Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Duncan Phyfe Makeover

I bought this Duncan Phyfe china cabinet at a yard sale about 5 years ago. It just happens to match the dining room set I inherited from my great grandparents. I always meant to give it a little facelift but never got around to it. You know how that goes!
It had a missing pane of glass and some minor damage to the veneer so I thought a paint job would bring it up to date as well as hide its flaws. After 5 year of nagging, I finally got Poopsie to replace the glass.
So here's the result of a weekend of painting. What do you think?
Love, Kelly

5 comments:

  1. DROOL!!!! Whoever sold a true Duncan at a Yard Sale should be shot LOL! SCORE for you!!

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  2. You do not want me to post this comment on your blog .... and I am sorry. You should see the comments I couldn't stop myself from writing on Scott and Sherry's Bahamas photos (Those Ballard's ARE a very photogenic family by the way).

    If only I had possessed a proper dining room in which to lovingly place this marvelous piece of furniture and admiringly fill with china purchased from the 2nd Hand Chic before this delightful cabinet met with your wayward paintbrush! YOU!

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  3. OMG!!! What a crime. I own a pre 1900's farmhouse and like Robin I wish I had found the deal of a lifetime. I have many Duncan Phyfe pieces and the day to day wear and tear and even the little imperfections are what make it beautiful! I am of the out with the new and in with the old sort of person and you can never bring a piece like that "up to date"...what a shame :(

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  4. Hey haters, the great thing about paint is that it's a FINISH, and it's easy to change when you want. I agree that some furniture should never meet the brush, but in this case, it's fine. Really.
    I think it looks cute and fresh painted up. The only thing I would change is the color of the pulls; possibly sand the white down the to brass, or just leave them dark for contrast.

    For Pete's sake, it's a mass-produced Duncan Phyfe china cabinet, not a museum quality original built by Ben Franklin or something. You can find them everywhere, usually for not much money, which makes the scruffier pieces ideal candidate for the paintbrush. I once had a guy offer to GIVE me and my husband his dining set when we came over to his house to pick up a Craigslist waterfall vanity.

    I've successfully stripped pretty wood pieces that I like, and I've taken the brush to furniture that was just MEh..(Love maple, but not so much the cherry or walnut stain)
    I came across this post because I'm preparing to do some painting with a similar piece that has great bones, but also has that has broken molding and gouged out keyholes that need to be replaced with wood epoxy. Even if wasn't damaged, I would paint it anyway, because shiny cherry veneer isn't doing it for me. Just because it's wood, doesn't mean it's good.
    Don't listen to em, Kelly. ;P

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  5. Thank you for your thoughtful comments, SquirrelGirl. I will only paint a piece of furniture that has damage to the wood. People have been painting furniture to cover imperfections in the wood for centuries so why all the fuss? I think you are right about the drawer pulls, though.

    When it comes to decor, everyone has their own style. As a shop owner, I've learned you have to provide your customer with what they want if you want to stay in business. Painted furniture is in style now. If you want a museum quality piece of furniture, by all means go down to the local antique store and pay top dollar.

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