Antique buffet?

[jacon4]

Another point to consider, period american pilgrim furniture was almost ALWAYS painted. Check out this little guy dated 1676, built by Thomas Dennis.

[kathyv43]

.but I do have a hard time convincing myself to paint an antique that is in good condition

I have a pet theory about that. I would argue that once an old piece of furniture is removed from the house living space, to the attic,basement, garage, barn, etc, it's chances of survival go WAY DOWN! So anything that keeps it in the main house is a GOOD THING! and besides, paint can always be removed so i say, PAINT AWAY!

I agree with you...I just think antiques are more beautiful in the stain of your choice. I realize it can darken a room but light curtains and accessories can balance that out. Some I don't mind painting but ones that have a lot of beautiful detail...those are the ones I have a problem with...but chalk paint is definitely in for now anyway...sometimes you just have to go with the flow. My preference really doesn't matter unless I'm the one buying it.

[ghopper1924]

.but I do have a hard time convincing myself to paint an antique that is in good condition

I have a pet theory about that. I would argue that once an old piece of furniture is removed from the house living space, to the attic,basement, garage, barn, etc, it's chances of survival go WAY DOWN! So anything that keeps it in the main house is a GOOD THING! and besides, paint can always be removed so i say, PAINT AWAY!

Nope. I say leave the piece as close as possible to it's original appearance, as the manufacturer intended. Despite all this talk about chalk paint, if you paint a Herter Brothers etagere in green chalk paint you'll lower the value from, say, $5000 to $1000. I'm with Kathyv43, if you want a painted piece, buy it new (at Unpainted Arizona, for example!) and paint it. Yes, paint can be removed, but how often does that happen?

[mart]

es, paint can be removed, but how often does that happen?

Missed the "Y",, Like I have said before,, it goes in cycles !!  50`s and 60`s everyone painted everything white or cream or a terrible shade of green in oil based paint no less,, then in the 70`s and 80`s I was the one taking it off and restoring the stained finish !!  Now its chalk paint !!  But I am not going to be the one taking that off when styles change again !!  Unless its for myself !!

[jacon4]

Well, to me, painting an old piece of furniture (unless it's museum quality) is not that big a deal. I know painters who take old pieces of wood to makes signs, 150 year old blanket chests, cupboards and other pieces of antique furniture that have seen better days and painted them in the old way and turned something that was headed for the junk pile into a really nice piece. And, they make a pretty good living at it to so i say, PAINT AWAY!
Check out Dan & Marlene Coble, these guys can paint!
http://www.danandmarlenecoble.com/category/about_us/7.html

[jacon4]

I have a really fine example of a mid 18th century cherry tavern table and i wanted to hang a tavern sign above it. Now, if one has to ask what a period tavern sign costs, trust me, YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT! So i went to this little lady and BAM! It's all better now, i have my sign and no, it's not period but it still looks GREAT! hanging beside my table. Heidi Howard has a studio where she turns out some really nice stuff that is affordable.
http://www.heidihoward.com/about.html

[ghopper1924]

es, paint can be removed, but how often does that happen?

Missed the "Y",, Like I have said before,, it goes in cycles !!  50`s and 60`s everyone painted everything white or cream or a terrible shade of green in oil based paint no less,, then in the 70`s and 80`s I was the one taking it off and restoring the stained finish !!  Now its chalk paint !!  But I am not going to be the one taking that off when styles change again !!  Unless its for myself !!

Unfortunately, there are not many industrious furniture "saints," such as yourself, who will do this kind of necessary work now. Most people are simply too lazy, and once that beautiful grain is covered, it tends to stay covered. Do you have any archival "before and after" pictures?

[ghopper1924]

Well, to me, painting an old piece of furniture (unless it's museum quality) is not that big a deal. I know painters who take old pieces of wood to makes signs, 150 year old blanket chests, cupboards and other pieces of antique furniture that have seen better days and painted them in the old way and turned something that was headed for the junk pile into a really nice piece. And, they make a pretty good living at it to so i say, PAINT AWAY!
Check out Dan & Marlene Coble, these guys can paint!
http://www.danandmarlenecoble.com/category/about_us/7.html

I don't see that we're really contradicting each other. I would have no issue with someone bringing in a 150-year old trunk and getting it repainted in the old way. To me, that's no different than restoring the finish on a 150-year old rosewood table. The top 1% are unlikely to get messed with anyway, since they're so expensive and it's rare (though not unprecedented) that the owner wouldn't know what they've got. So (re) paint and (re) finish away!

My issue is someone taking that 150-year old piece and cutting it up and creating cute "Ye Olde" signs out of it. If you want Ye Olde signs, then get an original if you can afford it or a new one if you can't. If you want a 150-year old blanket chest, buy that. Take care of what you've got. Destroying the old to make room for the new is an American tradition, one that often has the rest of the world scratching their heads. Respect the old!

[mart]

I did have a photo gallery on one of the imaging sites !! It included some pics of the shows at a local gallery and some of my students work !! But it was all deleted when we started traveling in the motor home and I didn`t post for a few years !!  Did not keep many of the furniture I did in the 80`s ,, computers were not used back then,, just plain old cameras !!  And truthfully I never thought about it !!  Had too many hollering for me to get their furniture done as it was,, certainly did not need more !!  Thats a lot of work when you have a full time job too !!

[KC]

I have to jump in here.  I agree about keeping it original if possible.  However, I would much rather someone slap on some chalk paint and patina it to keep it in the house as well.  Typically the chalk paint doesn't do much harm to the piece.

HOWEVER, lots of people have started getting into using spray paint!!!  Horrors!!!  This spray paint craze (enamel, plastic dip) is great for the paint companies/resale stores...but not so good for furniture!  Shivers up my spine (not in a good way.)

[kathyv43]

I picked the piece up today and the only info was that the guy got it from his great grandmother and that it was over 100 years old. I've taken some up close pics. I don't see any markings. I think the back my have been replaced at some time.

[ghopper1924]

Pre-1916? Hmmm...I'll stick with the 1940s.

[jacon4]

Do you have any archival "before and after" pictures?
No, Heidi gets her old wood mostly from barns that are being torn down in new england as she is based in Connecticut, The Coble's  i have no clue except old pieces that won't sell at auction and if it won't sell there, it ain't long for this world. A period 18th century tavern sign starts at 6 figures and if it's in good condition, basically priceless.  They rarely come on the market and when they do, the numbers are hideous, i guess because they cross over into the folk art world and there is A LOT of interest.

[mart]

Can you take a pic of the dovetail joints on the side of the drawer ?? The inside tells more than the outside !!  Furniture is rarely marked unless its modern !!  Most you will find is style number stamped on back and that would be 20th century !!

[kathyv43]

Can you take a pic of the dovetail joints on the side of the drawer ?? The inside tells more than the outside !!  Furniture is rarely marked unless its modern !!  Most you will find is style number stamped on back and that would be 20th century !!

Here you go.
And I'm posting something later this evening or in the a.m. that I'm really going to need help with...it had some kinda weird top put on it and anyway just wait to see it lol