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The Angel & the Devil

You know those two voices on your shoulder? Yeah…they’re whispering to me. About my corner cabinets in my dining room.
Sorry for the picture.  My old 28-80mm lens finally totally crapped out and won’t focus on anything at all, so I’m having to share an old picture where the cabinets are cut off.  My new lenses are arriving tomorrow.  Hallelujah!!
Back to the cabinets. 
One voice tells me, “They’re beautiful wood.  There’s not a scratch on them.  You would regret painting them.  There are people who might even pass out if you painted pieces that were that nice.” 
The other tells me, “You love painted furniture.  A soft chippy white and gray finish with blue interiors would look amazing.  It would make these pieces custom and extraordinary.  Just look at the piece in this dining room…”
Country Living – Lauren Ross
The reply, “Yeah, but you may regret it and you would definitely have to paint over the peacock on the wall.  That would be a pain.”
“Yeah, it would, but that’s OK. I painted the trumeau mirror and I love how it turned out…” 

“But that was a $20 yard sale mirror, these are really nice corner cabinets that are probably worth a lot of money.  You would definitely ruin them.”
“I don’t know.  I just feel like I would love them painted.”
That’s the kind of conversation that is happening between the two spiritual beings on my shoulders.  Here’s the dilemma.  I don’t know who’s the angel and who’s the devil. 
Miss Mustard Seed

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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161 Responses

  1. If you don't like the paint you can always undo it, and I think chippy white cabinets with a blue interior would look amazing. go for it….I think I'm on the devil's side 😉

  3. This is a no-brainer for ME…
    PAINT THEM!
    Now, with that being said, I am not the one that would have to repaint an entire room. :)))

    Trust yourself, Miss Mustard..you are so good at this.

  8. I have the same dilemma- I love painted furniture, but I can't bring myself to paint over a good wood finish. I love how the wood finish of your corner cabinets go with the wood finish on the table top. I think if you want something light on that wall to tie in with your table and chairs that you could try some light panels on the window. Whatever you do, I think it will look great!

  9. I say GO FOR IT! I love how your mirror turned out and it would tie the two rooms together. Enjoying your blog so much. Hope your bathroom is progressing nicely. I honestly thought it looked nice to begin with, but I know it will be stunning after the redo. Cheers!

  11. I would paint them. I am usually the devil when it comes to painting wood. My husband won't let me even paint our 70's/80's old cabinets in the kitchen because they are wood. But I would so, absolutely love white cabinets. Go for it!

  12. oh yes i so know this argument but i say, "Carpe diem!" yes there a beautiful wood but if you know you will love them painted and want to change it up shoot go for it!

  14. Paint them! For every person who would value them "as is," there are just as many people who would value them as custom painted pieces. I don't think you'd diminish their worth by painting them. If you were some amateur yahoo, I might think differently, but you do a splendid job on your pieces. These would be no different. Go for it!

  17. I would have a hard time deciding too…. I never touch family pieces. They are beautiful as is and the wood will never go out of style. But go with your heart! <3

  18. Paint them because that is where your heart is at. They are only worth something if you want to get rid of them. If you love them and plan to keep them, then make them yours. Never worry what others will think as you would never have done all the wonderful things you have done so far!!!

  21. I remember the first time I saw them on our blog and thinking "why hasn't she painted those?" And then I looked again and realized that it's nice to have a natural wood piece in every room, but too many and it feels too dark. But looking again now, I notice that your floors and table top are stained wood, so I say go for it! You don't need them for a touch of wood, you've got that. And they would be a-mazing painted!!! So, the angel says paint them! 😉

  22. Remember to have items around you that you love. If you will love them painted do it! Value is in the eye of the behoder and you are the beholder.

    Question about painting your walls-did you roll them or use your sprayer? Thank you!

    Always, Teresa T.

    Still trying to figure out how to save money on our renovation of the ranch.

  25. I know exactly what you mean. I guess I tend to lean towards keeping good wood pieces as a wood finish, because I'm old enough to see trends come and go. Anyone who thinks it's easy to un-paint something has never stripped a piece to know that it's very, very difficult to unring that bell.

    That said, if your inner heart is telling you how much you'd love them painted, you gotta listen to that girl. She speaks your heart's desire and if she's talkin' really loudly, you're most likely not going to regret being true to your style.

