Need opinion re: My finished project - striped dresser

16 years ago

I trust the talented folks here and am curious to hear your thoughts on my latest project. I painted (Farrow & Ball) red and cream stripes on a dresser and then antiqued the stipes (to tone them down.) Unfortunately, they still look pretty "dramatic" in the photo, but are much more subtle in person.

I love the end result but my sister saw the photo (not the actual dresser) and said it look "circus-y", which was NOT my goal.

Opinions? Thanks - don't be shy : )

Spy.

PS - I can never get my photos to upload so I've provided the link directly to it in my flickr account below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11363598@N03/2706567222/sizes/l/

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Comments (34)

wodka
16 years ago
I think you did a great job - it doesn't look circus-y to me at all. I would love to have a piece like that, and the handles are beautiful, as well. Congratulations!
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funkyart
16 years ago
I like it too.. you did a good job.
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hilltop_gw
16 years ago
You did a beautiful job on those stripes! My initial reaction was that the ivory stripes needed to be a little darker (richer gold) to match the rug but the stripes also added whimsy to the harlequin type diamond pattern of the rug so it fit in well. However, you said the stripes are more subtle in person & picture doesn't do it justice so perhaps the ivory blends well.

I looked at the other photos in your album & love your decorating style. There are different punches of color & pattern in your home added in a tasteful way that make it beautiful. The red stripes blend well with the vertical lines of the raised panels. Personally I think the red stripes add some fun & pattern & interest to the room--if the stripes are more subtle as you mention. A plain red would work, but it would be predictable. Right now, it's a work of art. If you like it, I'd stay with it.
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spy10021
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for chiming in! In reality the light stripes match the light in the rug (both are a dark cream/off white). I'm not sure why the photo makes the dresser stripes look so white.

While the photos don't show it, the upholstery, bed, etc. in the bedroom is a mix of black and white toile with red accents so i was hoping the bold stripes of the dresser seem to balance out the toile.
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budge1
16 years ago
I absolutely love it. Could you come and do some of my furniture?
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soshh
16 years ago
Love it! Love the rug too, where is it from?
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spy10021
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, Soshh. The rug is from Ballard Designs, but is old, so I would be suprised if they still carried it.
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DLM2000-GW
16 years ago
If you took that photo with flash (and it looks like you did) that's why the cream looks washed out and not as rich as you say it is in person. You did a great job on the stripes - that's not easy to do and get crisp lines - but going through other pics in your album I see you've had practice! Love your house - everything is just lovely. I know I've seen some of the rooms before but I don't remember the outside - you obviously put heart and soul into your home.
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texashottie
16 years ago
I really like your piece! It's beautiful and attractive!

Btw, my heart is pining after that bedroom of yours with the toile wallpaper, the two twin beds with the luscious headboards! Ooo! I love those bed frames!! You have some pretty French pieces.
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brutuses
16 years ago
At first I wasn't sure if I liked it or not, but then seeing the rest of the room, it makes sense and looks great. You have a beautiful house and you've done a great job decorating it.
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User
16 years ago
Great look and I like it - I would add an indented white stripe band on top edge that's the width of lower stripes to finish and to tie in the other stripes.

Jim
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spy10021
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks to everyone's compliments on the rest of my house!

What are your thoughts as to my NEXT project? I'm going to paint/antique the French twin beds you saw in the blue/cream "toile" bedroom, then reupolster the headboards in a neutral, nubby linen that I've had embroidered with giant (8 inch) ornate monograms of my initial "W"?
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User
16 years ago
Spy, I think it looks brilliant! I knew the rug right away from Ballard, and it is indeed still available---one of their "tried and true" classics. You've done an incredible job on the piece and I do not say that lightly. (Sisters!)
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organic_smallhome
16 years ago
Not at ALL "circus-y." I think it's stunning, and I like the rug a lot. You did a beautiful job.
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pam14
16 years ago
Looks great to me! I love your home! How old is it? So many interesting details, and you have the knack for hanging pictures and arranging objects. Very nice!
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User
16 years ago
I absolutely love it!
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abundantblessings
16 years ago
The painted chest works beautifully in your room.

