In my 'Ask Deb Nelson' column I was asked about painting built-in cabinets. We're used to seeing built-in's in a warm white, cream or ivory colour, like in the room above. Typically it's done to coordinate with the trim and other accents in the room ...
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ASK DEB NELSON: ADDING COLOUR
In my column, Ask Deb Nelson, I was asked about how to add colour to a room. I personally gravitate toward neutral, layered spaces. But I do like to add some colour and pattern in a room, for example in the picture shown above, I ...
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ASK DEB NELSON: WHAT DO I PUT ON MY COFFEE TABLE?
One thing I love experimenting with is a coffee table display. Like mantels and bookcases, your coffee table can have an attractive, stylish display of items. I tend to change my around a lot – but typically always have a plant or flowers (especially in the summer depending on what I pick from the garden) and a stack of books. Other items that can work are candles, a tray is always nice to help 'ground' the items and other small decorative objects. Strangely I often seem to have one natural item – a large rock, drift wood, sea shell, a pinecone or antlers. It's a place you can easily try a number of items until you find the look you like. Here are a few of mine over the years.
ASK DEB NELSON: WALLPAPER
Often people ask about using wallpaper and I'm a fan of wallpaper. There are so many beautiful patterns, colours and styles you can find just about anything these days. When you're picking wallpaper, it often depends on a few factors, such as: ...
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ASK DEB NELSON: SHOULD I PAINT AN ANTIQUE?
A question I get asked a lot, is whether or not I think it's okay for people to paint an antique piece of furniture. The answer to this is a definite: It Depends! It depends on many factors about the antique. Starting off with the type of wood, the style and value of the piece. There are some formal, traditional styles of wooden antiques that just don't lend themselves to a painted look. I think the paint gives an antique a more casual, sometimes quaint, look – so it just doesn't suit some formal styles. For example, I have some beautiful family antiques I would never paint, I like the colour and style of the piece the way it is. But there are other pieces, that I have no problem painting. The ones I paint tend to fall into one of these categories: it was already painted, or I will use it because if it's painted it works in my house or it was really inexpensive and I don't think a coat of paint will diminish it's value. For example the hall table in entry (shown above) was already painted, so a fresh coat of white paint on it doesn't really alter the piece.
Each case is very different, but if you think a coat of paint will mean you love the piece and will use it – I say go for it. The idea is to enjoy the antique, so if it's sitting in the basement, maybe a coat of paint is the answer!
Here are some tables that have been painted white – I think these all look fabulous and highlight how great a coat of paint can look.
