I found this vintage cabinet a few weeks ago. It had the traditional, classic lines and was in fantastic shape with working wheels on its feet and all parts intact.
I decided to change it up by using creamy white to give it a softer look. I used a combo of both Annie Sloan Old White and General Finishes Antique White for the finish. I also layered gold, Annie Sloan Coco and White to create a soft, textured look in the two panels on either side of the door. It gives it even more softness and a bit of interest. The drawer on the bottom is lovely with its curved bottom and original hardware. The whole piece was sealed with Annie Sloan clear wax.
Dreamy in White!
Just listed on Etsy !
Pretty, but some antiques do look better the way the maker intended for them to look. If this gets me kicked off of your mailing list, then so be it. As I am only speaking my mind. Some antiques will be sadly missed by all of this “off white” painting. This trend will also pass in time. As all trends do.
We all have our preferences and personally I prefer the lighter and softer look. I don’t mind your opinion at all. I do wonder why you would think I would somehow kick you off the mailing list for expressing it? Of course not! Have a great day!
This piece is stunning Suzanne! I LOVE the cream/interest you added to the side panels. Beautiful work!!! ~ Denise x
Paint can always be removed so I don’t feel that painting it destroys a piece. This is gorgeous and I love the softer look!
This is beautiful. Another work of art!
Suzanne, it looks gorgeous. I love the colour of the side panels too. Another inspirational piece! Thank you!
Beautifully done, Suzanne!!!! That one would be hard for me to sell as it would go perfectly in my home…if there was room!!
This piece turned out beautifully.
Antique dealers will tell you that a piece of furniture has to be over 100 years old to be considered antique. This piece is vintage – probably 1950’s I would think and not a priceless heirloom ruined for posterity. Young homemakers of today want light, pretty, and easily mixed pieces. I don’t think this look will go out of favor any time soon. Keep up the wonderful work you do Suzanne – you are an exceptional talent.
Suzanne, this is absolutely exquisite! I do not know how you ever part with your pieces after you finish them. Just stunning!
Liz (Australia)
This piece is far older than the 1950’s. The wooden wheeled feet can attest to this fact. It is of no consequence by now however, as the painting is already done.
Please note that I stated that I thought it was pretty, did I not?
But one only has to watch antiques roadshow to realize that in the not so distant future, many of these “paint-overs” will be unpopular (once again) as trends change, again.
And the value of these pieces has now been substantially reduced.
Again I bemoan, all of these off white painted pieces. Like an assembly line.
Please, no more comments as I continue to stand by my observation & apart from the trend.
Thank you.
Just had to add that the feet do not have wooden wheels (I never wrote that). They are the standard metal and actually work really well compared to many pieces I have had that barely roll do to age. I do believe that Laurel is correct on the date of the piece. The furniture company is Hellam Furniture and was in business from about 1920 to 1975. BTW, over the past few years I have seen many pieces ruined by paint. I hope to always add value with an interesting and artistic take on a piece and I never would slap paint on to make a buck. Believe it or not, I actually really love the furniture I work on. I feel they are my “rescues” and they mean something to me. I respect them. Cheers!
I love love love it Suzanne! Would look wonderful at my beach house but alas no room for it. You’ve really got the eye. BTW I’m 70 and dark wood is something I’ve strayed away from since I was in my 40’s.
Also just a reminder for readers who don’t appear to appreciate your work – there is an unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email.
This is not assembly line work. I have seen pieces slapped with white wash in a truly assembly line fashion. Suzanne’s pieces are a work of art. I am sure this piece took many many days to complete. And will withstand the test of time. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Ladies calm down. Debrald did not say she didn’t like it. She preferred the original piece over the painted. I happen to agree with her. I believe different opinions are what make the world go round. I’m sure Suzanne likes different feedback. Her stuff is lovely, but we can agree to disagree.
As always, you amaze me with your talent and creativity! I love the way you layered the different paints for a beautiful finish. It’s gorgeous. Hugs, CoCo
Antique White & Old White….You know it’s one of my favorite combos! I love, love, love how it flows on (thank you, GF) and how beautifully it sands (thank you, ASCP)! This piece is so lovely and graceful! Well done, my friend! 🙂 ~ Robin
Much better in this very pretty sophisticated look, the other was so outdated and stodgy, this will appeal to many more and looks so much more useful and not antiquated. I love the fact that you have such vision, now this piece is ready for another 50 years! Kudos!