  26. Paint or not paint, only you know the answer for sure. I love painted pieces and I also love items made from beautiful wood. The corner cabinets balance the wood with the paint in the room. I suppose it comes down to the look you want for the room. All painted furniture for me looks beachy (which I love but not for my home).

    They look lovely as they are and I'm sure they will look lovely if YOU paint them.

    Anxiously awaiting your decision.

  27. There is already enough wood tone with the floor. Paint them. You will love the contrast with the walls and the floor. Right now they just fall in with the floor. It can always be undone. Of course I love all that you do so I am sure that you will make the right choice.

  28. Oh, and maybe a good place to start would be to paint the wall first. See if you like the corner cabinets with a more neutral wall choice so the curtains and the cabinets ARE the statement. If you end up painting them, then the wall's already done. No harm, no foul.

  29. Hi! I wanted to see what everyone else said because I have the same thoughts. I think BJ said it all when she said, "Trust yourself, MMS, you are good at this." The question is not whether they would look good, because you are an EXPERT at painted furniture. Your struggle is that they already look good. So? They will look again again – painted. Courage! Linda

  31. Rats! Those 2 have been visiting me, as well!

    I have 5 pieces of mission furniture….my life was darker then. Now things have lightened up and well…I want them white…all jazzy like! They are serious pieces of furniture and I am not feeling serious these days.

    We got them 12 years ago when we were first married…real live furniture at real life prices!!!!

    But here's what's happened for me as I get closer to the paint brush! *wink*

    I'm asking myself these questions:

    Are these pieces staying in MY life? Most likely. Forever. They are all functional and really nice.

    Do I have plans to sell them? Not.

    Do folks still want dark wood? Yes, of course and there will be wood nazis (that's what I call them – those folks who think you've just killed someone by painting a piece of wood – seriously, I know a few!) who wouldn't even look at them if they were painted.

    But I'm not gonna sell at this point.

    For you, however, you may – being in the business that you're in. Feel it out. Ask around.

    Honestly, every time I see your new and gorgeous dining room I scratch my head and wonder out loud – "Hmmm, Marian hasn't painted those yet??"

    I think I'll give the little guys back to you…angela and devilia!!!

    xo
    ~K

    Good Luck!

  32. I love wood and feel that painted pieces are nice- but over the long haul wood will always be in style. What about inseting a removeable/ paintable wall paper in the pannels?

  35. I say DON'T DO IT!lol I think the wood ads a touch of masculinity to the room and gives off such warmth with your drapes and a definite richness!!!! The combo in here is just gorgeous. Maybe you could find a wallpaper to coordinate with your drapes and change out the backs of the cabinets when change is. I just love the restoration/pottery barn look of this room. HAVING GIVEN MY 2CENTS I KNOW ANYTING YOU DO WILL BE GORGEOUS! Sincerely, Jeannette

  36. I think those two will be having a conversation every time you walk into that room until you paint the cabinets. I am sure you will not regret painting them because they look great now, but will look even better with a paint finish in your room. p.s. that photo is for sure from Country Living magazine – isn't it fabulous?!!

  37. I can't believe I'm going to do this, but I'm going to go against popular opinion and risk exile from blogland forever. I say leave them. I think they make the room. They give it a sense of authenticity when the expected thing to do nowadays is to have some kind of hand painted faux finish on them. They feel like real furniture with a history and they're the thing that draws me to the room. I've actually been planning on getting my husband to build me some similar for our dining room just because I loved yours so much! Just had to say it. I do love your mirror though!

  38. I think that they are beautiful AS IS. Painted, they would be beautiful but wood adds such a warmth to the room. Once they are painted, it will be a fair bit of work to undo it if you decided to. Maybe you could paint or paper the inside for some contrast as a first step. Either way, they will be beautiful. Everything you do is beautiful!
    Good luck.

    xo*tricia

  40. Paint them…I have the same dilemma with a built in buffet in my dining room with maple cabinets. If you do it…I will 🙂

  41. I'm going to vote paint them too. I actually see matched cabinets like these quite a lot on craigslist in my very large midwest metro area, and they aren't priced that high at all. I know that these have sentimental value as family pieces, but they do have a bit of that 70's look as is. I think the value would be increased with some of your charming paint technique applied to these pieces.

