to the era of this really neat scare. That was a good treasure find.

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Nwdnanny on Mar 26, 2014
Do not paint...when you have a natural, REAL patina it should be left alone. Love this piece.

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Carly Swirtz on Mar 26, 2014
It is great natural, but if you want to bring out the features more, wipe it down with orange or lemon oil. The shine will bring out the features.

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Sherry M. on Mar 26, 2014
Leave it as is....it's beautiful

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Mary W on Mar 26, 2014
The scales of justice needs a lot of work, but not this one.

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Julie Young on Mar 26, 2014
Leave it as it is!!

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Pam Park on Mar 26, 2014
leave it as is. it is an antique with intrinsic value

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Jodi Judge on Mar 26, 2014
I would leave it as is

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Tammy T on Mar 26, 2014
Paint it. It is rusty and will get rust all over everything. It will look so much cleaner and nicer if you paint it and maybe add patina

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Jodi Collins on Mar 26, 2014
Leave it. Perfect as is.

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Patricia Peacock on Mar 26, 2014
Leave it as is.

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Carolyn Hobbs on Mar 26, 2014
if is ain't broke..don't fix it

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Elaine Simmons on Mar 26, 2014
I think your idea of painting the kitchen island would make it stand out more. Not crazy about the tray underneath either. At any rate, I would not paint it.

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Bonny McDaniel on Mar 26, 2014
DON'T paint it...just rub it down to clean it a little and put it on something rustic looking. If something has value as an antique, then leave it alone. If you like the look of the rust, you might try using a matte finish clear spray so you don't get rust on everything but I would opt for a little oil to protect it from rust.

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Debbie P on Mar 26, 2014
leave it as is

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Donna Ray on Mar 26, 2014
not

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Donna Golding on Mar 26, 2014
Please leave it as it is!!!!!

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Lori Dunkel on Mar 26, 2014
Leave it....looks fabulous this way!

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Patricia Bell White-Harrison on Mar 26, 2014
Leave as it is!!

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Yvonne McKinley on Mar 26, 2014
Leave it as is

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Carol on Mar 26, 2014
Leave it along. Has more character the way it is.

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Ellie Nickell on Mar 26, 2014
Leave it... it's beautiful!!!!

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Deborah on Mar 26, 2014
leave as is

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Barbara L on Mar 26, 2014
sorry but geessss enough of the distressing and painting and shabby chic stuff... give it a clean up to remove the rust and treat with an anti rust covering and take it off the tray... why does everyone want to change the old antique look of things when the old natural look is classy... imho sorry for rant...

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Yvette Gerace on Mar 26, 2014
Maybe a small brush over with a piece of steel wool or nothing. Perfect as is! Love how you incorporated other metal types. Any will work. Leave it.

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KathrynElizabeth Etier on Mar 26, 2014
I like your idea of a cramy white, distressed.

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Sara Cannon Powell on Mar 26, 2014
Leave it alone!!! Wish I had it....

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Anne Dever on Mar 26, 2014
Leave it as is!

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Barbara R on Mar 26, 2014
I sure wouldn't touch it...and if your island in a lighter color will go with the other cabinets in your kitchen, by all means paint that...it's too dark anyways :) Thanks!

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Gladys on Aug 21, 2014
Don't know if you've decided yet, or not, but I like your idea of painting the island a lighter color as it will fit in nicely with the other items. With a lighter island, you could just put something protective (that doesn't show) under the scale and use your pretty silver tray for another purpose. This all makes a lovely display. If you've already done something different with this, please share a picture. Thanks.

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Sje223824 on Aug 21, 2014
I would leave it. Looks great like it is!

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Susan Hall-Amado on Aug 22, 2014
It has a beautiful patina already. I personally would leave it as is especially if you are planning to paint the island a cream colour anyway.

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- Angela on Aug 23, 2014
  @Susan Hall-Amado Thank you Susan! I think that's what I'll do!!~~Angela
  
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Chris_Celebrations At Home on Aug 22, 2014
It's beautiful as is, and your display is fantastic.

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- Angela on Aug 23, 2014
  @Chris_Celebrations At Home Thank you Chris!
  
  Helpful
Bea H on Aug 24, 2014
I love the way you displayed it...keep it as is.

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Gail on Sep 03, 2014
I agree with you paint the island, leave the scales as is and also get rid of the silver platter maybe if you want it to sit on something maybe a antique doily would look nice under it.

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Kate Slimon on Jan 16, 2015
It really looks great the way you have staged it its original state! A great conversation piece.

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JakeandGG on Jan 24, 2017

I agree...I love the way you have it displayed, just like it is👍

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Ltt834476 on Feb 02, 2017

By adding the silver tray underneath and all the other white and lighter accessories, you've already made it stand out. Keep it as is. Gives it the vintage look. Great job on the way you accessorized it.

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Agnes Chrzanowska on Apr 30, 2022

i wouldnt paint at all

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