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Thursday, February 16, 2012

PAINTED HUTCH

About two weeks ago, I did some painting!
You might remember a while back when I brought the lid from this vintage picnic tin to the hardware store so that they could color match it and whip up a gallon of custom paint for me. It's my favorite jadeite green color, and I used the paint......
to transform this cabinet......
to this! I absolutely love it, and I've never regretted painting it.
But across the room, there lurked this thing. This secretary hutch, which I've hated almost from the moment I brought it home. It serves it's purpose, which is to hold lots of junk, but I've never been crazy about the way it looks. So I got that paint can out again....
and now I love this piece too! It feels like I can see everything behind the glass doors so much better, although I'm thinking about painting the inside a cream color, to make it all stand out even more.
Aren't the polka dotty knobs fun?! They're from Hobby Lobby, and when they have their knobs 50% off, I could just go nuts!
The bottom drawer holds placemats for every holiday.
And sometimes it's a cat bed! Not really though. That would be gross to eat off of place mats full of cat hair!
The middle drawer holds part of the vintage tablecloth collection.
Which takes some of the burden off of the other green cabinet. Yikes, what a mess! You've just seen one of my dirty little secrets. All of my tablecloths in a jumble!
And while I was in the painting mood, I tackled this ugly lamp.
Spraypaint is our friend! I used Rustoleum Moss Green, and now I like this lamp. But I'm not real sure about the shade yet.....
So which do you prefer....the BEFORE or the AFTER? And should I distress it a little? I'm no expert, but I have to recommend painting a piece of furniture, especially if you hate it. And if it's not valuable or a family heirloom. Oh, and do it without telling your husband. That would be my number one recommendation!

37 comments:

Musings from Kim K. said...

Swoon! I'm totally green with envy over your makeovers. That is a totally yummy green. Love the makeovers. Perfection!!

birdie blue said...

what a perfect shade of green. both pieces look amazing, i vote for no distressing.

xo
molly

Sandie said...

Love the After!!!My favorite shade of Green!! And the lamp looks great that color! Blessings from Bama. Sandie

My Vintage Mending said...

Love that color. Always a fan of color. The perfect shade of green. Oh and I can help you sort those linens anytime....smiles...Renee

Unknown said...

YEP! Green wins...it seems like a Leprechaun dropped off the perfect color. I like it, I really really do.
Yes, the wood stain is perfect too, but for someone else, not you.
Keep at it, it's delightful Carol.

mzzbev said...

Inspiring! Thanks for the tips as I'm getting ready to paint my new built in kitchen shelf. I'm just at a loss as to what color to paint it. How do you like the rustoleum spray paint? How long did it take for it to dry enough to start using the desk? Thanks!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

great jobs!!!

very good advice, too. don't tell husband first. -gigggles-

mine is a woodworker so he hates painting wood. so it's one of those things, which i forego doing, for him. because he does sooooo many nice things, for me. :-)

but love to see it, when blog friends can paint away!!!!! fun!!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow! What a difference! You go, girl! You've inspired me to spray paint my floor lampb1 The shade is metal, too, so maybe I'd do something ? with it,too.

You know I love those knobs! How cute. I've never been to a hobby lobby...

Well, if you like the distressed look- go for it but I am not a fan of distressing. Maybe because I've lived in distressed houses all my life! I've driven distressed cars, too! :)

Doniene said...

I'm not usually a painted furniture person, but these pieces are lovely!!! I especially love the hutch!!

Unknown said...

Well all i can say is WOW that is a heck of a transformation its looks smashing and so much nicer in the green its like a totally different piece. Its gone from a heavy chucky piece to light and airy it looks fab well done you ;-) dee x

Andy's Attic said...

The afters are soooo pretty. I usually hesitate to paint real nice wood but you have made me see the light!! Love it all.
Annette

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Love Love Love the new painted pieces! OMG they look so fabulous! I am 'green' with envy over your secretary, I have wanted one for years. I think a little distressing on it would give it a great look, but it is gorgeous as is. I am glad you painted it! hugs, Linda

Gina at Vintage Junk in My Trunk said...

