There are some fabulous pieces of furniture out there, pieces that we can easily attach ourselves to emotionally but this is particularly the case with inherited furniture. It may be a piece that the relative wanted you to have or indeed pieces that you have grownup with and cherished and simply had to have them in your home. These can often range from antique, solid, gaudy or even bashed about old pieces that hold a very special place in your heart.
Which sparks the debate....... is it right to change it from its original state into something different? Many would argue no, that the piece should remain untouched in its original state. It is of course a personal choice however, my recommendation would be quite the opposite for actually adapting these inherited pieces with a view to you enjoying and appreciating them even more. Whilst a lot of these original pieces can be fitted into the home, the chance is more likely that they do not actually fit with your current décor, why not adapt the piece for your home to give it a whole new look.
Currently I follow and never cease to admire, Jonathan Marc Mendes, a fellow furniture artisan and artist who continues to inspire me daily with his fabulous creations, with his artistic vision for pieces he captures so beautifully the spirit of many of these older style pieces and stories literally unfold before your eyes, he is able to give a beauty and transform pieces to make them extra special and you cant help but fall in love with everything he touches.
(Photo credit to Jonathan Mendes www.facebook/JMMPaintedLove )
Annie Sloan herself obviously holds Jonathan's work in high regard as she has announced this week that he is to become her next 'Painter In Residence' which sees truly talented individuals working on projects for Annie's social media profile and being supplied with the materials to come up with inspirational pieces to help motivate and share ideas with others, which Jonathan has already been doing himself for a while.
As we speak I am working on a very old chest for a customer, which was actually the inspiration for writing this blog. The lady turned up with what can be described as a rather battered box belonged to her late grandmother which she holds dear, desperate to make use of it and for it be fit proudly within her home, the brief was to give it a new meaning of life.
This is the piece in its original state........
and this was the piece after its overhaul........
In trying to keep the chests makeover true to its rustic charm it is now adapted to become a functional piece within the home and matches the customers décor.
So go on dig out those pieces I implore you to make them good and bring them into the 21st century......
END