Wednesday, May 1, 2013

To Paint or not to Paint???


Hello every one! A warm welcome to my new followers, thank you for taking the time to have a look.

To paint or not to paint...that is the question? As you can see I have almost finished the floor of the Twins room. My original idea was to to do the boards in a well warn and aged style, a floor that you might find inside a colonial style house. I have included some images from one of my Favourite Books Roots of Home by Russell Versace which has wonderful examples of American Colonial style homes. If you take note of the floors you can see the aged boards.







I have probably included too many photos but I do love this book and one day I will post more about it, but for the time being you can see the look I was going for. My first layer of stain was a darker one so it would really get into the cracks and holes, I then sanded it back very hard and put another lighter coat on, it still needs oiled and rub of Bees wax but when I placed it in the room as a trial it occurred to me maybe it was too heavy for a little girls room? As you know I plan to put a large rug down, but now I am all askew with my wall paper colour I have had a crisis of confidance. I love the look of the soft blues with the deep stain in the wood as you can see in the photo above. I'm not sure it will look feminine enough? I then though perhaps I could paint the floor  Lea Frisoni style, that would certainly lighten things up, or do I try and keep to a more authentic look of the Colonial Homes? Below are some images from Lea's book that show the two possibilities, Painted floor or natural boards.....





So please let me know your thoughts, I have to admit to being a little relaxed in the authenticity sense, ultimately looking for ambiance more than architectural accuracy. I am off to the Sydney Miniatures Fair this weekend and I am very excited.....maybe I will get some inspiration when I see just the right rug or wallpaper....until then, I hope I bump into a few of you at the fair...please let me know if you are going....and happy minis to you all!!

ML Fi xx

P.S The wall aper in the top photo is scrap booking paper I added for the colour.

32 comments:

  1. Well, I like wood, and always will, just my personal taste. I wouldn't be too hasty painting it, especially if you are not sure yet. I think put in the rug and everything else and if you still think the wood is too much then go for the paintbrush.

    Enjoy the fair!

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    1. Hi Elga,

      Yes, I think your right....and obviously everyone else who has commented does! Once all the things go in it will take away from the heaviness, and like most things, it takes a while to adjust.

      ML Fi xx

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  2. È molto bello il tuo libro, Fiona. Ed anche il tuo parquet. Spero che troverai a Sidney la giusta combinazione wallpaper+rug! A presto!

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    1. Hi Blanche,

      yes, I think going to the Fair will help me make up my mind....I will find just the thing to make the difference.

      ML Fi XX

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  3. I agree with Elga - once it is painted, you can't go back to natural wood. So, finish the room and then see what you think. A large rug with just a small bit of wood at the edges would make for a lovely and minimal contrasting frame. :]

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    1. Hi Brae,

      Yes, it would be really annoying if I painted it and didn't like it, getting the rug and wallpaper right will make a difference.

      ML Fi xx

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  4. Hi Fi,
    I love the wood floor. I think it really warms the room and it looks incredibly realistic. Do you have any spare wood boards. Perhaps you could try gluing a few on a piece orf cardboard, finish them differently, and then just put them in a corner of the room to see which you prefer...this way you could have several finishes side by side and see what works best. In the end, it is what you want it to be. As for your confidence crisis, go look at your past posts...a talented miniaturist like you should not have such a crisis! Have funa t the show, and do not overthink, just do what feels right.
    Big hug my friend,
    Giac

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    1. Hello my Dear,

      I think that is worth a try too, I didn't think of that but it's an easy way to get a comparison. And yes, I think going with my gut is always best, I think it was the fact that when I put it in the flagstone floors in the next room are so light in comparison, but of corse having the furnishings in will make a difference.

      ML Fi Xx

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  5. Personally I wouldn't paint it. The wood will age over time and take on it's own, soft patina. I think the decor and furnishings will change the look. I agree with Elga and Brae =0)

    Have a great time at the fair and say Hi to The shopping Sherpa for me

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    1. Hi Carole,

      Yes your right, it will age and I haven't oiled it yet either.

      And...I can't wait for the Fair, so many treasures to peruse and buy, but I must learn from past mistakes and buy as soon as I see something I like, everything goes so quickly...
      ML Fi xx

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  6. I think your floor is beautiful as it is now, I wouldn`t paint it. It goes wonderful with the blue and white paper and with a rug and other furnitures it will be a great room.
    Mona

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    1. Hi Mona,

      Thanks, I think I do need to stick with the blues....it looks so nice with the warm browns.