I'm not sure about the upholstered headboard though, unless the green leather is in disrepair. I'd consider leaving the headboard as is, and using the monogramed nubby linen on a giant Euro pillow atop each bed.

BTW, love your renovated stairwell; wonderful improvement!
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redbazel
16 years ago
I do love those twin beds in the toile room as they are, but if you have your heart set on the linen monogrammed, I'm sure it will turn out very well too. You seem to have quite the eye for design and execution.

The striped chest turned out very well. I see what Deb meant about the picture being taken with flash and that probably explains your sister's misgivings. Although, if she's been fortunate enough to see your darling house in person, she should know better!

Red
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magic_arizona
16 years ago
Beautiful Home! So warm and cozy.

Can I ask about the counter top material on your kitchen island? Is it butcher block? If so, how is it treated to get that smooth shiny finish?

I have butcher block on my island and it looks like cr@p. Dull and unimpressive.
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zipdee
16 years ago
I think the chest is fabulous! You did a fantastic job. The rest of your home is just beautiful!
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spy10021
Original Author
16 years ago
I'm glad to see that no one agreed with my sister as to the 'circus' feel : ) Although those that did probably just didn't respond....

Magic Ax - I really don't know what wood is on the island although it's not butcher's block. It was a matte finish, but I used tung oil to finish it. Tung oil may or may not be a wise idea for a food prep service, but I'm more of a dial-411-take-out gal so the island rarely sees any food prep action : )

Redbazel and abundant blessing - thanks for your input on the headboard. The green leather on the headboard is actually a lovely green but completely clashes with the pale blue toile so I just can't keep it (although I'll save the leather to perhaps resuse in another project.)

Pam14 - the house was a major dump when I bought it. It's a classic 1950's cape so I rolled up my sleeves and had at it! Since I'm running out of projects (the house is almost finished), I may try to sell it next year and find another fixer upper so wish me luck.

Spy : )
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magic_arizona
16 years ago
Thanks. I was just reading about Tung Oil on another thread and it is Okay for food prep.

I'm gonna give it a try.
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texashottie
16 years ago
Oh, Spy, your plans for those beds sounds sumptuous! It will look like a magazine when you are done---I'm all for it. Post pics, please!
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kitchenkelly
16 years ago
That is fabulous. I love paint.
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ttodd
16 years ago
I think that it's wonderful! In fact I began painting a bureau in my MBR (not the one that I wanted to paint black) turquoise to coordinate w/ new bedding I just got. I couldn't justify buying more paint so I randomly began sampling cast off qts. in my basement & ended up coming across 2 that looked so good together that I decided to paint stripes on the bureau. Then I remembered your post.

I'm painting my stripes (deep teal & dusty turquoise) today I hope & DH is getting me black glass knobs for it. Thanks for the sublminal inspiration!
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patricianat
16 years ago
You have a very charming and beautiful home and the dresser is very well done. Those twin beds are beautiful and the wallpaper is adorable. I raise my coffee cup to you!
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yayagal
16 years ago
You did a wonderful job but I also think the stripes could be toned a bit more. What room will it be in?? Are the tones in the room equal to that much color? If the answer is yes, then it's fine.
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california_dreamer
16 years ago
I love the dresser- it fits perfectly in your beautiful home. What a transformation you have made! I especially love all the molding etc. that you've added throughout the house. It is so pretty. You've done an amazing job. It is hard to believe it is the same space shown in the before photos! Very inspiring!
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babs711
16 years ago
I love it! Can I ask what shades of yellow you used in your home? It looks like the one in your kitchen is different than the one throughout the rest of the downstairs. I love your home!
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dilly_dally
16 years ago
Love it.
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dorothy9_gw
16 years ago
I want to see the pictures too but I just got the flicker home page. Not too computer-smart here, so what did I do wrong?
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nhb22
16 years ago
dorothy9 - Did you copy and paste the entire link? I just took a look and had no problem.

I LOVE the CHEST!!!!
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dorothy9_gw
16 years ago
Finally I don't have to type in that long line! Had no idea of what cut & paste is, so you can see my computer skills are limited.

What a charming home, reminds me of DD's home in Indie about 20 years ago. You have done a remarkable job.
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gk5040
16 years ago
What a fun dresser!
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Need opinion re: My finished project - striped dresser

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