Noella writes in with a call out for ideas:
Hello Apartment Therapy,
First let me tell you congrats for all the hard work you've been doing these years and for all the amazing posts that have truly inspired me and the rest of the design world.
Just to introduce myself I'm Noella from Dubai (UAE) and I recently graduated this summer in graphic design. I have always been a DIY person; your "before and after" furniture redo posts have struck a chord, and I've always wanted to try my hand at refurbishing or just repainting funky vintage-found furniture. I went scouting through some garage sales and I got lucky with some cool finds. The problem is now that I can't decide how to redecorate them, what color, fabrics. So I am appealing to the AT community for some much-appreciated help.
Good Questions: Anyone Know Which Bed This Is?
The first is a low sofa-ish chair that I found stashed away in the store room, and I feel it has so much potential but I am clueless as to what to do with it. The first thing that I thought of was painting it white and recoating the cushion with a bright pink plain colored fabric. The problem is that here in Dubai there isn't much nice thick patterned fabrics, so the only choices I have are solid colors. But then I felt I could do something else that pushes it more.. so I am lost again.
The other I recently bargained at a garage sale for around 3 dollars (10 dirhams) which is an antique stair-like drawers. I really like the whole antique feel to it but I was thinking of adding color to it, or even painting it white.
But then again as I said I really have no clue what to do with my finds.. and since its the first time I'm trying it out and so excited I want to do something different and cool. If you have any ideas or if anyone else has any ideas I will be really grateful. So thanks again and greaaat job with everything!
Hi Neolla, thanks for all the kind words and your question. Personally, I'd love to see this piece lacquered in black to neutralize and modernize the ornate and baroque shape a bit. But a bright white would also work with the pink you've mentioned using in the same fashion. If you plan to use a patterned fabric with this piece, think simple with a smaller, subtle pattern instead of a pattern that might compete too much with the shape. That being said, sometimes something garish and bold could make a statement, so this is really a matter of personal taste and desired effect. You might want to check with Fabric.com for ideas since they ship internationally.
Readers, do you have any other ideas for Noella's questions, including resources for shipping out to Dubai?
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I guess it depends somewhat on what else is in the space where you will use these things. You could easily make them look really amazing then find out there simply was no place to put them that didn't look terrible.
You might paint either piece in a bright glossy color (I keep thinking hot pink, white, or some level of yellow-green, but the options are limitless.) You could pick the color to use based on the room, maybe going for a color used in some other part of the decor, like curtains or pillow or upholstery, so the piece ties in with the room.
For the settee, I'd consider going with a plain upholstery fabric, or one with a small overall pattern that enhances the carving, but maybe you can find a fancy pattern that works well, too -- tone on tone, maybe, if the pattern is busy. I might also be tempted to use metallic gold, probably gold leaf (the craft kind, not real gold) on the wood just for fun! I like glitz!
For the steps, first think about how you will use it. (I can see it functioning as an end table, for example.) If you use it that way, you will want to think about whether it will get scuffed up in use, and protect it. So maybe you paint it and then put a piece of glass cut to fit the top of the shelf or shelves you use a lot. You could inset a panel of fabric in that little door, or just face it with wood or glass. It is a lot like a Japanese tansu chest so if you like Asian, you could enhance that -- clean up the wood and varnish it, or paint it lacquer black or Chinese red. Otherwise, again, you could go bright if you like. It would also lend itself to several colors, since you could easily change colors for each face if you wanted to.
Whatever you do, have fun!
view SherryBinNH's profile
the stair cabinet is beautiful. Please strip it then restain it in a lighter color. Painting it would be a mistake in this case I think because the natural wood is elegant and should be shown off.
view *heather leaf*'s profile
Would bright pink velvet be an option?
Great finds.
view whytephoenix's profile
I can imagine Rihanna laying naked on this settee in Glossy Black Frame with Gold Leather Upholstery, for a music video or her perfume launch...LOL.
I think if you want to go for contemporary edgy look,
Glossy White Frame and Black Patent Leather Upholstery with White Trim.....or....Glossy Red with Red Tapestry...so on
A great piece, you have limitless possibilities
view phase2phase's profile