Visiting The Art Studio Of Suzy Logue, Decorative Furniture Painter At The Farmington Valley Arts Center

Paint Obsession, Re-Imagining Old Furniture Into Stylish One Of A Kind Works Of Useable Art  

Suzy Collins Logue is a decorative painter obsessed with changing the look of vintage and antique furniture. From the wee hours of the morning until the sun goes down, you will find Suzy hard at work in her Farmington Valley Arts Center studio in Avon, CT. Suzy's business name "Paint Obsession" reflects her preoccupation with re-imagining old furniture into stylish, colorful, elegant one of a kind works of art which falls under the category of useable or functional art.

Hunting For Furniture To Makeover

Like other artists who up-cyle vintage finds, Suzy must balance her time between hunting for objects (furniture) to use in her work, while at the same time nurturing these finds into creative new interpretations of the original piece. For example, Suzy recently found a very handsome Tiger oak Empire sideboard or buffet which was popular during the Victorian era and sought after for many generations by buyers who like antique furniture.

Updated Versions Of The Old Look 

Today however, younger couples and shoppers are after updated versions of the old look. Suzy has successfully found a niche for buyers who like the quality and styles of vintage furnishings but want a fresher more colorful and contemporary adaption of chairs, table, cabinets etc.

Farmington Valley Arts Center Attracts Visitors Looking For Unique Works Of Art

Suzy located her "Paint Obsession" painted furniture business to The Farmington Valley Arts Center in late Spring to be surrounded by fine artists and artisans who attract visitors to the Center who are looking for unique and creative works of art.

Suzy's Furniture Is Her Blank Canvas 

For Suzy, her painted furniture is like a blank canvas which she approaches passionately with a both a sense of wonderment and novelty. Like someone working on a painting, Suzy must look at each piece of furniture as a challenge, creating something special that brings to life her vision and style.

Suzy Logue's art studio "Paint Obsession" is on the first floor of  The Farmington Valley Arts Center, Studio 10 A.  You can reach Suzy at 860-977-3545
       
 To learn more about The Farmington Valley Arts Center visit
 http://www.artsfvac.org/

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Updating Vintage Chairs With An Elegant And Whimsical Look

Change The Style Of Old Chairs With A Playful Painted And Upholstered Style

When you are updating the look of old dining room chairs, you can add a whimsical feel by changing the way you apply the fabric to the chair seats. My friend Clyde, chose a fun pink and black color scheme for his hair salon and selected fabrics and accessories with tones of silver, white added to his pink and black overall look.

Change The Direction Of How You Apply Fabric To Chair Seats 

I love the way Clyde applied similar fabric colors to his chairs but alternated the direction of the fabric on the chair seats. He also did a reverse of the paint colors on both chairs, yet the chairs do look like they are part of a set.

Visit Clyde's salon http://www.clydestamandshairdesign.com/

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Painting An Antique French Provincial Dressers In Two Charming Colors

Liven Up An Old Dresser  

 Pretty combination of blue and lilac paint. 

Look how attractive this older French Provincial style dresser looks when painted a combination of light blue and lilac. It's simply delicious. It certainly caught my eye when I was out browsing my local Antique mall.

Painting A Dresser In Two Colors

If you are a dealer having a harder time "moving" furniture or a buyer wanting to liven up  a room in your home, consider painting your piece(s) in two compatible colors. As you can see there is also extra finishing touches done to this dresser. Local paint stores can show you the materials to add accents as well.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Update A Vintage Lady's Drop Down Desk With Hip Painted Colors Of Citrus Orange And Apple Green

Turn An Old Secretary Style Desk Into A Groovy Looking Decorative Piece For Today's Home
Boy did I want to come home with this wonderful Lady's Drop Down desk I spotted a The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford,
Connecticut. And by the time I finish this post, I may decide to go back an claim this desk.

What a great idea to liven up an old desk with some COLOR! You often see these desks clean on the outside but a wreck 9on the inside. Now with a nice fresh coat of paint...and tow different colors as you can see, you have a FABULOUS
decorator piece.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Pretty In Pink: Painting Your Antique Mall Booth Space Walls PINK

Shabby Chic Lovers Will Adore Pink Walls In Your Antique Booth Or Shop

If you sell pretty antiques and collectibles, you may want to consider painting the some or all of the walls in your Antique shop or booth space PINK. I just had to share with you an absolutely lovely booth space showcased on http://dignifiedrubbishblog.blogspot.com/

Adding Pink Painted Pegboards

Pink painted walls and peg boards work very well with cottage style collectibles as well as "Shabby Chic". Combined with white painted shelving and furnishing, pink walls are delicious.
Often all it takes to transform an antique booth or shop is a unifying paint color.

