Queen Anne--she just won't go away. She used to be in almost everybody's traditional home and has been passed down to many a young couple. Unforunately, her style can look somewhat out of place in the midst of more modern decor.
When we bought our first house two years after getting married, we had little besides the sofa and loveseat that we bought. My husband wandered to a yard sale across the street and came home with a matching set of Queen Anne end tables, a sofa table and a coffee table. I was less than thrilled, but they were cheap and we had something to put in the room. I worked diligently until they were replaced with something else and sent to a consignment shop.
However, I've been seeing some pretty cool makeovers floating around on the web lately that have made me think twice about Queen Anne's cool factor--especially when color is used.
Take this incredible highboy dresser makeover by Cassie of Hi SugarPlum! She painted it bright yellow for her daughter's room and actually had me thinking, "I should look for a Queen Anne highboy." Really? I never thought I would say that. I like that she even kept the original hardware and just cleaned it up a bit.
Another great example is this fun coffee table makeover by Melissa of The Inspired Room. She went bold and used bright blue. (I also love how the vintage suitcase looks underneath.)
And, your grandmother's dining set can go glam with a fresh coat of paint and a graphic fabric. Love this transformation of Rene's dining chairs at Cottage and Vine.
Even Pottery Barn has gotten in on the Queen Anne makeover action by painting these dining chairs a rainbow of colors.
These end tables are everywhere (except for my house, because I took them to consignment as I mentioned earlier. Dang.) I see them all the time at thrift stores, Goodwill and on Craigslist. Next time, I might not pass them up. Especially if I can find a reason to paint them bright yellow.
Salvage Interiors
And, high-gloss paint isn't your only option. I also like the distressed look of this one:
While I haven't personally tackled a Queen Anne furniture makeover, I would advise you to get your sander ready before you start painting, along with a good primer. I'm assuming the high-gloss finishes on these pieces aren't paint-friendly.
Have you completed a makeover on a Queen Anne piece? Would love to hear your best advice and tips.
Ha! Thanks for the shout out Emily. Love these makeovers. I'm sure you can come up with a place for a yellow table.
ReplyDelete-Rene
Queen Anne is not my cup of tea...unfortunately it has fallen into the world of chinese made mass market furniture, but painted in funky bright colors, it takes a completely different look, young and fun. i especially liked the dining chairs in different tones.
ReplyDeleteWe just picked up a set of six Queen Anne dining chairs for $150...but they were old oak and the fabric really dingy. I re-painted them white last week and now onto recovering them. It's amazing what can be given new life with some imagination and paint!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness..I LOVE all of these!! The juxtaposition of modern and antique is so amazing.
ReplyDeleteLove these. Fresh interpretations are so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI grew up with Queen Anne; it has a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteFun post with wonderful makeovers. I've made over a few chairs that went with a Queen Anne table from my grandmother. The table is still waiting for her makeover...got to find the right spot first! Janell
ReplyDeleteI've got a Queen Anne coffee table that has seen better days. Painting it a funky color really wouldn't go with the decor of my house, but I sure love seeing them in other spaces!
ReplyDeleteall of them are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so sad that you got rid your Queen Anne furniture! I love the lines. Maybe your husband will bring more of it home!
ReplyDeleteThe highboy looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteOh girl, I think my mom still has these tables. I foresee a Thanksgiving visit makeover in my future!
ReplyDelete-Erin
www.erinshanksinteriors.com
I would love to have that coffee table. It would fit perfectly in my living room. I need to keep my eye out for one to transform.
ReplyDeleteOh great post Emily! I love them painted a glossy color! And aren't Rene chairs fabulous!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I am taking a closer look at a lot of old pieces of furniture in my house now to see if a fresh coat of paint could liven them up. I just completed a paint project on a Queen Anne desk I found on Craigslist. Totally works for me. http://unskinnyboppy.blogspot.com/2010/11/craigslist-youre-my-hero.html
ReplyDeleteAnd based on these pics of the highboy my bedroom furniture is a fresh take on Queen Anne. I didn't DIY this, it was purchased already painted and distressed. I LOVE it: http://unskinnyboppy.blogspot.com/2008/07/get-your-mind-out-of-gutter.html
Hey Emily! I'm the random girl who introduced herself at the zoo last week. Please excuse my boldness, but I couldn't help but recognize you, especially after that sweet post from your husband. Love the blog and so admire your style! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteQueen Anne furniture definitely gets a modern update when it's painted a funky color. I bet you are wishing you had some of those pieces back!!
ReplyDeleteI am dying here! ii've got 18 Queen Anne pieces in my house I've been desperate to replace. They were donated by my parents and my husbands parents. We've got end tables, bedroom suits and dining room chairs! I've had my pieces since my mom helped furnish my first college apartment and I've been dying to replace them since. she kept telling me to hold onto them bc what's old is new again. Once again, my mother was right! HA!
ReplyDeleteOh my, Love the blue coffee table! Queen Anne never looked so good! I live in the south, the classic Queen Anne is pretty big here. I've never been a fan, but this will definitely make me look twice when I come across a piece to refinish!
ReplyDeleteWow! I love it! I just wish I knew how to work it into my decor.