  43. Oh, come on, you know what you want to do!! I don't think it is a given that you'll have to paint the walls…definitely not immediately. Can't wait to see the results!

  45. Oooh, I say definitely do not paint them. I think your overall living/dining area will become a little "one note" without the natural wood finish. They are gorgeous and classic as is! They also provide some visual weight to balance out the light table, chairs, and slipcovers.

    Pop wallpaper-covered panels in their backs, or better yet, a sheet of mirror for a little sparkle, and you can add something "you" to them without losing the gorgeous wood tone & finish.

  46. I know your dilemma well. I picked up two great solid bookcases with drawers for a steal at a barn sale, and had lots of encouragement to paint them but my extended family was freaking about it. Not even family heirlooms. I finally decided to see if I could sell them, and made almost $400 profit. My problem was that I didn't love them, but didn't want to paint them either, so I sold them. I say go with what works for you. If you keep thinking you want to paint them, then maybe you aren't really in LOVE with them, just LIKE them. I'm trying to slowly add or alter things so that I LOVE them. Sometimes life is just to short for LIKE.

  47. Ha, I was just having that concersation with another gal her in blogland, the devil and the angel sitting there on our shoulders telling us to "get it", "paint it", "save money", "something else will come along" oh my, it makes my head spin!! Can you paint the inside of the door and and see how it might look? That way you won't ruin the whole thing but still get a glimpse of what it might look like.

    Good luck!

  49. I am having those same voices talking to me to! I hate not being able to make a decision! This is a tuff one but momma always told me "when in doubt leave it out".. Hope that helps some? Now give me some advise.lol

  51. I always figure I want to enjoy my furniture, not worry about what it might be worth. For a long time, I had that kind of thinking about my house, thinking will this help its resale value? when I wasn't even thinking of reselling. Now I go for it, paint away!

  52. I say… don't paint them (unless you absolutely positively know that paint is going to look prettier). What works in the room is that there is a nice balance of natural and painted pieces. Too much white will make your dining table and chairs fade away. Its kinda like the phrase "too much of a good thing…" And for the record, I'm one that would typically want the furniture painted white, but I just hate to see you paint the cabinets white and loose the existing feeling.

    Look in magazines, design books, etc and see if you like rooms that support your decision (whatever way you decide to go). Best of luck!

  53. I'm going to go against popular opinion and cast my vote for not painting them. Not because you wouldn't do a fabulous job (we all know you would). And not because I don't love painted furniture (I do). But because I think they really tie the room together. I love how they tie in the table top, your wood floors, and the gold curtain rods. ~Christie

  54. picture source…country living…I believe it's designer lauren ross' home…
    while they would look great ala chippy paint, i think i'd opt to leave the cabinets as is. the wood adds warmth, and they are in great shape….but they would look great in a chippy creamy white;)

  55. I agree with Courtenay. I think your home needs them to stay. Not to say that there is anything wrong with painting a wood piece, I have lots. When we are creative we have WAY too many ideas in our heads. When we like a “look” we tend to over do it. I like the wall paint. What about just painting the inside a little lighter peacock? There is so many ways to go I’m sure you will come up with the correct one for you!

  57. Oh what a quandary…I have been there myself. Well, they look very pretty the way that they are, but it sounds like you really want to paint them…so maybe that's what you should do 🙂

  58. I share your love of painted furniture and your fear of painting anything nice, historical, or that I like to some degree in its original state. I, however, am not as skilled at painting techniques as you are, so my trepidation re: how a piece would turn out and whether I would like it are warranted. I do think they are beautiful and historic looking as is, but my gut seems to be the same as yours since every time I have seen a pic of your dining room, I have wondered if it might look nice with those painted. I didn't think you were considering it, but since you are, do what you love for your home! It's always easier to tell someone else to have courage, than to have courage yourself, so I think you should have courage and I'll go ahead and continue to live vicariously for awhile. 😉

  60. I hear ya sista! I have 2 end tables and a coffee table that were expensive but are now so not me. I just wish I knew how to paint them so it doesn't look like an amatuer did it (which would be me!). Tell you what – I'll do it if you'll do it!

