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This is a console. 2 drawers 2 doors which are painted in a bronze metallic. I would like to paint it white. SHould I use a metallic on the areas that have it now or just plain white.

Any ideas would be apppreciated. I am tired of dark wood.

Yes, that is a peanut under the console...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: annie17,

That piece is beautiful. It would look great painted white. Maybe you could get some rub n'buff in a silver metallic and rub it over the raised areas

I agree. Paint it white first to see if the detail is prominent enough. You can always apply Rub n Buff later if you prefer the lovely scroll work noticed. Either way, this is a gorgeous piece.

Thanks Annie and Froo,

After I posted I thought maybe distressing the design might work. I'm thinking of using it in the entry. Guess it could go pretty much anywhere.

I understand getting tired of a certain look, (like dark wood) and normally I go for white/light too, but that piece is gorgeous!!!

Interesting piece. I like it as is, but I imagine it would look good in almost any color. Are the door and drawer fronts actually metal or wood painted with metallic paint?

Trudi, I have thought of just selling it but I'm a bit torn.

Gracie, they are painted with metallic. The piece it not wood. It is some weird resin, made by Stein world.

quote:

Originally posted by annie17:
Gracie, they are painted with metallic. The piece it not wood. It is some weird resin, made by Stein world.

LOL at the weird resin comment. It sounds like painting it in any color makes sense if you like the size and shape of the piece, but not the color. I'm glad I'm not the one having to sand the design, though.

quote:

I'm glad I'm not the one having to sand the design, though.

hmmmm, primer isn't going to do the trick? I have sanded carved areas but that was when I planned to stain.

Experts, please chime in here!

I knew a guy who painted furniture professionally (among other things), and when he had to sand a piece with a delicate pattern, he used toothpaste on a sponge. He said the grit of the toothpaste (He used Crest original), was just enough to remove the shine and allow for priming and painting. I've never tried it, but I know it worked for him.

Annett,
Good suggestion, also baking soda, acts like a mild pumice stone (they used that with linseed oil in the olden days to sand or scuff lightly).

I LOVE that piece! IF you do not absolutely LOVE that design in the textured areas, would you get enough for it if sold? Just thinking if there would be enough money from sale to purchase what you DO want....

I think White would be awesome on that piece! And a dark wax over it, or clear wax you could tint with a little of any color and then add to the front. Would put a slight color in the crevices.

What other color besides white would you possibly think of doing?

In MY Opinion:
LOVE the piece 'as is!' Perhaps in another room it would 'shine'? Would be a GREAT drawer ( and 2 door?) night stand in my house! LOL

Thanks for the suggestions on priming. I won't sand it and I doubt it is worth much.

White is the only color I have considered but I am open to suggestions.

annie,
It IS worth much for its beauty, if you do not like it you can always sell it....

Do you like the Annie Sloan type painting techniques that are out now? Meaning white/off white paint with dark wax over it? Would that work to update that look. The piece has the bones for it, especially on the drawers. The body of the piece could be done plain... without much antiquing, then emphasize the drawer area.
LOVE the little shelf you can pull out at the top.

Mary Ruth,

I'm not familiar with Annie Sloan. Are we talking chalk paint? Yes, I would like white with a wash over it.

http://www.anniesloan.com/acat...o_use_the_paint.html

It is chalk paint and the recommendation is to apply wax over it for an antiquing finish. This is an expensive line of paints and waxes so I have not jumped on the bandwagon. I do have one quart of Graphite A/S and one clear wax, I bought it to try out.

I have used regular latex paint with a small amount of Plaster of Paris in it, and then applied Minwax carnauba wax over it, looks very similar. You can get your color mixed to your liking, for this piece a sample size might even be enough (under $5).

Annie, that is a great piece of furniture. I would paint it Annie Sloan Old White if it were mine, and do some light distressing with a fine grit sanding block to highlight the beautiful scrollwork on the piece.

