We finally got the shelves fixed in the corner cabinets my aunt gave me,so now I can show them off.
They are so beautiful and were a perfect fit in my dining room. Here’s the question…do I paint them or leave them as is? If I painted them, I would paint over my blue wall (with Aria Ivory) and paint the cabinets a distressed blue and white. Something very Swedish/French looking. So, what are your thoughts?
I had a good time arranging all of my pretties in them. Keeping with a blue, white and silver theme prevents the cabinets from looking too busy. I also arranged these formal items in an informal way, so it wasn’t fussy.
This pitcher is solid sterling silver and belonged to my grandmother. Her initials are engraved on the bottom. I also have the matching flatware.
The small silver plates belonged to my great-grandmother.
I bought these teacups at a yard sale for $1.00…for all four.
The linen napkins were a wedding gift received by my husband’s parents. My mother-in-law used them once, ironed them once, and decided linen napkins weren’t for her. She was happy to pass them along to me. I sometimes pull them out when we have youth kids over for dinner and they don’t even know what to do with them! “Can we really use these?”
I’ve also been busy unearthing the floor in my office. I knew there was one down there somewhere and I have found some of it! It’s still a work in progress, but I really needed to get it under control. I seriously had to perform acrobatics to get to my sewing machine.
One last exciting thing that’s happening in the Mustard Seed household. This may look like masking tape on a floor to you, but to me, it’s the start of my built-ins. Hubby told me these built-ins would be finished before our second son was born. He’ll be two in August. Poor hubby. He’s so busy and I’m so glad he’s finally getting to them.
Thanks for all of the well-wishes to my son. He is feelin’ fine and the car seat is squeaky clean.
59 Responses
You have styled your cabinet beautifully. Can't wait to see what you decide about painting it.
-Rene
Love the cabinets. I have to say I would paint. But I paint everything. I just love painted furniture. Looking forward to seeing what you do.
I just adore corner cabinets. I've admired my sister's as long as she's had it. Sadly, we've lived in our house for 2 years and have yet to hang a single picture. We have to tackle that before we work on any other decor. Not to mention, I don't have no "fancy dishes" or such to fill one with even if I had one!
These are gorgeous! I simply adore the way you have them dressed!
Enjoy!
Cathy
Oh, I'm usually a "paint on everything" kind of gal, but I just love these as is. REALLY lovely with the stained tabletop and your wood floors. I vote to leave them just as they are, rich and beautiful.
I know painted furniture is all the rage but those are gorgeous as is! They look like cherry. If it is they will just darken with time and look even more beautiful. I woudl love to see an overall room picture though. I'm thinking you have a nice mix of painted and wood in this room. YOu could always change the hardware…
I love the cabinets! While you are a pro at painting pieces, and I'm sure they would look fantastic, I'm loving that wood finish. It looks like great quality from the photos. Of course it is your decision, but you might live with them a bit and see where your heart, and paintbrush, take you.
Those cabinets are beautiful! While I love painted furniture, I do kinda like them as is. I think the dark wood shows off the blue and white as well as the silver nicely. Plus, I love the accent wall!
I'm with Ann Marie and Bekki. If it is ugly wood I'd paint, but your cabinet is gorgeous as is. This is the dilemma I'm having in our master bedroom. We have the rustic pine furniture, but I just love it too much to paint it. I wanted the wrought iron leaf pattern Pottery Barn sleigh bed forever! Once we could afford it, they were out of production. My sister happened to score the bed from her companies sample room!
Brittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com
I say leave them. They are the perfect foil for the blue you already have in the room. I think blue cabinets, next to the blue-patterned curtains, would be overkill,
They are lovely, inside and out!
haha. My bathroom remodel was supposed to be done before Adam was born, too. It got texturized last week and Adam turned 2 on Tuesday. 🙂
My gut says PAINT!
You seriously have the best stuff ever! I love the look of the corner pieces as is but I'd be curious to see what they look like painted too. Whatever you decide we all know it'll be gorgeous!
I LOVE a girl that appreciates the fine things she inherits! I am the lucky recipient of lots of wonderful things from grandparents and great-aunts. So many people want everything new…but I knew how lucky I was to get what was lovingly used then passed down to me. You are too…..and I LOVE the way you treasure it and display it.
And how about that aunt and uncle of yours? They're the best!!
Lori L
While they look beautiful…I would paint them.
Those corner cupboards are absolutely stunning! I know they would be beautiful painted, but I would leave them as they are. They have such a beautiful patina, very rich and they look fabulous with your table top.
So pretty – your treasures inside the cabinet as well as the cabinet itself. Such a hard decision about painting. I would probably live with it as it is for a little while. Why be in a rush to make a choice? Then you will know for sure what you want to do.
