I learned one thing yesterday. People are very opinionated about painting wood or not painting it. People on both sides of the argument claimed to be angels. People from both the “paint them” and “don’t touch them” camps claimed their solution ties or would tie the room together. I must say, I really enjoyed reading all of the comments and the opinions given are valued. Despite the conflicting advice, it was helpful and made me realize what I really want to do.
I should clarify a few things, though. These cabinets are not family heirlooms..well, they are, but they were my uncle’s mother’s and she was not related to me at all. They were hand-me-down freebies through my generous aunt. Really, really nice hand-me-down freebies, but she didn’t even blink when I asked if I could paint them. Second, they are not old. I would not be painting over the warm patina that only old wood has. It has a new, unblemished finish. Does that change any opinions?
I planned to share all of this today with accompanying photographs, but, see, there’s a tiny little problem. The only functioning lens I have at the moment is my new wide angle 10-20mm lens. The other two were/are supposed to arrive today. It’s past 6 pm, now. A signature is required, so I didn’t shower. I didn’t change out of my jammies. I didn’t even put my contacts in unless another person was in the house who could answer the door and sign for my lenses. I had the day planned around getting those lenses while the sun was still shining. I could take all of the pictures I had been unable to take for the past two days. Sigh. Things didn’t turn out as planned. I’m still waiting for a knock on the door.
So, since I couldn’t take any new pictures, all I have to share are some pictures I took a few days ago of a couple of recent finds.
Isn’t this bird sweet? I found five of them and bought them all. They are going to the shop and Chartreuse on Monday.
And this fabulous gold frame was on deep discount due to a few dings in the resin. I have been working on it for the past couple of days and it is looking amazing!
That’s all I have to tie you over.
Still waiting for the knock…
40 Responses
missed the cabinet debate…but paint away friend…. 🙂 and bummer about the lenses not arriving!
on the upside…that huge gold frame rocks! can't wait to see where you use it. or what you do with it.
i was just reading your paint dilema and your new post popped up when i refreshed my screen after i signed into leave you a comment – are you with me?!!
Anyways, PAINT them!!! I am going to read the comments on your last post – i am interested in what other people said 🙂
Love the frame – i have been looking for a big one like that for a while – my day will come 🙂
I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you that your lenses show up:) I would have done the same thing you did:) lol
~Debra xxx
Capers of the vintage vixens
Oh MY…LOVE the little bird! SO CUTE!!
Hey Marian!
I hope you paint them. After I got your email last night knowing they weren't heirlooms….I say no love loss there and you need to work that sahweet magic you have wish paint and glaze and wow us with a transformation.
Bummer about the lenses. I hope you get them soon.
Ooooooh! I SO wish I was local. I would DEFINITELY come and by one (if not two) of those adorable birds. Birds are my thing! Big time!
🙂 -lisa
My Dad literally almost fainted when I painted a cedar chest of drawers !!! I say whip out the paint can.
love, love, LOVE the birdie!
I recognized that silver bird right off – I have made and sold several tassels with these as toppers – They are adorable!
I didn't comment on the original post but I was leaning toward not painting them because I thought they were old. Since you clarified, I say go ahead and paint them! 🙂 They will look beautiful painted. I hope your lenses come soon. I have had UPS deliver after 7:00 p.m. before at my house so you never know I guess.
By "shop" do you mean an Etsy shop?? I MUST HAVE one of those birds 😀
LOVE the frame, I have one nearly identical; the dilema is what do I want to DO with it?? 😀
Love that frame! I sympathize with you and your lens situation. That would really suck having to wait that long. If I want something, I want it now. Not a real good mail order shopper. Can't wait to see what you decide to do.
LOVE the frame. I've found a couple of similar ones here and there for a couple of dollars each (with paintings in them) and everyone I know asks if I have any more to sell.
Gorgeous little bird too!!!
I think if you're not enjoying them the way they are then paint them. I don't agree with not painting just because it's wood. Life is short – paint them!
I think you would like to paint them and I agree! A soft white finish with a blue interior would look gorgeous! Your white dishes would stand out against the blue and the white cabinets against the blue wall. I think your hardwood floor already grounds the space and your cabinets look like an extension of it going up the wall.
White cabinets next to those beautiful blue and white drapes would mirror and balance your beautiful white sofa and drapes at the opposite end. I can't wait to see the end result! Remember your New Year's post…Don't be afraid!
I can't wait to see what you are doing
with the frame !
I say pain them ! I don't think I commented
on your last post 🙂
xoxo
Lori
Oh I love those little birdies! Put a crown on it and I'll want one *winks* And strangely enough I have an almost identical frame to yours that I painted creamy white and antiqued! And I love it too! But yours looks gorgeous in all it's gilt splendor.
Hope you got your lenses by now! Vanna
Paint, baby!!!! No question!!!!!
