Hi there,

I remember your family room when you were looking for window treatment fabric. It looks great - really great!

As for your island, while black is always an option, I do think red will look even better in your space. I think a red on the rusty/brickish side would look better than a bright red, though.

I would go and look at milk paint samples. While you might not end up using milk paint, the colours are muted and lovely and appropriate for the piece. If you find a colour you like, then you can colour match from your fave paint company.

That is a great piece. Does it have to be just one color? Can it be a combination of red & black? Wheathering a piece often includes multiple colors.

Can you post a close-up of the island as it is now. Painting the tin tiles should not be a problem with the correct primer, unless they're already painted.

IMO both colors are too harsh - pick an undertone you like and top with a soft white, giving a distressed look.

Thanks everyone for helping me work through this! It has been months since the rooms were repainted and the island is still the original color from when I purchased it years ago! I am concerned about getting the finish right and painting the tins without ruining them. That may seem crazy sincce the tins are rusted, and the finish is weathered and rough, but those elements are what I love about the piece. If I could decide on a color, I am feeling confident I could figure out the painting process :)

Jan- I agree that if I go red, brick red would be the best option. It was my first try on photoshopping anything and I couldn't quite find the color red I wanted. Thanks for sharing your ideas. I love all the pics I have seen of your home, and value your opinion.

Daisy- I think the paint that is currently on the piece is milk paint. I love the finish. If you are familiar with milkpaints, are they easy to work with?

Paintergirl- I hadn't thought about a combo!! I am a novice furniture painter. I was thinking I could get a weathered look on the wood sections by painting a base color, and maybe drybrushing a raw umber color over the top..... no clue on the tins :( I want the rust to come thru. The tin tiles are painted in the same finish as the beadboard.

Here are more current pics of the piece. Sorry if it seems obnoxious but I am going to keep the pics full size incase it helps to see the current finish.

sorry calirose- I missed your post! Do you mean put a color underneath, and wash with a white over it? Maybe more like a piece of painted white furniture with areas sanded away to show the wood underneath?

I think the black would look a little harsh next to your cabinets and other furniture. I agree that a brick red or terracotta, or even a brown, would look best. If you don't get milk paint, I would use flat paint, and maybe dilute it with water or clear glaze, to let a little of the green peek through.

Have fun!
Jen

What about the palest blue that's in your LR curtain fabric?

Is the tin just the two big pieces that make up the back? If so why not leave the tin and on the rest rub that brown rust color (or another color), leaving the green slightly peeking through the rest of the island?

Yes, that is exactly what I meant. And, jlc712's idea would also work. I don't think you would want the top layer to be a crisp color nor a shiny color. Keeping it aged would go well with the island as well as other rooms.

I like the piece in its current color. Brick red, I think, will be boring -- too dark, as would black. You want to celebrate the piece, not hide it. If you must paint, how about a rusty yellow?

I agree with the last poster! Fantastic photoshopping! A mustard yellow/gold was an often used color back in the day. Many old cupboards were painted that color. I think it would look great with the green in your rooms as well as the with the dishes and other items stored in the island cupboard. Much better then black or red (even though I love those colors too)

I like the mustard idea, too, and I'd want it darkened a bit. The red will be hard to dull down enough against a green wall, because those two colors intensify each other. Yellow is adjacent to green on the wheel, and will result in a much more harmonious effect. I think it will look best with your lovely weathered top, too. And when it's done, you can dirty it up very effectively with a little umber artist's color rubbed into it and wiped down, if you like.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the feedback. The ideas on how to use the paint and the techniques are just as helpful as the color suggestions. I am new to painting furniture. Just painted my first piece this summer.

I love the mustard yellow suggestion!!! Any specific colors come to anyones mind? I know I might be pushing my luck on this now...LOL

Suero-Having made my first and very sad attempt at photoshopping I have to say that I am totally amazed - thank you!!!