I would have to say paint them as they just don't seem to be yours unless you have performed some wonderful magic to them.
Can't wait to see the builtins the hubby builds you.
tammy
lovely! i really like your blue and white combos. and as awesome as painted furniture can be, i have to beg and plead with you NOT to paint those corner cabinets! as it is, they provide a wonderful rich wood grounding to the blue and white throughout all the rest of the room, and tie in with the lovely table top. it's just too good to mess with. =)
The cabinets are beautiful. Although I love your painted pieces – I think these should be left as is. The wood is beautiful and your treasures look lovely in them. I think it's nice to have a mix and since your table (and chairs???) are painted – it's nice to leave these as they are. – Wendy
leave as is! it's gorgeeeeeeeous! i love it! and i love how you're always giving subtle little tips and pointers about how to decorate! not that i think i could ever do what you do! you have serious talent!
The cabinets are really beautiful. Though I am fond of painted furniture, if the finish is good and the wood is beautiful, I would never cover them with paint.
I would have to say to live with them as is for awhile. Then when you tired of the stained look you can paint them. But they really have a nice rich tone to them. I see the reflection of your drapes in the glass. Do you have any of the fabric left? You could apply it to some foam core and pop them in the back. Or a more subtle pattern might be better with your blue and white dishes. A lot you can do with them. Love that pitcher!
While I think the cupboards would look neat painted; I'm of the old school that believes that the wood is too beautiful to be covered. Every room needs some natural wood in it!!! Sally
My vote is for leaving the cabinets as is. The wood looks beautiful and I think it's a nice contrast against the walls.
You have some wonderful family heirlooms. How nice to have such a beautiful cabinet to display the pieces.
Jane
Karen @ Garden, Home and Party said…
If you paint the cupboard would your white plates show off as beautifully. I love your dining room just as it is but understand the need to explore new possibilities! 🙂
I think I'd paint the cabinets, although the wood is really lovely, but I am not that into dark wood. Either way, they are looking really fab. And you have some very pretty heirlooms in there.
Good luck with the built-ins.
My vote is to leave the corner cabinet as is! The wood is too beautiful and in too good of shape to paint! I would keep the rehab/painting idea in the back of your head if you happen across a similar but worn/slightly damaged piece at a Secondhand store!
If I had those I would paint them. My decor is a bit cottagey and casual. But if you want a more dressy or traditional feel, keep them as is. Let us know what you decide.
-Danielle
How lovely that you have so many things of sentimental value and that you treasure them so! I am no help in deciding what to do about your cabinets. I really love the bit of formality they give to your dining room in contrast to your painted table and chairs. But…I'm also crazy about the lightness of the Swedish painted look too. It really seems like a happy dilemma!
I love the cabinets in their original wood tone. I had a white corner cabinet in my house growing up and while I love them white, I think the dark wood shows off the pretty white and blue collectibles. Now that the table and chairs are painted I think they lend a nice balance to the white and blue walls. That being said, I'm sure if you painted them they'd look gorgeous too. I'm a sucker for dark wood.
Your granmother's sterling silver pitcher is gorgeous! Your display is so tastefully done. As for the corner cabinets, they are gorgeous and I would not paint them. They have such a beautiful and rich patina which looks good with your table top and sets off your display so nicely.
~ Tracy
i love the wood and i think it blends in so well with the top of your table….this room doesn't have alot original wood color in it does it?
I would love to have one of these…how charming they are….so nostalgic. To paint or not? This looks like it is in good condition…and is beautiful as is. I wouldn't paint it either…leave it as is..that is my 2cents worth…it is a beautiful piece.
It is such a beautiful piece and from your photo it looks like a very rich wood. I wouldn't paint over that piece!
Everyone who knows me knows I am a little paint happy when it comes to furniture, but my first thought was NOT to paint them. They are in great shape and set off your blue and the treasures inside beautifully. I think with lots of pained furniture, it's nice to have a few pieces that aren't. With that said, I have no doubt that they would be gorgeous under the magic of your paint brush! You are the best when it comes to painting furniture!
I vote to paint them. They would really set off your dining room. Your silver ware is fabulous. That pitcher is amazing!!
Hugs
SueAnn
If my vote about painting the cabinet counts…… than NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. If it was pine maybe but that cabinet adds SWEET to the dinning area. If you need to highlight a darker piece inside use a light doily or better yet a feed sack!
