"Old" furniture

[bigsteel15]

I didn't know where else to put this.
Having lunch with a cousin and her hubby yesterday, we got to discussing her mom. She is 70 and has always been very smart and independent woman. Until recently.
Anyways, she has extremely high end cherry furnishings that she bought in the early 70s. These include a dining room set and french provincial living room furniture that I remember not being able to go near as a kid as well as a full bedroom suite.
I almost cried when they told me that she has recently decided she wants to refinish them all by painting all the wood white.
That's right, PAINT, on solid cherry furniture.
Now this is a woman that I have always had a lot of respect for but how do I convince her not to do this? I don't live close enough to get hoodwinked into finishing them myself but I can't bear the thought of someone painting these very fine pieces.

[jAngiel]

It's just paint. She's had the furniture a long time and wants something different, at least she's not getting rid of it in a garage sale and going out to purchase newer "fine" furniture that wouldn't be anywhere near the quality. When the time comes for others to get the furniture, they can always strip and refinish and still end up with a beautiful piece of furniture. A little more work but hopefully the painted pieces will bring the woman many more years of happiness. Small price to pay me thinks.

Could be worse, she could have a knack for the distressed look and wanted to beat the crap out it with some chains...

[JR]

I agree with jAngiel. It's here furniture, she can do as she wishes. It's not going to ruin the furniture, and unless it's 18th century Boston Federal, she's not going to have the Keno brothers offering her hundreds of thousands $$ for it, if only it was in original condition.

The good news is that she's still looking for new things in her life, not settling for the way things are. You can't buy that mindset.

JR

[bigsteel15]

OK, I would agree with the idea of letting her do what makes her happy.
Any suggestions on what type of paint to use or to avoid?

[wardprobst]

I'd put a coat of shellac or two on the finish to seal it. Then I'd use a colored lacquer to simulate the paint. It will be easier to strip later and probably hold up better than any oil or water base paint I am familiar with.
YMMV,
DP

[jziegler]

I have to admit, my first response is the same as yours. But that's mostly because a year ago, I had to strip of the last vestiges of a paint on some old furniture. It can be done, but it is a real pain, especailly for any more ornate details. But, in the end, it's probably best to let her be happy. As much as I hated stripping the paint off the legs of a 200 year old dining table (solid walnut), her happiness is more important.

Jim

[MilDoc]

Sorry, can't agree. Let me tell you why.

Years ago my mom wanted to do the same with fine walnut furniture she bought in the early 50s. She was tired of "the look" and wanted me to paint it some sorrowful popular color of green (I think it was "alvocado" back then). I asked her to wait, and my best friend who knew a lot more than me took a look. Since the furniture hadn't been well maintained it was dull and lifeless.

I bought a nice piece of walnut and let him do his magic. After prep, he taped off sections and treated each in different ways, including "natural" and various dilutions of dyes. We showed it to mom and she loved what he had done. Really brought out the color and depth of the wood, even better than when new. (I don't recall which she liked best).

So, we spent way too many weekends redoing all her stuff. By the time we were done mom was ecstatic! He taught me how to maintain the beauty and mom never tired of it.

When she passed away my sister kept some of the pieces. Wish I could have too but I already had my own. The rest sold for way more then she paid for it, the proceeds of which I gave to my sister (who has since passed away also).

If you have the time and skill, try it. If not, then paint it.

[Warren]

I've thought about this for a few days now. For some reason it's nagged at me. I guess the question I'd would ask the lady is why she wants it painted.

If she just wants a new look, I'd take at stab at Paul's solution. Either a refinishing or a thorough cleaning and polishing. That being said, if you like it so much and would be offended at seeing it painted, offer to trade a new suite of painted furniture and adopt the cherry for yourself.

Those avenues not being successful, be gracious enough to compliment her when you next see the painted furniture.