  62. That pic you love is the home of the fabulous Lauren Ross in Texas. I think this pic was from Cote de Texas post, but I am a huge fan of Lauren Ross'style. I see you are too. I would love to see your cabinets painted!

  63. Certainly the picture is from Country Living Magazine . I have been a subscriber since 2008 and I believe this photo is from a 2008 issue …Best regards! Keep creating !

  64. Your home is beautiful, really beautiful, and your work is exquisite. That said, I think the photo you inserted of what they could be is entirely too feminine. Do you have to do something with them right away? If you're torn, just wait.

  66. Okay, so i am one of those that loves well made wood cabinets with the dove tail detail on the drawers and loves a beautiful wood patina finish. That being said, I suggest you maybe paint the interiors of them or use foam core board and put a nice fabric on them you like and slip that on the interior…but then again, the little devil on my shoulders is saying, "marian does great work. she could totally transform this piece and it would still look beautiful." LOL, not sure I was any help.

  67. I think the corner cabinets are providing an anchor for the room, so I'm siding with the "no paint" people. The mirror was a differet story…it was pretty heavy looking in its former stain.

  68. That's what stripper is for. 🙂 Paint them with out priming, and then poly the heck out of them. The paint will be easy to remove mostly if you change your mind.
    PAINT. the only good wood is pretty wood. PAINT.

  69. Well, its your house, so you have to do what you want. But…..since you asked, i would say don't paint them. I think they might get lost and tend to blend with the rest of the room. Right now, they kind of pop, and make the room not all blend together in a white, and gray, and blue blur. (no offense) But, how about a compromise? Why not leave the wood for now, and try painting the inside the blue color you want, or even a nice white and see how you like that first? But, all in all, if it were me, I would not paint them. As my friend the furniture salesman says, you paint furniture that is not that nice, you clear coat furniture that is beautiful.

  70. Well, I am definitely in the minority, but I say don't paint them. Here's why…they balance out the room wonderfully: a)the colour of the wood looks great flanking your similarly toned table top b)they lend a nice "old" but warm and balanced feeling to a room that is full of cool colours (if you paint them I think the room will lose some of its "life" c)the darker wood element in the corners gives depth to your dining room. If they were a light colour, the table would cease to be a (LOVELY!) focal statement, and the cabinets and table would visually blend.

    That's my three cents worth 😉

    If you really have the itch to paint a cabinet like that (I do think it would look very pretty), is there another place in the house/another cabinet you could do it to, to get the bug out of your system? I know just that feeling and it doesn't go away unless you do something about it! 🙂

  72. I don't think I have ever left a comment here, I guess I'm a lurker, I say paint them, that room would blend in much better with your beautiful living room if they were painted!! I know that pic you asked about and I can't think of her name right now, she is the one that Cote De Texas has done several posts on, she has all the beautiful slip covered furniture, lots of it, her home has been all over blog land and this is her old house. I'm going to look it up and get back to you.

  74. Paint them. If they were in my house…I would paint them in a heartbeat. I have a corner cabinet in the breakfast nook of my home and it was long ago painted white and if it hadn't been…I would paint it. I just love painted furniture. I have been thinking about painting mine a grayish aqua…but haven't made a move toward it yet…too many other project. To me…a little natural wood goes a long way…I like most of my furniture painted. Always have. Dishes will look much better in painted hutches…all the colors will pop against it.

    My house was built in 1931 and most likely did not have painted white woodwork originally but at some time it was all painted…and I'm glad it was…because I would want to paint it any way. The kinds of colors you like look best with paint…same as I.

  75. Paint them if that's what you want! I think they would look amazing painted with a a contrasting interior color. My friend had a BR set that she hated. She wanted to change it for years… but was hung up on the fact that she paid several thousand dollars for it.Long story short she passed away hating that set and never feeling satisfied in her own home.Life is to fragile not to do what makes you happy,especially if it harms no one.

  76. Wow! So many opinions on this! I guess I throw in my little 2 cents, though it looks like it's contrary to the popular opinion. I love the way they look with the wood finish. I think it gives it more of a built in look and keeps the room nice and warm. That being said, I don't think you could go wrong. They'll look great painted as well. Good luck!

  77. Paint, Paint. I would do it in a heartbeat.
    I have been thinking about painting my white kitchen cupboards a color (shocking to many since we built our house & that was my choice) & a decorator told me recently that white painted cupboards will never, ever go out of style.

