To paint or not to paint?

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29 May 2012 - - Painting Vintage Furniture

How to interior Design / Decorating / DIY

We recently posted an image of a (below) gorgeous old styled dresser on facebook. It was met with an interesting mix of opinions, which made me ponder the above question.  The dresser has been painted white and given a new purpose in life as a centrepeice in a dining room. It looks gorgeous!

But, does anyone else have mixed feelings about painting these pieces of history?

It has been a subject of indecision for me for quite a while, I am of two minds (which is my right as a typical Libran!) I wonder about protecting the beautiful pieces for future generations and not succumbing to the lastest trends???

I remember having these same feelings (in reverse) 20 years ago when we moved into our 1929 home, wondering why on earth did they paint the exquisite timber doors?? My husband laboured over stripping them back and also had to replace some of the skirting boards (he is a carpenter so loves timber!). But alas, I am now seriously considering painting them white to contrast with the walls! Good heavens, how do I approach that one....

Does it depend on the quality of the piece?  If it was a cheaper peice of furniture why not give it a coat of paint! A new lust for life perhaps changing its purpose with some lateral thinking, take a door off here, new handles there, or decorate with some artwork, and viola a new existence, a new piece of furniture! But, you would have to hesitate at painting a set of cedar drawers surely? Although, a couple of these images are of high end quality, and they look so amazing!

After looking at many images I have decided I am going to paint my reproduction dining chairs and an old dresser white, for a breath of fresh air, thats all I can bring myself to paint!

PS We dont have a set of Cedar drawers anyway! So no worries... Enjoy!