OK! I have been squiring every single antique and thrift store I know of for that exact mirror!!!! I have to have it =) Let me know when you are done so I can buy it!! Hopefully it won't be too much out of my price range! haha
Why not paint them? I would! And I so love that little birdie with the crown. What a great find!
Jeanine
Like someone else, I was reading about the paint or not to paint dilemma and this post pops up! I say PAINT THEM! Your room is gorgeous…but…IMHO, it would rock with those cabinets painted.
That's all! 🙂
Pat
P.S. Just thought…are the birds for sale to us? Love the one in the pic!
I can't wait to see what you do with the corner cabinet, because I have the EXACT same cabinet. I wasn't totally in love with the look of it anymore, so I took it out of my dining room (it took up too much space in my already too crowded teeny-tiny dining space) and just moved it into my sister's basement. Then when I read your posts, I thought "hmmm…I'll wait and see what Miss Mustard Seed's turns out like and maybe rethink things…"!!! The only hang up for me is that it DID come from my hubby's Nana, so I'm a little hesitant about the painting thing too. I don't know how much, if any, sentimentality it holds for him (or moreso, for my MIL…).
Anxiously awaiting…!
Love your gorgeous finds and so looking forward to seeing the finished cabinets! take care, Maryann
I say do whatever you want with your cabients! Whichever way you go they will be beautiful. I sent you back an email about the birds. Thanks.
I say paint them!!!! Hands down… paint them! Anyone can have stained furniture… what you do will be original! II'd love to see them in a distressed cream with a fun color inside… leave the wall paint the same color, I love it! Paint the insides a rich gold/golden yellow. (like shirwin williams Anjou Pear). Can't wait to see what you do!
It's entirely your decision and I know you'll make the right one but PAINT THEM! I love them either way but I remember you mentioning wanting to paint them a while back (I think). It seems like you've heard the whisper to paint them since day one and didn't just jump right in (you've thought it over & given it time) so just do it! You'll win the "don't paint them" crowd over. I just know it. Everything you paint turns to gold.
xoxo,
Jami
Hope you got the knock.
*** Hi! Hope you don't start "charging me rent" for all the time I've spent enjoying "reading & backreading" here, since I "found" you just a little while ago!!!
LOVE, ENJOY & ADMIRE your talents~~~ naturally, I signed up to "get you" whenever you publish something new!
Suuuuuch a delightful, full-of-GR888-ideas blog!!!
THANK YOU!
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
P.S. I vote "PAINT"! (Smiles…)~
Love those little birds!
I say don't paint– not cause I think it's bad to paint that wood, but because I think that the cabinets look great with your floors and blue wall… and I love that color blue on the wall 😉
I say If you want them painted do it. Wood is not sacred and it will still be under there if you ever want to see it again strip it.
where can i get that framE?! i LOVE it.
Yikes, love that frame too!
As far as the cabinets…If for some reason paint wouldn't stick to them and you couldn't paint them, would you be upset? Then paint them. 🙂
Oh, for sure I would say paint them, sister! 🙂
Hi Marian,
I told Lauren Ross about yoru blog and the inspiration pic of hers that you had. Interestingly she said that Country Living had photo shopped the colors in the room. The cabinet you liked was not as dark, it is much paler, and the walls were cream, and the the mirror was more of a soft grey! She said she guessed they wanted a brighter picture for their magazine. Anyway, I thought you might enjoy that.
I love the birds with crowns…adorable!
Hi Marian. You are the custodian of the cupboards now and if you want to paint them … paint them. They are not antique pieces, so feel free to make them work for your life. … and in 100 years someone will love the "original" paint finish! hahaha
I used to have a shop in Warrenton Va. everyone would hassle me about painting over wood. I would just say, "it lived it's wood life now it is going to live it's painted life."
I follow your blog daily and love what you do. The white chippy look, the mirror, etc all look amazing. Whatever you do with your corner cupboards will look great because you have the gift of decorating genius. Having said that, I like the contrast of the wood rather than having it all "matchy." BUT, it has to work for YOU, and the painted cabinets will be great. We all knew what you were going to eventually do. LOL
I do get upset when I read about someone slapping glossy white paint over a lovely antique. Your work never falls into that category! You have tremendous talent and your pieces are like works of art. I feel that you are creating heirlooms for future generations to enjoy, and I always look forward to seeing your transformations.
That frame is wonderful and so is the bird!!
And I absolutely hate to wait for deliveries and service people! Always on their time and not on mine. Drives me crazy.
Hope your lens came?
Hugs
SueAnn
Sweetie, paint what you like, your home is just that and if you love it painted than go for it, there is no debate 😉
Yes indeed the birds are adorable and that frame is GORGEOUS!
I hope whatever you decide to do with those cabinets it makes you completely happy!
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