Ideas for repainting French Provincial girls' bedroom furniture?

14 years ago

Has anyone done this?

I'd love to see photos, or hear tips, if so. DD was on the fence about whether to leave the existing finish (somewhat chipped and aged, 1960's cream/gold) on her new bed and dresser, or paint them. I've noticed "cottage chic" stores, and Pottery Barn teen, have similar furniture that's painted ALL white, including the handles....

But the new bed definitely needs repainting.... and she's leaning towards a whiter, lighter look now, but still likes the sort of vintage look of rubbed-off areas (but not so much the brown glazing some have).

Does anyone have any advise? This type of decor is totally out of my experience range. I don't expect this furniture has too much value; i.e. it won't be "wrecking" something precious and important to paint over the original finish, will it?

My instinct is to paint it a creamy white (maybe like BM Acadia White?) and rub a bit off the corners and handles and such before it's dry. What do you think?

Here are pics of the dresser, bed, and little birdcage (which she won't be repainting, loves the chipped paint!)

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Comments (12)

nicoletouk
14 years ago
Renofan did her DDs bedroom in a Parisian theme, and she hunted down French Provincial furniture all over town, pieces very similar to yours. She ended up painting everything black. It was darling! I don't think she distrssed them at all, but that could be cute too.

I couldn't find anything from a quick search. Maybe reno will stop by here, or someone saved the pictures?

Nicole
Kathleen McGuire
14 years ago
There are a ton of blogs where furniture is painted. A lot in white for that vintage vibe! I would definately paint what you posted. It looks a little worn and yellowed. It would freshen it up and give it a new life.
http://frugalfarmhousedesign.blogspot.com/

Here is a link that might be useful: Blogs
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I read the other responses, but this is what I would do... I would change out the blue color, maybe a limish green or a blue than is more similar to the blue in the bottom butterfly wings on the quilts or the background in one of your pictures. Obviously, not that bright, but more in that color tone. Painting the trim would make it more girlish, but I think you could make some other changes before making that decision. If you have it in your budget to buy fabric, I would cover your beds in a solid color fabric to make the quilts pop more. Try hobby lobby for some cute wall decor. Last year, I found an adorable glittery wood wall letters that said "kisses" in the valentines section. It goes perfectly in my 5 year olds room. I would hang something like that above each of their beds. The dresser needs something cute on it. A little grouping of bears, blocks, picture frames or just something more decorative. You could paint some butterflies on one wall with just a few small pints of sample paint. You can get these at Sherwin Williams for $5 each in their cans designed to help you decide on a color and you can mix them in any of their colors. It would add a lot of pizzazz to the room, and a butterfly shape is pretty simple shapes put together. I would then add some cute basic curtains, maybe in a solid color. Good Luck, I'm sure they already love it, we always overanalyze these rooms, and I am sure they love it just the same now as they would later.
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Great room! I wish my room looked like that growing up. I really like all your ideas for storage. I have that same blue ikea piece. It is still in the box after a yr. I think I will take your idea and use it to store toys-LOL but it will be parrot toys. I wouldnt add a desk either. I think it might end up accumulating clutter.
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My daughter recently re-did her bedroom with similar white-painted furniture (CL finds in 50's French Provincial and Hollywood Regency) and choosing the wall color was definitely an exercise! She initially started by fairly bright colors like most of the posters above have suggested. But then we did some computer research. We pulled images off the internet of rooms she loved, then sorted through them discussing what it was about each one that appealed to her. It turned out that ALL of the rooms she responded to had white walls (like your photo of the bedding.) So we got a stack of Ben moore whites and off-whites, and she chose a beautiful white with just a touch of cool pink to it. it basically rads as white, but not quite so stark. The white walls have allowed the accessories and wall decorations -in darker colors- to be the stars. That may not be the look your daughter's going for, but it might help to pull photos of rooms she likes off the web as inspiration, anyway.
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Comments (26)
We also are space challenged in all of our three kid's bedrooms. One of the best investments I feel we made was to make the most of their closet space and install closet organization systems. In fact, we are presently redoing my 13-year-old DD's one now as the previous one is falling apart. For the girls we added mirrored closet doors which help make the rooms feel bigger and brighter and is also a space where they can check on their appearance--which becomes more important heading into the teenage years. Below are some pics of my 7-year-old DD's room. I would not say it would win any decor contest. In fact, being the youngest she has all mismatched furniture--but it works for now--esp. as I have a 15-year-old DS it does not make any sense to put in any expensive bedroom set she may outgrow in a few years. When DS goes off to college she will inherit his computer desk/hutch which coordinates with her bed. In terms of functionality, I hope this may give you some ideas, though, for a smaller space: Here is her closet organizers: Her bed with a trundle below for sleepovers: Her desk and dressor area. Mismatched, but plus is I absolutely do not care if she trashes this desk where she does lots of art stuff on it. In fact when taking this pic, I noticed some nail polish on the side. Real girls, real stuff. This is a bookcase she recently retired from the family room and houses all her assorted stuft animals, books, etc. I used to have a cube system similar to zipdee's, but in a small room, you get more storage space if you can go up: What we don't have and wish I had space for is a cozy chair or reading corner, though she does make the most of this little corner which is her play school area: Children will change a lot from age 8 to age 12 so keep in mind you want furniture that will either grow with her as she ages or is inexpensive enough to replace in another 4 years. Decor--paint, curtain, bedspreads, of course will change as well and her ideas of what looks good may be very different from yours--hence why I am not sharing pics of my 13-year-old DD's room.
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rjinga
14 years ago
so how did you decide to do the furniture? (LOVE LOVE LOVE that birdcage btw) that's something to covet for sure ;)
newdawn1895
14 years ago
My niece painted her French Provincial furniture black and distressed it. White distressed would look fabulous as well, maybe better.

