Thursday 12 December 2013

Bring in the old....


A new piece of furniture for the kitchen arrived yesterday... Unpolished, water stained feet from the washing of floors, old ring marks and rusty hinges, but I love it!

An unusual Victorian baking table, with a large flap that lifts up and is supported by two lovely legs.


The big plank of wood creates a substantial table for working from and I think it will make an ideal, extra buffet table for Christmas.




With worn, tapered feet,


And worn stretchers.


The perfect place for a rustic display of hyacinth bulbs in old cake tins,


And a carved wooden lamp base with a lampshade made from a piece of striped, linen mangle cloth.


It works well too with the old pine dresser I bought a couple of years ago...they both have the same patina of old pine.

Easy on the eye and timeless.

I know pine in years gone by was always painted, but I do like this bleached, unpolished look...


Which brings me to my new bête noir.

I think I may be tiring of painted furniture.

Is it me... Or does It seem that every Tom, Dick and Harriet is doing "Shabby Chic" these days?

Everything is getting a coat of Annie...
Some good... Some very bad.

What do you think?

Julie x

11 comments:

  1. Yes, Julie, I agree about the Shabby Chic look, though it is still selling well and can look fabulous. I really love painted furniture and I have my eye on Annie Sloan's Aubusson Blue for a small project. Don't mangle your mangle cloths, by the way - very dangerous according to "Hidden Killers in the Victorian Home" on BBC 4 tonight. How did Granny survive?

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  2. I'm with you on this one, I love the scrubbed pine look there's only one thing missing.....not a bauble in sight! Ha ha x

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  3. You are "Designer Julie"........ I cannot disagree with you!!
    XX

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  4. I agree Julie- I really like the look of painted furniture but I cannot really bring myself to do it, especially if its lovely old pine but I think that's genetic ....my parents had an architectural salvage business and a huge costic soda tank for stripping paint....I used to sand and wax on a saturday for my pocket money!! I want to see some photos of your christmas decorations!! xxx

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  5. Hi Julie
    I love love your table, to paint it would be a terrible shame, so I am pleased it is in your loving care.
    I like painted furniture as long as it is authentic and chippy same goes for unpainted, as long as it suits the furniture and your home style.
    Your hyacinths will smell lovely they look so pretty.
    Hugs Lynn xxx

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  6. tired of painted furniture a while back but have rediscovered Painted Love using bright zingy colours- MUCH more fun!!

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  7. Ooh, LOVE your new table, Julie - perfect! I think some furniture looks better painted, some left as your table (which would be a sin to paint!) - and I like a mixture of both at home. Abby x

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  8. Hi Julie, that is truly a find, so worn and I love to wonder who has sat at that table before you. The patina of age can not be beaten in my eyes. I do love painted furniture but I know what you mean, I have seen some very bad painting too. Hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year. I can smell those hyacinths from here - well almost!

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  9. I do love painted furniture but there is an awful lot of rubbish out there. People discover Chalk Paint and decide they want to make money at painting furniture and it's dreadful half the time. Your bleached pine is utterly perfect and even I, would not paint that. Merry Christmas!

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  10. It's beautiful, with all it's history showing. I envy you those hyacinths which will bloom in the new year and fill the area with their delicious scent. You have reminded me it's time to buy now.
    If I don't speak to you before, have a wonderful Yule in your lovely home.
    All the best!
    Di
    xoxo

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  11. in my opinion; if it's beautiful old wood, with a wonderful patina, leave it alone. Cheap and cheerful repro. pieces should either be painted or maybe used as firewood!

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