Refreshing Idea

photo taken from Pinterest

If you want to update an antique piece of furniture and create a style that feels more fresh, just pair it with a modern piece. By painting this antique console table a robin's egg blue and mixing it with a pair of silver lamps with black shades both pieces are enhanced. The contrast calls for your attention.

 This buffet server is a beautiful accent to the farmhouse table, and painted dining chairs. The server's color reflects a more updated current style, and the table has a more rustic casual look. The successful mixing of the gilt mirror has an older feel, but is accented with contemporary glass lamps. Each piece makes the other more interesting.



photo from House Beautiful

This dramatic dining room features an antique iron chandelier which sets over a bone concrete and iron base table and very contemporary Hamilton dining chairs. The 7' wide foxed-glass mirror is oversized and adds much drama and personality to the space. The contemporary glass column floor lamp adds sparkle to an otherwise empty corner. A sculpture made from a mounted piece of driftwood further adds to the contrast and appeal.



photo courtesy of houzz.com

This bath is another great example of mixing something old with new. By using a painted open shelf vanity with chrome fixtures and contemporary lighting, and combining it with a distressed painted wood mirror and a weathered shutter cabinet a simple yet interesting design is achieved. This bath evokes a great sence of personality and each piece draws you into the space and makes it warm and inviting.

While this bedroom is soft and subtle in color, the  textural richness of the modern bed set next to those beautiful end tables, and ceramic lamps, is in sharp contrast to the old farmhouse style feel of the wood paneled walls. The addition of the modern geometric rug adds another layer of interest.



photo from House Beautiful

So whether you create a subtle color pallet or use more color and contrast from white to black, the idea of combining some old with something new, or something ordinary mixed with something fancy or ornate the results can be quite fantastic. This bedroom is accessorized with old/new decor and the main pieces of furniture are classic in design.

So the next time you want to update a room's design and feel, try mixing something old with something new, or something grand with something very simple. I think you will be pleased with the results.
Post a comment and let me know what you think...it will make my day!

Until next time.......



Chair Transformation in Six Steps

It is so rewarding to find a tired and worn out piece of furniture and then come up with an idea or two and give it a complete makeover. Many times the piece is still solid and sturdy, but has just been neglected. When I discovered this little jem I couldn't wait to find an inspiring fabric and paint color.
Here is the before so you can see she had "great bones" or style.

100 year old chair and still going strong!

Step 1:CLEAN. I cleaned this chair first with a soft brush to remove cobwebs and dirt. Then I wiped it down with a soapy cloth to remove the rest of the dust/dirt.

Step 2:PRIME. Next I primed the bare spots with Kilz spray and let dry for 20 minutes. This helps the paint stick and stay on.

Step 3: PAINT. I sprayed several light coats of Valspar (Lowes) Avacado green spray paint (the color is actually more vivid and richer than it shows...the sun is washing it out a bit!). Lowe's has some new fun colors...much needed in the spray paint world! I let it dry overnight and then gave it a spray finish coat to extend the life of the finish.

Step 4:Cushion. Due to the fact that the cushion had a spring in it, I decided to just add a high density cushion to it making it 5" thick. No fun having an uncomfortable wicker chair!

Step 5: Fabric. Finding the fabric was the fun part and gave me the color inspiration. Beautiful colors of blues, greens, and some yellow. This fabric is a "sunbrella" type so will hold up to use and some abuse.

So here is the finished piece!



Ready for a new home or cottage!



great style and comfortable too!



6 Easy steps that transforms and brings life into any piece of old furniture! 

Stop back and see some lamp makeovers I did recently. I will be sharing with you soon. Thank you for visiting my blog, and be sure to leave me a comment. I love to know what you think.

Until next time enjoy this day....