I’ve painted a lot of furniture in this cottage.
I don’t think I realized the extent of it until I was sitting here in my blogging chair yesterday. I looked up and saw the television cabinet, my little corner desk, the lamp table by the sofa – then, looking into the living room – the table the dollhouse sits on, the kitchen table, and the kitchen island. And upstairs? Well, I’m just completing my painting binge and it includes two bedside tables, a dresser, a sideboard. a blanket chest and the cabinet in my studio.
Time to pull in the reins.
Some more shots of bedroom changes:
This cabinet is made of oak, but the top was replaced by something inferior long ago. It has shelves inside, rather like those of a music or flat file cabinet. Don gave it to me years ago because I needed a bigger bedside table. Now it’s on his side of the bed. The wood was not in great condition and, frankly, I was sick of the oak. Painted. I briefly considered adding an applique that I have to the center of the door. It would have added a French touch. But, hey, this is Don’s table and I don’t think he needs or wants that sort of frou-frou. (Note: one coat of primer, three coats of chalk paint. Not very cost effective, in my book.)
See where the veneer had peeled off? Paint helps to disguise that. I changed out the knob to one that I bought at Michael’s a year or two ago. I’ve been waiting to find the right place to use it. I think I found it.
Here’s my side of the bed. That’s an old typing table that I use as my bedside table. The top was painted a dark brown, so I lightened it up with the danged chalk paint. Still not a fan. You can see, again, our sharply sloping ceiling and what a pain it is to work around. If we didn’t have a headboard, we would never be able to sit up in bed and read. But the headboard means the bed sits out a bit from the wall. (I store our luggage in that space between the wall and bed.) Several years ago, I bought an Expedit bookcase from IKEA to fill in the space next to the bed. I needed a place to store some of my books. (We won’t talk about the boxes of books in the shed.)
It also provides a display space for photos and treasures. Among them you’ll see a photo of my sister and me, our dearly missed dog, Winston, with Scout, and a black and white photo of a rose taken by my late brother. On the bedside table is a tiny photo of my brother and me that I treasure. I’ll take a picture of it someday soon and share it with you.
I added the framed photo I took of a double rainbow over the cottage. My vintage hatbox is one of my favorite things.
This is the other quilt that I made 3 years ago in San Diego. I quilted about ¾ of it and then I stopped. I blame the darned Obsession Scarves. After I finish the bed quilt, this one, which is the size of a large wall hanging or throw, is going to be finished. Gosh darn it, I wish we had more wall space in this bedroom because it would look really striking on the wall. The colors are perfect for this space.
My reality shot for the day:
My un-pretty studio. It has become the place where all the paint cans, stirrers, sanding blocks, old sheets, drop cloths, wax and paint brushes are stored.
Oh, I lied. I have another reality shot.
This is Don’s dresser.
We bought this piece from a vintage store in San Diego. At the time it was in pretty good shape and we loved the 1930s look of the piece, with the inlaid wood and different finishes. (It’s the same sort of piece as the china cabinet in the den.) But the veneer has come off on various parts of the dresser. Those handles, by the way, are keepers. That’s Bakelite in the center of each handle.
Side note: I’m not an Americana-y type decorator. I’m not at all drawn to anything done in red, white and blue. But the quilted flag is another story. I made that for Don many years ago because we met on the Fourth of July. He insists on hanging it above his dresser. And those are my flannel pajamas in a basket on the right. That’s a McCoy dog on the dresser and it was actually intended for just that thing. It has a little tray to hold cufflinks, etc.
So. Advice please. What the heck do I do with the dresser? Don tells me I should get rid of it. But then I have to find something else to replace it. Is there a way to refresh this piece? Should I paint it? Someone suggested painting it in the same way I painted my dresser, but I don’t like matchy-matchy pieces. It needs it’s own individual treatment. What do you think?
Happy Wednesday.
