When it comes to paint, sometimes I just can’t help myself. Something comes into my possession and I just know it will look better painted. I think it’s partly because I’m a paint enthusiast, but partly because the designer in me wants to put my stamp on everything. That can be an asset, but it can also work against me when it comes to taking on a mountain of work that one person cannot possibly move alone.
Anyway, there’s my daily mini-therapy session. Thanks for listening.
So, this pie safe or, as one reader called it, “garde manger”, is a good example of me not leaving well enough alone.
I had to look up “garde manger” and it means “keeper of food” in French. That sounds more exotic (and healthier) than pie safe, so let’s go with that.
This particular one is a reproduction I bought from a wholesale company. It was a last minute add-on to get me to the minimum order requirement. I liked it in the pictures, but when I received it, it was just so…brown. And it looked like a reproduction. It felt flat to me.
I bet I didn’t have it out of the box for more than 10 minutes before I was brushing MMS Milk Paint in Farmhouse White onto it. I painted the screens and everything, which was a royal pain in the rear, but worth it in the end, I think.
Sigh…so much better.
And I had a fun time styling and photographing it, mostly with pieces that will be for sale at the Lucketts Spring Market.
The garde manger will be for sale in our space at the market as well.
We’re coming down the homeward stretch when it comes to painted furniture for Lucketts. We have quite a lot of sewing to do, so that’s next on the agenda, and then we’ll work on all of the finishing details…
29 Responses
Love that you painted the pie safe!
Funny that you said it was a “royal paint in the rear” – instead of “pain” – shows you really do have painting on the brain! P.S. It really does look much better painted!
LOL! Yes, I do that a lot. 🙂
While I’m not a fan of mass produced reproductions, I love what you did with the pie safe. You gave it a history and a story, and I do love a good story. 🙂
Love it!
Well now, that’s a really useful and cool little piece. Looks WAY better painted. Could easily cobble together something like this out of old window screens! I also love the handless sieve on which you put the knob, another great idea!
Yes! The sieve with the knob immediately caught my eye, too. Now I’ll have to be on the lookout for one of those. Painting the screen was a great idea, too. Thanks, Marian. And what a good eye, Kim.
Gorgeous. I had a hard time believing it was the same piece!! It looks authentically old. I’ve been MIA for a bit, and I want to tell you once again, how inspired I am when I come here. You do such a great job of showing what you do in an authentic way, and I feel like I am challenged (in a good way) to make my work more quality and refined. Thank you so much for continuing to post and show your work in a beautiful and inspiring way. xo
I just ordered arabesque and am so excited waiting for it. I *think* I am going to paint my refrigerator in it.
I’m hoping that little wire cloche is still for sale when I get there… 🙂
I love it! It looks like an old pie safe now. Did the paint get stuck in the holes of the screen when you painted it? I would love to try to paint some screen I have but if its going to be a real pain the in the rear but I might change my mind ☺
Hi, Marian,
The chef who prepares the cold dishes (salads, etc.) is also called a garde manger..
I love how you gave this little piece lots of character.
So much cuter painted!!!!!
What I would give for that beautiful green stool. Have a great market!
Yeah, that little green bench caught my eye, too! Alas, its too far from Michigan to the Lucketts Market for me to snatch it.
I’m amazed at what a coat of white paint can do for a plain-looking brown cab–er garde manger! Instantly aged! Guess I better be careful not to ever get painted in MMS milk paint; I don’t need any more aging!
I just noticed what cute, tiny little round feet the pie safe has. They contribute to the vintage look–make it look more authentically vintage, I think.
Good work again, Marian! Your blog is my very favorite.
I meant to ask this in response to Beths post when I wrote my previous comment but forgot: Is it REALLY possible to paint a REFRIG with milk paint? Would it stick? Beth, if you actually do paint your refrigerator with milk paint, let us know how it worked, okay? I might have to spruce up my old refrigerator.
As always, it’s perfect. And I just have to say- I’m totally obsessed with that pedestal dish you are styling with green apples!
Beth’s question about painting her frig reminded me that I’ve been meaning to ask if milk paint would work on cement garden statuary. I found the cutest 1950’s era Boston Terrier figure, but someone spray-painted it in very unfortunate, garish colors. I’d like to restore his vintage character and personality but I’m afraid that modern paint will just make things worse. If anyone has experience using milk paint on cement, would you share how it worked? Thanks!
Awesome redo. Great display case now
Can you show more of the little green stoo? What are the notches on each end? And it looks like it has some non-painted wood in there. Thanks Marian!
Wow! That looks so much better painted! Perhaps because the brown doesn’t really go with your style, but whatever the reason, it’s so great white! I have been trying to get to Luckett’s, but it just hasn’t worked out, darn!
Can you tell us where you ordered the garde manger from?
Thanks,
Cathy
Good call! Looks so much better, and like an antique painted. Love it! I cannot wait until Luckett’s, my biggest fear is that something I want will not be there on Friday, but in the truck for refilling Saturday and Sunday…my list is growing. 🙂
You can’t even tell it’s a reproduction now!
it looks SO much better painted and I love the way you styled it. There are lots of really pretty garde mangers to look at on Pinterest too! thank you for sharing
I want to go to Lucketts!!! SOBS from Califoria. Sniff, sniff…
Crushing on that little green stool! I wish it could fly to Indiana 🙂
I wish I could go to Luckett’s. You’ve got so many pretty things you’ve been working on and sharing with us
Reminds me of warm welcomes when we went in local cafes of the towns where my folks grew up in Arkansas. Everyone did know their names…for miles around! I like that you made the new old and friendly.
I love how you took a bland & boring new piece & transformed it into something that looks like it came from my grandmothers house. Thank you for the inspiration! Please have a talk with your assistant about selling some of her art work. She is amazing!