It would be better to paint the pieces separately, then assemble the bed...
...if it's painted together - when you move and have to take the bed apart, you'll tear up the painted finish.

A good reminder that a coat of paint can make anything old "new" again. Those pillows are fantastic. Where are they from?

http://twoballoonsblue.com

@bepsf - I agree, though I can see how it would be very difficult for the whole bed to dry if you had to paint one side, lay it down to dry, then paint the other side later. Setting up the bed makes it easier for the entire bed to be painted, allowed to dry, then get a second coat.

The bed looks great! Loving this idea!

Fantastic. I'm SO doing this with a crappy 1940's bed I have. Thanks for the inspiration jolt.

I agree with bepsf. It would take longer but if you intend to really love the piece for a long time--anticipating moving, re-locating, etc. included--then you need to take the time to do it right.

Still, it really does improve the appearance of this beautiful, classic bed. Good color!

Where did you get those bed linens? They are soooo pretty!

I think I'd paint the bed assembled too, and then, when the paint is dry but not totally cured, take an X-acto knife and score the paint at the points where you would be likely to disassemble it. (Me, I try to keep furniture as intact as I can for moving, so maybe not ALL the possible parts...) I never tried this, but seems like it could be a "best of both worlds" approach.

Someone has to kvetch about that nice looking wood having a coat of paint slapped on it. I'm sure I'll get a slew of comments about how it's her business to paint over wood if she wants to. Yep, it's her choice but someone has to cry for the beautiful wood underneath. Today it will be me. Let the arrows fly...

I do love the map and linens and think they would look fantastic against wood. Maybe a bit of inspiration for me to bust out of my monochromatic shell.

I agree - I was prepared to see a scratched and sorry looking frame that needed to a coat of paint to be presentable - but the frame looks great, I would gladly take it sans paint! That said its a good idea for old furniture, although the paint color is a bit too bright for me.

Oh, I loved the bed before the paint job! Wish I had one just like it! (I did recently buy a similar one on Craigslist, but honestly the lines and finish aren't quite as nice as that one).

This is done very well. I would not do orange, but it looks great in this room.

What I really want to know about though is the map over the bed and the bedding.

I have vintage pieces that I love without paint, and some I love with paint. WHO CARES! If you love it, that's all that matters! and personally, I love it! great color choice!!

Seriously. The bed linens, and the embroidered peacock(?) pillow. Tell us please.

Absolutely love that paint job! I'm also drooling over that Otomi pillow case.

I was just thinking I might do this to a bed a picked up for my son, I'm just having a hard time bringing myself to paint the dark wood finish. If I can find a nightstand and dresser to maybe paint all one color, a nice blue, perhaps; it would be a good way to turn pieces that do not match into a set.

Also, it reminds of Maine Cottage, which is so pricey for the same exact idea.

Who makes this bedding? So beautiful!

I did this with my bed. I WAS sad painting over the wood, but it wasn't very nice wood and it had been badly stained. Now it is lovely. I have some nice natural wood pieces in my home that I wouldn't DREAM of painting (the thought makes me want to cry) but until I can afford really nice wood, painting is the way to go!

Hi all, thanks for the comments!
-The peacock pillows I made from a vintage tunic & the floral pillow was a vintage runner...both were stained, so I thought I'd give them a new purpose.
-I found the vintage map of Marin County at a yard sale.
-The original finish on this vintage bed was peeling in many places, so the fresh coat of paint seemed like the best solution.

I want that peacock pillow!

I love this idea but im sure my mom would murder me if i painted her 150 year old bedframe she gave me bright orange..but its worth a try..hehhe

I love the bright orange with the white linens and colorful pillows. and the vintage map is great. I love the overall look. Even though I've never been a huge fan of orange, I almost want to recreate this look myself. It would be great for a guest bedroom or kids room.