Cottage Style Goes Well With Pink Painted Walls

Because cottage collectibles include rose themed accessories, the pink walls are a terrific way to
create a softer tone for your booth which works so well with delicate floral wall decor, tea sets, decorative plates, textiles etc.

Photos Courtesy of http://dignifiedrubbishblog.blogspot.com/
C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Painting An Old Kitchen Chair, Aqua, Yellow And White For A Retro Beachy Look

Funky Chair Looks Great In Bright Beachy Colors

How cute is this old chair painted in yellow, aqua and white?
Couldn't you just see this chair in a funky retro kitchen or as an accent piece in a baby nursery? And what about the yellow throws which were added to the chair?

This darling whimsical chair was spotted at Design By Consign in Sandwich Village on Cape Cod. You will find so many adorable one of a kind hand painted tables, chairs, frames and decorative.

Design By Consign
157 Main Street
Sandwich Village
sandwich, MA 02563
508-888-1877

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Freshen Up Your Cottage Style With Aqua And Coral Color Combinations: Ideas From Michele's Cottage Gifts And Antiques, Plantsville, Connecticut

Fun, Funky, Whimsical Cottage Style: Mixing Aqua And Coral Colors In Furnishings And Accessories: Now Featured At Michele's Cottage Antiques In Plantsville, Connecticut

Freshen up your cottage style decor with aqua painted furniture and coral painted walls, This color combination is delicious and perfect for relaxed living. And you can find so many vintage accessories to compliment this whimsical palette. Many collectibles and textiles from the 1950s showcased these popular colors,often called "desert colors" .
Rich Pastels Colors Of Coral And Aqua

While you often find cottage style furnishing in softer pastel colors, Michele of Michele's Cottage Antiques in Plantsville, Connecticut likes her pastels rich and colorful. She also likes to paint vintage accessories in some of the same colors as her furniture so that customers can easily coordinate accents pieces with their dressers, vanity tables, chairs etc.
Her painted pieces are exceptional.


Retro Aqua Vintage Birdcage

My favorite find on my recent rip to Michele's was the aqua painted bird cage. I really would adore having this retro birdie condo. But then I would have to buy the dresser and the barkcloth lamp and all the other great re-cycled collectibles and furnishings. You know, I may just go back to Michel's tomorrow and buy the whole room...stay tuned.

Michele's Cottage Gifts And Antiques
53 Main Street
Plantsville, CT
860-329-0033

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Rejuvenate An Old Round Vanity Bench With Vintage Barkcloth Fabric And Scalamandre Tassels

Gorgeous Shabby Chic Round Vanity Bench That
Looks Great With Vintage Barkcloth And Tassels

Even if you are not handy in the sewing room, you can rejuvenate an old round French vanity bench in a few easy steps.

The beautiful bench shown here was once an ugly ducking and now it is a Shabby Chic powder room delight. But with Cabriole legs and a lovely painted finish in excellent shape, all this bench needed was a fabric re-do! The trick was to find the right fabric that would lay nicely on the bench and allow the floral design to lay centered on the bench.

Meet my Restoration Guru, Pam of Rusty Rose Petals

Pam of Rusty Rose Petals on Etsy is my restoration Guru. She really knows how to transform a outdated tacky bench into a very pretty Shabby Chic vanity bench. With a couple of easy steps, you can change the look of most benches from tired looking to fresh and feminine.

Choosing The Right Fabric

Because this bench is round, it is important to find a fabric with a design that will work well on a round format. The vintage barkcloth chosen here has a large center rose with smaller flowers around it. By cutting the fabric in one large round piece larger than the bench, you will be able to center the design on the vanity bench.

Of course you could also use a fabric with an overall repeat pattern such as checks or small flowers and still create a lovely bench. But this Romantic Cottage Style bench features the lovely rose centerpiece and roses are adored by Romantic Cottage gals.

Tacking Down The Vintage Barkcloth

Pam added her Barkcloth fabric over the existing red velvet cusion (hard to believe). As stated earlier, you must cut out a circle larger thatn the size you need. Then you can use upholstery tacks to fasten the fabric to the bench. Upholstery tacks are very tiny with a very sharp point. These tacks are easy to use with a hammer. You could also use a Staple gun. To keep the fabric laying smoothly, Pam notched her fabric circle with a little triangle cut in about eight different places along the edge of the fabric.

