By now, you may have noticed
I have been painting an abundance of
things white during the past year.
I can count on both hands the number of
items I have painted some other color.
Most of the items needed painting. (or something)
They were usually picked up at a thrift store,
and had seen better days. Even so, they were
still solid and sturdy. They had good lines.
I hardly ever paint a nice solid wood piece
with a good finish on it. I just can't do it.
When I see bloggers paint a great old wooden
family piece shabby white, I think, "WHY?"
You KNOW I'm all about the white stuff, right?
Still, I think they're gonna regret it.
And even as I sit painting something I once painted
black or green or red or some other color...
I can picture myself painting it again in five years.
What color will it be?
This week, on one of my favorite blogs, the writer
posted about plans for a future library in her home.
She's a very talented designer with great taste
and she always shares tons of great photos.
Anyway, she showed a shot of a perfectly lovely
console. It was red. (I love red. Still.)
Hah! What was I thinking? I was thinking,
"You can give that horrid piece of furniture to ME!"
I would gladly take it off her hands.
And I wouldn't even paint it white.
Still, I plan to continue to paint a host of things white.
As I paint, I will tell myself, "White is ALWAYS in fashion."
And I won't be lying to myself. But face it:
Those of us who enjoy painting furniture probably
won't ever reach a state we call "finished" in our homes.
We'll keep looking for things to paint.
We'll paint just to change things up.
We'll paint because we want a "fresh" stylish look.
We'll paint because we LOVE that new turquoise,
(or tangerine or red or mauve or teal green)
or whatever color EVERYONE is using.
Even if we change our minds and
paint it white the next month.
paint it white the next month.
A piece I once painted forest green, then
chartreuse, and now white will probably be
lavender or periwinkle or magenta in 5 years.
At least some of them will be.
And sometimes, as I drool over a piece
(like the wagon I saw for $15 that had
a most beautiful rusty green patina),
I know that even today, some people will say,
"You actually PAID money for that piece of junk?"
And I remember days past using naval jelly
to scrub rust off some vintage find.
And when I see a Pinterest photo of a lovely,
chippy white patina on an antique door,
I remember stripping layers of paint
from an antique dresser during college.
It was remarkably similar to this sweet piece
redone by Jessica at Running With Scissors.
via
It was remarkably similar to this sweet piece
redone by Jessica at Running With Scissors.
via
It was a piece I remember my mom painting hot pink,
the royal blue, then yellow. It was in my room as a child.
She gave it to me to take to a college apartment.
I remember scraping, and scraping layers of paint.
I was so tired of stripping paint from it,
I left the insides of the drawers yellow.
At one point, I think I was down to the first coat of paint.
The old white paint was coming off in places,
and you could see oak through the white.
I remember stopping there and leaving it for a while, because I liked the way it looked. (It looked something
like this dresser from Brooke at All Things Thrifty.
via
like this dresser from Brooke at All Things Thrifty.
But that was in the early 1980s.
No one did that back then.
Golden Oak was highly prized.
So I kept stripping it down to the bare wood.
Now, I want to paint it again. And then strip it a bit,
so it looks sort of like the photo above.
so it looks sort of like the photo above.
As I remember these things, I smile.
I think I may be doing a sort of public service.
I imagine, in the future, when styles change,
and all the whites and neutrals we love now are
considered "so dated and tacky."
When frenchy chairs painted in shabby white ASCP
are left sitting silently at every garage sale,
some sweet young thing will come to my
garage sale and buy a chair or maybe a table.
She'll lug it home, paint it the newest hot color,
and blog about it. (or whatever the latest technological
form of social media is doing then)
And she'll say something like,
And she'll say something like,
"Can you believe this tacky thing I bought at the
garage sale? Now it looks SO great!"
She's going to feel such a great sense of
accomplishment! And I feel just a little bit pleased
to think i may have a small part in it.
to think i may have a small part in it.
Ah, the circle of life.
The more things change,
the more they stay the same.
At least here on earth.
Word for the Day:
At least here on earth.
Word for the Day:
Numbers 23:19
God is not man, that he should lie,
or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it?
Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
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the circle of life--that would have made a great post title:) great post, revi!
ReplyDeleteCame over from Rustic Restoration. Thank you for writing this post about painting furniture. I wrote a post last week, Distressed With Dignity, voicing the same concerns about when to paint and when the history of the piece should be preserved. I do take thrift finds and damaged wood pieces and paint. And like you if the customers do not buy, I bring the item home and repaint it. Sometimes more than two or three times. I have seen my items in other booths repainted or further distressed or repurposed, and think, "Everything old is new again!"
ReplyDeleteI know you are right about the future garage sales. Just today I saw a sponged blue and pink trunk and thought , "Did we really use to do that?"
I really enjoyed your post!
Me, again, I am now following you!
ReplyDeleteDistressed Donna Down Home
Your have some beautiful painted pieces! Thank you for sharing your projects at Potpourri Friday at 2805!
ReplyDeleteCute post. You know, I wonder sometimes when I paint something if I would I want to strip it if I found it in the color I painted it, or would I see that and think it needed a change?
ReplyDeleteI think we just like to change things and put our mark on them. Occasionally I see something that seems just perfect, but usually I just want to redo something to see what else it could be.
Liz
Very well said! We all know what you're talking about :) Thank you for linking this up to Rustic Restorations Weekend.
ReplyDeleteRevi - I love your blog! Congratulations on your year anniversary!! I found you through Lynn at Shabby Story. I just started my blog a few weeks back, and ironically Lynn is my first follower. I saw on her post that you were her first follower, so I was anxious to read your blog. I love all your painted WHITE furniture and accessories. I am inspired to go get those chairs I have been eyeing at the antique/junk store and get out the white paint. I am trying to decide if I should use milk paint or chalk paint. I have never tried either. Any suggestions? Happy blogging! I will be checking your site regularly! :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings - Sara
Love all of this beautiful furniture! Glad I stopped by
ReplyDeletewww.iheartpears.blogspot.com
I enjoyed your post, and understand where you are coming from. Congrats on your firs year - what a landmark! I love your white painted furniture, and looks so lovely in your home. I also love your chairs some great character going on there. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best – you helped make the party a success!
ReplyDeleteI suppose that's true, isn't it. What is HOT now passes and then eventually comes round again, back in fashion! For me, white is IT....I can't see myself ever tiring of it because it goes with everything. It's like buying a neutral couch...you can change the throw blankets and pillows to suit whatever colour you want...but the base furniture is always neutral so it will match anything!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your white painted makeovers! you have some really gorgeous pieces! Thanks so much for sharing them on this fine WHITE WEDNESDAY. Feel free to visit with me as well.....
ciao bella
Creative Carmelina