I finally did something I wanted to do for five years, something that would make a lot of vintage purists (and my mother) cringe: I painted my Grandparent's wooden hutch black with wall paint, painted the hardware silver and changed the knobs. The before photo makes it look much better than it really was! I always wanted to paint it but held off, mainly because it was my Grandparent's and it's a nice piece. They had it shipped over from Holland when they came to the United States in 1947. Dropping a full bowl of soup on it and my husband leaving rings from the bottom of wet glasses was the kiss of death. I'm really happy with how it turned out, it's much more "me".
It's much darker in person (true black, not grey) and I think it really brings out the detailing and the leaded glass window. I know I'm endlessly complaining about people who ruin old things for "upcycling" or whatever they happen to call it and a lot of people will see this as ruining it so perhaps I'm not one to talk. I'm on this big kick of changing things so I can actually enjoy them (see the kitchen shelf post) rather than shove them aside, which is exactly what happened to this piece since it didn't really go with my other things. Now it's proudly displayed in the center of the living room, the very first thing you see when you walk in.
I finally did something I wanted to do for five years, something that would make a lot of vintage purists (and my mother) cringe: I painted my Grandparent's wooden hutch black with wall paint, painted the hardware silver and changed the knobs. The before photo makes it look much better than it really was! I always wanted to paint it but held off, mainly because it was my Grandparent's and it's a nice piece. They had it shipped over from Holland when they came to the United States in 1947. Dropping a full bowl of soup on it and my husband leaving rings from the bottom of wet glasses was the kiss of death. I'm really happy with how it turned out, it's much more "me".
It's much darker in person (true black, not grey) and I think it really brings out the detailing and the leaded glass window. I know I'm endlessly complaining about people who ruin old things for "upcycling" or whatever they happen to call it and a lot of people will see this as ruining it so perhaps I'm not one to talk. I'm on this big kick of changing things so I can actually enjoy them (see the kitchen shelf post) rather than shove them aside, which is exactly what happened to this piece since it didn't really go with my other things. Now it's proudly displayed in the center of the living room, the very first thing you see when you walk in.
What a gorgeous piece and I think you've really improved it! Great job!! Although I can totally understand the hesitation in painting a natural wood piece. I have floor to ceiling woodwork all around my fireplace and I've gone back and forth about whether I should paint it or not. It's just a whole lot of dark wood that can be quite overwhelming!
ReplyDeleteIf you didn't like it before and you do now, then I think there's nothing wrong with that! Now, if you burned it for firewood or collaged it with Twilight ephemera, that might cross the line ;)
ReplyDeleteI personally think it looks better now too...I generally abhor dark wood.
You have just reinvented it, so it can be loved all over again, how can that be wrong?
ReplyDeleteI like it!
ReplyDeleteI admit it. I cringed when i began reading this post. But then...wow! The piece looks amazing and it's all the more wonderful that you can enjoy it now. great job.
ReplyDelete