Adding Vintage Scalamandree Tassels

Once the vintage Barkcloth is tacked down, the final step is to cover the tacks with some form of trim. Here pink and white vintage Scalamandre tassels are added with a hot glue gun. By the way, Pam does not suggest using a glue gun for the first step. Upholstery tacks are a better choice for adding the fabric to the bench. If you are not a tassle perosn, you could use a gimp or braided trim .

Visit Pam at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/rustyrosepetals


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Cottage Pink Vintage Furnishings Featured At Romantic Rose Boutique

Romantic Cottage Style

With Valentine's Day approaching, it is the perfect time of the year to talk about Romantic Cottage Style. I thought I would take you on a tour of the Romantic Rose Boutique so you can see how beautifully these gals showcase their custom decorated cottage furnishings.

Artist Judy, really pays attention to details. That is why her furnishings and accessories stand out from the rest. How beautiful Judy freshens up old chairs, tables, desks giving them a new life!

Cottage Pink Gives New Life To Old Chairs

Above, the old pressed back chair has lovely spindles and a seat cushion made form an old quilt.
The second photo shows a vintage chair with a shield back. The detail in the chair is what sets this piece apart form the rest. Judy has distressed the wood so some of the original patina comes through.

Soft, Vintage, Romantic

Painted vintage furnishings of soft pinks and creams, lots of accessories with hand painted roses or florals and pretty textiles are what my friends at Romantic Rose Boutique specialize in. You will see some of their custom work in my book, Hot Cottage Collectibles

Custom Painted Roses
Make Book Case So Special

The bookcase shown her looks like it has been lined with vintage wallpaper, but guess what...that is hand painted flowers on a cream painted background. It is simply darling.

Visit Romantic Rose Boutique at: http://www.romanticroseboutique.com/

You can see more of Romantic Rose Boutique in my book Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes (Collectorbooks.com).

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Painting Several Pieces of Older Furniture "Aqua" to Create a Charming Baby Nursery or Children's Corner in Your Shop

Painting Your Vintage Furniture "Aqua"

What can you do with the color aqua? Well you can do what my friend Laura did in her shop The Bleu Willow in Simsbury, CT. She created a cottage-y feel in her Vintage Nursery and Junior section by painting several pieces of shabby furniture the color "aqua". As you can imagine, this soft pastel color is charming!

Color Organizes Rooms

By sticking with the same color for a variety of furnishings you will instantly organize your room. Laura has done just that...transforming one corner of her shoppe into a sweet flea market inspired ensemble instead of a mish mosh of unwanted hand me downs. While Laura's "aqua" groupings serve to showcase her baby items, you can certainly accomplish this delicious cottage look at home as well. This is a very practical and affordable decorating trick.

Aqua is an Easy Color to Live With

Aqua is a an easy color to live with and goes wonderfully with yellows, pinks, neutrals, whites, reds and more. Consider putting together an aqua themed room by painting older tables, dressers, hampers, armoires, desks etc. in the same color . Add some charming vintage prints of children on the walls with a touch of aqua as well.

Utilizing Every Space Available

The Bleu Willow is a small shop that is packed with a combination of antiques, collectibles and vintage style accessories, jewelry and furnishings. You will find that every space is this store is utilized. The drawers of cabinets and dressers are stuffed with goodies which are easily visible.

Laura also likes to create interesting "stacks" of treasures, using vintage boxes, books, containers etc. for propping up or containing small items.

Photos Courtesy of The Bleu Willow
http://www.thebleuwillow.com/


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Decorating With Cottage Style Shelves

Cottage Look With Glass Shelf

One of the most exciting features of cottage style decorating is how clever one can be with odds and ends, flea market finds, found objects and so on.

Each time I think I have seen just about everything in the world of cottage collectibles and furnishings ....lo and behold a new twist to an older idea seems to surface.


Lot's Of Cottage Furnishings at Used Furniture of Canton, CT

For example, on a recent visit to "Used Furniture of Canton", CT, owners Mark aand Holly were displaying a newly acquired "shelf' made from an old bed headboard which had been re-painted Seafoam green. (See very top photo) .Now let's face it, most of us have already seen our share of shelves made out of this and that. But what was novel for me was that the shelf was "glass" and that this particular re-purposed decorative wall decor had been hanging in a huge bathroom.

Special Features of The Green Shelf

This lovely shelf has several unique things going for it:

Painted green instead of white or wood toned.
Used in a bathroom instead of hallway or livng room.
Utilizing a glass shelf instead of a wood one.