  78. Oh…that photo is from Country Living I think…if not Country Home…I had subscriptions to both…so I get them confused but I know it was in one of them and I think it was Country Living.

  80. Why not try and sell the pieces to someone that does want unpainted pieces and then get other pieces that need to be painted?

  81. Hard decision. I love all your painted furniture, but I think they kind of ground the room. I think every room needs at least one piece painted black or wood tone to keep all the furniture from looking like it is "floating". Anxious to see what you do with them…cause I know they are getting painted. Ha.

  82. Well, here is my thought process as I'm thinking of your dilemma…

    The underlying question is "What feeling do you want to create in this space?" The wood cabinets give it a certain formality and look gorgeous with the peacock color. Painting the cabinets would give the room a more casual, romantic look like your living room. The wood on your trumeau mirror was nothing like the gorgeous wood of your cabinets, but the finish on the painted mirror does look fabulous. Are the cabinets antiques, high quality, or marked by the maker in any way? Will painting them affect the integrity and/or value of the cabinets? Will you change your mind in 6 months?

    Probably not helping! 🙂

  83. Ha-sounds like a conversation I have been having and a topic of a post I am in the process of writing.

    I don't have an answer for you. They are beautiful the way they are, but it is your house. You should love what you live with.

  84. Well, you definitely won't ruin them by painting them, but I must say that I really like the natural wood against the blue wall. As much as I love painted furniture, I think a room needs natural wood too. But you have the advantage of being in the room and seeing it all together. If you want to paint the, go for it. You know you have good instincts, trust them!

  85. Im having the same conversation about a piece in my dining room that I inherited from my grandfather when he passed away. I'm afraid I'll mess it up (just posted at http://www.callingallsleepyheads.blogspot.com). I think though you should paint yours since your floors are so pretty. It would really make them more noticeable and more of an accent. Right now they blend….Looks beautiful, but don't stand out. I love that mirror too-what a steal for $20.

  86. Paint them- it would really lighten & update the room! (Not that I think it's an old looking room, I just think it would freshen it). What about leaving the trim around the glass part wood? Just an idea.

  87. I love painted furniture and I have painted a few wood pieces despite my mother telling me not to. That said I would "NOT" paint these pieces. They are timeless as is. Trust me if you paint them you will regret it in a couple of years, especially that blue/cream/gray paint that is all the rage right now, but eventually will be out of style.

  89. Ok….since you're asking for opinions, Marian, this was the first thought that entered my mind.

    "She really wants to paint them otherwise that thought never would'ave crossed her mind."

    So, I say paint! It's only paint. Or how about taking a large piece of cardboard, cut out templates of the front of your cabinets, paint them the color you're thinking of, and tape them to front of your cabinets? That way you can live with them painted for a while til you decide what to do! 🙂

    xoxo laurie

  90. I see several have mentioned that the pic you inquired about is Lauren Ross' beautiful home of Austin Tx. She was also recently featured in Carolyn Westbrook's newest book and they did a fabulous job of capturing her beautiful place.

  91. If you had asked me a few months ago, I would have been appalled but I think they would look stunning in your dining room if they were PAINTED! Yes, that is coming from a profession housepainter…retired and I agree…they would look wonderful!

  93. DON'T PAINT THEM! The look so warm and contrast your white dining room furniture so much. They already stand out on their own and I feel that if you paint them the will just blend in with the table and chairs and their beauty will just be lost in the mass of white…

    You do such lovely pieces though, and I do love the items you've painted, but I would leave these beauties alone.

  94. I agree with Courtney too…I am very sentimental about wood pieces that are in good shape and are already pretty. They lend character of their own, and history and weight. Also, this painted wood craze will be over and a lot of us are going to wish we hadn't painted every thing in sight! God is not the author of confusion, but of peace..do what will bring you peace!

  96. I am at work (ssshhhhh!) and don't have time to read all the comments, but the majority of what I've read so far say "paint 'em!"

    I DISAGREE! Here is why: They are gorgeous pieces of furniture as they are, family heirlooms, right? You are undecided, and when undecided, my best advice is: DO NOTHING until you know for sure (especially on something like this, it is a big decision).

