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how To update period furniture

3 years ago

Live in edwardian house with quite a lot of dark furniture which my other half loves but I now want to change. Any ideas on how to update lamp tables (various woods) gently so we would both be happy?

Comment (1)

Sonia
3 years ago
Dark brown furniture isn’t popular at the moment (as stated on Antiques Road Trip!) but you could paint some of it. Paint the pieces you are not so keen on. I had two large pine bookcases which were heavy looking so I painted them off white and I think it has improved them. I used Little Greenes Eggshell paint, water based, as a top coat, but oil based is tougher but not for me, gives me a terrible headache! I lightly sanded the bookcases, washed them down then applied 2 coats of primer and 2 coats Eggshell, ensuring they are thoroughly dry between coats. I used Slaked Lime a lovely pale neutral. You don’t have to use a pale colour, sometimes a deep green, grey or navy can look stunning, depending on your decor.

Part of my bookcase in Slaked Lime
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Hello the days are brightening up by now and I'm sure the room is looking less drab for it. However I think furniture rearranging will work wonders. You seem to have nice low window sills: show them off. If the sofa goes to the left between window and built-in unit you'll have a view out to the garden and more light in the room. Equally: can you fit the piano between the radiator and the double doors? Again: more light through the window. Low sills are a god-send, and so many of us are stuck with high ones. The room will feel more spacious with a good view to outdoors. The armchairs then: one to the left of the fireplace and one between the other window and piano. TV then between the two windows. (No shine on the screen) Does that fit maybe? Or do you need all five seats facing the TV? I rather like those stripy cushions. Can you find a striped wallpaper in matching colors and with an irregular pattern repeat for your accent wall? if going with wood floors how about a sheepskin rug for each of your doggies? Black or white. One last detail. A lower table for your side lamps would be good: At sofa arm or seat height. Coffee table could work in corner between window and new sofa position. Btw: I liked the suggestion to replace the cupboard doors above the fish tank with full-height ones. In some kitchen shops you can find ready-painted, wooden, panel doors that might fit. It's a long shot but you could be lucky. It would brighten up the corner if you got a light colour.
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I second Carolyn's motion to check out IKEA for a media cabinet although I feel you will need something around 30-36" tall with this particular TV. It appears to me that you have two matching loveseats or small sofas. Is this correct? In any scenario, if you want cozy, several have already offered thoughts that will help. First, although ideal, I do not feel that your cocktail table has to center on both upholstered pieces. You could center it on the fireplace and work from there, whether parallel or perpendicular. I agree that the upholstery needs to come forward and that the two large pieces should create an L formation. the chair should go to the left of the fireplace, at an angle. I know: Now it is partially in front of the TV. If the TV is on an appropriately scaled media piece, this allows TV viewing over the chair back from all seats in the room except the chair. At risk of being presumptuous, I would suggest that the TV need not be visible from EVERY seat in the room. Greys are definitely hot right now and I love them, but choose wisely. Greys combined with this intense red and black can plunge you squarely back into the 80's. Consider very warm greys, mocha's or green-greys. When you land your color, paint the walls, out onto the underside of the tray and onto the front facing edge of the tray all the same color. This will enhance the architecture of the tray and unify it as an architectural UNIT, enhancing the volume and dimensionality of this feature. As for the pale blue, I must say, I don't understand that at all in this room. (No offense mforr) Now, add a texture to the highest central section of ceiling. Think, grass cloth, faux finish or just a deeper version of the wall color. I agree with Carolyn that the panels are covering too much of your window and that you should consider losing the tie-backs, which are a bit cutesy. In a perfect world, or if you are up for it, I would replace them with something visually lighter, something with a large open airy pattern. I would make the cocktail table metal and glass or wood and glass and modern, even sculptural. (maybe a Noguchi repro?...) Large scaled art on the long wall, as suggested earlier and some greenery. You have a great foundation on which to build. Good Luck!
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Paint the doors black matt and the fames cream add silver crome door furniture. Huge silver mirror above the covered radiator then add a runner of any colour you like and match it with the lamps and lighting. hey presto done.
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