Design Fixation: Metallic Finishes on Furniture
February 1, 2010
I go through these phases where I obsess over certain design elements and can’t get them out of my head until I incorporate them into my own home in some way.
Lately, I’m fixated on metallic finishes on furniture. Whether it’s silver leaf, gold leaf, gilded, antiqued, painted or pearlescent, honey if it shimmers and shines and has great lines, I am drawn to it.
German Silver Bowfront Chest , Wisteria
Silver Leaf chair transformation, Tara Dennis
Silver painted chair, Lord & Lama
Antique Silver Paint & Mirrored Borghese Buffet, Z Gallerie
Taupe and silver painted nightstand, local antique fair
Silver Leaf dresser, Decorpad
Silver spray painted side table, Craftynest
Painted silver nightstand, source unknown
Lucy Willow Bombe Chest
Dorothy Draper lacquer and silver leaf cabinet, 1st Dibs
Ambella Silver Finish Chest, Horchow
Mirrored & silver finished dresser, Anthropologie
Aluminum Hourglass Side table, Horchow
Silver Chelsea Dresser Bratt Decor, Layla Grace
Antique Finish Silver Cradle, Bratt Decor
Gold Gilt Library Chair, NotOnHighStreet
Gold Leaf Chairs, Neuvo Estilo
Trina Turk Boutique, design by Kelly Wearstler
Design by Kelly Wearstler
Distressed Silver Finish Dresser, Fabulous Pieces on Etsy
Then there is this incredible pair of nightstands thanks to Jenny over at Little Green Notebook. You MUST see this tutorial – it’s my absolute favorite transformation that I’ve seen in the past year.
Silver Leafed Nightstand, Little Green Notebook
What are your thoughts on metallic sheens in furniture and accessories ? Gloriously glamorous, shamelessly shiny, or terribly tacky ?
I happen to think in just the right space, one shimmery piece can be absolutely fabulous ! Do share your thoughts too.
Tags: metallics
What timing. My oldest daughter turned me on to your site (for towel wraps we will make for her bridesmaids) and just love your ideas, instructions, etc. Just exploring your site got me out of a ‘funk’ and while browsing thru Pier 1, my youngest 10 year old daughter, found a silver/mirrored small vanity dresser she loves. Well – she has one in her bedroom I bought a few years ago from Target in the Shabby Chic line and we’re moving to a different look in her room – so we’re going to try the instructions. Just last night I was looking at your instructions on how you touched up your foyer mirror and thought I would try to use that to silver the vanity – but back today – and you’ve provided the exact steps we need. I’ll share pictures when we finish. Thank you!!!!
Thank you for always sharing such gems.
I have awarded you a “Kreativ Blogger Award” on my site….no doubt you have already received plenty…but I just love your blog and all your tips, I thought you deserved the award!
Love the Wisteria chest you featured, it’s gorgeous, along with the night stands from Little Green Notebook. I’ve actually been eying a lovely mirrored piece, just not sure my other half will go for it…
Love love love the Lucy Willow Bombe Chest. What a great collection, thanks for sharing!
I absolutely love the silver leaf nightstand. Jenny’s tutorial at Little Green Notebook is also amazing!!!
Love this post. The D. Draper cabinet is fabulous!
xo,
cristin
I agree with you, if used in the right space it can look very glamorous! All of these are great, especially the 3rd to last. I like how the mirror and the chair accent each other with the gold metallic, along with all of the other gold accents.
-Sarah
I too have a slight obsession with anything and everything metallic silver! I started to redecorate my bedroom in a hollywood glam style. I repainted all of my furniture white and metallic silver and also several picture frames and a wood tray. I LOVE it!
I love the spray painted side table you posted! Im going to be on the lookout for small tables like that to paint!
http://picturesquebrooklyn.blogspot.com/2010/01/ikea-dresser-hack.html
I too find myself more and more drawn to metallic finishes. Must be the magpie coming out in me.
Love this look! I just picked up a vintage dresser that was abandoned at the curb and have to paint it and am trying to decide what to do with it. A shiny silver finish would be so pretty and dramatic.
I think it certainly has a place….and I hope that place is in my home…. smiles.
I LOVE the idea of the shiny nightstands. I would like to do that in my own bedroom. Love all the pics! cute site
I spray painted a half moon hall table in a beautiful metallic silver and put two different sizes of tiny mirrors [approx. 1" and 3/4" in width] spaced around the rim and onto the squared parts, of the three turned legs. IT LOOKS AWSOME! If I do say so myself.
Everyone who has seen it thinks it was a great way to update a boring wee table.
Go for the shine!
wow, beautiful and unique! what a great find!
You know, I’m a big fan of white furniture, but I could just imagine of the sparkling pieces above with white accessories on them. They’re beautiful!
Thanks for sharing this! I love the tutorial.
[...] I wanted to do for her was inject the space with a dash of big girl glam. As you know from my fixation on metallic finishes, I’ve been wanting to silver leaf something, anything, for quite some time. An inexpensive [...]