Like so many other things, the pendulum swings back and forth on the “painted furniture trend.” I hate to use the word “trend” because it’s truly not a trend. Painted furniture has been around for about as long as furniture but if it is “on trend” is what ebbs and flows.
I even went as far as to consult my collection of design books. This one is from the 1940s but here are two great examples of a mix of painted and wood furniture in two historic homes.
Lyman Mower House in Woodstock, VT 1823
Monticello in Charlottesville, Va and strangely the only room I remember from when I visited a million years ago
This is obviously with the exception of some purists (i.e. my father-in-law who is an unbelievably skilled woodworker and will paint wood only if forced but it goes against his very being) and those who will slap paint on anything that doesn’t move (you might think this is me, but it is not… most days) but things do come and go as far as what people most desire in their homes. There has always been painted and wood toned furniture. There has also always been strong opinions about it. I’m not here to change your mind, I’m here to help you make up your mind and it’s pretty simple. So I give you two reasons to paint and two reasons not to.
Two Reasons to Paint Furniture:
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To save it: There are some pieces that are not worth the time/effort/money to restore. Maybe they’ve been repaired like Frankenstein or there is some deeper damage or maybe it was never really that good of quality to begin with or a whole host of other “issues.” No matter what, there are cases where the only thing to save a piece out of the burn pile is a good coat (or 97 coats) of paint. Walter is a great example of this. He’s my favorite but without paint he would be a mess! I was able to stain and salvage the top but there is still a lot of love and years represented in that. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Paint saved Walter twice and as long as his legs hold out, he’s a fixture in my home.
- To Love it: Let’s face it, we like what we like. If you have a piece of furniture that’s just not doing it for you, slap some paint on it! I told the story with my secretary I put in the bedroom . I love this piece now. I liked it before but now it fits my home. If you inherited something or if it’s something you selected because it’s “good enough for now,” a little paint can really change it. White is so fresh and clean, black becomes an amazing anchor piece and any color can be just the right pop. It’s just paint so give it a try and see if you can love what you have.
Two Reasons Not To Paint:
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Real Antiques with History : I think about my kitchen table with this. At 150+ years it has lived a lot lives. It is so imperfect. A few nails (square nails, because it’s that old) pop out randomly on the top and there is a crack down the middle with no way of fixing it. There might even be a few teeth marks from our sweet rambunctious puppy who has been gone for nearly as many years than she was with us. But never would I ever paint it. EVER. The funny thing is, it was white washed! Like the old, you dip it every year type of white wash and my mama had it refinished 40+ years ago. As long as I have it I’ll never paint it. I sanded and hemp oil the top and it needs that treatment again, but never will I ever paint it. The marks and imperfections make it what it is.
The same could be said for really beautiful heirloom pieces. My mama has my grandmother’s Duncan Phyfe buffet that she had restored. If it is beautiful and the history is rich, do not touch it with a paint brush! If you need to find someone who loves it because it does’t fin in your home that is better than a taking a paint brush to some things.
- Character you cannot replicate: There are faux painters who are brilliant and can take a piece off the shelf of Walmart and make it look like a priceless antique. That is an art but even as skilled as those painters are, there is no match for that real character you only get with craftsmanship and age. You feel it as much as you see it. Covering it up would be nearly a crime. I also think perfectly refinishing would be too. Character is what our homes need so very much so if you find it, celebrate it!
I’m sure we could debate some of these and there is always an exception to every rule but most cases will follow these simple guidelines. To paint of not to paint isn’t really such a hard questions after all is it?
PS If this was helpful and you would like see more design related "lessons" please let me know! hello@whippoorwillroad.com