    I bet your pro and con columns have as many good as bad points for leaving them as-is. The trumeau mirror is a red herring in this argument because of the reasons you yourself stated: (1) it was a $20 piece, (2) from a yard sale, (3) therefore, not a family heirloom. If I may be so bold as to say the trumeau mirror was a no-brainer – true, its a nice piece of wood, but it is NO WAY in the same class of furniture as the corner cabinets, and frankly, it just looks way better painted. I am not so sure painting the cabinets, even if you did it, would improve them.

    You do gorgeous work, and I'm sure the corner cabinets would look stunning if you painted them, but they are so lovely the way they are that I personally would not be able to put a paint brush to them! If it were me, I would not paint them until I was certain I could NOT stand looking at them unpainted another second longer!

    In the meantime, if being undecided is plaguing you that badly, then why don't you go to a fabric store and buy some fabric in the approximate color you want to paint them, and drape them for the time being to see how two large pieces of that particular color impact the room?

    Just my humble opinion. Of course we all want to know what you decide!

    Kimberly

  99. I am having the same dilemma with a wonderful walnut mid-century desk in my office that I'm redecorating! I like the look of painted furniture but I hate to ruin a beautiful solid walnut piece with its original finish…..

    I actually LOVE the look of the rich wood stain of your corner cabinets contrasted with the peacock blue. I think you should leave them unpainted. You may regret it someday when shabby chic painted furniture goes out of style. I guess the real question to ask yourself is how old, valuable, and rare are your cabinets? Knowing the answer to those questions might help you make your decision….

  100. This is officially my first comment on any blog – anywhere. I have just finished looking at every single one of your posts since the beginning of your blog. It took me almost 2 weeks – each evening – on my laptop – just in awe of your talent. I have enjoyed your tutorials – your ideas – your upbeat personality. Thanks for sharing like you do. You have turned my from a "blog stalker" into a "blog participant".

  101. I love painted furniture as much as you do, and with cabinets, I usually love to paint over them! But because of the character and charm of your home, I would say don't paint them! 🙂 They are in perfect condition and SO much cuter than any other built in corner cabinets I've seen.

    Maybe wait a few months and if you still really want them painted, then go for it … but if I were in your position, I would hold off. 🙂

  102. oh, how i wish i lived near you so i could come look at your things… and buy lots of them. next time i'm in PA, i will be stopping in.
    it could be a couple years, but i will make it =)
    love your work!
    laura

  103. okay, well, i've changed my mind. after looking at your post about all the house changes you've made this year… you NEED to come to my house and change it. you've done some good work!
    =)
    laura

  104. Paint them! As they are they blend in with the floor too much. Paint them! They will look fabulous and old. Paint them! You won't regret it. Just paint them.

  105. It's *just* paint; yes stripping is a pain, but it's not like cutting legs off or woodburning images. Paint!

  106. heres the thing- in all the pictures of your home that you share- there is VERY VERY VERY little unpainted wood. Which means- you really really really love painted wood. so paint them. 🙂 and should you decide you cant stand them (like it would ever happen, but just in case it did) you could take them to the store and sell them and get something different 🙂

  107. My two cents is to leave them since you have so many painted pieces in your home and these are so PERFECT. I know that you'll have something else to paint…

  108. Oh My God! I'm having the SAME quandry!! I realize you have a bazillion comments to get back to, but could you give me your opinion?
    Sheesh nearly all of your readers vote to paint it! I can't agree so easily. One person said you could always remove the paint…That's true but the finish is NEVER the same and they are in their original condition…. I thought it would be a shoo in over at my blog…That all my friends would love to see my armoire painted white…But noooooo! They seem to want me to leave it alone and I don't want to! I could use some of your readers over my way! *winks* Vanna/lover of paint finishes

  109. another opinion to add to the already many….I would personally paint them either cream or grey, and paint your blue wall the same neutral tone as the rest of the walls, so the grey colour really pops =) G'luck and excited to see what you decide!

  110. Well it seems the overwhelming concensus is to paint them. I agree BUT and this is a big but…maybe you find different cabinets for those corners and move these to a different room, paint the new ones?>no? oh well just trying to throw a monkey in the mix!!

  113. Paint them 🙂

    Easy for me to say, when they are not my heirloom. I have heirloom pieces I would love to paint, but can't bring myself to do it.