ReplyDeleteI want that coffee table BAD! I'm going to Goodwill this afternoon...who knows, maybe I'll get lucky! Then I'll head on over to Lowe's for some paint :)
ReplyDeletewow, these are all stunning! i love that yellow armoire and blue coffee table!
ReplyDeleteSuper transformations. I love the surprising fun yellow!
ReplyDeleteI know! I've been thinking the same thing lately....I wouldn't have looked twice at a Queen Anne piece, they're a bit too fussy, but that tallboy that Hi Sugarplum did is just amazing.
ReplyDeleteLove all of it!! Definitely need to scour Craigslist for a couple similar pieces!
ReplyDeleteIt's great what a modern, fresh coat of paint will do for a piece of furniture! I am always just so afraid to paint furniture. After seeing those, it makes me want to go tackle some of our bedroom furniture!
ReplyDeleteI love all these pieces, I'm a big believer that any style with a pop of unexpected color will work! Fun post!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout-out Emily! Painting that highboy yellow is the best decision I've made in Sloan's room yet. We've received a fair amount of 'old and fancy' furniture from my grandparents...it's tricky to find a way to mix it in our home, while keeping to our style and the integrity of the furniture. If the dresser lived in the living room, I don't know that I would have been able to convince myself to paint it...but for a little girl, yes!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this post! I have 2 end tables (round and rectangle) and a chair that I inherited from my grandma's house when she died. I love them, but I've been wondering what to do with them. I was getting tired of the boring standardness of them. Now I have some ideas!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a timely post for me. We were passed down a QA bedroom suite when we got married nearly five yrs ago. I have never been in love with it, but can't really replace it either. The bed frame recently broke and made me motivated to spruce it up before the hubby repairs it. Now, to decide what color.....and should I paint the tall dresser to match the bed...hmmmmm!!! Since it broke, I lost all guilt about painting it, what a blessing!
ReplyDeleteEmily, I've been reading your blog for several months. Found you through the nester, and you have inspired me so much in these few short months. Thanks!
Ashley
Yep, great ideas here! I wrote about Queen Annes a couple of years ago (with that same Pottery Barn pic) & originally painted mine black about 9 yrs. ago. Recently updated with some fresh modern fabric for my breakfast nook:
ReplyDeletehttp://southernhospitalityblog.com/recovering-chair-seats-101/
I would totally paint some of these pieces too if I had them. Great way to get an instant update and I'm loving the lively colors!
I love Cassie's yellow dresser! You're right, the Queen Anne style is everywhere. Especially here, because I live in a town called Queen Anne! The style is found in coffee shops and all the houses around. Very beautiful and traditional.
ReplyDeleteI an never turning my nose up to the Queen Anne style again! I love an informative post! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI have a large Queen Anne cocktail table in my family room that I am dying to do something with. I was thinking of *maybe* painting the top with chalkboard paint and the base a fun color. We are very casual at home. My kids love working on crafts here, too.
ReplyDeleteimperfectnest.com
It's amazing how a little color can transform a piece from granny to hip. And the yellow pieces are particularly fab...need to think where I can incorporate this at home!
ReplyDeleteThose look so awesome! I would never have thought those pieces could look so modern just by painting them! Great idea! -Lindsey Turner thriftandshout.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteLove this post, I tend to be the generation that has been taught you don't paint good wood. Well, I don't agree, these makeovers are great. I have a wonderful old Queen Anne low bow in my living room that I have been thinking about painting, I think I will do it after this post, thanks for the push!!! Kathysue
ReplyDeleteI have passed up Queen Anne so many times at thrift stores, etc. I will not do it again!
ReplyDeleteSuch fresh look on old style! LOVE it!
ReplyDeletePS: I posted today among other things on your lovely blog! I just love your style!
Victoria
I found a very old, but sufficiently beat up, three tier pie crust table that was taken out of an attic. My daughter painted it bright red, and her four daughters use it as a scenario table. They play on it a lot! And at night, the 3 legged horses are all stacked on the bottom tier. You can see the table at blubabescreate.blogspot.com She is just getting started...but there are some cute pictures of the table.
ReplyDeleteyou have a gorgeous blog. i love your blog because i see a huge variety of furnitures.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Furniture Melbourne
I have two end tables and a dresser in my garage that are awaiting makeover. Thrift shop finds, both. I'll share in an upcoming post. ;)
ReplyDeleteMelissa @ <a href="http://www.upcycledhomeblog.com> upcycledhomeblog.com</a>
I just recently gave my Queen Anne table and chairs a little makeover and a new home in my kitchen instead of my dining room! You are so right a good sanding and primer were essential! I'm really happy with the result - check it out --- http://ourfifthhouse.blogspot.com/2010/10/dining-room-made-me-do-it-kitchen.html
ReplyDeleteOk...so this is my dream! I want to open up a shop and sell refurbished, repainted, reupholstered used furniture! There is so much out there that with a great paint job or a new fabric can look incredible, as evidenced in these makeovers. I feel like not many people see beyond the fact that Queen Anne is an outdated granny looking furniture, but add some paint and viola it's fresh and chic! Great post!
ReplyDeleteThey can be made to look cool, I love this post! That yellow highboy is amazing!
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ReplyDeleteI love your yellow table! What was the exact paint you used??
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