Want to hear what my new favorite idea is for painting furniture?
If you’re stuck on choosing what color to paint a cabinet or a bookshelf, try going with the wall color. Especially if your walls are a more dramatic color (this trick is a lot less fun if your walls are a very pale neutral or white).
I tried it first here in my office and then two more times with different client projects, and I’m just floored every time at how much I like the look. When furniture matches the wall color it gives the space texture but doesn’t break up the flow of the room in the way that contrasting colors can.
I almost sold these fretwork cabinets a couple months ago because I was bored with them, but they really are the perfect size for my office and they provide some much-needed storage (as seen here). Painting them the color of the walls (BM’s Chelsea Gray) gave them a second life for me, and now I’m glad I held onto them a little longer. Man, I’ve got to stop flying through furniture so fast! Do you get sick of stuff like I do? My furniture attention span is shrinking like crazy the longer I’m in this business.
(PS I lightly sanded the old paint job before brushing on the new coat of gray paint. I used a paint+primer formula, so I didn’t bother to prime first. And I didn’t use even an inch of painter’s tape on all those tricky fretwork pieces because this totally works every time.)
HAPPY WEEKEND! xoxo
The color is very beautiful cabinet.
Really like this cabinet.
– stuffed animals
i am a new reader who loves a good diy (a very simple, good diy). and holy moly – have i found the right place for that! i have been inspired daily! thank you for helping me see things a bit differently around my home!!
mylettchronicals
gorgeous! I love it too. you would think it would make the furniture disappear, but instead it just makes it look really beautiful and simple.
Great idea! I would have never thought to so that, but it really is a chic was to revive a piece.
Your cabinet looks awesome in that dark grey.
xo Quinn
Quinn Cooper Style
I absolutely love the idea of painting the cabinet the wall color…you are so right it becomes all about a textured element. Had the finish on that been different it may have made the space seem like it had two large pieces in a tight spot. But by painting it the same color it is absolute perfect!
Don't sell those pieces..you will be sorry later on…they are the type of piece that you don't find all of the time and can go in any type of room.
Donna
thebeneblog.com
My husband complains terribly about my constant furniture "rotations"…or sometimes just my wish to get rid of something for something "new". Love the paint color – and the glass cleaner trick works for me every time, too – even when painting around our wood trim.
That looks great. I think that gray would also look good with the white or pale walls…adding pops of color in accesories maybe, but that surely is a great and a safe idea for the ones who want to keep the things simple and avoid taking the risk of color contrasts and combinations.
Great idea! Will definitely have to try this! Thanks :)
The same principal rings true for painting out the trim of the room in the same color as the walls -also having the most dramatic effect when using dark colors.
I'd like to know if you use the same sheen on the walls and cabinet and what it is.
http://www.theshingledhouse.com
Beautiful! I've always used your recommendations for painting furniture, but what's the best type of paint to use on kitchen cabinets?
Love it! I just suggested the same thing to a client last week who has an china cabinet in her living room. Worked like a charm!
Susan
http://simplymodernhome.com/
Yes, I get bored with furniture too, sometimes selling and trading pieces I haven't even made over yet. Thank goodness I have a booth!
I hear ya with the furniture. It drives my husband nuts! Every time we buy something new he says"now, you're going to like this for a long time and not get sick of it, right?" and I always reassure him I will. But seriously, he should know better by now ;)
Gorgeous!!!
Lucky you! Love fretwork amazing! And fabulous idea to paint the same color!
Have a great weekend!
Love following your blog, Jamie Herzlinger
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Gorgeous! I use Chelsea Gray a ton. It's such a good grey.
What a GREAT idea — never thought to do this!!
Thank you very much. I agreee with your article, this really helped me. I appreciate your help. Thanks a lot. Good website.
Silestone
PERFECT……………
As I write, I have Chelsea Gray as a sample on my kitchen cabinets trying to decide if I want to go in that direction. It's hard for me to make a decision, but this morning I was leaning towards the Chelsea. It sure helps to see it on your wall.
I totally have a short attention span when it comes to furniture pieces. Sure there are a few that I treasure and cannot imagine redoing or getting rid of. But! I quite like paining or refinishing furniture so it becomes so easy to re imagine a piece and re-do it, or find a craigslist piece to paint.
I love this idea and did something very similar in my dining room. We have an original to the house (1920's spanish-craftsman) buffet which was horrible looking. I painted it a shade darker than the wall color just to give it a bit of architectural interest but still "disappear." Everyone thought I was nuts but I'm thrilled with the results:
http://lemonmacaron.blogspot.com/2012_10_01_archive.html
wetershyrtdjtky
home-insurance-qu0tes
I love the look of the grey with the "mirrors".
When I saw your original post on getting those cabinets I was floored because I have the exact same one. I got it an estate sale and am trying to figure out if I want to paint it as well since yours look so great. Hopefully I won't get sick of it too soon since I have so many other areas to fill up first :-)