Why painting old wood furniture can be a stroke of genius
Give tired pieces a facelift to suit any decor style
We have recently been given old wood furniture. It really isn’t to our taste and doesn’t go with anything we have, but felt obligated to take it. I would like to try painting it but my husband isn’t on board, even though he too doesn’t think it works.
To paint or not to paint wood furniture is the subject of much controversy. It’s interesting how intensely people react to wood being painted. There are those who are very strongly opposed, those who are on the fence who may be experiencing guilt and nervousness at even considering painting wood furniture. Then there are those visionaries who see untapped beauty just waiting to be released with the stroke of a brush.
No matter your taste, painted furniture has a place in almost every style of decor — contemporary or country, beach house or penthouse, Scandinavian or French Provincial.
Oftentimes when we think to add colour to our homes with paint, but we don’t think outside the box of our four walls. Soft and subtle, or bright and bold, getting creative with paint can inject personality and interest, reviving tired pieces and giving them new life.
While I do love the grain and warmth of wood, too much in a room can leave it looking a little flat. Having said that, there are times when you most definitely should not paint furniture.
If it is a vintage piece, do some research to determine the value. This can be done by using the services of an appraiser or you can search within eBay’s archive of sold listings. Altering the original finish by painting a rare antique would not only would negate its possible value, but would truly be a loss to future generations.
The old growth hardwood that was frequently used to manufacture vintage furniture is now a thing of the past. The esthetics of a great piece of furniture consists of not only of its lines, but in the quality, craftsmanship and materials it’s made up of.
You do have my blessing to paint furniture whose original finish is beyond repair, and you are saving it from a landfill. You do have my blessing if you are enhancing it to suite your taste and giving it value. Painting is a great way to unify different styles of furniture. Don’t forget to update the hardware — it’s the bling of furniture.
Manufacturers are producing new case goods with painted or lacquered finishes in a variety of hues and finishes. Flawless matte finishes in dark tones of grey to black are still trending big, as are bright and bold colours, florals and painted gold accents highlighting curves or ridges. If taking this on yourself, use restraint — less is often more. When doing a distressed finish, you just can’t go wrong. YouTube has a plethora of how-to videos that will guide you in creating your own personal masterpiece.
Whatever you choose to paint, the prep is generally the same. 1. Rough Sanding: Using a medium-grit sandpaper, sand the piece with the grain to remove buildup of polish and provide better adhesion for primer.
2. Repair: Using a wood repairing compound, fill any cracks, joints or nail holes. Sand when dry.
3. Final Sanding: Do a final sanding with a fine-grit sandpaper. To ensure a smooth finish, remove all dust using a tack cloth.
4. Prime: Using a high-adhesion primer, coat the entire surface to be painted. Lightly sand with a fine-grit sandpaper when dry and remove dust using a tack cloth.
You are now ready to add your personal touch, creating a one of a kind piece for your home. Andrea Colman is a colour consultant and principal designer and owner of Fine Finishes Custom Design Solutions. Send paint shade questions: info@finefinishes.ca.