Q: In my entryway is the perfect spot for this cabinet where I plan to either hang a mirror over it or framed photos. It’s in really good shape so leaving it black would be fine, but I have the urge to paint it a white lacquer paint finish. I particularly love the hardware. I don’t want to be trendy by painting it white, so I am torn here. This cabinet in white I think of Jonathan Adler or Palm Beach circa 1950’s....
I picked up this chair for $20.00 which I will paint either a ivory or bright yellow or black with a fun small print upholstery, this will sit next to the cabinet. I don’t typically paint over wood unless it is so ugly. Question should I leave the cabinet alone or paint it white?
Sent by: Lorisf
Editor: What do you think? Leave it black or paint it white? Please weight in with your opinion for Lori in the comments below...
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Yes, it would totally have what I call "Palm Beach grandma" in white. I don't think the pulls are bad, but you could look around.
Check out some Hollywood Regency decor sources for inspiration. Kelly Wearstler used to do a lot of it.
Noooooo. Don't paint it white, leave it as is. However, paint schemes are easy to test. Take a photo of the piece in the room and then photoshop it.
Lori--
I like the cabinet as-is - along w/ a big faux-bamboo gilded mirror above and a blanc-de-chine lamp w/ a black gold-lined drumshade.
I like the idea of the chair in yellow too - Looking forward to seeing your results!
This cabinet doesn't appear to be an el cheapo flea market find, so painting it might result in reduced value, if not ruining the piece, if that's important to you. White lacquer is an extremely finicky finish to get right if you are not experienced with the techniques required to get the flawless finish that you want.
I'd recommend a less invasive makeover initially. Have a piece of glass cut to fit the top and place decorative fabric or paper under in a bright colour and/or pattern. Since the cabinet is low, you'll see that surface in coordination with your painted chair. If you still don't have the look that you want, then take the cabinet to a professional painter for the lacquer coating.
Yes. Paint it. Paint it now.
Do not paint the cabinet.
Paint the chair a glossy red.
Don't paint it. Black is much sexier, besides suiting this particular piece more than white. Paint the chair ivory or a bolder color (red, peacock, emerald depending on your decor) but I don't think yellow quite works (perhaps a very rich goldenrod?).
I LOVE amed studio's idea of leaving it black and placing a fun fabric on the top, under a piece of glass. Then, pull the chair colour out of that fabric. Finally, use a coordinating fabric for the chair seat (a stripe?).
Can't wait to see your 'after'!
leave the black!!
The cabinet looks like dark wood to me, I seem to see the depth of the grain. I wouldn't touch it. A mirrored top could add brightness and some glam to it.
The chair looks like driftwood stain, grey? Grey is the hottest color out there right now, I wouldn't change that either. Maybe bring in your "Adler" with a super cool fabric on the chair. I'd love to see a small trellis pattern.
You have very cool stuff as it is, it already goes together.
I think it all depends on your other home decor. A black piece like that would not look right in my home, but white probably would. Go with your gut!
Emily
I think you should leave as is, but if you decide to lacquer your cabinet, have it done professionally. If the cabinet was a complete mess, I would say go ahead and use it as a test of your lacquering skills. But it's not. DIY would risk destroying a perfectly good cabinet.
Lacquer is a very painstaking process if done by hand. The quickest way to get into the ballpark would be to find an auto body shop that might spray the piece with auto lacquer. Whatever you do, don't use glossy wall paint. That would be a disaster.
I think "trendy" would be painting it teal, or hot pink. White is a good staple color.
Leave it black. If you want to highlight the paneling, paint around it with a fine tip brush in black paint a few shades lighter.
Use a triple or 4 zero steel wool to remove any pitting from the brass and give it a good polish.
Love the choice of yellow for the chair and you can pick some very cool fabric for the seat.
Whatever you do Lori, both pieces are sure to look great!
I'm new to all of this, so where would I find a chair like that for just $20? Surely not an antique store, they're always overpriced.
NO WHITE PAINT! the woord is beautiful and there seems to be this huge, horrid trend of painting wood white and it usually just makes it look cheap and generic....
Thank you all so much for your helpful and nice comments-
As the cabinet has sat here for a few days I think I will keep it as is. I put a nice coat of Johnson Wax on it and wow it really looks nice. The comments about painting it lacquer being difficult is so true especially with someone like me doing it who am I kidding I would screw it up. Maybe someday in another house I can explore that as an option. Seaside - thanks for the tip to bring the lust back to the hardware the it needs some love and that is what I will do.
I paid 140.00 for the cabinet at a consignment store and I have no idea if it has any value all I know it spoke to me and I love it.
bepsf- funny you should mention faux-bamboo gilded mirror, this afternoon I found these beautiful Japanese prints (I totally forgot about) I have had them forever and they were never right with my space or previous homes. When I discovered them I thought wow these would go great above the cabinet mounted in faux gold bamboo frames. I wanted to use the vintage frame in some way but its not right, faux bamboo in gold would be hot.
The chair is not my style but a lucky find at a salvage yard and I thought it will work well with the cabinet. I think the chair is where i can attempt playing with color and painting it myself. I am now thinking white with white fabric see there goes my creative attempt.
There are more photos on" my house projects" in Flickr you can see the hardware better and some ideas I have for fabrics and a light fixture, please feel free to make more comments love it thanks so much!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44713708@N00/3766968537/in/set-72157621877625762/
The chair doesn't look valuable, so paint away. However white is a bit inane - why not run down to your local paint store and get the latest swatches, see what's hot, and use a gloss version of that colour? That way you can get the latest look for very little money or effort.
leave it black. white lacquer would cheapen the look.
I think the chair would look phenomenal with a white lacquer finish!! I say go for it, and recover that seat with a really fun graphic black and white fabric...then you could incorporate the cabinet with either black or white...whether you decide to paint it white or leave it black.
Just an idea...
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