      ML Fi x

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  7. It wouldn't even have occurred to me to paint the floor, but I loved Lea's photos so I can see why you're mulling over that option. And I know they sometimes painted floors in American Colonial homes, though darker colors were more the norm rather than that pretty cream...But I like your floor 'as is,' and would hold off on painting for now.

    I MUST get myself a copy of Roots of Home! The photos are fantastic!

    Hope you have a great time at the fair and bring home gobs of GLT!

    XOXO,
    John

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    Replies
    1. Hello my Lovely,

      Yes, well you know what got me.....there seems to be a bit of a trend to paint patterns on the floor...e.g. diamond patterns as well as more elaborate and they really do look fab....I thought I could go soft grey and off white. But hey, I think it could date it a bit or just look more eclectic which I can see my house becoming.

      Yes you must get a copy, I just adore this book, it gives beautiful examples of all the colonial styles.....Dutch, French, Spanish, Creole....they are all there and stunning examples to.

      Well I can see by my blog bar you have made your Chicago post so I will be over to check it out soon!

      ML Fi ex,oh, ex, oh.....thats Mia speak!

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  8. I think it would be a shame to paint over that beautiful wood. In real life, I would be so happy if I had floors like that. It's perfect and the colour is so rich!

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  9. Ok,

    1. Please DON'T paint that lovely floor!!! It looks so beautiful. to paint it would be a crime!!! ;)

    2. I am sending you a rug in a blue colour that is very similar in design to the rug in that last RL photo, with the beautiful fireplace and vase in it!! ;)

    3. I think painting the furniture in pale colours will help make the room feel more feminine, so find some inexpensive paintable pieces at Sydney, and upholster the chairs, beds etc in pretty pale fabrics.

    4. I am also sending a couple of other things for your bedroom.

    5. Have a wonderful time at the Sydney show, spend obscene sums on beautiful pieces and let us see them all!!!! ;)

    6. tell me if you think all this sounds too bossy!!!!!!!! ;)

    The bed looks so pretty in the room by the way, it will all look lovely once you have figured it all out!

    I'm holding off sending my little package to you, I am planning a trip to Kensington at the end of next week, and might find something else for you!!! ;)

    Anyway, hope all is well, and you are all set for Sydney!!

    Hugs
    Andy xxx



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    1. Hahaha....Andy, I LOVE your point form direction!! It truly brings a smile to my dial, I feel I have snapped to attention and every thing makes sense!!

      You are very naughty to be buying me presents but I am secretly doing a little happy dance in my chair...I can't wait!! You are right about painting the furniture, it was something I had planned to do all along and it will make it look softer. I think if I can find some nice wallpaper at the fair that would give me a bit of direction. One thing I have been thinking is I could do a Chinoiserie wall like the pink one in the photograph on my side bar....I just love it, but it could be too sophisticated for little girls???

      Well, Andy, thank you so much for your encouragement and it doesn't sound Bossy at all, but if there was any one in the world that could get away with bossing me around it would be you.....; )

      ML Fi xx

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  10. Dear Fiona, thank you so much for this post with lots of beautiful and inspiring pictures. I can imagine you are in doubt about what to do with the floor in the Twins room...it looks very nice right now but is it friendly enough for this kind of room.....
    I agree with Giac; just paint part of a loose piece of floor and put it in the room to check. Sometimes things are so hard to imagine, you simply need to see it in reality first. I do that a lot in my own house. For example making mock-up furniture of cardboard before I make it in wood. I am looking forward to see what your final decision will be! Hugs, xxx Liduina.

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    1. Hello my dear,

      I'm glad you like the book, it really is a favourite of mine and has helped me so much in understanding American Colonial Houses. I just love that beautiful fireplace and the furnishings around it, it looks so Elegant but relaxed.

      You are so good to make mock up furniture, I will definitely give it a try with some extra floor boards.

      ML Fi xx

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  11. Can't say that I disagree with any of the above! Trying it out on a piece of cardboard is a great idea from Liduina! Just love the photos of the RL rooms.

    I like the floor as it is and the colour of that paper is also great for a bedroom. Who knows you may find the perfect things at the Sydney fair, that will change your whole idea of the room!

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    1. Hi Idske,

      Yes, I think going to the Fair might help it all click together, lets hope I have some great things to report back on.

      ML Fi xx

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  12. Lovely inspiration photos. Adding me advice to an already long list ... wait at least until you try the rug but preferably, as Brae suggests, wait until it's completely finished and then decide.