They both look great! I like the distressed look but I think that's totally a personal preference. Good job on the lamp too!

Maureen said...

You've been a busy girl! Everything looks fab. You should live with it 'as is' for a bit and if the urge to distress is still with you, go for it.

janice15 said...

Their just fabulous I love the green its wonderful I had painted some out door stuff the same spray paint color...lovely Happy Weekend Janice

Unknown said...

Absolutely the after!!!!! GREAT job, it just bring it to life again! If furniture could smile, this piece would be grinning ear to ear! lol

Fran said...

Definitely love the after! The color is perfect! You've inspired me to paint a few pieces of my own ho-hum cabinets......

laurie -magpie ethel said...

Paint makes things POP! My dad gives me grief for painting over natural wood, but sometimes you just have to do it!

Anonymous said...

Love it all!!! I think the lamp shade is wonderful! I am also a nut for painted furniture!

Lois' Laughlines said...

I am new to your blog and love it. I too love painted furniture and the jadite green is to die for. Good choice. I am green with envy :) blessings to you.

Carla said...

oh those are beautiful! I don't even like green but those look good. Good job, I vote no for distressing. Remember, you can always do that another time, another year.

Oh, and by the way, I thought that's why cabinet doors and drawers existed!

love the kitty.

Bargain Hunting Treasure Seeker said...

LOVE the transformations!!! GREAT job!! Maybe just a touch of distressing-not too much though...

Mecky said...

It looks great!!!
I really like the lamp. It looks great!!
I would love to go through all those tablecoths.
I love that green!

(I can't believe I didn't see this post last night)

GardenOfDaisies said...

Oh Carol. I LOVE your painted secretary desk transformation! Jadite green is the prettiest color, isn't it? Wonderful!

Margaret said...

I love how all the pieces came out! I would for sure paint the inside of the hutch a creamy color just to bring out the interior! VERY LOVELY! Maggie/Maggie's Lil' Fixins

It's just Mommer said...

Beautiful! I love to paint furniture! What a smarty you are to take that lid down and have it matched.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hands down, the green is so much cuter! Love it with a passion. A bit of green envy going on here! lol! I need to get some ambition! I have a sofa table and a floor lamp I want to paint. Just need a kick in the kapooty. Hubs and I are working on beadboard in the living room though. Slow but sure. Oh and I like the new shade. Looks quite upbeat.
Hugs,
Jann

Pam Kessler said...

Yes, mu husband is never a fan of me painting anything until it's done and then he's all excited about it. Love your yummy green color.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Love the green. Most men freak about any kinda wood being painted. My husband doesn't care what I do just as long as he doesn't have to be involved. :) Hope you've had a great weekend. Tammy

Denise Marie said...

Wow..brave Girlie, you! It looks great. I may be right behind you doing the same thing to an oak curio & old wardrobe.

Kim G. said...

Love the makeovers!!!

Shelley said...

No doubt about it, the green is the way to go! Looks like it was a lot of work painting those glass doors, though!

Aunt Suga! said...

OHHHH! You give me confidence. If it's a nice weekend in Savannah this weekend.. I THINK I SHALL PAINT! I am looking at a FAB-OO shade of Orange.

You rocked the Green!! WOO!HOO! Go Girl!

SueLovesCherries said...

Carol, I am so amazed at the transformations! I, too, have dark furniture in my living room. That's a constant battle between Mister and myself - he loves dark wood, I love paint! One of these days I'll win!

Mrs. Cherry Heart said...

I am a jadiete green fan too! Love the after looks! Yes I would distress the pieces...makes them look more vintage and loved! Adds character I say!

Smiles, Miss Cherry Heart

Greenmare said...

gorgeous!!! love that green!!

Lisa said...

LOVE the green!!!! Beautiful!!