'Cream of the Crop' - This dresser is a creamy delight of botanical inspiration! I like that the art is 'light' on 'dark' which provides a more unusual approach. Don't hesitate to find those stencils and add fresh style to an element of furniture.

​"Coral & Teal Botanical" - I love this chair by Anthropologie!! It is simply a happy chair to have and to enjoy. I have attached a link to their site... however, you may use it for inspiration too. Study patterns and don't be afraid to be adventurous and try to recreate them for yourself. Paint is the most marvelous creative medium!!

"Pretty in Pink" - A plain, Mid-Century Modern cabinet is made extraordinary by incorporating an enlarged floral photograph on the two flat doors of this cabinet. I am excited to try this design solution. Now I just have to find the perfect element of furniture. Off to the Flea Markets & Second Hand Stores to explore!

​"Yummy Yellow" - An antique cabinet is brought into the future with the incorporation of yellow on the exterior surface and a contrasting navy on the interior.
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I love the way we can use color to create and accentuate the depth of rooms and furniture. Using a deeper color on the interior space adds the appearance of distance as well as a perfect background for elements that are featured as they burst forward with character.

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"Sweet Blue" - A soft, mid-tone blue adds sweet sophistication to this vintage furniture. The color alone makes a gorgeous statement. The incorporation of brass details add a touch of warmth that is clearly the perfect finishing touch!

​"Creamy Delight" - A soft cream applied to the top of this table adds a unique and personalized touch. Stencils abound in the market today and help to add character. It is important to use them in different ways to keep them looking fresh and current.

Using larger designs, and only sections of them, brings a graphic and desired quality to the overall artistic aesthetic that can be applied to many furniture styles.

"MAGICAL FOREST" - I love the transformation of this Mid-Century Modern furniture to a dramatic element that features natural woodland forms for color and pattern. Painting the entire body black and applying a wallpaper in black & brown creates a unique & stunning showpiece.

"SEEING DOUBLE" - Sometimes just the most basic of approaches brings about the perfect solution. This vintage set illustrates that by simply returning the drawer fronts to a raw wood look and painting the body and knobs a bright white brings it totally up-to-date. Pure Perfection!!

"THE MIDAS TOUCH" - It is incredible what a bit of design is able to achieve on a rescued element of furniture. The soft golden glow of the painted surface of this gold accent brings this dresser rushing into this Century. This styling will last for years incorporating a beautiful elegance to many interiors.

"A PUNCH OF COLOR" - Sometimes you simply need a punch of color to make all the difference in your interior design. Don't hesitate to paint!! It is the least expensive, most impactful decorative decision you could make. The beauty is that if you change your design direction - simply repaint!

"A SECRET GARDEN" - I had to share with you a fresh & surprising floral accent on this furniture. Why not provide some lingerie for your dresser? A sweet little surprise when you open the drawer... a decadent treatment...
​for your eyes only!


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"PEACH PAIRING" - What I love about these chairs is how Contemporary they become with the use of this peach and the accent of a matte pewter metallic at the base of the leg. This is an excellent way to update your furniture. Simple to do with absolutely stunning results.

"I VOTE FOR PINK"​ - Imagine this amazing pink furniture in your home. I think the combination of bright pink and brass detailing in the Campaign style is the perfect fresh combination. Campaign furniture has a rich history. Originally designed to facilitate travel and the military. It was very utilitarian; however, it has become a stunning statement in beautiful & stylish home design. ​

"UPDATED TRADITION" - Imagine this very beautiful china cabinet as it was originally... all wood. Very dark and overpowering. Updating it with this soft, creamy yellow brings it into the design sensibility of today. It is almost effervescent and glowing with optimism. Interior cabinet areas are painted in white a perfect background for your precious china.

"SIMPLICITY"  -  Sometimes just the smallest bit of change can have a major impact on your design. This table is an excellent example of simply painting the bottom of the table and letting the top surface remain natural bringing it to center stage. Notice how the Bentwood Chairs add to the style of the table... making a perfect pairing!