Other materials for Cottage Shelves

Other fun ways to build cottage style shelves is to use old doors, shutters, picket fence, stairway spindles etc. You can also add decorative trim from other salvage items. The red painted shutter shelf looks great in a beach themed cottage or in a child's room. Above is a photo of a shelf made from an old door. It serves as both a shelf and a hall tree for coats. It's wonderful to be able to re-cycle older materials and find practical uses for these items in your home.

You will find so much more about cottage decor and collectibles in my book Hot Cottage collectibles for Vintage Style Homes (collectorbooks.com


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:

. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Types of Cottage Style Decorating

The charm of cottage collecting is that if you like variety this is a perfect way to keep you busy hunting. Trust me you will never get bored. You can collect miniature lighthouses for your “beachy” bathroom, scout about for a chippy frame to make into a mirror for your bedroom, or search for a colorful camp blanket for your rustic den. There is no limit to how much fun you can have accessorizing your home or building nifty cottage style collections.

What follows is a simple listing of the variety of Cottage Styles which are popular today with a brief summary of what collectibles are generally associated with each style. Throughout this book I will discuss in much more detail the elements and collectibles that characterize each distinctive style.

Beach Cottage: Plenty of pastels, whites and creams, nautical accessories, weathered flea market finds, shabby furniture, seascapes, tropical influences.

Rustic: Back to nature, dark stained furniture, re-claimed woods, cabin influences, wool textiles.

Country: Baskets, enamelware, open shelves and cupboards, quilts,
painted or pine furniture , floral arrangements, folk art, small print fabrics, ruffles, lots of exposed collections. Country can also be further narrowed to English, French, Southwest etc

Whimsical: One of a kind colorfully painted furniture, decorative kitsch, objet’s d art, funky collections, patterns, bright palettes. Mary Engelbreit touches.

Retro: Often found in beach cottages because the 1950’s were known for plastics and pastels. Mid-Century influences, collections of quirky ceramics, barkclkoth textiles, Paint by Number paintings, etc.

Shabby Chic: A mixture of floral fabrics, slip cover white or pink furnishings, pretty layered bedding, crystal chandeliers, chippy or rusted accessories, flea market finds. Think Rachel Ashwell here.

Victorian Country also known as Romantic Country: The feminine lighter side of Victorian mixed with classic country. Lots of florals, layered textiles, elegant touches, decorative plates, hand painted china, ornate, detailed accessories.

Visit:
http://cottageatleesburg.com/shop/
http://www.arosewithoutathorn.com/
http://www.vintagerosecollection.com/
http://www.pinkpigwestport.com/





Photo Courtesy of Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes

Read More

Be sure to read my book Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes for more ideas about Cottage Style Decorating.
C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

The "Art" of Buying Vintage Painted Cottage Style Furniture

Many collectors of cottage style furniture are enamored with painting older dressers and end tables white. It seems that everywhere I go, painted furniture is the norm. But when you really look at some of these painted pieces you will notice that everyone's style of painting is really quite different.

Some cottage or furniture dealers in an effort to sell their items quickly, do what I would call "a smear on ". Others take their time and really fuss with their painted pieces, as you will note in the examples shown here done by Michele's Cottage Antiques of Plantsville, CT.

Next time you are shopping around for these charming and nostalgic furnishings, take a closer look at how the paint is applied. Does the application look sloppy or quite evenly and carefully applied? And when you find a talented painter do you prefer an even coat or an antiqued look with different shades of paint?

While many people who sell cottage style furniture do a lovely job of painting their treasures, they may still prefer very simple furniture. Cottage after all is a style which encourages a casual
and relaxed look. There are however other folks who like to make the process of re painting furniture a journey.

These dealers of cottage make an art out of the task of re-purposing furniture. In fact their process begins from the very beginning. These individuals consider themselves "artists " who hunt for furniture that inspires them. Perhaps it is a dresser with lots of carvings or ornaments or one with unusual legs or compartments. Furniture with a lot of detail requires a lot of patience when painting.

You can of course coat these detailed pieces with all the same color, or you can use another color, perhaps gold or silver to accent the furniture. So the next time you are in the market for painted cottage furnishings, think about the style you are after, plain and simple or detailed and unique.
And be sure to check out the way the paint is applied. By all means, you should evaluate the price of the piece and the quality and uniqueness of the item you are buying.

Be sure to see my book "Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes" (Collectorbooks.cm) for so much more on the subject of cotttage furniture.

Photographs courtesy of Michele's Cottage Antiques in Plantsville, CT

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com


Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.