Geometric Paint Treatments

I've been looking for side tables for our living room for a while - I wanted a very petite pair of chests with lots of storage and clean lines. I found this vintage set on Craigslist for $150, which included delivery. They came in absolutely pristine vintage condition and the scale is just what I had in mind. Love them.




I've been really into blonde wood lately, so I would hate to cover up the finish on these, but the color is not really working with my ivory sofa and the new yellow carpet. I've been drawn to geometric decorative paint finishes and I think I could pull something like one of these off here:


Architectural Digest Espana


Adore Home Magazine


Paul Marra chest

Have you done anything similar? Depending on the pattern, I'd probably have to buy or make a stencil, but I think it could be a really fun project.
on

35 comments:

  1. Gaby [The Vault Files]February 15, 2011 at 6:01 AM

    Oh God! they would look fantastic! Totally in love with the ones you posted, you should definitely try it ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2011 at 6:03 AM

    Jenny, great score on the tables. I love the geometric patterns too. I definately think a stencil would be the way to go. I haven't painted furniture but I did make a stencil for a headboard in my son's room in a ring pattern. It was hard because I had to have a seperate piece for the center of each ring and I used double sided tape to hold it in place while stenciling. Kinda hard to explain but let me know if you want more details. I can tell you what did an didn't work for me.

    ReplyDelete
  3. meenal @ maison marigoldFebruary 15, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    The pattern on second one looks almost like elaborate inlay work...would be great to get that effect with stencil/paint!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Carrie @ Hazardous DesignFebruary 15, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    Forget the stenciling, that's too ambitious for me! I'm totally stealing the idea to hang tassels from hardware like in the second photo.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AndreaFebruary 15, 2011 at 7:44 AM

    I love the idea. My mom once applied a really cool wallpaper to a dresser. Then varnished over it. It looked amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. kimFebruary 15, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    I'm currently working on a bathroom mirror. Trying to copy the look of the mirrors from MacKenzie-Childs. Got the black base coat done - haven't decided on wether or not to use a brush or a paint pen for the pattern... This mirror will be completely free handed - not so sure how that will go. I've got another that I want to do that already has an etched pattern to follow.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dina @ Honey + FitzFebruary 15, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    This is totally doable with the right stencil, especially since the pieces are so flat. There are several on this site that I think could work for achieving the look. http://www.modellodesigns.com/Category.asp?cat_idno=464772

    ReplyDelete
  8. Laura TreveyFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    What an amazing deal! I need to check out an unfinished furniture shop soon.
    Laura
    www.brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. annFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    Sunset Magazine demonstrated how to paint chevrons on the top of two night stands to freshen up the look... Here's the Chevron pattern how-to from Sunset magazine.

    Can't wait to see what you decide to do... perhaps make a tutorial of your own!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Laurie from Laurie Jones HomeFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    OMG go for it!! Love to see the results of you tackling that project!! Oh and delivery too, umm score!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    How great will those be? What a find! Stencil is the easiest way to go, but if you can pull of the first picture...holy moly! XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  12. Brandi@ Flights of WhimsyFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Kristen at KFD just did something like this the other day. It looked amazing! But she said it took a loooong time to tape it all off. I would probably go with a stencil instead to make things easier.

    ReplyDelete
  13. lisaroyFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    Oh! I'm loving this idea! I haven't done one myself but I hope you do - I'd love to see the finished project! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Splendid SassFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    Love, love the first image. Just beautiful chests.
    Teresa
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  15. KarenFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    I recently painted and stenciled a plain pine dresser for my daughter's room http://karenz-korner.blogspot.com/2010/12/what-ive-been-up-to.html. I didn't realize till I was done that the drawers only fit together in certain slots. But I think it came out pretty good anyway. Got my inspiration from 6th street design school but can't find the post.

    ReplyDelete
  16. laxsupermomFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Ooh - with the clean lines of those pieces, they'd look great with a geometric paint job! Can't wait to see what you choose to do.

