Lots of times if you slap (or spray) a coat of paint on something, it's done. It was tacky or hopeless before, and now it's a statement, a pop of drama in an otherwise sleepy room, a useful object where there was a need. Ten minutes and you're there.
However, it's a little tricky if what you are starting with is good quality.
I had my eye on this shelf at the Chief's mother's house, and she graciously gave it to me as things were being divvied up.
It's not an antique, it's a reproduction, but a good handmade one, and I like the lines — although, I'll be honest, I just don't like the color — that Colonial pine… it's just not me; sorry to all you Colonial pine lovers out there.
It's a little the worse for wear…
…not that I'm a huge stickler for perfection.
I thought it would go perfectly in the dining room if it were painted black — right there… where these pictures are now —
– to hold all those little tea things so that I could actually put food on that sideboard — but now I'm having qualms and second thoughts.
{By the way, I found those aqua dishes at Goodwill for 87 cents a piece! Aren't they the cutest? And Grandma also gave me the silver long ago; for that matter, she gave me the desk thingy they are all sitting on too. I use it as an extra sideboard and it works fine.}
You want to know how to identify solid things or actual antiques before you get out that can of spray paint.
Patina, hand-cut nails, a label…these are your clues. Train your eye so that you aren't taken in at the antiques store by what's actually a massed-produced object from the factories of China, or, worse, that you don't destroy a real treasure by scraping off the original milk paint and giving it a “distressed” finish!
Haven't you watched Antiques Road Show? Those crazy people who get the sad news from Leigh or Lesley that if they had only not painstakingly removed the “dirt” from that little table, it would be worth a small fortune, but as it is, well, enjoy it in the parlor…
So, this isn't a priceless antique, but when I got it home and looked at it closely (and wiped off all the dust), I saw that it is worth something and really should not be spray painted.
It should be stripped and re-stained.
Then it should be rubbed with beeswax.
And I don't want to do all that.
But I want a shelf in the dining room. Although those tea things probably wouldn't fit on there anyway.
Sigh.
What would you do?
Thanks to Ann Kroeker for the link! Go see what people are making do with this Monday over there!
Decadent Housewife says
Paint it. It's a reproduction. Enjoy it the way you envisioned.
Anonymous says
I'd probably take the pictures off the wall, put the shelf up and see if the tea things fit on it. If it 'works' then paint it.(I like Cohassett Colonials! Been getting their catalog for years.lol)mary
MomE says
I'd refinish it…use Jasco Paint and Stain Stripper…it is sooo easy…REALLY! Then use a dark mahognany stain…that'll give you the black look without losing the wood grain (that's what really drives wood lovers like me nutsy)…and voila…very close to your vision…yet with taste and no spray paint…ugh! However, I'll love whatever you do…I promise! Kiss kiss!
Songbirdtiff says
IF it were me, I would be sure to give it a good quality paint job, in the black you love. I can't wait to see what you decide.
Michelle says
I would make it into what you want…seeing as how you want it for USE and not for VALUE. Unless you plan on taking it on The Antiques Roadshow…I'd say paint it and love and use it and make it your own! I love your dining room chairs, by the way. Beautiful.
Breanna says
I'd find a teenager who needs something and swap THEM for the stripping and restaining. I don't like stripping either.But if you have a depressed teenage economy, I'd just paint it black. Paint can be stripped off too.
sue says
Hagerty's Cohasset Colonials. It was THE place to buy colonial and shaker (I believe) reproduction pieces. My Dad bought the kits. My parents might even have that same shelf. It is an antique. Mid-century modern colonial revival. Mark would tell you to strip it and then give it a couple of coats of dark shellac and then wax it. Maybe You should just paint it.:)
Briana says
I would hang it in the dining room as is and live with it for awhile. I would have a hard time painting it. Maybe you can get around to refinishing it later. Or maybe you'll find some linens to use on the shelves which make it work better?
Ann Kroeker says
I would want to be bold enough to paint it or patient enough to strip and stain or beeswax it, but you asked "what would you do?" And I know what I would do. I'd either stick it in the basement for that "someday" when I think I'll actually take on the project, or I'd paint it and feel guilt every time I passed it.
Ann Kroeker says
Oh, and by the way, would you come over and spray paint everything in my house, tell me where to place or hang stuff, and make it look purty?
Leila says
See, only Ann mentions the guilt!! It's those nails!!Oh, Mark says to shellac it too — one more step — oh how I detest refinishing things…But Breanna is right…paint can be stripped off too…Getting closer…I can feel it… rescue me now!
Victoria says
First of all, I LOVE the dishes. They are beautiful!!!Secondly, I'd paint the shelf and put it up. 🙂
Sewing-Chick says
I love those aqua teacups! Great score!! As for the shelf, I guess if my MIL wouldn't mind, I would go ahead and paint it since it's not an original antique. If you don't like the finish, you don't like the finish. You might as well paint it black so that you can enjoy the piece!
breakawayjune says
Kudos on the aqua service!! I love the way they're arranged.This post comes at the perfect time! I bought vintage jewelry that I've become attached to so I can't manage to trade it. I can't keep it either. Sleep on it. Maybe the answer will come to you. I'd love to hear how you decided. I need all the help I can get!
Mamalama says
Paint it. Just do it. 😉
Miss Mary says
I guess I am an engineer at heart. I would put it up and make sure it would do the "work" I envisioned. If everything fit and I liked it, I would paint it – but not with spray paint. Hand painting it with a brush gives you more control and a better look afterwords. I wouldn't worry about "ruining" a reproduction. It is pretty, but like you, I dislike the Colonial pine finish.
Deirdre says
Mom, I think you should go with MomE's advice. That sounds pretty and classy and guilt-free. And shes SAYS it's easy…
Anonymous says
I say life is too short to worry about whether you are 'ruining' it or not. If you paint it and it becomes useful to you, then it is not ruined. Enjoy that shelf! I think it would look nice in black>
Carrien says
strip and dark walnut stain. It will work great in the dining room without covering up all those things that make it unique.
Anonymous says
I like the pictures on the wall. Are you super sure you want a shelf there? Are you super sure about what you would put on the shelf? If so, then I would paint it black. I would never get around to refinishing it properly and wouldn't want to just stuff it in the attic or basement. Paint it! Use it! Enjoy it!