From dark and dilapidated to light and luxurious...help!
trudydudette
9 years ago
Hi, I have 2 beautiful pieces of dark furniture and I need them brightening up. They are to complement my bright and feminine bedroom, which I have just decorated in gallery white paint, mustard/yellow and white floral wallpaper and white carpet. However, I don't want to ruin them and would like to keep some of the wood grain. I am just about to start sanding them tonight but unsure of where to go next with them...? Any help with this project would be greatly appreciated & thanks in advance.
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PRONK interior design
9 years agoRelated Discussions
New kitchen/diner idea
Comments (31)I absolutely know how you feel, I've been in the middle of doing up a dilapidated repossession house for the last year! In my previous flat I had a kitchen island. One of the things I loved about it was that someone could be peeling/chopping/preparing food on one side of the island whilst the other cooked - not get in the way of each other and still able to chat easily. You'll probably find exactly the same thing happens with a peninsula. Its also good for leaving out nibbles when you have guests round for dinner as I always find people loiter in the kitchen! I so wish I had a space for something like the bookshelves around a window. My bookcase is bursting at the seams but there's really nowhere for me to expand into until the rooms upstairs are finished. I'm glad you like the suggestions and I think it'll be an amazing space when it's done - please do post photos of the end results!...See MoreWin a design consultation at designjunction - September 22nd-25th
Comments (84)We have just purchased what we hope to be our last house. It is a very big plot and we are looking to knock down and get planning for a very large house over 4 floors. (12,000 sq ft). We know what we want internally however our issue lies with the external look and feel. My wife wants classic new build, with pillar entrance, sash box windows with stone cills or surroundings (Surrey Commuter belt!). I like contempory white, modern, square, glass walls, feature cladded walls with balconies (Beverly Hills!) Our compromise is classic at the front contempory at the rear. We need help! Hopeful designjunction will help offer solutions so we can move forward....See MoreRenovation! - plug sockets, light switches and more...
Comments (49)I feel like I'm making loads of decision but still not really getting anywhere. There is so much to think about! Spotted some lovely toggle light switches so I've already bought them. I know where the light switches are going but its a case of figuring out the best places to put the plug sockets because we have so many in my mums house but we still run out! We've opted for a few USB sockets too so at least if we are charging phones and laptops, we are freeing space for other things too. In terms of kitchen layout, the suggestion of the seating in the bay window is great but because that would mean the kitchen would have to go at the other end, we've decided against this. It would work, and would probably be the best option once the horrible extension is knocked down but at the moment, the extension blocks all the sun light on that side so the kitchen would be very dim and dark for a while. The extension is something we are saving for and is more likely to be done in 4-5 years time so I'm not sure it makes sense to be in a dark corner for that length of time. We've had the house a month tomorrow and so far it has been ripping the house apart. January is the month we put everything back! Super excited. Plumber, heating engineer and builders are all put to the task in January. New floor in the kitchen, wall removed and built up again to accommodate the new window so that we can have units underneath, first fix plumbing, first fix heating and boiler installation. All other windows to be installed. Hoping that guttering and chimneys can be looked at too! We have a chimney breast on almost every wall which I'm sure was great for heating years ago but as they are no longer used, they cause so many damp issues! I bought paint tester pots today - I have no idea why, we are nowhere near ready for that but it just felt nice to buy something pretty and cosmetic rather than look at insulation and damp proofing. P.S; any suggestions on obscure glass for the bathroom and hallway? I've been given a huge list of options but unsure as to what to choose. Thinking just Contora or Arctic?...See MoreColour dilemma - in danger of going too brown?
Comments (10)It’s tricky since in my opinion it does depend on the specific room when you go dark. I’ve gone dark in plenty of rooms over the years and I admit some looked awful and had to be redone. But others looked great and I’m not 100% sure why. But one thing I have learned is that how the bed is dressed makes a big difference. Good quality white bedding balances out too much darkness sometimes, after all beds are large surface areas. And if the floor is light that makes a lot of difference. Also, on those large bedside tables if you had traditional light coloured lampshades that could be a good contrast especially when lit. And finally, a well chosen art print above the bed...See More
PROASVInteriors
9 years agoI'm with NK on this one. I know you had them in mind functionally for your room, but they have a lot of character and visual interest. In a highly modern context they would look great as stand out pieces. Are they real or imitation? If they are true vintage, I would try not to paint them but restore them. And I do feel that the colours you have chosen for your bedroom woud still work
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trudydudette
9 years agoJonathan
9 years agomariboodebumbum
9 years ago
PROEnsign Accessories
9 years agorenetaenunn
9 years agolymette58
9 years agoI have just changed our bedroom from quite dark pine bed to silver finished one and decorated the wall behind the bed. Then set about transforming the ikea chest of drawers without handles, which I wanted to keep due to the depth of the drawers. Used chalk finish paint and wallpapered the fronts with the walllpaper behind the bed. I am pleased with the result, and lots of people complimented them. See photo. Hope this gives you some ideas.
nudejude
9 years ago
PROLili Oli Interior Design
7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
These are beautiful pieces of furniture, but don't be afraid to go bold with colour. I upcycled a piece recently (before and after attached) which completely lifted the mood of the whole room. A teal such as the above would work very well with mustard yellow as well. Best of luck.
minnie101