Remember the guest bed I bought a few months ago? My mom and I found it at an antique store for $100. It needed a bit of gluing, but only on the decorative parts. The bed is very solid…
…and I was totally in love with the curved footboard.
Since 2002, I’ve been holding onto a magazine with a picture of this bed in it…
I’ve always wanted to replicate it if I ever found the right bed. I knew I could paint the $100 bed in a similar fashion to finally have my own version of the bed in the magazine for my guest room.
I started out by painting it in one coat of MMSMP French Enamel with the Bonding Agent added.
Once the French Enamel was dry I started to add the other colors…Apron Strings, Mustard Seed Yellow and Linen.
It was a little scary at first, but I knew I had to see it through.
I used chalk to sketch out the design before I started to paint. I think chalking the design first can take the intimidation out of hand painting. With chalk, if it doesn’t look right, just wipe it and start over.
I then painted the design, using milk paint. I’ve always used acrylic paint for decorative painting, because I like the body, but I bet the original 200+ year old bed was painted in milk paint, so I was going to give it a try. I added a lot of bonding agent to give it more body, so dripping wouldn’t be as much of an issue. I used a 1/2″ angled wedge artist brush for most of the decorative painting.
I added faux panels and painted scroll work to add the details that were lacking from this bed. I was starting to get pretty excited at this point!
Now, at this stage, the paint looks bright and flat, but up next is distressing and antiquing…
Find part 2 HERE.
89 Responses
Looks so good…can’t wait for the next step!
Love it so far!!
OMG, I think I may just have to invite myself to visit you if it means I get to sleep in this bed! (Don’t worry, I won’t really invite myself but just verbalizing what I think everyone else is thinking).
What an inspiration to see you being so bold and decorative with the different colors of paint. I also appreciate the detail you gave on chalking first and which paint brush you use for the art. I just started doing a bit more of this on my pieces so it was fun to see!
Marian, you do amazing work! And thanks for posting those “work in progress” pictures, it’s really good to see how it looks before it looks all the way perfect. Oh, and we call that style “Bauernmalerei” – but I’m sure you know that 😉
Oh wow that is beautiful. I can’t wait to see it distressed and waxed.
Oh my goodness…such artistry Marian! This bed is going to be outstanding!
This. is. just. FANTASTIC! I love what you’ve done with it. You my dear are one talented woman. Thanks so much for sharing. I’m going to use the chalk line(s) the next time I need to do detailed work. I think that it’ll help me relax as it’s easier to remove chalk lines then making a mistake and having to fix it up.
You are just phenomenal! Your talents amaze me!
And I thought you were working on your stenciled stairs! This bed is going to be one of your best make overs! 🙂
Blessings
I love this, can’t wait for you to show us what’s next! Your guests will love this!
~Siggie
What a gorgeous bed for a steal of a price…..can’t wait to see it finished. You are so talented……
Wow! It looks awesome! I am impressed with your courage. You always inspire me to give it a go in painting my own pieces. I can’t wait to see it completed!
Looks very similar to her Bavarian doll house furniture. You never know what will influence your child. Nice job Marian! Mom
First, I love that your mom comments on your work! That bed is gorgeous and I love the more “folk” look to it. I have wanted to try my hand at this type of painting, but I think it takes a real artist to make it look like this! Beautiful job!
OMG! It looks soo good!! Can’t wait to see the finished product! It’s going to be amazing!!! I had a question, which I hope isn’t too dumb. Whenever I go antiquing I usually only find a headboard and a footboard and no supports. When you find just a headboard and a footboard, how do you make supports for the mattress? Does your husband cut up some wood and glue/nail into the head and footboard? Any tips on this? Thanks sooo much!
Wow, Wow, Wow, I can’t wait to see this finished. I have a cottage bedroom set in my guest room and love it. I am in love with your vision. Thank you for sharing. Di
Looks great! Your blue shade really matches the original. Can’t wait to see it waxed. Sara
Love it as always! But, I’m really drooling over the chalk trick!
Do you know if the symbols on the bed mean anything? Just curious.
I was wondering if you knew what the initials that you are painting on the bed mean……
Here is a link explaining the evolution of the initials within the Catholic Church and history
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07649a.htm
IHS is the monogram for “name of Jesus Christ”
It is seen on altars of Catholic Churches.
Thanks for letting me know at least. I wasn’t sure what it was or why she chose that to be on there. Great info!