Love that sweet birdcage!

....Jane
sweeby
14 years ago
Either white or black would be great, especially with a little rub-through.
But for something a bit different, what about a soft aqua?
dilly_dally
14 years ago
Definitely paint it for a fresher look. You could go with black or white or even a flat, pale blue, or a shiny bright orange for a Mod look, but since both you and your daughter are leaning towards white - go with white. White will give the look more longevity and she won't tire of the look. Painting white over ivory will be easier too.

Love that birdcage!
Valerie Noronha
14 years ago
I'm in the midst of a similar project for my DD. We are using 1940's vintage furniture. While some of the furniture was already painted a distressed aqua, we decided on a creamy white (BM Bavarian Cream). The creamy white has really brightened up her room, made it look more spacious, plus allowed us more versatility with paint and fabrics. However, DD wants to leave the nightstands unpainted so we'll probably do that as I figure I can always paint them later. Personally, I do not care for painting the hardware the same color--just looks like a lazy paint job to me). I am using Rust-oleum on all the hardware--a brushed nickel finish.

Below is a link to some of my before and in-progress pics. Since then I've painted the bookcase and next on my list is the desk.

Here is a link that might be useful: My DD's vintage bedroom
polly929
14 years ago
I just did my own daughters' in white. I bought the set off CL. I am planning to do the trim in a pale green since the room is pink with green accetnts. It is not complete yet so I have no pics. Monablair has a beautiful set that was repainted.
Kathleen McGuire
14 years ago
Creamy White - BM 947 Navajo White
B H
14 years ago
I had a similar set (sears) growing up. Mine will eventually move down to our house & become my daughter's bedroom furniture. :) I'm looking forward to seeing what you do!
B H
14 years ago
Found some ideas that might help.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Decorated House
dawnp
14 years ago
Binsd,

What a great site and great instructions too. Thank you for posting this.

Last year my MIL moved out of her home and we donated a set of this furniture two dressers, desk, headboards. Sure wish I had thought of this! I would've saved them for my college age daughter's apt when she graduates. Oh well, something to hunt for I guess.

Thanks again!

Dawn

Ideas for repainting French Provincial girls' bedroom furniture?

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nicoletouk

Kathleen McGuire

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