It’s time to grade papers for my day job here at Dogs Don’t Eat Pizza HQ. Yesterday, I had been sitting, grading, for many hours and needed a break. I decided to go to my favorite furniture consignment store nearby, just to look around.
I walked in the door and spotted this beauty:
I knew as soon as I saw it that it should come home with me. It’s the perfect size for our entry hall, and I have been looking for YEARS for a table or chest for that area. I just hadn’t found one I loved, until now.
Yes, the paint is peeling off of it in sheets. But it has good bones. It’s solid wood. It has dovetail joints. It has beautiful legs.
It just needs some love.
By my quick estimation, there are at least three layers of paint on this piece. The top layer, obviously, is dark, charcoal gray. Under it is a cream-colored, taupe color. Under that is baby blue. Then, there is some white paint, but I can’t tell if it’s the same layer as the blue, or if it’s another layer altogether. No matter what, it’s going to need some paint stripping and sanding before getting a new coat of paint.
When I got home, I cleaned it up and brought it to the hallway, just to make sure that my hunch was right.
It was.
Perfect. Love it. Happy.
Now the question is: what color should I paint it? Should I go more traditional, like charcoal gray or a cool blue? Or something more bold, like yellow or teal? Let me know what you think! I’d love your ideas.
To see how I painted and updated this chest, please click HERE.
A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.
Test comment.
Test reply?
Love the piece! I think it depends on your house and your style as to the color… I tend to be conservative on furniture, so I don’t think you can go wrong with a warm gray. If I want to be bold, I love Duck Egg Blue or Robin’s Egg Blue or something in that color family. But that’s just me… it would be fabulous in red, yellow or green! Can’t wait to see the final result!
I love this look Karen – it would be awesome!!! http://www.shelterness.com/pictures/chalkboard-dresser-painting-ideas-9.jpg
🙂
This comment has been removed by the author.
I’m all about going BOLD! I did a dresser Kelly green with brass hardware and it’s STUNNING! This is the perfect piece to have total fun with! Can’t wait to see what you do!! 🙂
Kristy, you seem to be on to something, because several people have suggested bright green, too! Great idea.
Wow….she’s fabulous. I would have snapped that piece up too. I tend to be conservative so I would paint it a pretty gray or black…maybe just stain the top. While I love the bright colors they are painting furniture lately, I fear getting tired of it soon, while a neutral works for a very long time. Then maybe you could put a great lamp on it or vase for a pop of color. 🙂
Thanks, Lynn! Yes, I’m leaning more towards gray or black, too. I’ll keep you posted!
I brought in a curb find like this once. I think it was haunted cuz the dog was verrrry scared of it! Hahah! Never did paint it and finally got rid of it. 😉
OK..seriously about your piece: I’d say paint it something that coordinates with another color in or near that space. Try a color you really love. After all, it’s just paint and it can be redone. I have a simple yard sale dresser that has had at least 5 different colors of paint on it!
Haunted?!? Ack! That’s hilarious! I think that’s a good idea re paint color. As I recently realized, I have green in every room of my house, so maybe I’ll paint it a shade of green. Maybe even bold, like an emerald or kelly green? Thanks!