Fun post– I love reality shots! As for the dresser… if you have the missing piece of veneer, just glue it back and leavve it be. It is a great Deco piece. I’d hate to see paint over it, but then again, I don’t live with it every day. Maybe selling as is is not a bad idea– let someone else enjoy the Deco-ness. Ya know, “Reality Shot Sunday” or something to that effect could be fun!
I actually did have a Reality Shot series for a while. But it ran its course. Don’t have the piece of veneer unfortunately. It is a great piece and I hate the thought of painting over it.
Good Morning Claudia and Scout,
I love all of the painted wood, you have really been busy! Not sure what to do about don’s dresser, I will show the picture to my husband and get his advise. Even though everything in our house has to be made of oak and stained to perfection(tongue is planted in my cheek) he is pretty good with ideas about what to do . I am really interested in the sloping walls in your room. Do you have a closet in the room and if so how was it put in to deal with the slope. When I was a teenager we lived in a house that had those sloping ceilings and the closet was awful.
anyway I love Mockingbird Hill Cottage! It looks so cozy and warm.
Suzan
Ladybug Cottage
The closet was built out from the wall, but the back of it slopes downward and is a pain in the tush!
I don’t have any advise, but had to say I adore the cute knob that says open. So simple, yet so perfect :-)
Happy Wednesday!
I know! I fell for those knobs! I have another one, just waiting for the right place.
Chalk Paint! I’m going to do my French cane chairs in it. I’m going to make my own as there is none available in my area. Oh, honey, it’s crying out for chalk paint. No scrubbing, sanding, etc. Just wipe it off and paint. I’ll be showing how my turn out when I get them done. Working on an ottoman cover at the moment. Ugh and sigh…
xoxo,
Connie
I’ve been using Chalk Paint – everything in that cream color is chalk paint. I’m not a fan. And, let me tell you, anything with a darkish stain needs priming first. I found out the hard way.
that turned out great, I also love your yellow dresser! Heidi
Thank you so much, Heidi!
Love yesterday and today’s pics! So much cuteness and I love the OPEN knob. My 2¢… is it possible to replace the veneer on those tiny bits where it’s peeled? I do like a natural wood piece for the Mr.’s. Even if you just replace that one long strip — the others are barely noticeable. Love your flag mini quilt and I’m glad to see someone else’s creative space looking ‘busy’. :)
I don’t know, Tracy! Let me think on it!
Claudia,
You should see my side of the bed! Horrifying!! I have become accustomed to spending cold mornings in bed crocehting, and the piles of yarn are really something to see!!! Yours looks quite neat and tidy! LOVE the open knob!! So cute!!
Amazing what a little paint can do!
xo Kris
Paint does wonders!
I’d probably carefully remove the veneer, in the areas that have some missing. Then, I’d paint the dresser. Since you used turquoise trim on your dresser, could Don live with a turquoise dresser?
nancyr
I don’t know. I’ll have to run that by him. I don’t want to make the room too girly – though it’s well on its way to girly. I think I’m going to leave it alone until Don comes home and run it by him.
I don’t like painting wonderful pieces, either. But when I look at that dresser, I can picture it white/ off white with black drawers,,,,,,,,,,,,,, or maybe just the top one black? That is a bit art-deco to me, too. Otherwise, there prob is someone searching Craig’s list looking for one just like it…………..
I was thinking of off-white –
I am of no help. Many years ago, I had my mothers Art Deco bedroom set…except for the bed. I sold it, never thought of painting it, and it was missing some veneer. I know it went to a good home. If you paint it, would you keep the Bakelite handles? Does Don have a favorite color that you could incorporate?? ;)
I’m not sure what color Don would want and yes, I would keep the handles. I love Bakelite.
Ok Claudia – I know you don’t like chalk paint sooo I would suggest you get a quart from Farrow and Ball. It is terrific paint and covers amazingly. It is because it is made in England – the old fashioned way – with chalk – no smell and a nice chalky but durable finish. My sister used some leftovers from my living room on her bathroom cupboards and they looked great for over 10 years. I have never had to use a primer with it. but you could paint a small patch on the side to see.
