Wednesday 10 October 2012

Girls' Bedroom: Five Reasons To Leave Wooden Furniture Unpainted.


Psssst, lovely, 
Put that paint-brush down and come here....

Before we all fall for the gorgeousness of painted wood, let's look at the other side of the coin....
five reasons NOT to paint your furniture.



1. The patina of some pieces is absolutely stunning. That kind of look can only be created by leaving wood unpainted. Even adding a thinned-down wash, allowing the grain to show through watered-down paint, won't let the true beauty of the wood shine.



2. You want a simple, rustic vibe? 
That crib?
Say. No. More.



3. Wood can work well to add texture and warmth to an otherwise bland room. Think how dull these rooms would be had the owners painted all that beamed loveliness...



4. If you want to add character and charm to any kind of new-build, elegant wooden furniture should be one of your first ports of call....



5. Conversely, if the proportions of your room are at the thoroughly grand end of the scale, adding waxed pine furniture is a great way to add a bit of country....



Oooh, choices, choices!!

{Which do you prefer?}


Images via Country Homes and Interiors, Homes and Gardens, Jocelyn Costis, 
Country Homes and Interiors, House To Home, Desire To Inspire

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21 comments :

Unknown said...

Rather than painted your furniture, it is good to have unpainted. Nowadays unpainted furniture is in great demand and it looks good as well. Most of the people are buying such kind of furniture.
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Anonymous said...

I love both! I like to paint some furniture, if the finish isn't very nice or it's damaged. But natural, waxed wood is also gorgeous and we have a lot of it in our home. On our hall cupboard, I painted the doors but left the top unfinished.

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

I have to agree with Antonia...I like both as well. Not every piece is worthy of being 'natural'...some of them just need some lipstick on them.
But the ones that have lived well and been gently loved...No. no paint.
Let it continue to age gracefully.

you've shown some beautiful examples. That first photo with the gray walls and the dark wood...had me swooning.

The Red beds trimmed nicely with slightly ornate wood...very nice!

Pat

SImple and Serene Living said...

I agree that there is a time to paint and a time not to. Pieces with beautiful natural patina that are in good condition should be left as they are.

Hugs,
Laura

Cindy said...

I LOVE both, so how does one go about making the decision to paint or not to paint? I have been trying to decide about our bedroom furniture, I badly need another opinion. If I sent you photos would you be willing to help me?
Thanks, Cindy

diane said...

natural is best for us and you have shared some beautiful inspiration photos....while painted can be fun, the natural patina and grain of wood cant be beat

Unknown said...

I have to say I'm on the 'non painted' side. I do love painted furniture and can see the benefits it can bring to a room but I'm a traditionalist at heart. I enjoy the rich colours wood can have and the grain and knots that's unique to that particular piece. Good luck with what ever you choose, I'm sure it will look really lovely X

Valerie@chateaualamode.typepad.com said...

Well I'm always loving an idea that means I don't have to work too hard ;) Love that moon crib, so great. I do love old wood that hasn't been touched too and I like painted wood and I like new wood...you get the idea. Have a great rest of your weekend.

xoxo
Valerie

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Yes, of course, I would, my lovely.....

Sarahxx

bj said...

I like both...and have both.
I don't care for OAK...I always want to paint it...
I adore PINE and polish it to high heaven.
I agree that some woods don't need anything but TLC and others, well, a little make-up makes them just feel better. :))

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

I like both! I like to miw both. Everything painted wouldn't work for me, everything wood is just too oppressive. It depends on both the piece and the room I guess... But I remember that just a year ago, I was completely out-of-fashion when I wrote that I didn't want to paint my dining-room cabinet!

Unknown said...

I think if a piece has antique value (and just because it's old doesn't mean it's valuable, they had a lot of mass produced rubbish in the 50s as well ;)) then definitely definitely leave it as is. I love painted furniture but I think it should be exercised thoughtfully. Picking up a £25 chest of drawers at a car boot sale that the antique dealers have passed by? Get some paint on that pronto! A beautiful console table from your granny passed through the generations that's still in great condition? Leave it be! So yeah, totally depends on the piece. I love a mix of both and have been looking for a year and a half for an affordable vintage chest of drawers for the bedroom! I haven't given up hope yet, there's nothing like the patina of beautiful old natural wood sometimes. :) xxx

Sarah said...

Yes, so true Sarah, sometimes, it is just better to leave well enough alone and put the brush down!! Have a great Sunday! ;-))

Shawna said...

I love both, but you are more likely to have to convince me to paint than not to paint. I like oak and pine with some age and patina, so I am unlikely to paint those. If something is in really rough shape or made with mixed woods it is calling out to be painted. I am not likely to have a house with beautiful architecture and stunning wood details; they are rare where I live. I wish I had the dilemma of trying to decide whether or not to paint my ceiling beams. I'd be thrilled to have some, painted or not.

Tonya said...

Ooo, so true. I love both, but some painted wood pieces ARE so beautiful all on their own...makes me want to cry to see them painted! I was just stripping a table-top today to resell the table. It was just begging to be wood again, and it didn't disappoint, either! :)

Anonymous said...

Such a nice post. Seems the decorating trend these days is to slather every surface with white paint. The rooms glow, but have no personality in my opinion. nothing for your eye to rest on , no personality. Wood is so rich and beautiful,I just find it a shame to see all these decorating blogs with no personality. trendy at best. I love your idea to save wood! enjoy the beauty!

Unknown said...

lovely post,?Fire Engine Kids Bed,

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