Faux Distressed or Slick & Glossy?

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Folks around these parts are ga-ga over painted furniture with that "distressed" look.  It seems that the magic formula is a flat painted finish with the edges sanded and a few nicks and scratches thrown in for good measure.



I have to admit that the distressed finished is not my favorite way to reinvent a vintage piece, but I'm not above a little sanding and nicking if that is what the buyers are looking for.


In most cases, and certainly for my own home, I prefer to finish my vintage pieces in a shiny, high-gloss finish.





which I'm sure has the distressed furniture fans shaking their heads.

So, do you have a preference for how you finish a vintage furniture piece?  Or do you think it depends on the mood of the room and the style of the piece?  

Discuss.

Need some help pulling your style together?  The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be!  Call Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com.








18 comments:

Stacy CUrran said...

Shiny and new....no doubt about it for me! I've done distressed, but then traded it for new :) I'll take Jonathan Adler lacquer over distressed any day, but then, I ADORE well done antiqued/distressed rooms, too. Go figure.
Stacy

amber wallace said...

I feel the exact same way. I'll distress it if you want me to but I prefer it this way is something I find myself saying. And I think it has to be crazy well done for me to like a distressed piece. I feel like my town is 4 years behind everywhere else and distressed furniture is just everywhere around me. So this has been on my mind a lot these days. Maybe my town isn't so far behind other towns after all!

jeanette from everton terrace said...

You know, I like it all! I even like it mixed up in the same house.
We are about to redo a condo for my parents and it's near the beach so I think we'll go with distressed, love your examples.

kayce hughes said...

glossy but every once in a while distressed.

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

I prefer the shine, but I have seen some gorgeous pieces that were distressed. I prefer the authentic distressed.
Hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Teresa
xoxo

Taylor Greenwalt said...

I like both. Love the shine and love the patina. I think it depends on the room decor. Do you send it out when you want it to be shiny? I have not been able to figure out how to do that my self.

Jessie said...

I guess I liked both. But for my own home, I prefer high gloss and shiny! There are so many gorgeous shiny lacquer pieces I am swooning right now!

P/S: Come by and enter my current giveaway for a chance to win a lovely charm bracelet, if you like!

Jessie
www.mixandchic.com

Jessica Rowe {The Aestate} said...

I'm with you, give me glossy. I do like old pieces but not when there's even a hint of faux distressing.

Unknown said...

I am with you. I like shiny and glossy too!

Interior Design Musings said...

Yes please! I just can't choose. I like to use them both depending on the style of the home. I think each add so much to a space! M.

Yola Thorp said...

Absolutely adore your blog. I am in the process of redecorating my home and your blog is very helpful.

www.yolathorp.com

Karen said...

I prefer a more modern look when updating a vintage piece. Maybe it's because distressed pieces might look out of place with other elements in my home.

Abby M. Interiors said...

Shiny and glossy! I've just painted two large pieces glossy white and I love them. BUT, I also have a hexagon side table in a flat, blue/grey color that is quite possibly my favorite piece in our house.

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

I'm a shabby...distressed...layers of paint kinda gal!!!

Blessings,
Linda

A Room For Everyone said...

I'm not entirely convinced, although that crestwood console does look gorgeous. Thank you so much for your lovely comment about my new shop, I really appreciate your support. Have a great weekend.. Rachaelxx

Paula Grace Designs said...

It depends. I really don't like when it is so distressed unless it is authentic. A little distress is just fine. I like mixing antique or vintage pieces in with cleaner pieces for a nice mix.

A Vintage Vine said...

I like both! I like to mix them and sometimes a throw in a piece with a natural wood color too...Great post!

Valerie@DesignCaller said...

BOTH. And what a great post! I live right by the Chattahoochie River, so the name of your blog intrigued me...and I love it. Have a great Friday!
:) Valerie