I would use some pollyfilla to fill in where the veneer is gone and sand to smooth. I would also attempt to tape off the inlay and only paint the rest. Or if you can stain the places that the veneer is missing on the drawers so it is not very noticeable, then just paint the box of the dresser. As for colour, I would choose one of the lighter yellow tones like dayroom yellow or straw. I think it would harmonize with your room’s colour scheme and make the flag pop while emphasizing your handles and the veneer. You can get a free colour card on their website and there are stores in NYC that carry it. Good luck whatever you do.
I think I’m going to wait until D gets home and discuss the whole thing with him.
Claudia, I would try to decoupage the front, before I would just get rid of it. You are very crafty, I am sure you’ll think of something wonderful. How is Don getting along? Take care of each other. xoxo,Susie
Don ‘ s doing pretty good. He’ll be home on Monday night.
Claudia – you have done so many great things with your painting!! As for Don’s dresser – what about going a completely different color from the other painted pieces in the room? Just a suggestion.
Love seeing all of your creativity!
Judy
But what color? I’m going to ask him. Maybe I can pull a color out of the quilt. Or maybe Don has some ideas.
Love all the painting and changes you are making. I love the shape of Don’s dresser. I think off white with touches of grey or black would fit in the room. Love the quilt and the quilted flag. Both very special.
hugs,
Linda
Not sure if I want any black – the whole project has been done with brightening the room in mind. But maybe gray…
I made the very same quilted flag! I am not sure where it is though since I moved…hmmm? I would definitely paint that chest but not sure what color since i don’t know what all the colors are in the room. I think any piece of furniture can be mad to look like a million bucks with a little paint….my opinion anyway. Your home is always very cozy and inviting…love seeing what you are up to!~Hugs, Patti
Thanks, Patti.
If this were my chest of drawers, I would first get wood filler for the broken off areas of veneer and sand that down to level the surface. Remove the hardware and add primer to make the filler areas a little smoother. Then I’d paint a navy stripe vertically down each side where there is a lighter stripe in the wood. Use painters tape after it’s dried to cover the stripe. Paint the chest of drawers taupe or cream. Clean the hardware, put it back on and enjoy! ha
I look forward to seeing how you change it.
The one thing I don’t want to paint is that stripe, which is really a lovely wood inlay. That’s the section of the dresser that I hesitate to touch! Not sure what I’m going to do!
Hi Claudia, thanks for sharing your lovely blog. You have done a lovely job with your cottage. I consider myself the shortcut queen (lazy) of diyers. I cannot afford the chalkpaint so I make my own. Don’t have the $ either for the expensive waxes so I just use poly. Anyway…..Don’s dresser is great, a light sanding and a little gel stain to revive it and call it day. Don’t tell all the experts out there ha-ha.Will try to email you some pics of my crazy projects. Hugs, Lucy
Thanks, Lucy!
Don’s dresser is gorgeous – can you strip it, sand it and re-stain it? It has beautiful lines and character. Is that 2 thin lines of inlaid wood down the front? It’s just beautiful. It would be a shame to paint over that.
It does have beautiful lines. I’m not someone who likes to strip furniture, however. I could maybe stain those sections that have missing veneer. Yes, those are two lines of inlaid wood. I cringe at the thought of painting over them.
I loved peeking at your bedroom. I’m not sure about Don’s dresser. I think that I’d paint it 2 tones White and aqua. Can you finish pulling the horizontal veneer under the top drawer and paint that strip aqua and then rest of the frame aqua with white drawers or the other way around.
That’s my 2 cents!
Thanks, Leann!
You sure have been busy with the painting! As for Don’s dresser, how about white with an aqua top or white with a black top?
Oh, I don’t know, Melanie. Now I’m thinking about keeping it the way it is and trying to stain those bare areas.
