Portfolio of Painted Pieces

Here are a variety of pieces of furniture painted over the years to give you ideas about how to paint your pieces of furniture or walls. Every piece of furniture has its own character so I recommend starting to paint with a broad idea but then amending the idea if need be as you work and get to know the piece of furniture.

Detail of a desk
I painted this desk by mixing as I worked by dipping one side of the brush into a little Old Violet and then a little Burgundian Red. I outlined the indented border of the drawers using Old White. Full details and step by step instruction in ' Creating the French Look ' by Annie Sloan published by Cico

French painted bed
Duck Egg and Provence with Old White on the moulding

Colourful chest of drawers
I painted the framework Olive to make a strong framework for the combination of colours - from the bottom drawer up; Monet, Old Violet, Greek, Provence on the left and then Duck Egg.

Sideboard detail
A side board painted Country Grey and Old White with Emporers' Silk in the drawers

Old White and Country Grey

Ginger Jar Stool
This old ginger jar base probably from China was a little broken and dark. I rubbed Old White over it and while it was still wet began wiping it off to bring out the lacy carving. I made it more opaque in some places than others.

Small Chest of Drawers

This chest of drawers set against our colourful wall in our shop was painted in Provence with glass knobs. The chairs either side are painted in Greek Blue over Old White and covered in one of our tickings