Having a gentle yellow living room means that one piece of the decor is sucking the light and lifeblood from the rest of the room
The utilitarian 1940s bookcase, I’ve decided just has to go or get a revamp
And I’m going to try to give it a revamp
So today I’m going to wash out the polish with vinegar and sand the whole thing down.
Then I’m going to paint the outside a gentle green to match the cupboards in the living room
The inside I am going to paint the same summer yellow as the walls
Wish me luck
Cannot wait to see it finished it sounds lovely
ReplyDeleteYou could use pretty wallpaper inside too. Hope the weather holds out for you. I just can't work in the cold.
ReplyDeleteI thought about that and will consider it if the paint doesn’t look good on the shelves
Deletesounds great, please show us pictures of your progress x
ReplyDeleteTomorrow, it should be finished
DeleteGood luck. xxx
ReplyDeleteI love a project! Chalk paint is your friend- easy to use, nice aged results x
ReplyDeleteShould be lovely! Can't wait to see the finished product!
ReplyDeleteYou are braver than me, never painted furniture, can't wait to see your results.
ReplyDeleteIt’s my first time imma paint virgin
DeleteSounds perfect!
ReplyDeleteIf you use chalk paint you shouldn't have to do much prep, just clean the surface. That's the beauty of chalk paint.
ReplyDeleteI'd recommend a high gloss paint on the outside - so much easier to clean up spills, splats, etc. Good luck and have fun!
ReplyDeleteI considered that but went for a Matt finish
DeleteNothing ventured nothing gained - good luck!
ReplyDeleteHave faith
DeleteIt is nice piece of design and constructions, brighten it up and it will outlast us all.
ReplyDeleteA fine piece indeed . . .
ReplyDeleteWondering how old and its history.
I agree, the dark finish can “pull the life” out of a room.
Ambitious you are . . . looking forward to seeing “her new dress!”
1940 s id guess and cheaply made although the beading on the front makes it look delicate
DeleteLook forward to seeing it when its finished.
ReplyDelete(I guess you said . . . 1940’s piece!)
ReplyDeleteit's a really nice piece so it is worth a do-over. can't wait to see it.
ReplyDeletequiet please, the artist is at work!
ReplyDeleteI think that colour combo will be lovely - lovely fresh colours. Just take your time and enjoy the process. Look forward to seeing the results. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Pattypan x
ReplyDeleteIt is not really attractive. It will be interesting to see what you make of it.
ReplyDeleteYou may need methylated spirit for the varnish.
ReplyDeleteAnd wire wool.
DeleteA big job but it will be worth it!
ReplyDeleteI think it's gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the redo!
Good luck. Looking forward to seeing the final product. xx
ReplyDeleteLooks good so far...pity I didn't notice those sanders in Aldi!
ReplyDeleteDo u want me to get you one if I see another, I can post it
DeleteI upcycle furniture all the time John .... it’s going to look brilliant. XXXX
ReplyDeleteI should have asked your advice deArheart x
DeleteIt looks better already!
ReplyDeleteOooooooo! Power tools!
ReplyDeleteYessss Throbbing!
DeleteI'm so glad it's not going and instead is getting a revamp. I love that bookcase and would have told you to ship it here! What a fun project. Can't wait to see the results. Seriously. I can't wait.
ReplyDeleteBreaks my heart to see wood painted.. especially an antique piece... BUT thats still better than getting rid of it... So i wish you luck. Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteIt’s 1940s so not an antique
DeleteAnd to be honest it’s very cheaply made once I gave it the once over
I seem to be in the minority on this - I love the piece as is. Then again, I have such vivid memories of Mom refinishing furniture and cussing out those who painted the pieces black. I wrapped fabric around foam core and put it in the back of a barrister book case that was too dark. Works great - a shot of color and easily redone. That said, it's your book case, your home, your choice and I do want to see the results.
ReplyDeleteI did love it originally as it fitted in with an Art Deco room
DeleteNow with my yellow walls and pieces of new chairs , I thought a change in colour would stop the dark wood from sucking away the light from the room
Love the bookcase and I regret you're painting it, as I love beautiful old wide or well-grained wood. We have a few painted pieces that delight me but they weren't made of good wood.
ReplyDeleteI agree that wallpaper on the interior back of the bookcase would be pretty.
Hope the weather holds so you can get it all painted today.
Happy 9 days off!!!!
Hugs!
How soon will we get to see the 'in process' or 'after' photos? Hope you're pleased with the change in the bookcase's appearance!
DeleteShould be finished tomorrow
DeleteI spent 6 hours on it today
Then went to a family meal to chill out x
Did you by any chance buy the tins of cheap chalk paint on sale in Aldi. I just bought some cream and some sage green ...now I just have to find something to paint ;-)
ReplyDeleteNo , the more expensive one at B&Q
DeleteGood luck with the Aldi chalk paint. I have t used the chalk paint but have once bought another type of Aldi paint. Wasn’t at all impressed - probably the only duff Aldi product I have bought.