What a lot of work you’ve done, Claudia! I love the way your side tables turned out. (Especially that adorable door pull! on Don’s side!) As for his dresser, what if you paint it the reverse of yours? (i.e, paint the frame white and the draws aqua) Or you could paint it the same way you painted yours, but instead of an aqua frame, use a lovely coral similar to the coral in the quilt you showed us in this post. Just a thought. By the way, I think paint will definitely mask the chipped veneer.
I’m wavering. Maybe I will keep it the way it is? I’m going to wait for Don to come home.
You could faux paint the missing sections of veneer and oil the piece and it would come back to life. That’s if you want to keep the wood – and guys love wood. If you paint it, ask Don what colors he’d like. I’d definitely get his opinion on it, as it’s his dresser. :-) I’m happy for you that he’s coming home soon!
I don’t think Don cares too much what happens to it, but I’m beginning to think I should keep it the way it is and try restoring those chipped areas.
I like the idea of replacing the most obvious strip with the missing veneer. Since Don thinks you should get rid of it, he obviously isn’t attached to it in its current condition.
I’d suggest painting the dresser in slightly different shades of color. The dresser itself could be one color and the drawers slightly different shades (random or progressive) of that color. The colors could be a pale neutral or a brighter color that goes well in your bedroom.
The problem is that I’m getting attached to it in its current condition!
maybe you need some black in the room? maybe try a real distressed black look ~ think I saw a tutorial once for the Pottery Barn distressed look in black. I had a piece similar to Don’s with the broken veneer and I ended up giving it away as I wasn’t sure how to handle it. Good luck!
That’s a neat idea, but I’m not one for black. I was into it years ago and now I stay away from it. Plus, I’m trying to lighten and brighten the whole room. Thanks, Tracy!
I’m not very good in making decisions on what to do with old furniture – but the inlay, different wood colors and handles on those drawers are too cool. Perhaps finding a way to repair or hide the missing veneer – and then just painting the body of the dresser, leaving the drawers in their natural state, would update this piece. It holds a San Diego history for you two – so as long as it holds stuff, I’d be tempted to keep it.
I’m leaning that way, too, Deb.
I had a very similar problem with my husband’s hope chest that he inherited from his mother. I filled in the areas missing the veneer with a wood putty type product by minwax, sanded them smooth, then stained to match. Finished with a good waxing and you could not even see the repaired spots. Wise of you to ask Don what he wants for it first. Chances are if you paint it , the veneer will still chip. I say go with preserving it as much as possible.
Happy painting..You must be having a good time…
Hi Claudia, I think I would leave it alone. I have fond memories of my grandparents having this kind of furniture with veneer so maybe I am biased! You have a warm and beautiful home. Doris
Love what you have painted, and thank you for keeping it real! I tend to think the whole dresser might be great in wide navy blue stripes/cream and line the drawers with ticking………..I am with you regarding overpriced chalk .paint. Enjoying your blog very much. The knob is great!! :)
I like it when you show us your home. I love the flag story. I don’t know what color to paint the piece but I can’t wait to see what you do with it. Do you use a roller when you paint? I read on another blog that she uses a small white dense foam roller mostly and a brush for only hard to get to places.
Too funny! I have The Power of Now beside my bed too!!
You know, Claudia…I think a good binge is in order. You’ve been without your sweetheart and it’s snowed bucketsI I prefer chocolate but…paint is a lot less fattening. Your nightstand is classic with your “open” nob. Don will enjoy all the fresh touches of home when he returns.
Have a Happy Valentine’s Day, my friend,
Carolynn xoxo
I have a 1930s Waterfall dresser/wardrobe thingy…it was in pretty much the same condition as Dons. I removed the damaged
veneer trim sanded the whole cupboard down really thoroughly and Tung oiled the heck out of it. Took me about a week
all told. I love it now. The Tung oil really gives the wood a warm cottage-y glow.