I think it's definitely worth painting, but am not a fan of "fun" colors. I think a matte black would be nice and would not draw too much attention to the piece (it has a good, not great, shape).

if you really want to go with the inspirational photo, the dark navy might look nice, too.

Heck, if you like that print, I'd suggest really going for it! Paint one table red with circles of white dots (or whatever that design is -- hard to tell at my pixel resolution). paint one table golden yellow with irregular green stripes. Paint one table navy blue with turquoise squggles. Paint one table turquoise with green designs...

It's super easy to paint furniture. I would consider the bright blue from your picture. For me, it's how I change up furniture while saving to buy nicer stuff.

1. Sand to rough them up
2. Prime to hold the paint
3. Paint - usually two good layers
4. The hardest part - wait at least one week, two if you can, before putting anything on them.

I say go for it, at the very worst, it won't come out the way you want, but at least you'll have tried. Hard to recommend colors without seeing the rest of your furniture though.

I've been painting used furniture for years and always think it is a good idea. A few suggestions if you you are new to this:

make sure you sand everything well and wipe it down before you paint, some varnishes and veneers really don't hold paint well

if you are painting a dark color use a tinted primer so that you don't have to use any more paint than is necessary

if you are making a drastic color change (light paint over dark wood, etc) consider two coats of primer

start simple--pick a color that you like for the base and paint them all the same or similar, from there you can branch out

I prefer working with semi-gloss or high gloss on furniture that might get knocked around a bit. It shows imperfections but it doesn't chip as much. Another option is to apply a coat of water-based varnish over the entire thing after your "creative" paint job

Finally, if you are doing simple designs that don't require a lot of paint, consider using craft paint (not for the base, though, as it isn't tough enough to hold up over the long haul on large surfaces)

Most of all, HAVE FUN! You can always paint it again if you don't like how it turns out ;-)

Definitely paint them, it will be so easy with a lovely little can of Zinsser BIN Primer, Sealer-Stain Killer. This stuff is amazing. I had a ton of projects this summer involving a variety of materials, including veneer, and I went through a couple of cans of this. Super easy to use, no sanding involved, and I even used latex paint on top of it, without a top coat!!. . .something that most of my friends say is a "no, no," but i figure, the less dust and chemicals in the air of my home while working, the better. I haven't had a single scratch or chip and it's been almost a year now of wear and tear on about 8 pieces of furniture. Have fun. . .

I agree with the matte black suggestion. Let the shape of the table be the star.

I wouldn't go overboard with color, because then it would look to kiddie I think. I would paint them two colors, one for the main color, and one for the accents, going along the small grooves of the textured areas. Perhaps the lighter turquois-ish blue with nave accents.

Oh and as far as colors go. . .what about picking two shades of blue, or a blue and that sea foam color, from the picture, and painting the legs and top of the table one color, and the bottom shelf, the other color. It would be simple, give you a nice flow from the couches to the wall, with a subtle pop of color.

Ouch...I'm not sure about the last comment myself. I say stay away from going too gawdy. Use the colours in the print as inspiration, not literally. And remember that you want your tables to work with or without it (and with and without each other for that matter).
I would suggest pulling some of the calmer colours from the print that will hold up well to the passage of time and changes of taste. For example: the blue, green, and cream in the background.
I definatly think that these tables can be salvaged, just remember to use a primer first and even a bit of sanding as well.

Why are you on the fence about this? To paint or not to paint is such an easy thing to figure out. My guess is that you're scared about follow through more than the final results.

I'd recommend that you try to salvage the two end tables and let the coffee table go to a good home.

As for color, you're clearly the best judge!

Primer and spraypaint is your friend.

If they all have those grooves, I'd pick that mint green from the upper left for the main color and the lower center mellow yellow for the grooves.

A yellow varnish would give it age, but a simple gloss would keep everything fresh.

If the other tables have simpler lines, you may wish to try repeating one of the aqua motifs against that mint green.

I once scored a wooden end table at an estate sale for a handful of dollars and painstakingly painted it in two shades of lavendar. I worked that table for years. Even though it was in the purple family, the color wasn't a problem despite several changes in decor. It inadvertently got injured in a remodel and I had to retire it but if not for that disappointing event, I would have repainted it and would be using it today. The scale and lines were ideal and kind of timeless. I'm not sure I can say the same about these tables. Nonetheless, you will gain extra mileage from painting them and give them a longer life. Sand, prime and paint carefully. No semi gloss or gloss. Yuk. I've made that mistake. Don't do it. Go with the flattest paint you can find and once you have the appropriate coverage, apply a final coat of matte varnish. (or spray it on). That's all the protection you need.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE matte black and have painted a few current pieces in matte black and love the vibe. Also like the suggestions to go two tone (turquoise and mint for instance).

The key is really about the paint job. Take your time. Do it right.

Definitely paint them. Follow alyrae's directions and you'll be fine.