I'll share the pros of Annie Sloan paint through my first hand experience in using it. I purchase a quart for $34. A quart of Annie Sloan goes a long way. I think it covers 150 sq. ft. You do not have to use any primer so you save money there. I thought it was rather pricey until I started using it and realized how far it goes and the excellent quality of it. You use a clear wax over it to protect the piece and to also give it that very smooth factory finish you get on furniture. Clear waxing it with Annie Sloan is a must in my experience. You paint it which is done after cleaning the piece and NO priming. You can use one or two coats of paint, whichever you prefer. It dries quickly, and then you sand it lightly to smooth it out and sand more heavily if you wish to distress lightly. You can control this very easily. These products are very user friendly! Once you have it the way you want, then wax with Annie Sloan clear wax. I've used a lot of different brands of wax, and much prefer this brand. It's so EASY to use. It's so creamy and not paste like. It buffs out beautifully. I am sold on Annie Sloan products. The dark wax by Annie Sloan must be used very sparingly and takes practice.The dark wax is what gives that antique look with the dark gathering in the crevices, nooks, and crannies. The baby smooth finish once you've followed these really easy steps is AMAZING.

I have not mixed my own because I know Annie Sloan works and works beautifully!! It's fabulous, and the price seems a lot at first until one uses it and sees how far it goes and that it's really worth it. At least in my opinion.

Good luck. Sorry for the wordiness of my post. I really do love this product. I'm not a paid sponsor. :-)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: paintlady,

Hi Rita!!

Thanks for the info. I will have to look for her paint.

Did you use it on the bedroom set you redid? I remember it being white with a glaze. It was beautiful.

Hope all is well with you.

Annie

Annie,

Another option is to paint it a soft cream or off white color and leave the panels the bronze color.

I suggested the creamy color as the white seems like it might be a bit stark against the bronze.

Thanks BR!

I had thought of off-white too. My LR furniture is more ivory. Then I redid kitchen and dining area in white cabinets and beadboard. I didn't realize it would be so noticable so I've decided to add shades of white, ivory, cream.

Can you live with it awhile before painting? It is so beautiful as is.

Could be used in a bathroom for towels, etc.

Peanut is a nice touch ...ha!

quote:

Peanut is a nice touch ...ha!

Yes, I was resizing the pic and noticed it. That piece holds misc. junk and peanuts for the local squirrel.

I don't get anything done quickly but I have lived with this for several years. Maybe I should just try selling it.

This might give you an idea of what it will look like. The finish on this chest is called Driftwood.

Thanks! That does give me a good idea of how it will look. I like kind of an eclectic cottage look and I think it would work!

annie, I thought it would. The minute I saw your chest I thought of mine. The one in the furniture store was red and I fell in love with it. For some reason I decided to check the catalog at the store and found this finish which fits in better with my stuff. Now I can't even imagine it red!

I don't think you should sell it. I think it will look great painted white or ivory. I'm not sure if you should keep the panels unpainted though. You could paint everything but the panels and see what it looked like.

I bought this little table at the Habitat store, probably almost a year ago. It's just sitting in the garage, I just cant seem to get started on it. I don't know what color to paint or where I want to put it. LOL

Sms, I like your chest too. Very nice

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lilsophie,

lilsophie,

do you have a pic?

quote:

Originally posted by annie17:
lilsophie,

do you have a pic?

Of the table Annie? No I don't, but will try to take one this weekend. Bought it for $10 bucks..Yay

lilsophie,

I see you have the mirror in your dining room. That is another good example of a mirror reflecting the window. I almost posted it but thought you might not want me to do that.

I would live to see your table. I have a small gateleg that I am thinking of painting. I just don't like strip ping and staining anymore.

quote:

Originally posted by annie17:
lilsophie,

I see you have the mirror in your dining room. That is another good example of a mirror reflecting the window. I almost posted it but thought you might not want me to do that.

I would live to see your table. I have a small gateleg that I am thinking of painting. I just don't like strip ping and staining anymore.

You can post it Annie, \You want to see the little table I bought? Or my dining room table?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lilsophie,

the little table.

I'll post your mirror on the other thread.

I don't know what your color scheme is, but I think it would look excellent - and very dramatic - painted a dark "Chinese" red. You could then (I can't think of the proper term) but "highlight" or "antique" it with black. Or maybe a dark teal (ditto the black). Personally, I think painting it white would make it look like a pre-teen girl's bedroom dresser. A little too "unicorn" for my taste. The detail on the front screams for something more dramatic.