Wow! I know what I’m looking for this spring at yard sales! I can’t wait to see the finished bed! I love Bavarian style painted furniture and now have an idea what to do with my antique corner cabinet. I’m getting rid of the glass panels in the doors and replacing them with some masonite that I can paint. Marian, you are such an inspiration. Thanks for sharing all your creative genius!
How absolutely beautiful!!! Looks soooooo fun!!! I mean fun!!
….painting it…that looks fun lol!!
Wow, Marion that is going to be fabulous!
This is fantastic! So original. Just beautiful. Would like to see more like this. 🙂
WOW, wow!!This is interesting, creative just like you, & very bold. I will admit I am not in love with it. It is only important for you to be in love with it. As I looked through the pictures, at least 4 times, it finally hits me. It takes me back to childhood. The colors remind me of a wooden toy box on wheels. I picture clowns and balloons (To everyone else who is reading this.. I’m not making fun of the project). I just wanted you to know that even in projects that may not be loved by the reader, you are still an inspiration. You are getting us out of our comfort zone. Taking us to the place where we realize that we can do whatever we want in our homes… there are no rules to decorating. The trick to decorating, or painting, or arranging objects on a shelf is for ME to be in love with the way I have my home. Thank you for all you do.
Oh my gosh, this is going to be amazing!
oh, Marian! I’m blown away!
Classic example of a bed that was meant to be painted! So unique and very sort of Swedish looking. The outlining of the existing features really makes them pop and I love the addition of even more character with the faux panels. And of course, love the IHS and the cross.
Simply Gorgeous!
OMG!! Can’t wait to see the finale. Tres belle…
Wow! love the faux panels and the entire look! Looks like I’m gonna dig through that stack of “someday” mag pics!
Wow, your bed started to look fantastic!!
Using a chalk when hand painting is a great idea.
Can’t wait to see the finished product 🙂
Awesome! I have a very similar bed. It has the same curved foot board, but a little bit more carved details. I bought it last summer and planned to paint it in Mustard Seed. But after I mixed up the color, it just didn’t feel right. I never thought about adding so much detail with painted panels. Thanks for the inspiration.
This just takes my breath away! Can’t wait for the antiquing.
Love your style!! I bought a white painted dresser, mirror and two end tables from a box store, and it is made of MDF and natural wood, and of course it is brand new. It is actually very heavy and well made with dove tail drawers, solid pieces. Have you ever milk painted and distressed furniture like this, and if so, will it turn out ok? My style is country French, and I have a verde green/blue antique finish iron head and footboard in this room, so would love to enhance the white furniture pieces, but don’t want to blindly jump into this project if it wouldn’t work. I have no idea of what kind of paint it is; oil base or acrylic.
Any suggestions you might have would be much appreciated.
Gorgeous! Amazing! Very inspirational!
I have a bed like this that was my great grandmother’s (have a whole set) and have wanted to paint it. It is a veneer, so was worried about how to prime. Did you prime first? This is the incentive I needed to jump into this project.
OMG – now you’ve captured my attention. Can’t wait to see how it looks after antiqued and waxed.
This looks beautiful !
So when you finish a piece you don’t bother to do any repairs to it ? Like fix the broken/missing veneer , chips , large flaws or anything ? You just paint right over it ?
I repair things that are structural or functional (like legs, drawers, etc), but I don’t worry too much about the cosmetic stuff like chipping veneer. I’m going to distress it in a way that will work to my advantage.
My my dear Marian, what a gift you have to look at than old ugly bed and see a vision!!! I think you have outdone yourself this time, but I’m always thinking that about you. Can’t wait til it’s done. God Bless
It’s beautiful. It reminds me of the French Alsacien traditional painted wood furniture. Can’t wait for part2! xx
well, hurry! I know what it will look like, but please, do hurry!
It is beautiful beyond words!! I love that you used an inspiration picture for your template and made it your own. It looks like Swedish folk art and since I’m Swedish I adore it. I love what you did to the footboard too. Can’t wait to see the end result and what kind of bedspread you put on it. You inspire me with your creativity!
Hurry up and get this done because I have the exact same bed but with a few more details that I am getting ready to paint for my son’s guest room. I was thinking blue also with some cream instead of the reddish color (not quite as brave as you)! Can;t wait to read your next post.
Stunning already can’t wait to see how you finish this beautiful bed. Love milk paint!
Love, love this . Now for the question- you paint without covering completely so how do you determine when a piece should be opaque or a solid color?