I think basic black would be boring and a glossy black would make them look cheap. If you're afraid of color, then a plain white almost always makes furniture look fresh and blends into most interiors.

It's difficult to say what color you should paint the tables without seeing your home. Judging by the poster, you seem to want cheerier colors. I'd go with hues like sky blue, peacock, coral, seafoam green or saffron.

I really like JoeyBrill's suggestion about using a different or contrasting shade to pick up the groove detailing. But please, don't try doing anything like polka dots or whatever was suggested above. Not doing it perfectly can make your stuff look really amateurish.

Painting is easy, but the tables are the wrong scale for those bulky gray chairs/sofas (which, BTW, don't mesh with the type of seraglio vibe of the poster.) Can we see more of the room?

I just painted a coffee table with a really similar shape to this one, but longer and with no lower shelf. I found it at Goodwill and it was red! Now it's robin's egg blue with a terra cotta-peachish color in the indented ridges around the tabletop and legs. It's a really nice detail and can subtly pull colors from other parts of the room. My tip after lots of trial and error on this table...use q-tips or a small paintbrush (maybe a paint pen?) for the indented parts if you choose to use a different color for those. Have fun!

Funny, I saw an extremely similar (maybe even exactly the same) table at Goodwill on Sunday and briefly considered getting it and refinishing it, but declined. I already have a pair of barstools that I plan on refinishing and reupholstering and I'm not even sure when I'm going to find time for that, so no sense adding more work to my plate.

I like JoeyBrill's idea of painting it that minty/seafoam green, with yellow in the grooves. Or, paint it dark blue, with turquoise blue in the grooves.

I say paint them! I vote for a shade of gray. Don't match your poster, that will look too matchy matchy. See an example here: http://www.wisteria.com/Triangle-Tea-Table/productinfo/W2916/
OR
If you don't have a man in the house (or your man doesn't mind a femenine interior) I would go for the Modern Baroque thing and paint them high gloss white or black, see here: http://media.photobucket.com/image/Baroque%20Modern%20Furniture/blueorchiddesigns/blackandwhitebaroqueweddingstyle.jpg ...
AND, if you're feeling extra crafty you could declopague the tops with a damask wrapping paper kind of like this girl
(http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2008/09/dresser-makeover.html) did.
Ok, I'm done now:)

I like the green-gray of the amphora, or the dark blue of the dress. Then pick another color for a lamp or decorative items.

Paint them white and top with colorful accessories -- a houseplant in a glazed ceramic pot, a pretty vase, etc. White, white, white!

hi gloss black or gun metal gray or a red tone, something laquerlike. definitely--paint these tables!! no matter what you do with them, even if you just paint them white, they will be better than what you have now because the shape is good.

In a word, “no.”

What (if anything) do you plan to put on top of them? If they're just going to be sitting out naked, painting them a bright color might prove to be a little overwhelming.

On the other hand, if they're going to have lots of stuff sitting on them, much of it in muted colors, then they might provide a welcome contrast. Especially if the other colors in the room are fairly dull (but either neutral or in a family that coordinates).

What about painting the tables as described above: sand, prime, paint and then before applying the poly top coat, using modge podge to add a cool paper or wallpaper to the shelf and the top? I am thinking something to tie the color scheme together in your room and make the tables unique.

I agree with Lisa in that any bright south-of-the-border color on the tables will look very tacky next to the gray chairs/sofas. But, I do recommend painting and I love the idea of high gloss WHITE. Maybe a robin's egg blue if you got white slipcovers for the couches.

if it's real wood, which i assume it is, i would suggest to embrace that and leave it as is. if not, stain it a little darker...

I couldn't read through all the comments so I may be repeating something but....make it easy for yourself. Clean them well and spray paint them. Warm grey would be current.

I've found that "Dark Woods" by Benjamin Moore is the ultimate color for rediscovered furniture. Don't forget to sand, prime--all that really is important. I'd then find a mosaic piece that will shout back to the colors, shapes and design of the Granada poster. Have fun!

I think that it would be nice just to sand it lightly with a very fine grade sand paper and give it a hand or two of a darker wood finish enamel. It will be transparent enough to see the wood grain and some of the prior wear and make it look as what it is, simple, nice wood furniture. Darker wood furniture is reliable and never goes out of style. You want color? Get some bold print cushions and cover a tray with the same fabric (or paint copy the pattern on it) and put in on any or on all of your tables.

If you are serious about painting i would go pure white. Accesories can get you the color you need.

I'd definately paint them - they are a very pretty shape - maybe that nice mid blue/turquoise in the poster for a couple of them and if you like bright fun colour you could try colour copying the poster a few times and use the copies to decoupage the smallest table?

Hi all, Thanks very much for your helpful suggestions and entertaining comments! I will pick an olive-gray and a peacock color (because I love that color so much) . The tables are all different shapes and "live" in different rooms. IF they turn out well, I may send in the "after" photos. :) Thanks again everyone! Cheers, Andrea

Try just painting the legs. I had the same problem and just painting the legs worked well for me.