These days I have lots on my mind. Everything is going smoothly with the house purchase. We close in less than 2 weeks! Sadly, we don't take possession until the middle of April which feels like torture right now, but allows me plenty of time for dreaming about decorating.
I have decided to paint my kitchen table and matching hutch. They are that cream and wood finish that was so popular in the 90's. Their turn for a makeover is well overdue. Let me be clear. I HATE painting furniture. It is the bane of my existence. However, I LOVE painted furniture. What we have here folks is quite a dilemma and the only solution usually involves me with a paint brush in my hand. That is probably because I seem to be missing the gene that allows me to pay other people to do something I am capable of doing myself. Sometimes I curse my Scandinavian heritage for that one.
I'm thinking I will paint the hutch white with grey interior and maybe shelf edges and just keep the table white although I love the 2nd picture that has a grey table with a white top. Also this solid grey hutch above makes my heart sing. Hmm. Maybe a solid grey hutch and a white table?
Then I see something like this blue and grey cabinet that belongs to Maria at the Dreamy Whites blog and I think. Oh, for sure blue. I must have something painted blue and the next thing you know I am back at square one and left sitting here staring blankly at pictures of lovely painted pieces.
I know how you feel. I'm in the process of decorating my children's rooms, and I too am having trouble deciding what I will or won't paint and what color to paint it. Best of luck. I'm sure whatever you decide will be beautiful! :) -Lindsey
ReplyDeletehi jen,
ReplyDeletei can't stand painting but i looooooove the results, too. i also am smitten with maria's blue hutch but have decided to paint my armoire (whenever i make the time already) white.
maybe a good idea would be to paint everything white and then decide. if you paint over the white, it can act as a primer or base for shabby style!
i also am not a careful furniture painter. i'm all about slappin' it on and sandin' some of it off. takes off the pressure of perfection.
hope that helps???
whatever you decide, it will be wonderful; it always is!
xo
elyse
ps
ReplyDeletehave you ever seen my aqua crackle painted coffee table in the girlie office? it used to be that cream and wood style with a big wooden knob. paint to the rescue!
xo
two of my favorite images. the first one and maria's hutch. i love the colors of both. i think it's hard to pick a color and go with it. i feel for you. i have been wanting to paint my bedroom and kitchen cabinets for over a year now and just can't make the commitment.
ReplyDeleteI know your pain. It is hard sometimes to decide which way to do it. I do however love painting. Have you considered trading out work with someone. You do something you love for them and they paint for you. I have done that lots of times and it really is fun that way. To bad I'm not closer I would help you out. I am having a giveaway over at my Gloryfeathers blog if you are interested.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you
Debbie
Hey don't fret. Remember you can always call some strippers to paint your furniture. I hear their very reasonable.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean! I have an assortment of furniture here just waiting to be painted and all I do is walk by it and turn my head!
ReplyDeleteI can't decide if I want to paint this old dresser that a bluish grey colour or a mustard yellow to add some pop. I hate decisions like that... because I also look at different painted pieces of furniture and think, "That would look good... Oh, I like that one too..." :) It will look good no matter how you paint it :)
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty crazy about that blue cabinet.
ReplyDeleteYou will make the right decision. Bonnie
I love to paint everything - I even painted the entire exterior of my house once. :-) I am also missing that same gene but I blame it on my Prairie-Home-Companion-esque upbringing.
ReplyDeletei hate painting furniture too!!