INCREDIBLE, IRRESISTIBLE WHITE - There is something profound about the impact of White.  Let your imagination soar with WHITE! This basically simple cabinet has a new life by blending the whitest white on all upper cabinetry with the warm natural wood of the legs in the original design.  Sometimes keeping just a little portion of the raw wood will perfectly convey your design style. Simply stunning!!

SHELF LIFE - It is no secret that I LOVE paint!! I love the creativity & the fact that you can make magic happen with furniture. AND, I love that we are all able to help save the world, in our own way, by upcycling our furniture!

This shelf started life long ago... I found it on a tree lawn and pleaded with my husband to stop and rescue it. I don't think he ever believed it could be so stunning. What do you have in your attic or basement that needs a new life?

The two pictures below illustrate this shelf 'before' and also the design on the back. Who would have thought?

MAGIC CARPET - Normally I show you an element of furniture and how it was painted to turn it into something fabulous. I thought I would share with you a painted CARPET! You hardly ever think about them... but they are amazing. This is painted canvas that incorporates any variety of colors and a bit of metallic. It is the most carefree of surfaces. This one resides in my home entry area. It is incredibly durable... my kitties can't even hurt it!!

EMERALD ISLAND - There is nothing particularly special about his painted cabinet... it is just a fun shade of green. I was captivated how it made this entire room special because of the way it turns this entry area into a special statement. I love the way the color is positioned against all the neutral tones of the room, leading to a stunning welcome home!

PERFECTLY PINK - How special is this desk?? The gray perfectly fits into a neutral home, open the desk and voila... a spectacular and vibrant pink to brighten your bill-paying endeavors!

FRENCH PROVINCIAL TODAY - I love this beautiful solution to updating a vintage element of furniture. Consider the lovely coolness of gray over a dated wood dresser and then adding an artful touch with this bird motif. This may be achieved in a variety of ways, either hand-painted or incorporated with the use of a stencil. No worries about mistakes... you always have the option of correcting with the base color and moving forward with your artwork. The result... Stunning design !! 

ART DECO INTO THE FUTURE - This is such a fabulous example of bringing an old element of furniture into the future. This is an Art Deco style cabinet. Only the wood on the top and the two front legs have been retained. A very handsome deep green is used on the body. A beautiful treatment of gold has been painted in a free form to add a forward feeling. Let your imagination soar!! You will be rewarded!

RED ART TABLE - OK, I know this table might not be for everyone... but I love the artistic and colorful look of this fun round table! It has a time-worn sensibility and looks like it could tell lots of stories about how it got to look like this. It is difficult to see, yet there is a gloss coat over all the colors which provide a beautiful finished look. Think how much fun it would be to create this masterpiece!!

SITTING PRETTY - A soft and delicate pink is the perfect backdrop for this punch of remarkable yellow. With all the incredible products on the market today you are able to paint anything in the colors you love. This dramatic yellow sofa stands out - especially with the adorable pillows that repeat colors used in the room. Enjoy color! Let it help you bring your personality alive in your home!!

​SWEET DREAMING - Is this not spectacular? The idea is brilliant. This is a bed that has been reconfigured to be a bench. The color is excruciatingly pretty on this most unique creation!! The next time you visit a Flea Market, Estate Sale or perhaps even your own basement or attic be thinking of your creativity and what you can do with your own furniture!

SOFT & ETHEREAL - There are a million ways to update furniture. This gem was given a most exciting touch of soft green with a hint of blue on all areas of the body. New hardware and legs of gold and Lucite set it apart from the crowd. We have the ability to make our homes totally unique with just a little imagination.

​STATEMENT PIECE - When you are using a color as strong as ORANGE, you are able to create a successful project by using a simple element of furniture on which to showcase this color. I like the graphic components of this cabinet and the minimal use of hardware. It is simply bold & fun!

ECLECTIC Design - I am constantly on the search for new & fresh ways reinvent furniture. A perfect example is this buffet. The lines and structure are French Neoclassical design updated with Navy paint. A diagonal design on the door fronts steps this piece into this Century.

BLUE BUFFET - Please know how little it takes to freshen a vintage piece of furniture. This dresser was completely updated by painting it with a lovely, light blue. In addition, wooden decorative legs were added to lift the dresser and give it a whole new personality! It looks so French!

