As someone who is mildly obsessed with thrifting, scouring facebook marketplace for vintage finds, and doing my own furniture rehab projects, it’s crunch time now that we’ll be moving this spring! I have a number of projects that I haven’t tackled yet (or need to redo), so I wanted to share what’s on my to-do list once it’s warm enough to paint outside again.
Antique Twin Jenny Lind Beds
Mine:
Inspiration (I don’t plan on this color scheme, but I love the look of twin Jenny Lind beds for a little girl’s room!):
I found a pair of twin Jenny Lind headboards and footboards on Facebook Marketplace last year and knew they’d be perfect for the girls’ shared room (once we move). They’re such a classic style and I’ve always loved the look of twin beds in a room! They’re currently different colors and I plan to paint them both white. The room above is by Amy Studebaker.
Small Faux Bamboo Nightstand
I painted this thrift store find pink for Caroline last year but the pink I chose reminds me of pepto bismol so I’m going to change it. It’s too short to put between their twin beds so I haven’t completely decided where it will go yet. Possibly in the office where we plan to eventually put a Murphy bed for guests (no room for a bed to stay there full time since it will also double as my office). Not sure on the paint color yet!
Faux Bamboo China Cabinet
Mine:
Inspiration:
I found this piece a few years ago in Beaufort, SC and it’s been living at my family’s beach house since then. My parents will bring it up this spring and I plan to paint it a celadon green. Amy Studebaker has the same one and hers is painted a bold green, which looks really fun. I’ll likely go with a more toned down color though.
Fiddlehead Wicker and Rattan Side Tables
I found these little side tables on the side of the road last year on trash day (lol). They aren’t in the best condition but would look much better with some cleaning and a quick coat of paint. I don’t have an actual plan for these right now but I’ll probably paint them white.
Large Square Coffee Table
Mine:
Inspiration (I won’t paint mine pink, this just shows that my piece has potential!):
I bought this last year at a thrift store. The color is pretty dated but the cane second level is in perfect condition and the legs are quite similar in design to this one that is in Julia Berolzheimer’s house (pictured above), although mine doesn’t have the Ming-inspired feet like her’s does. I’ll already have a number of painted pieces in the room so I plan to try my hand at removing the stain and bleaching the piece so that it looks lighter and brighter (like some of the projects The Coastal Oak does). If it doesn’t turn out then it’s no big deal because it was a pretty affordable piece.
Repair and Repaint Chinese Chippendale Dining Chairs
I found these chairs at a thrift store years ago and fixed them up back when we lived in Maryland before Jack was born. I still love them so much! Some of the cane wraps are starting to fray though and after moving to Kansas, Hawaii, and Virginia they’re looking a little beat up. They just need a quick coat of paint and they’ll be good as new. I plan to keep them white.
Tall Campaign Dresser
I found this vintage dresser over Christmas break in Beaufort, SC and it’ll be the perfect dresser for Jack. I’m thinking Benjamin Moore Hale Navy or maybe I’ll play it safe and paint it white. Here’s a campaign dresser I updated years ago that is currently being used as my nightstand.
Octagonal Faux Bamboo Mirrors
Mine:
Inspiration for how I’ll use them:
I’ve had one of these vintage mirrors for years but recently found a matching one on Facebook Marketplace! I plan to use them as our bathroom mirrors in lieu of the large builder grade mirror. They’re currently different colors and I will paint these white, but I still need to decide on wallpaper. I’ve included an inspiration photo by Maggie York (one of my favorites to follow on Instagram) above!
Faux Bamboo Bench
I bought this cute bench at a thrift store years ago years ago and I loved the wood but I stupidly left it outside on our front stoop when we lived in Hawaii and the sun destroyed it so it does not look like the photo above anymore. The cane seat is also broken now so I’ll probably have to get it repaired and then I plan to sand and paint it so that it looks nice and fresh.
Pair of Wingback Chairs
What the looked like originally:
I found this pair of wingback chairs nearly 10 years ago and had them reupholstered in pink fabric when I was in my Kate Spade phase. They’ve been fun, but the fabric is not my style anymore. I need something more neutral that will play better with my other furniture. I plan to have them professionally reupholstered in a solid light blue- most likely this Perennials fabric by Serena and Lily. These will be in our living room with my blue ikat sofa so I need them to be more neutral so as not to compete with the bold sofa.
Hand Me Down Wooden Dresser
When our neighbors moved last year they offered us a big wooden dresser, which I happily accepted because apparently I can’t turn down free stuff. It’s a dark solid wood right now but I plan to try to strip and bleach it and then I’ll replace the knobs as well. If the bleaching doesn’t turn out then I’ll just paint it. This would be a great dresser for Tom.
Rectangular Mirror
This faux bamboo mirror was a thrift store find and I plan to use it in the girls’ bathroom. It’s pink right now but I plan to paint it white. Or should I keep it pink??
I am about to tackle my first furniture painting project! I’ve been inspired by the pieces you’ve restored. Do you use a special furniture paint? If so, what brand do recommend? It will be a dresser in my son’s room. Thanks!
Author
Oh how fun that you have a project to work on! I’ve used spray paint but recently started using regular paint so that I could get the exact color I wanted and use a paint sprayer to apply the paint. I have a bunch of blog posts on painting furniture if you go to the “Home Decor” category and then choose “DIY.” This post may be especially helpful: “Tips on Painting Furniture”
I love the pink mirror for the girls bathroom-especially considering their age. It can be repainted once they get tired of it.
Author
I may do that! Although I’m planning a really fun pink wallpaper so it might be too much to have a pink mirror as well. We’ll see!