    ReplyDelete
  17. PaolaFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    These are FUN! I have tons of floral in my room, and this would really break it up. So, random comment about your Chai Mai Dragon: That sucker is EXPENSIVE per yard! Right? So I think I found a great 'cheaper' alternative...I thought I'd share. It's Robert Allen KiKi Pinata (his whole KIKI line has different color tones for that pattern), but I think it's awesome, and for 12-15 dollars a yard, that is TOTALLY do-able. Am I crazy or do you think I'm on the right track? Let us readers know! :)
    http://www.fabric.com/home-decor-fabric-contemporary-fabric-robert-allen-kiki-pinata.aspx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Pam @ bibbidi-bobbidi-beautifulFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    Wow, the AD spain chest is amazing- I'm also really drawn to the honeycomb pattern. That one could maybe even be happy tape project?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Rebecca GibbsFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    i wasn't THAT brave! haha....I just did a simple graphic detail on the top surface of my little side tables...

    http://gibbgabb.blogspot.com/2011/02/fretwork.html

    good luck! I can't wait to see what you do!

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownFebruary 15, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    I love the side tables. I was kind of scratching my head about geometric patterns..not knowing what to picture. Then I scrolled down. What a project! I like the hexagons! I can't wait to see what you end up doing.

    Thanks to you and your inspiring painted furniture I have a long list of warm weather projects lined up.

    ReplyDelete
  21. JessFebruary 15, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    love the geometric idea! please give us a how to once you figure it out:)

    ReplyDelete
  22. MeganFebruary 15, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    Hey - I totally did this not too long ago - I had a dresser that I painted plain white, and felt it needed a little something - plus I have a slight obsession with Geometric patterns... so I used a stencil on the top. Check it out:
    http://refinddesign.blogspot.com/2010/10/honeycomb-dresser-for-sale.html

    ReplyDelete
  23. IngridFebruary 15, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    Those were a great find!! I love the scale of them and a pattern would look great! I have not stenciled, but have been wanting to apply fun paper to the front of some drawers. Good luck with the project and can't wait to see how they turn out!

    ReplyDelete
  24. HeatherFebruary 15, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    I've been pulling images of tables with samll-scale treatments, sort of like inlay. Haven't figured out the best way to tackle this quite yet though. LOVE your inspiration shots. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  25. CatherineFebruary 15, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    Love the idea especially since these are small. Just a tip: if you mask off the piece leave the drawers in to apply the tape, then cut tape edges and remove drawers to paint, then you get a nice match. Same if you use a stencil, put stencil on the face with the drawers in and outline lightly some registration lines on the drawers so you can you can put the stencil in the correct place when you paint the drawers. You may also want to think about using fabric and Upholstering the piece. They will be lovely. I hate doing two pieces the same way. Do each step on each piece as you go. Then they are done at the same time!
    Cat

    ReplyDelete
  26. KellieFebruary 15, 2011 at 1:44 PM

    Great idea! I especially love the first one. I can't wait to see the end result!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Alena: Oh, Its Just Perfect!February 15, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    You find the best things on Craigslist! Can't wait to see what you come up with :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Greer CarlsonFebruary 15, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Check out this blog -

    http://kfddesigns.blogspot.com

    Kristen specializes in painting geometric furniture. You will love it!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful}February 15, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    See??? This is why I follow you because you are constantly coming up with the best ideas! (c: I'm totally smitten with that first chest of drawers...

    ReplyDelete
  30. casey at loft and cottageFebruary 15, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    Holy incredible patterns on those chests! I especially love the first one in multiple colors. I'm going to be one very excited reader if you decide to do this.

    ReplyDelete
  31. JoiFebruary 15, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    If anybody could make it look good, it's you! Good luck!! : )

    ReplyDelete
  32. HanaFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    ah, great idea! i love tedious paint jobs like this. can't wait to see what you do... sure to be fabulous! xo

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    very cool! I love the black and white honeycomb pattern. I did a geometric paint job on a table top. I used lots of painters tape and learned some lessons along the way. If you want to make thin lines, I've heard car detailing tape works great. here is a link to my geometric paint job: http://jennnash.typepad.com/blog/2010/07/table-before-after.html . I get a lot of inspiration for painted furniture from the blog: http://www.isuwannee.com/ Good luck, I can't wait to see how they turn out!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. AnonymousFebruary 16, 2011 at 3:37 AM

    Can't wait to see how they turn out! Always inspired by your work!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Lonely Wife ProjectFebruary 17, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    You MUST do something like that! Can't wait to see the results.

    ReplyDelete

I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)