Good question! When I’m distressing and antiquing, I don’t worry about full coverage. I did about 1 1/2 coats on this, because it was a little too streaky in some places. I would’ve done two full coats if I wasn’t distressing and/or antiquing the piece.
Thank you for the reply. 😉
Wow I just love this, you are so talented!!! Can’t wait until the next step, already planning in my head what I can paint!!
Glad you pushed through and followed her instincts. It looks amazing. Bravo!
Brilliant idea to use chalk to outline!
Beautiful!
I think it is going to look fabulous. Can’t wait to see the finished product.
Awesome!! You kept going thru those little voices saying ‘watch out !! … Getting serious … Comfort zone alert !!!….’ LOL! Been there too! It looks great & I am excited to get to watch your work.
WooHoo!!
Omigosh, your bed is absolutely beautiful. I do a lot of decorative painting but nothing I do will ever come close to your creativity as a painter. Your talent is unsurpassed and I’m green, or in your case, would it be blue with envy? Your bed is already a winner so my question is, “how does one improve when there’s not much wiggle room for improvement?” You ARE there Marion so it’s now on to Disneyworld (that’s how good you are.) All kidding aside, you are the winner of the Grandest of all Grand’s. Wow!
It’s absolutely gorgeous!
What a great project~!
It’s going to be gorgeous when you get it done… In the past, I have added raised stencils to furniture with drywall mud to give the appearance of carved wood. It holds up remarkably well and it looks so authentic when you paint over it. It’s a cheap and alternative way to add some embellishments to a piece without a big expense…
I can’t wait to see it completed – You do beautiful work and have a great imagination.
(=
Wow, gorgeous bed frame. Lovely detail. Great paint job! 🙂
Oooohhhhhhhhh, I love this, beautiful Marian!! Excited to see it all finished!!
Incredible and beautiful!!!
I love it already, can’t wait to see the final product! Did you mix the Apron String, Linen, and Mustard Yellow together!!!
Oh, what vision and talent you have!
Love how it is turning out! Can’t wait to see the ‘finished product.’
AMAZING!!! You are so talented!! LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT. Your work is always so inspirational.
Ooooooo! Love the color combo! I want to paint my whole house “apron strings”! 🙂
holy cow – you ARE brave! it looks fantastic so far!
-b.
I am impressed!! I bet you start a whole new trend!
Can’t wait to see it dressed!
stunning! just.absolutely.stunning!!!!
Idk why but an inappropriate add showed up at the top of your site when I opened it tonight.
🙁 I know you wouldn’t like that.
It was a guess ad of a topless girl…not good.
I’m so technically archaic I wouldn’t even begin to know if that’s my computers issue or your site’s, so this is a simply an FYI.
❤
Oh goodness. Thanks for letting me know! Yes, I don’t want that sort of ad on my site.
Amazing vision you have. Can you explain the design ? I’m just curious…the letters/Cross combo and the letters and numbers on the bottom sides. Cannot wait to see finished project.
It means the name of Jesus Christ. I just love the design on the original bed and see it as sort of a blessing on my guests.
What a beautiful job! I love the colours! 🙂
Trudy C
Just beautiful and exciting! Can’t wait to see it finished. Great job.
I was anxious to see how you were going to paint your guest room bed. Now I can’t wait to see the finished product!
WOW!!! Looks fabulous, can’t wait to see the end results! 🙂
IHS – In His Service, right? Beautiful.
No, I think it’s from the Greek spelling of the name Jesus.
Looking great can’t wait to see it in all it’s glory . x Mary
Beautiful! I adore it! I want it! **sigh**
I love your talent and that you share it in such an inspiring way! I’d love to take classes in all thing MMS! I’m west of Richmond, Va. I called one shop in Ashland, Va. who was listed on your MMS paint shop list. They were in the process of moving and not having classes. Do you ever come to the Richmond, Va. area to teach???? You could come down while the Redskins are at Spring training camp!!!! It was cool seeing RGIII this year! You know you wanna come down!
Oh wow! I’m just now seeing this. How cute is that! I can’t wait to see it finished. I love the color of apron strings too!
Cindy
The bed looks amazing! What a fun and creative project. It’s going to be a colorful and unique room when you’re finished with it. Who knows? Your version may grace the cover of a shelter magazine.
Dear MMS, That is the sweetest bed – you painted it perfectly! Hugs, Anne Boykin