a lovely client (of lovely local designer lindley martens) had inherited this sturdy, pretty set of stickley dining chairs from her parents. the tired-looking cherry finish had worn away in spots, and so she had a decision to make:
1. leave the chairs in the attic (where they would be subject to punishing heat and humidity, and not see the light of day – bad choice)
2. have them refinished to the original cherry (which she was completely over – so also, not a good choice)
3. have them snazzed up with paint in a fresh color, and use them in her pretty breakfast room
she and lindley chose option 3. sporting their new hue (pratt & lambert’s anubis, #32.17) with a coat of paste wax to protect them and soften the look a bit, they are ready to go. and go they will, over the river (literally, the mississippi) and through some woods, to their beautiful new home. hopefully, lindley will bring back some good photos for me to share with you.
with due respect, i took pains to preserve the original stickley labels, as well as the price tags (still on two) that revealed their purchase at the beloved old goldsmith’s department store in downtown memphis.
here they are, before and after:
excuse me now as i brace myself for a category-3 level stickley furniture-fan backlash.
The Devoted Classicist says
While I would think long and hard before painting the Arts & Crafts/Mission/Craftsman furniture of brother Gustav Stickley, I think painting the Colonial Revival furniture of Leopold Stickley is still keeping within the original design intent and can give a New Lease on Life for these 20th century pieces.
stephanie says
thank you, devoted classicist! i am truly relieved and grateful to have you in our corner on this one, and i totally agree – hands off of gustav’s work. xx
sharon carlson says
hello! i so enjoy reading your blog and love your beautiful work! you inspire me in my own small painting business. i’ve always loved the wonderful wide range of painted furniture and agree with devoted classicist above re: paint vs. never paint. you made me laugh with ” level 3 … backlash” !
I also thank you for your generosity in sharing techniques and paint colors; it’s nice!
stephanie says
sharon – thank you! that makes three of us, then. so glad you visited…thanks for your kind words. xx stephanie
Shelly says
I own this very same dining set, inherited from my mother, scratches, gouges and all. I even have the table and hutch that match! I have such a love/hate thing going here. Love the memories and style; hate the cherry and small table. Seeing your lovely paint has inspired me. I think this set needs to come out of my attic and find new life!thank you for the courage! Would love to see “your” set in its new home!