skip to main content

Home Decorating

Three different finishes - how to spruce up?

14 years ago

Hi!

Our bedroom furniture is a light oak color (scratched up/secondhand) with black handles. We have two freestanding book shelves that are darker (closer to cherry) color. A white wood shelf is on the wall and there is another tall white shelf next to the bed. As you can see, things are pretty hodge-podge. The curtains and bed comforter/sheets are a maroon color.

I'd really like to sand down and redo the nightstand and dresser to a white to brighten up the room. My partner is adamant that it remain wood but I'd like to at least re-finish it.

Any suggestions? The room feels dark and drab. I need a change!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

graywings123
14 years ago
First, welcome to Gardenweb Lots of people here face the problem of significant others (SOs) being stubborn about painting wood. I agree with you that getting everything painted the same color would unify the pieces and freshen the room.

How about showing your partner photos of rooms with painted furniture to bring him/her around to your idea? If you can't get him to budge on this idea, then you at least need to get the furniture to match - maybe stain the oak to match the cherry? You can have a bright room with dark furniture, that's where lamps and paint and drapes and bedspreads come in.

It would help a lot if you would post a photo of your bedroom here. Don't worry about it looking bad - it can be fixed. Think about what your budget is for this room so we don't suggest things that you can't afford or don't want to undertake.
graywings123
14 years ago
Bump for other suggestions.
Related Discussions
How to spruce up this table?
Q
Comments (12)
If there are spots where the finish is completely worn off, the Restore A Finish will not make those dull spots look like the finished area. It can even out the color though. It depends on how perfect you want the table to look, if the finish is worn. If it's all there, but just dull and dry looking, you will probably be very pleased with the results. I have used the golden oak color on oak, and I've used the mahogany color on mahogany, cherry and walnut. I have used it on an oak sideboard from the late 1800's, and a cherry secretary that is older, both with original finish. The cherry was only very dirty, so it cleaned up beautifully. The oak had some worn spots in the finish, so it's not perfect but I am happy with it. I've used it on much older furniture that was refinished about 35 years ago, just to freshen it up. For the old pieces, I used 0000 steel wool, then wiped it off with a clean rag. For the refinished ones, which weren't dirty, I wiped it on with a cotton rag and wiped again with a clean rag. If i use it on newer furniture to blend in scratches, I use a rag. I have only seen it for sale in antique shops.
...See More
How can I spruce up this garage sale chair?
Q
Comments (17)
Cute chair! If you want to save the wood finish and don't want to DIY it, perhaps you can find a refinisher who will come to your home and repair it right there. Our refinisher has told me that if we ever have a small job, he'll work at our home rather than taking it in to his shop. But the finish looks fine on my computer - the back stretchers seem perfect. Perhaps all that's necessary is a good cleaning? I would do as Pal suggests and have the cushions done professionally, but then I don't sew, don't even have a machine. If you go this route be sure to take the cushions in with you as they are, in order to get perfect dimensions. And then throw those musty old ones away!
...See More
Next project: sprucing up a large lr after three decades
Q
Comments (40)
Hi chicoryflower: I agree that would be nice. I have actually tried to think of a way of doing that--if the room were just a bit larger, and the door on the back fireplace wall were placed a bit differently, the addition of free standing columns along the division between the areas might work. I have tried to make free standing columns work with the current layout--there is just no way. However, when I repaint I will add columns around that door on the fireplace wall--that will give a sense of height from at least some vantage points. Also I have spotted a beautiful red vase (can't afford it right now), but when I can I think it would work on the cabinet that you see in the above picture to the left of the fireplace--a red vessel stands on the bookcase to the right, and I think this one will be about the same size. The red vessel on the bookcase helps the proportion there so I am hoping that a similar treatment on the left plus the columns, while not the perfect solution, could help. Love to see the pics of your aunts--I can always use a smile during winter--I do not like winter!
...See More
How can I spruce up from front porch????
Q
Comments (39)
Doods- would I also move them forward to that position? I haven’t tried any other spots with them yet. My toddler got hold of the drill I used to add drainage holes to the pots so I couldn’t play around as much as I wanted LOL I like the look of the rug I’m still undecided on the size though. It’s 2’3”x 4’6” I really wish I could find a true 2’6”x 4’6”or 5’ rug. yayagal - I keep coming back to the black trim too; I just can’t write it off. I am still a little freaked about having to paint over it if I don’t like it though. Lil S - I actually haven’t thought about a different wreath. I didn’t want to compete with the yellow so was keeping it simple with the green wreath for Spring/Summer and then a wooden wreath for Fall/Winter. I usually add a bow for different holidays to dress it up a bit. Do you have pictures of the type of wreath you’re thinking would look good?
...See More
latimore
14 years ago
I think you can make two finishes work, if there is something that ties them together. Three is tough. For example, I have a mishmash of bedroom furniture, most of which is a honey maple color, from two different sets. I am not a "sets" kind of girl so I swapped out all the knobs with hammered black (actually salvaged from our kitchen cabinets) and all new pieces of furniture are black. They work pretty nicely together, I think.

You might look at the kitchens forum or the Finished Kitchens Blog (get to it through Kitchens) - there are a lot of kitchens where people very successfully mix stained and painted wood. It might give you some ideas.

If you want to stain previously finished wood, definitely look at General Finishes gel stain. I recently used it on a vanity and it was very easy to use, nice color, etc. I used Java but it does come in other colors. You would need to stain darker than the current finish, but you can go over the existing finish with it without stripping.

Good luck!

Related Stories

BATHROOM COLOR 8 Ways to Spruce Up an Older Bathroom (Without Remodeling)

By Liz Miller Interiors

Mint tiles got you feeling blue? Don’t demolish — distract the eye by updating small details

DECORATING GUIDES How to Spruce Up Your Neutrals for Spring

By Lara Sargent

We love our neutrals, but with spring in the air, they might just need a little lift

DIY PROJECTS Cutting Corners: Miters Spruce Up Woodworking Projects

These basic woodworking cuts add another dimension to simple corners

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING How to Spruce Up Your Patio for Summertime Fun

By Olander Garden Design

Get your outdoor space ready for summer with 6 simple and budget-friendly ideas

MODERN STYLE Houzz Tour: Three Apartments Now a Three-Story Home

By Luisa Rollenhagen

A grand new staircase unifies a sophisticated, industrial-tinged London townhouse

Mantel Mania: Sprucing The Space Above Your Fireplace

By The Lettered Cottage

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Skylands Oriental Spruce, a Favorite Conifer

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Brighten up a drab corner of your garden with Picea orientalis ‘Skylands’, a smaller spruce that a bird family might just call home

FEEL-GOOD HOME 10-Minute Updates to Freshen Up Your Home

When life is hectic and time is limited, these speedy styling tricks can make a big difference

FURNITURE The 'Three Cs' of Feminine Chair Flair

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

We Don't Make This Stuff Up! Curves, Color and Cloth Give a Chair Definite She-Appeal

HOUSEKEEPING Three More Magic Words to Help the Housekeeping Get Done

By Alison Hodgson

As a follow-up to "How about now?" these three words can help you check more chores off your list

Sponsored

More Discussions

Sending an SOS-Pls help decorate my shelves.

11

Reorganizing my bedroom, need some advice

5

Help with bedding to match!

3

Master bedroom help

1

Unframed Canvas Pic Dilemma

3