​OLIVE CABINET - Transformative! This totally natural OLIVE color is the perfect tone for this restored vintage chest. A single coat of paint over raw wood is enough to let some of the wood graining show through. Paired with black & Library style drawer pulls it becomes a style statement!

​PINK DRESSING TABLE - Thinking of painting an old family heirloom? Think Pink! Magenta Pink brings a vibrant new look to this dresser & bench. Note the play on color with a great carpet.

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FILING CABINET - When you envision a Filing Cabinet, you probably do not think of the one above. When I purchased it for $5 a number of years ago, it was just a plain black cabinet. Here are my steps on this up-cycle project:
1] I removed the old hardware and painted the body a very pretty shade of medium beige.
2] Then it was time to find a stencil and center it on the front. I mixed a lighter shade of the background color and applied it to the stencil with a soft cloth.
3] Contemporary handles are the perfect hardware!
4] To give it a 'lift' off the floor, I found wood supports, painted them to match and screwed them into the base. It makes all the difference.
           An added benefit? Now I like to file things!!!!

​TANGERINE DECK CHAIR - High energy and fresh color brings this chair alive. You are assured to have an exciting summer when you transform your furniture with a simple coat of paint!

​YELLOW DRESSER - Wow! Look what four simple shades of yellow can do for a sleepy little dresser. Color breathes new life into this simple style. Add folded leather loops for drawer pulls, white wire chairs and a striped area carpet for a Modern atmosphere. Go ahead... create your dream room!

OFF WHITE END TABLE - All of us are able to create homes that are unique and help the environment at the same time. This round end table was once a dark wood. With a coat of soft, light, silvery beige it becomes brand new. Using a slightly darker tone and a stencil the results are smartly elegant!

VINTAGE BENCH - Almost every piece of furniture has another life. This bench, at one time, looked very Victorian. I have taken it apart, painted the metal sides and bracing with a subtle and beautiful metallic paint. I then took a new piece of wood and created a very Contemporary painting all in neutral shades of bisque, beige, silver, ochre and bronze. The end result is an exquisite Eclectic style bench. It looks perfect next to this white marble topped coffee table and on top of the charcoal tile floor.

YELLOW PAINTED PILLOW - Years ago I began to experiment with painting fabric. The pillow shown in this image is one of my favorites. When I see this busy pattern in bright yellow it simply makes me happy!! Begin with a large square of 100% Cotton Duck. I like to use neutral colors of black, tan, beige & white fabrics. I washed it first, ironed and added painter's tape to all edges. I gathered a pretty assortment of acrylic paint colors and then brushed & splattered them onto the fabric until I was happy with my painting. This is a perfect project for you or perhaps your children. So easy, simple, stylish and uniquely yours!!

BRIGHT GREEN TABLE - This table is just happy. When I look at it I cannot be sad. If you would like to incorporate a fresh color at home, go ahead and paint happiness.
Our homes are becoming more important in our lives. Create the environment you want to live in. It is the best therapy, along with art of course.

ARTISTIC UPHOLSTERED CHAIR - How perfect would it be to have a chair that you could never hurt? This fabric is certainly family-friendly. SO easy to create by starting with 100% Cotton Duck. I like to work on neutral colors. Splatter with acrylic paint of your favorite colors and you will have a treasure!

BEAUTIFUL BLACK & WHITE - I am always looking for something incredibly different to do with projects. Imagine how fun this stunning buffet would look in your home! This technique may be used on any piece of furniture that has doors or drawers that are mostly flat. Experiment with your painting technique and remember that you can paint over your design until you achieve the exact look that you want!! Let's be brave!

NOTE - Painting furniture is a most fascinating endeavor. We are able to take elements that may have ended up in the trash and restored them saving them for future generations. Many times it is a matter of restyling the specific piece and updating it in design and color. The above examples are only a few of those we have given a fresh life. If you would like a quote for your table, dresser, chair... whatever, just give us a call and we'll provide a quote for you.

                                       Call Barbara at #216.310.0080 with any questions,
                                   or email us at barbara@EmeraldAndVioletStudio.com