    Other peoples sentimental stuff, not a problem. My own, no way no how.

    Weird, isn't it!

    xx Karen

  114. They are of course beautiful as is but you are so talented with paint I definitely vote for PAINT THEM (mostly because I would LOVE to see what a beautiful transformation you do!)

  115. Go for it! Once you do it you'll look back and wonder why it was even a dilemma. My sister is in the process of painting out all the 30's wood trim in her front room and it is making such a difference. She has held out for six years with the same little voices telling her yes and no, but now that it's finally painted it looks and feels so much better. Good luck!
    April from HomeHinges.com

  117. A few days ago when you had pictures of your dining room – I was thinking the exact same thing – they would look lovely painted, but they are so beautiful just the way they are! I would love to see how they look painted, but will not encourage you to do so as I am in the same predicament with some of my furniture 😉

  118. Well I love the mirror…so I say paint them too! They would be so beautiful! Right now they are kind of boring! Ha!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

  120. I have this same conversation with myself about our kitchen cabinets. I say go for it. Can't wait to see what you decide!

  121. just scrolling thru the comments… gasp!!! Don't paint them~! lol
    Although I'm sure they WOULD be gorgeous… that would TOTALLY change the look of your now FAB.U.LOUS. dining room. I love painted wood as much as the next person. I really do. But your corner cabinets ground the room and help tie it altogether. Cabinets, curtain rod, chandelier, tabletop. FAB.U.LOUS I tell you!
    Step away from the paint sprayer.
    LOL

  122. With all of the comments, you really don't need mine, but what are friends for, right? Your are definitely a paint girl–what if you put it off till after you finish projects X, Y, & Z, or till after one of your events. Then if they are still nagging at you, paint them.

  123. It is only paint it can be brought back if you choose. Do what makes you happy and since you are having this conversation with yourself you are obviously not happy with them as is.
    tammy

  124. I am having the same fight. Only over a cedar chest my Dad gave me. And our bedroom furniture. I can't wait to see what you do. . . Heaven help us!

  125. It's funny because when I saw the title of the post and the picture in my feed I thought to myself, "Oh I hope she's trying to decide whether or not to paint those cupboards"

    My vote is firmly in the TO PAINT column.

    Unless it's a family heirloom then go for it!

  127. If you'e hesitating about painting them, there must be a reason, especially knowing how good you are with your gorgeous finishes. Sometimes I won't do something if I can't totally have a good feeling and can already envision a successful transformation. I say listen to your inner voice, not the ones being pesky sitting on either shoulder! Love your creativity and I can see how you're agonizing over this one. ~Lili

  128. that is always a tough one.
    i'm always the "paint it devil".
    my husband is my own personal "leave it angel".
    sometimes I win. sometimes him.
    it's all about balance. 🙂
    good luck!

  129. Usually I would say paint them.. but this time I say leave them be.
    1)you say there are no scratchs–you have kids.. wait until they are scratched!
    2)If you painted them then your room would be matchy matchy–ughh the are a plesant surprise.
    3) repaint your walls a light aqua see if that helps! and put fabric or wallpaper on the back of the cabinet.
    4)Let the angel win this time!

  130. Don't paint! I know most have said to paint, but I agree with: "I'm going to go against popular opinion and cast my vote for not painting them… I love how they tie in the table top, your wood floors, and the gold curtain rods. ~Christie"
    Unless you are sure, don't mess with it. Besides painting them would make them fade into the background and I think they are too beautiful for that. Could you do something to the interiors to spruce things up a bit?

  131. You know that first voice? That's my husband. Every time. {and sometimes me, too}

    Usually though, the second voice is me.

    I guess the questions for me often are: Do I have an emotional attachment to them (family heirloom, etc.)? and Do I want to keep them long-term?

  132. I'm in the minority (like that's a shock), but I say leave them be. I really love the contrast against the wall and with the table and chairs. I think the perfect place to add that soft white and gray may be in an area rug.

  133. It all boils down to the look your looking for. Do you want this room to look warm and let your table be the focal point? Or do you want to make it more of a shabby-chic beachy look where the curtains will take focus once everything is white & chippy? Are you bored with the look you have and need a change? Personally, I think that since your pondering this question you're bored with the present look and need a change. The good news of course is if you paint and you regret it, you don't have to strip and re-stain, you can alter for a different paint color. Maybe reverse your original colors and paint them a chippy light blue with a white interior or leave the interior stained wood. Sky is the limit! You have great taste so I wait patiently to see what you do!