DeleteI think all chalk paint is an abomination unto man and I've used expensive and cheap ones. I can't see what everyone raves about, it's a bloody nightmare to paint with, the brush marks show badly, it takes a minimum of 4 coats, the finish is awful and it doesn't wear well. I have renovated many pieces over the years, but I won't use chalk paint ever again, it's a total waste of time and money.
DeleteI like it as it is now John but I expect it needs a finish of something.I have chalk paint but in the wrong place and wiping it with a cloth has washed it off in parts-should have gone over it I think with wax.Are you wearing your new Overalls I wonder or are they awaiting a handsome Workman?x
ReplyDeleteI considered wearing my new overalls but I didn’t want to put paint on them
DeleteI tend to use either a clear wax, or a light spray of clear spray varnish on top of chalk paint just to seal it in properly and give a good wipeable surface :-)
DeleteAnd the subject of the next blog post will be "how can I get this yellow paint out of my beard?"
ReplyDelete''And off my third best walking dead tee shirt!''
Delete"and the dogs and Albert!"
DeleteIt was my fourth best walking dead t shirt
DeleteI like your bookcase painting plan, and your description of colors as being gentle.
ReplyDeleteIt looks nicer already and you haven't even begun painting it. I bet it looks gorgeous when it's finished and I love your choice of colours.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing the finished article.
ReplyDeleteI really like that piece and new colors abound around your place, so I am anxious to get a look at it's new look. :)
ReplyDeleteOur daughter loves upcycling furniture. I bet your bookcase will look great when you have finished it.
ReplyDeleteWell I know it will make the room look brighter
DeleteThat is a beautiful bookcase. You've done very good to already have it cleaned and sanded down. I used to refinish furniture and the sanding it down to the wood is the hard part. It will be lovely with the green on the outside and yellow on the inside! I painted some shelves white on the outside and yellow on the inside and I love the way they pop to show the inside much better.
ReplyDeleteThe green is a more duck egg green/ blue
DeleteGreat piece, good luck
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great project. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHope you have some masking tape! If you need any advice call Mrs Trellis!
ReplyDeleteIt's got to be worth a punt if it's not working in its present form for you. Arilx
ReplyDeleteIt’s been fun having a project
DeleteIt will probably take longer than you think it will! I find I look at something and think 'this will take half an hour' and three hours later I'm regretting ever starting it! Enjoy! x
ReplyDeleteI’ve worked 6 hours on it so far and it’s half finished
DeleteMe too
DeleteMore work than I would tackle but at least you have power tools.
ReplyDeleteThank good for Aldi sanders
DeleteAldi power tools are fab.
DeleteWhat a great piece. It's going to be awesome. Meanwhile I'm getting prepared to paint my Welsh dresser AGAIN!
ReplyDeletePaint is fun, and so easy to cover any mistakes or to change colors when one feels in need of a project. I do!
It's going to be lovely! Can't wait to see the results!
ReplyDeleteTurn in tomorrow
DeleteNice job prepping the piece for paint. Blue/green and yellow should brighten the room nicely. It seems, no matter how careful we are, paint splatters and shows up on our cloths and pets. Inevitable.
ReplyDeleteAnd it shall look beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYou have a good start. Hey ho, as you say (I think).
ReplyDeleteI think it's going to look lovely John Paint is your friend John or at least mine I often look at something second hand and always at the back of my mind I see it in a different colour such an easy fix apart from the sanding.
ReplyDeleteI think it will look smashing!
ReplyDeleteI have a nearly identical bookcase in my living room here in Oregon, USA. I wonder where they originated. Yours will be beautiful once you’ve painted it - eager to see it. Ignore anyone who says not to paint wood!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see how it looks - there is brown furniture and BROWN furniture and yours is the latter, sadly! I agree the dark pieces do draw light from a room though - we have a lot of (large!) oak furniture and a house that is gloomy to start with!!
ReplyDeleteThe bookcase already looks better just being a lighter wood. I look forward to the finished piece x
ReplyDeleteEven if you just wax the wood once you have cleaned off all the dark finish, it will look good
ReplyDeleteNot an antique at 80 years old, well almost. It looks nice after the sanding nice mellow colour. Coat of wax and magic.
ReplyDeleteI have a few pieces of painted furniture but prefer natural light oak. My mom used to gloss paint wooden furniture in white. It always looked clunky. I suppose I got put off.
Sound like you've put some good thought into it. It should set off the living room beautifully.
It looks like a nice piece of furniture. I hope it comes out well.
ReplyDeleteThat's a big job......can't wait to see the end result.
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We have a lovely writing desk my husband's Nana left to me. I think it might need the same treatment the dark wood really sticks out like a sore thumb in our cream room. I love it though because I loved her x
ReplyDelete