"Vintage Modern" shop the White Attic is one of our favorite Chicago stores. They're experts at giving furniture new life through paints, stains, and finishes. When we recently stopped by, we made mental notes of ideas we'd like to try on some pieces in our own home that need a little lift...
• We love how this credenza contrasts white paint with natural wood finishes.
• For a storage piece, consider leaving either the frame or the drawers unpainted.
• Pairing neutral furniture with brightly colored accessories kicks a room up a notch.
• Changing out handles or drawer pulls can transform furniture.
• Bring continuity to a collection of mismatched pieces by painting them all the same color(s).
• Painting a small item in a bright color (like this pink table) adds energy to a room.
• Customize a piece by painting the inside and outside in contrasting colors.
• If a table or chair has interesting lines, show them off by painting it one color.
• On the other hand, highlighting molding with thin lines can also look cool.
• For tips on painting and restoring furniture click here, here, here, or here.
Photos: The White Attic
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White Attic is great for inspiration.
Here's how it inspired me:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29091377@N05/2717235409/?addedcomment=1#comment72157606458397357
ooh, I like that ChiAdam! the wood and lacquer white combo is my favorite look.
I hadn't seen this store, but elsewhere on AT inspired me to do this with a crappy ole set of IKEA bedside tables, they now have white drawer fronts and it really pops agianst my turquoise walls.
While living in Chicago, we went to White House to consider repainting a traditional china hutch. The owner does it all and it is so fantastic looking!
I'd like to know if this is enamel paint?
ga! they painted eames walnut stools? that is so wrong.
I agree with arcgrrl. What's up with that?
i love the wood/white combo... i really want to do that with something, to bring together the two finishes in one piece. has anyone done it with ikea furniture? does their veneer take paint well?
erinpearce - i think there was a thread about painting the lack line at Ikea (google it, maybe). Good sandpaper, primer, and patience. And no cheap paint (my usual suspect..)
I love to see how they leave the wood for trim. So many wood pieces I find would look great like that. I'm looking for one of those wooden stool/sidetables that looks like a giant piece of turned wood, this one painted white.
thanks stellamystar ill check it out!
I love the use of white and the creativity that recycling affords.
They're constantly abusing furniture.
So - I was just in this store last weekend, and I have to add something.
The moment I walked in the door, I recognized a buffet cabinet I had seen on Craigslist just a week or so before. I remember it, because the listing had been online for a while, and I'd seriously considered buying the piece but decided it was smaller than what I need.
The kicker is - the Craigslist seller was offering it for only $60.
The White Attic people bought it, painted most of the front of the piece black, and were offering it for a whopping $745!
So now that you know the secret - Craigslist plus a can of paint - you can save yourself several hundred dollars. I'm just sayin'.
I'm going to go home tonight and paint everything pink.... ;)
paint over laminate, fine. paint over abused wood, ok. paint over walnut eames stools, teak danish dressers! removing paint can be daunting. you all are so brave(?).
DPNASH: I agree! My partner and I visited the store for the first time during the Andersonville Sidewalk Sale on Friday and we're totally caught by surprise on how bad the paint jobs were on the pieces (i.e. paint drips, single coats of paint still showing wood underneath, paint brush drag lines, paint flaking/chipping off). The prices also caught us off guard: pieces that we've seen at thrifts for $50 bucks or so going for $400 . We assumed the white was lacquered on with a nice sheen and finish, but alas no.
I feel sorry for the people who shell out that much cash for something they could have done with a little thrift store hunting and a can of primer.