  135. I have an almost entirely painted, chippy, distressed home and I say LEAVE them! If you paint them both the same chip distressed gray or whatever – they won't look authentic because they will be too matchy matchy to be old looking. I know they are matchy matchy now, but the wood DOES add an eclectic look. Here's what I would do: Take off upper doors – yes, I know.. but it will open up the white shelfs and add more color and allows you to see your light dishes. Then take off the lower doors and replace with a gathered farmhouse type skirt. The wood will not be so bossy in that room after you do that.

  136. Oooo boy, I guess I'm in the minority. I normally love a painted piece, but the wood brings warmth to the room. Even if the floor serves that purpose, my vote is no paint!

  137. I'm SOOOOO glad I am not the ONLY one with these problems!!!! I have a house that was built in 1937 with beautiful plaster walls (very thick) and gorgeous clove ceilings w/o a crack in them. My trim is not painted, just wide varathaned pine. I've been seriously considering painting them white but the fear of dust sitting on them, visible for all to see, has kept me crippled.

    At least with your corner cabinets (I'm assuming they are not built int) you could always pay someone to strip/refinish them in the distant future, when the look of natural wood comes back in style; say in about 20+ years..

    That being said, I may have answered my own dilema. LOL

    Kaye

  138. Love your writing here. Funny.

    I have this same dilemma about my original woodwork. Now it's painted in the back half the house but natural up front.

    I think I'd paint your cabinets. They'll look beautiful.

  143. I think they would be lovely painted. My husband has a thing for wood and doesn't let me paint some things that I wish I could!! did get my oak kitchen cabinets painted white and he loves them – now need to work on him for the other things.

  144. Wow, 143 comments – I haven't read them all, but I say paint them. You have wood on both horizontal spaces, and it's really warm in there so I think they'd look great painted and chippy and with your magic touch on them.

  146. Marian,
    If it were anyone else I hesitate, but you truly are a gifted painter and you have such a good eye for design…paint them. They will be truly your prized family pieces that way.

    karen at Garden Home and Party

  147. I love that so many people commented on this (and most of your posts) because you are SOO amazing. I seriouly doubt if you choose to paint them that you would regret it. You would make them just dazzle. So my question is when is the last time you looked at a piece of stained furniture and liked it better than painted furniture? You will make the right choice… but if you want MY opinion, paint em' girl!

  148. Do you believe the number of comments? DON"T. DO. IT. If you really want something different, sell those and buy some cheap unfinished cabinets and paint those. Or lend them to a friend to use for a while. Painting them and then stripping them to bare wood again would ruin the patina. I don't know how old these are, but they are at least from the 1930's, right? 80 years minimum, almost antiques. They don't make them like they used to. The wood is not the same these days. Painting and antiquing is for furniture that is not good to begin with. You will regret it if you paint them. Ann

  149. Thank you so much for your opinion on my armoire. I'm going to leave it alone for now. Till…as one of your readers suggested "I just can't stand it one second longer!" *winks*
    I couldn't tell from your pictures that your cabinets were so new! I was thinking 1940's…But if they're 1990's I say PAINT EM!! Thanks for making that decision much easier. Vanna

  153. Well, guess I have to go against the grain here. If you must paint, start with the insides first. Stop, live with it. I really think these corner pieces ground the room and give a warm feel and a character to the room. They stand out in wood. If you paint, are they going to blend in with the rest of your lovely already painted pieces? Just my two cents. Follow your heart!

  157. Well it seems that most readers say paint them. Me,,,No Way! I love the contrast of the wood with the painted table and the light color of the chair covers. If you paint them the curtains and wall color will over power the room. The way it is now I think the wood balances it all out nicely. Find another project don't paint those beautiful cabinets!!!

  160. I am a fan of painted wood and wood tones…and I'd paint them. I think the contrast against your wood floors would make a HUGE difference.

    I'm commenter # 160, so I doubt you'll read this…but here's my opinion anyway. 🙂

  161. Pingback: Dining Room Cabinets – Before & After

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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