I think it looks absolutely beautiful. You are an artist. You didn’t mention where you bought it but many thrift stores research the value of a piece prior to selling so the chance that it is a valuable antique is slim if it was priced low. I expect many more people will appreciate the way it looks now that you have updated it.
Thank you to Rebecca McCabe for “sticking up with me”.
I was actually considering unsubscribing because I obviously pissed off someone or more than one someone here.
And I do not see an unsubscribe link here. Where is it at?
I should know better than to speak my mind here.
I did not mean to imply that Suzanne doesn’t love her work, or her furniture or her business.
Sorry for the mess.
Please, just unsubscribe me.
I used to think I had to leave the pieces “natural”, but I absolutely love beautifully painted furniture and yours are all beautifully done.
aww ladies no fighting let’s kiss and make up mmm k xx
It is really okay if we like or dislike the painted furniture; it is a matter of preference. In the 60’s & 70’s people started “antiquing” wooden furniture with the greens and golds that were so popular during that era. Later, one would find a piece that had 2 or 3 layers of paint, strip it and re-finish it. WaaLaa… hidden treasure!! One day, when we are all dead and gone, it will come around again, maybe. They will discover REAL wood under that chalk paint…Bingo, …hidden treasure!!! So debrald, do not take it personally, you are entitled do your opinions, that’s what makes life interesting, stay suscribed!! No harm done.
P.S. I have both painted furniture, chalk painted and more and some that I stripped coats and coats of paint from and would never dream of painting them. I love the different mixes. This blog is called “The Painted Drawer:
Your cabinet is beautiful. Enjoyed all the comments. Have found that once the piece has been painted, the paint will probably always be there. It gets down into the grain. I finished an oak table with milk paint, did not like it and tried my best to remove. I went back to the natural oak but there is some pickling still there. I call it natural with a hint of pickle. It is pretty. The table is over 100 and I most likely destroyed a lot of the value.
I think whether or not to paint a paint is a legitimate debate. I debate with myself about it every time I acquire a piece. On one occasion, with a genuine antique secretary, I even consulted an antiques dealer before I painted it. Furniture has been painted for centuries, so it is not as if we are modernizing it.
Unless it is milk paint (which acts more like a stain), paint can be removed. A lot of the stains on wood aren’t any more natural than a new coat of paint. I think the paint on this particular piece makes it look more elegant, but that is just me. Beautiful work, Suzanne.
Suzanne, you did an amazing job on this piece. Beautiful!
In regards to everyone who is against painting furniture and think it’s a fad, I can assure you, this practice has been around a long time. I recently toured The Breakers in New Port, RI (the Vanderbilt’s summer home). Being a person in the furniture painting business myself, I was pleasantly surprised to see the large amount of painted furniture in their bedrooms. It was considered beautiful then, and in my opinion, is still beautiful now. While this trend may be especially popular right now, it is by no means a fad that will quickly fade away. Heck, if painted furniture is good enough for the Vanderbilt’s, then it’s good enough for me! 🙂
It’s stunning – love the textured detail on the side panels! I bet this will not last long in your shop.
Gorgeous!!!! And I’m saying that in my prettiest highest singing voice teehee. Beeeeeautiful and you picked the perfect colors for it. I love those old cabinets. Wish I had one! don’t you want to share it with me? I’d be in trouble if I were close to your shop! Thanks for the post, it sure is pretty!!!
Wow, Suzanne! I’m sure I’ve written it a lot, but I think this is truly my favorite makeover of yours to date — and I don’t have one single piece of white furniture in my house! Maybe I need to change that! haha
Well, Suzanne…there are no words. “Dreamy in White” pretty much covers it. This piece is so very lovely. The soft lines and gentle distressing are just perfection. So thrilled for this piece to be among the features at the Friday’s Furniture Fix tonight. Thanks so much for linking up. We love having you share with us. Susie from The Chelsea Project.