    RE THE FAIR - I have a wedding on Saturday and associated bbq lunch on Sunday so it's a bit tricky, my plan at the moment is to go on Sunday morning at opening time. I really do need to go (as well as want to of course!) because I need to buy wood/hardware type stuff. Can you email me please - normabennett@hotmail.com - so that we can chat further about it.

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    1. Hi Norma, yes I think that makes good sense.

      I will email you re - Fair.

      ML Fi xx

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  13. Hi Fi,

    I love the floor--I would not paint it. It looks very Colonial/Early American and is just perfect for a girl's (or any) room. I think the room is coming along just wonderfully.

    Cheers,
    Iris

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    1. Hi Iris,
      it's great to hear from you! Good advise coming from you...the person in the know, I really think the floor is staying as is!

      ML Fi xx

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    2. Hello again,
      I forgot to tell you about ‘floor cloths”, in case you don’t know about them – as a way to have a “painted” floor of a kind and a natural wood floor.

      Floor cloths are canvas with any design of your choosing painted on them and in any size you want. They were (and still are) used to protect the floor, including under the table to collect food spills!

      You could do a “seasonal” design for certain times of the years –having a painted floor—and then other times revert to a natural wood floor.
      Just a thought.
      Iris

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  14. Hi Fi! I will weigh in on the Painting question... and as often, my tastes run Across the grain.... I think painting is a strong option! I have lived in Colonial era American homes with painted floors! The fashion for painted floors comes and goes. At one time the painted surface was the "treatment of choice" especially for the less elegant Pine wood flooring. Then in recent years it became fashionable to strip those wide board pine floors back to the natural wood and varnish it instead. Historically, paint was a preserver of the softer pine wood surface. Fancier woods were usually not painted but were treated with wax or other less durable coatings. I think sometimes it depended on the wealth of the homeowner and how fancy a home it was... fancier homes had hardwood floors that were not painted.... and also had less "farm life" traffic to bear! I lived in a lovely old farmhouse with wide board pine floors... painted slate gray for the most part... but also brick red. When I redid the kitchen floor I painted it a lovely blue-gray-green color. All that said, I think your floor is BEAUTIFUL as is and would be reluctant to paint it!!! The current fashion goes for "pickled" white-ish floor treatments... but I think they are less beautiful than the wood you have as well as being less historically accurate! I think you will feel better about the floor when there is a rug and other furnishings that cover most of the floor. I have faith that you will find what suits YOUR imagined picture of this room!
    Oh, and have a Ball at the Fair!!!
    I really look forward to seeing what you do!

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  15. Hi Betsy,

    Thank you, thats great advice and what a wealth of knowledge you are. At least I don't feel so crazy for contemplating painting the floor, I knew I had seen it done in American homes before and I have seen a lot on Pinterest so it is clearly the thing at the moment. I think waiting until I find the right items at the fair should give me my direction.

    Thank you so much for taking the time with your comment Betsy, you are so great at that.

    ML Fi XXX

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  16. Hi Fi, I agree with most other comments, try the room with rugs and accessories, then make your decision. I love the look of painted floors for a French look but maybe not for Australian? colonial.

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  17. Hi Fi, I know you are a painter, my dear, but DON'T dare to paint this gorgeous wooden floor ;)!! Everything is said about this by the others and I fully agree with them. Paint leftovers of the floor and you can see what they do and mean in this room, then you can make a good decision of all the rest. Visiting the fair in Sydney, oh how I would love to go, visit and see in a huge admiration of all those miniaturists with their great works of art......
    Fiona, I am very busy at this moment in my garden, I hope to sit down and write you in the weekend. Time, we never seem to have enough time ;)!!
    Lovingly, Ilona XXX

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  18. Hi Fi! I think that you should do what will make you the happiest! Everyone is right to say wait until you get further along, but in the end if you are not convinced; do what will make you happy! A light floor will lighten and make the room brighter. But if you have a light rug too, will the rug get lost visually? A dark floor with a light rug will highlight the carpet and give the carpet a visual border. It may help to test drive the floor color by doing a template of the floor in the paint finish that you are thinking about before you commit and have your carpet ready to overlay on it and see what you think then. I am a visual person and I can only think so far, I usually have to see it 'LIVE' before I can say yes or no. Have fun at the fair!


    elizabeth

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  19. I like the new look blog and I'm of the "don't paint" opinion! Having said that, it's probably because I'm not a floor painter in any case! A lot will depend on the overall look you want to achieve so perhaps living with it all in place for a little while will answer the question.

    I'm so late with this, your dilemma has probably been resolved by now!

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