To Paint or Not to Paint...

#PaintWhatYouPick was our hashtag on Instagram and and creed from our earliest Southern Pickin' Chick days. Most of the pieces we picked were in desperate need of a makeover, namely in the form of paint. 

Do you love painted furniture like we do? The picture above is the rainbow of General Finishes milk paint color samples, and we're having fun picking out new hues to pair up with pieces in Picker's Alley. We stick with the neutrals (off-whites, grays and black) for most larger pieces, but every once in a while we break out and throw some Patina Green or Coastal Blue on a table, just to jazz things up a bit.

But we know not everyone loves the look of painted furniture, and that's okay, too. So when do you paint, and when do you leave a piece in its natural wood state? There are no hard-and-fast rules, but here are a few things to ponder before you pick up a brush:

• How old is it? Pieces from the late 19th century on were typically mass-produced and they're fair game for painting. Most likely your piece - even if it's 100 years old or older - is not museum-quality (with few exceptions.)
• What condition is it in? Pieces that have "seen better days" can often be renewed with a little TLC and paint, and live on to see many more better days into the future.
• Does it need protection? Pieces that are going to sit outside will fare better if the wood is sealed, and sealer often comes in the form of paint.
• Do you want it to stand out or blend in? Pieces that furnish a room with dark walls or floors will stand out more if they're a color other than brown.
• Are you trying to coordinate it with other pieces? Mismatched pieces can be painted a unifying color (or colors) and used as a set.

If you want to learn to paint furniture, there are many tutorials and how-to's online to help you get started. Or come see us - we can take the mystery out of the process, and equip you with the paint and tools to get the look you want. We're also lining up demos and classes, and we frequently focus on the basics of using both milk and chalk paint. So pick up that brush and #PaintWhatYouPick right along with us!

Happy Painting!