Inexpensive, Creative Changes To Furniture In Your Home…paint
During these current economic times, we are all thinking of ways to save. As a designer, I feel the constant need to “reinvent the wheel” even when it comes to my own home. I am always changing furniture layouts, trying new things…and have recently discovered that paint can be one of the most economical introductions to updating FURNITURE. Wood furniture that is, and more importantly, I should stress that these items may have found their way out to the curb otherwise. I am not pulling an HGTV on you – I recall an episode where someone painted an upholstered sofa! Then I had enough and swore never to watch the makeshift design shows again.
SO, I have this old bedroom set that I “inherited” for lack of a better term, I believe it was made in 1972 to be exact. It consists of a headboard, a dresser, an armoire and a couple of night stands. All of these items have made their way into other rooms and no longer act as a “set”.
The armoire lost its drawers, got painted a deep, deep purple, I changed out the knobs, drilled some holes in the back of it, modified a shelf inside for Coffee Mugs, and presto! My breakfast room now has a coffee bar with an espresso machine! (The fancy espresso machine was purchased with funds that would have initially gone to build cabinetry).
The night stands have flush sides and when spray painted black, put side by side they magically became a great television console for the recreational room in the basement.
The dresser has been relocated to my laundry room where I have yet to make a decision on what color it will become (I will keep you posted, pictures coming soon)…but it came in handy for all of those extra blankets, linens, and beach towels that I so seldom use. Best part is, the top doubles as a great surface for ironing!
The headboard was painted white, then I took a hammer to it, followed by a heavy duty chain link giving it the distressed look I was after. It now has a permanent home in a guest room that is open and inviting, crisp in color, yet warm in it’s distressed characteristics.
General rule, before you throw out the tired looking good furniture in your home, give it a chance…everything deserves a makeover! www.benjaminmoore.com
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