Armoire..................that very French word that conjures up huge cupboards of wood with carvings, keys and tassels, created originally to store everything in the French home from clothes and linens, to kitchen utensils and everyday dishes. Do you have one, or a modern day version of one, used for a special purpose in your home?
I've seen some beauties both here and in France. The antique ones are gorgeous and gigantic, sometimes needing to be dismantled and moved through doorways and up staircases in sections before being put back together.
My personal armoire is not French or antique.
It's pine, handcrafted, and I like it enough to have kept it for 20 years. It was not built as an 'entertainment center' with pocket doors, but for clothing, linens or storage. In the top section I have a collection of hand painted Italian dishes and serving pieces, along with my gardening, bird watching and decorating books. Many years ago I wallpapered the interior with a lovely paper depicting luscious grape vines, very Italian. Lower section is smaller with more two doors behind which we 'hide' things such as a few bottles of B&B, Grand Marnier, port and sherry, my stash of English teas, a tin of Belgian chocolate biscuits, and of course more china and glassware. I don't know what I'd do without the 'elephant' in the living room. It's served me well, fitting it's bulky mass into a corner.
I've often thought about painting the armoire.
Elephants are grey, aren't they?
French grey perhaps.........I have lots of leftover paint from the dining room project.
However, perhaps after painting six chairs, this elephant will have to spend another year or so pine colored. Just a thought while I clean paint brushes and spread drop cloths, again!
It's pine, handcrafted, and I like it enough to have kept it for 20 years. It was not built as an 'entertainment center' with pocket doors, but for clothing, linens or storage. In the top section I have a collection of hand painted Italian dishes and serving pieces, along with my gardening, bird watching and decorating books. Many years ago I wallpapered the interior with a lovely paper depicting luscious grape vines, very Italian. Lower section is smaller with more two doors behind which we 'hide' things such as a few bottles of B&B, Grand Marnier, port and sherry, my stash of English teas, a tin of Belgian chocolate biscuits, and of course more china and glassware. I don't know what I'd do without the 'elephant' in the living room. It's served me well, fitting it's bulky mass into a corner.
I've often thought about painting the armoire.Elephants are grey, aren't they?
French grey perhaps.........I have lots of leftover paint from the dining room project.
However, perhaps after painting six chairs, this elephant will have to spend another year or so pine colored. Just a thought while I clean paint brushes and spread drop cloths, again!
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I had an Amoire, very similar to yours but it had 2 drawers in the bottom, we actually put a rail in, it was missing its internal shelves, and used it as a wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteIt went in a house move some years ago, we just had no where to put it......I was so sad to see it go.
I recently bought my husband a wardrobe which is very similar made of reclaimed pine, I wish all his clothes would fit into my wardrobe and then I couls add shelves and use if for my quilts....
Mary!! What a great time we all had yesterday! Thank so much for the love and yummy cookies! Your dining room looks amazing! Love the "Armoire". I'm sure it would look wonderful in grey. Love your decor style very sophisticated. I'll be showing my armoire soon. Much love, hugs to you, Bob and Jasmin! Vanessa
ReplyDeleteI have an armoire in my bedroom. It is oak. My sleigh bed is oak too. I don't like oak - lol. So my next project is painting my armoire and sleigh bed. I have purchased some appliques to add to the armoire. I hope to start it soon.
ReplyDeleteYours will look wonderful in grey!
Hugs,
Penny
p.s. I am having a giveaway....stop by :-)
OHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOO, don't paint that beautiful piece of furniture. I love natural wood and this one is great. Pine is too pretty to paint.
ReplyDeleteHope you are going to have a great weekend.
Love Nancy
I have a Swedish rosemaling painted cupboard. I use it in my dining room to house my Danish China :)
ReplyDeleteI also have an American pine corner cupboard...both are useful for extra storage and have lived in different rooms in my various homes.
Paint is a wonderful thing and if it pleases you...elephant grey sounds like a good color.
Hmmm...something tells me that the elephant will be gray before long:) We have such a small house that we don't have room for a large armoir but we do have a lovely small antique armoir from England in the spare bedroom. We are always so excited when we find small antique furnishings for our home as so many tend to be large.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful - and I love the pine. A few years ago I would have never thought to paint on beautiful wood, and there are still some pieces I wouldn't paint, but those are fewer and fewer. I love the soft feeling of a coat of paint on wood - this is a real beauty for certain and would look beautiful either painted or left alone.
ReplyDeleteThe room is looking so wonderful!
Yes! Grey would be gorgeous. I love the idea of wallpaper inside. Your room is beautiful...
ReplyDeleteI have an armoire that I acquired when my husband & I combined households. It is craftsman style, oak, and not exactly to my taste. I am thinking about adding beadboard into the door insets, then painting & distressing to make it look more "country".
Chris
Mary,
ReplyDeleteI do like the armoire and all the lovely things you store in it. My home is small also but sometimes a perfect piece, no matter how large, will look wonderful if you really love it!
xoxo
Jane
I also have a pine armoire I purchased fifteen or so years ago for my bedroom. It now sits in my living room and holds my flat screen TV, CD's and books. It has one bottom drawer I keep tablecloths, napkins & rings, placemats stored in. And, I love it. It's rustic enough to look quite nice in the high desert/mountains of Central Oregon. P.S. I LOVE the idea of papering the interior ~ a project I just might consider.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteYour armoire is wonderful; painted or not!
Have a wonderful day!
Blessings,
Sandi
Love the armoire, and as much as I like paint, I'd keep the natural finish on this elephant! It's got enough age on it to be acquiring a nice patina. I think it's lovely. Thanks for sharing it with us... Cass
ReplyDelete"elephants are grey, aren't they"...lol! I think you could paint it any way you want and it would be magic.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed being with you sooooo much yesterday and can't wait for next Saturday!
I love my ottoman!
I have a gorgeous armoire... it was one of my favorite thrift store finds!
ReplyDeleteI have a beter idea! I will bring you my pine colored hutch and you can paint it???? hehehe!! I think it would look lovely another color!! Go for it when you have the whim!
ReplyDeleteHello Mary, can you believe I am up this late still visiting. I was busy all day with company coming tomorrow, trying in my feeble way to clean. My sisters are cooking tomorrow and the big event is a visiting cousin from MI. I have my tables set for twenty people. All family for a mini reunion. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI love your pine cabinet and it would seem a shame to paint it. It holds wonderful things and I am sure the paper is lovely too. Mary, you have been working too hard. Slow down. Your dining room is outstanding and it all has just the look you were looking for. Sit back and enjoy. The chairs are a huge job. It exhausts me just to think about it.
I am turning in dear.
Hugs and love...Jeanne
Mary,
ReplyDeleteThe elephant is absolutely gorgeous. You have decorated it so elegantly.
Thank you for your idea about buying the tablecloth. You are right, it would be a great gift to myself.
Hope you have a relaxing Sunday.
Melissa
SO so beautiful!
ReplyDelete