If your Mom's opinion counts for anything – don't paint them. The pieces are so rich and add a great contrast to the dining room. You have lots of pieces that don't have that charm that you can refurbish – leave these gorgeous pieces as they are. I think as your Mom I should get 2 votes. 🙂 Love the idea about using fabric applied to foam core in the back as it is not a permanent change. I'm so pleased most people don't want them painted :). I am your biggest fan with almost anything you do but I might cry if you paint them.
That silver is exquisite.
I'd leave the cabinets unpainted. It is such a rich wood, and the deep tones really set off the crisp blue and white. Goes nicely with the floors too. Although I'm crazy about the Scandinavian look ( my mother speaks Swedish!) I think the popularity here will pass, while that gorgeous woodgrain is timeless and classy.
Your cabinet is beautiful and love all your dishes. I'd live with for awhile before decding if you want to paint it. It really does look pretty. Boy, you have some great fabrics in that basket!
gorgeous! the cabinets and all your pretties!
i'm with the 'paint it' crowd. they would be so unique white and blue distressed.
whatever you decide, the room is beautiful.
I've got to vote with your Mom on this one! Even though I am sure they would look lovely with your painting talent, I think they look more like a built-in with their wood color. They go so well with your floor and your table top.
I would leave them alone, they look great…paint something that will make some$$$ you asked.
I would say leave them be for now(you know how skittish I am at painting wood, lol), and then will promptly throw your words back to you:What do the pieces say to you? I love the idea of painting in a swedish/french styling, but I don't know about these particular pieces. If you don't do anything to these, I agree with Doug, do it on something you can sell, and we can admire 🙂
I just did a post on my corner cabinet in my kitchen. It too is a blue/white theme, but I'm afraid yours puts mine to shame. You certainly have a great eye!! As far as painting them, I'd lean towards painting, but would likely leave as is for a few months to be absolutely sure as they're beautiful this way too. If you want to check out my cabinet, it's white and similar-ish to yours. It is a built in, matching the kitchen rather than a separate piece of furniture, however. Love your blog!! Andrea
http://willowispandrea.blogspot.com/2010/07/kitchen-corner-cabinet.html
Beautiful cabinets (and arrangements). You have the loveliest, vintage wares. I'm loving that big ol' pile of fabric. I want to get the sewing machine out just looking at it.
Hooray for your WIP built-ins! Can't wait to see them. (You should see the pathetic DIY built-ins I attempted on either side of my fireplace. Maybe they're not THAT bad, but still.)
Happy to read your little man is feeling better.
Jami
They are gorgeous – and while I love me some painted furniture, I think that you should leave them as is. If you still really want to paint them 6 months from now, then maybe it is the right choice.
I am IN LOVE with that pitcher. It is Gorgeous!!
I have been reading the comments to see what the majority say. While I get tired of looking at dark stained furniture, and while I love the look of light painted furniture, I sort of feel a respect of a piece of that quality and age. It is a beautiful antique, and I wonder if you might regret painting it later. Someone said to live with it for a while – I agree! I have 2 very old pieces in my house right now that are around 100 years old that I would like to paint, but somehow I keep resisting because of age and patina. Nice problem to have! Linda
I say let them stay wood till they speak to you differently. The wood does compliment your table nicely.
and I thank you again for your inspiration of your curtain fabric. I just finished mine for my dining room and even my hubs was super happy with them.
I think your corner cabinet is a gorgeous piece of furniture. The first thing I noticed was the beautiful wood – then the lovely display. I recently found a great hutch on Craigslist for $65 and had planned to paint it, but when I got it home, the wood was too nice to cover up – so I just filled it up instead!
so many things to love about this post…. the pitcher, the napkins, the corner cabinets- i vote no paint- they are so warm and rich looking!
That sterling pitcher is beautiful! Well, I'm partial to painted furniture so if you have the courage then I think it would look really great!
I agree, the pitcher is stunning. I'd love to see a photo of the matching flatware. You've received some truly gorgeous heirlooms. I wish my kids wanted mine. Sorry, no help on the cabinet. I'm inclined to say paint, but it is pretty as wood. Give it a while to think about. Maybe you could paint some paper and tape it on it to see if you liked the look better.
Hello again, MMS!
I've seen photos of your dining room, but, if you could pan out and take one of the corner cabinets from a distance, I could better offer an opinion re: painting – you know, see the whole picture (ah-hem!). Right now I'd say: "LEAVE THEM ALONE! They're GAWJUS!"
🙂
d
I love the corner cabinets as they are! Beautiful wood!!
So lovely…..but I think they would look even lovelier if painted white/blue and distressed.
They are beautiful! I say do not paint.
Whatever you do, I look forward to seeing it!
Those are gorgeous.They really show off your collection. Well done!
– Display cabinets
Thanks.