The use of painted furniture should not be underestimated in providing a beautiful alternative to traditional oak and mahogany stained furniture, particularly if your home is contemporary in design. The inspiration for the many examples on sale today comes primarily from the 18th and 19th century designs in central and northern Europe and this makes for some amazing examples of grace and style. The origins of hand painted furniture are much earlier than that, however, and it is thought that the Chinese used resin lacquers as early as 3500 years ago. The painting of furniture was also practiced by the Germans and Poles and these communities, after immigrating into the United States, founded the various Shaker communities. This is the reason why much of the Shaker style of furniture is unpainted.
One significant advantage of painted furniture is the sheer variety of different colors and shades that can be achieved. Put simply, if you can conceive a particular color or shade then there is a good chance that it can be made. This versatility means that you can do so many different things with furniture and the right paint and skills – you can stencil it, age it, decorate it and us it to obtain virtually any chosen effect. Artists have also chosen furniture as a canvas on which to express their skill and individuality.
One major disadvantage is that the paint effect is generally not as hardy as a natural wood finish and many people choose to protect a painted finish with either a piece of glass or a clear coating of varnish. Choose the paint carefully and always pick one that is designed for painting wood – metal paint and masonry paint are simply not suitable for the delicate nature of wood and they will only serve to bury the beauty of the wood and look ugly as well.
If you intend to paint a piece of furniture then it’s important to prepare the wood carefully. Scratches or chips should be filled with proprietary wood filler. Allow the filler to dry thoroughly before sanding with fine grade sandpaper such as 220 grit. Never sand against the grain of the wood since this will scratch the surface. Sand in the direction of the grain until you can feel no imperfections with your finger tips. If you can feel it then you will see it when painted! Remove any dust with a tack cloth and you are ready to prime, stain or varnish. Here it’s worth spending money on the best you can afford. The cheaper brands simply will not cover or last as well as the better quality brands.
Painted furniture remains extremely popular, not least because it’s possible to individualize furniture to a much greater degree with paint than with any other medium. In an era of mass production, this factor remains an important factor when choosing furniture. Irrespective of what mood you want to create, the use of paint can normally re-create it. Popular styles include Rococo/Louis XIV, French Style/Shabby Chic, Colonial/New England, Mexican and Contemporary.