ReplyDeletelast summer, we repainted my wrought iron patio furniture (basic black)..lots of curlicues, lots of iron. i used a good spray paint and bought one of those little nozzle things that you attach to the spray paint can and it was SO easy. they are cheap (under 5 dollars)and attached easily.
if you can find a spray paint color that you like and you are not doing a special treatment, i would highly recommend this. you can pick one up at walmart or lowes, should be with the spray paints.
good luck!
nanne in columbus, indiana
I think as long as you keep the colours watery and sort of neutral, such as grey-blue, grey-green, etc; then they will go with mostly anything. Once you have moved in, see what kind of light you get from the windows. That might help you decide on colour. Sometimes you just have to commit to something and live with it for a while. It's only paint, you can always change it. Kudos to you for having the courage to change your life. Love the town you are in. Come visit me in mine. www.lifeatwildberrycottage.com
ReplyDeleteI agree ~ wait until you move to paint and then you will see how your pieces are placed and how the light reflects on them ~ you must be soooo excited~! ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh dang girl, I wish I lived closer. I used to paint furniture daily when I had my shop. I would do it for a cup of coffee. Call me... I will be over. xoxo
ReplyDeleteJen- You must be SO darned excited! I am excited FOR you! I think I would wait to see the pieces in place and see what color they called out for...although you can't go too wrong with grey or white...lol But...man! That blue!!! Oh that blue! I love that color...if it was bottled I would drink it I love it so much...well, maybe not...;>) xxoo Diana
ReplyDeleteOh I so wish I could help you. I like to paint furniture (much to my husband's chagrin). Well, I can't wait to see how they turn out. All of your inspirations are lovely.
ReplyDeleteOh so many choices.... but the good thing with paint is that you can always have a (fairly) quick change. Good luck with the move , the waiting is awful isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt is a hard decision! Of course I love the blue cabinet but lately I have really been drawn toward the light, soft grey tones. One option would be to paint the hutch grey and then use some soft blue dishes and accessories. I usually have to think about it for a while and eventually I just get a feeling for which one I like best. It will look gorgeous however you do it!
ReplyDeleteI love to paint furniture! If I lived near you I would do it for free Jen!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Penny
We're two peas, JJ. Love the painted, hate, hate the painting. All options are gorgeous, but you know how I feel about some pretty aqua tinged bleu.
ReplyDeleteI bet you've already got everything totally decorated in your head. April will be here before you know it!
I'm sure you whatever you decide to paint them, they will look great! Looking forward to seeing pics!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you...love the look but hate the process!! I like the idea of gray though ~ hoping to bring some shade of it in my home soon!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what you decide, Jen!! It is going to be gorgeous, no matter what you decide!
ReplyDeleteI also can't stand paying someone to do something I can do myself. I hate painting, but I love the results, and I love saying that I did it myself. I saw on someone else's blog a few weeks ago that they paid someone 1500 dollars to paint their cabinets. I couldn't believe it! I painted my own cabinets. It was a lot of hard work, but there is no way I would ever pay anyone that much to do something I can do on my own.
I'm so excited for you all Jen!! Can't wait til you are in that new home! Not much longer now! Hang in there. :)
Hope you have a wonderful day.
Beth.
Congratulations! It's so fun dreaming of where you're going to put what.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Beautiful, inspiring photographs, Jen,
ReplyDeleteSusan x
Love this post, it pretty much sums up what I'm experiencing. I definetely want to do something blue and shabby. But, I don't think it's going to be a piece of furniture I currently own ;-)
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Lisa x
Jen-
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the house! I am thrilled for you and your family.
Good luck with the painting! I hate to paint walls, but love to do a decorative job- go figure!
joan
p.s. we are only about 10 miles from the Maple Barn!! And, can you believe we've never been?! But, deep fried french toast just might have us there this weekend!!
I hear you, I don't care for painting either, it is so labor intensive! Congratulations on purchasing a home, I'm so happy for you. Your own little nest, won't that be nice.
ReplyDeleteI understand about you being a homemaker too, (I read down through several posts) I am nearly 53 and that is what I am now, I have seldom through the years had the opportunity to be one, but I am now and it's all I want to be. My husband works and I make our place homey and welcoming, every day!
Hugs, Cindy
oh, i can't wait to see what you do to it! I have to urge to paint something too, but i think i hate to do it just as much as you do!
ReplyDeleteWell I reckon have a touch of everything and it will still look fabulous cause its you!
ReplyDeletealicia