In an earlier post I made a comment about being tired of looking through magazines that were pic after pic of white furniture, in white rooms. A few of you sent me your thoughts on white makeovers as well. It was about a 50-50 mix of opinions. Half of you said you were also tired of the white craze, and the other half said, no way, I still love it.What I didn't mention in that post is what I do like. So, I thought I would show you ladies a color that I am currently pretty fond of, called Seafoam Green. I had seen lots of examples of this color at the Scott's Antique Show in Atlanta and wanted to create my own versions of it. I have now done quite a bit with this color, and the oval mirror above is one of my latest projects.
This mirror frame dates back to about 1880, and it was in pretty bad shape when I started.
To get this look, I started by applying a flat powder blue latex paint. I added a coat of green tinted glaze and then took a rag and dappled on some amber shellac to highlight the carved gesso.
This was a really easy project. I love the depth of color. I am far from being an interior designer, but I am much more attracted to something like this than just another white mirror. That's not to say I don't do a mirror in white once in a while. Here is an example of one I did, not long ago. It dates to the 1920s.
I used flat white latex on this mirror frame and then used rottenstone in the crevices to highlight the carving somewhat.
Here is a close-up of the detail.
I would be really interested in hearing from more of you about what you are leaning towards as far as colors go. Do you like the white better? the seafoam green? or throw out your opinion about an entirely different color you think is pretty hot right now. Let's hear all about it!
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40 comments:
Rory, I like richer colors, so I tend to like blacks, cherries, mahoganies, and darker textures.
I do enjoy looking at other people's white rooms; I like living in my spicier and sunnier rooms.
Cheers,
Laura
Love the green mirror. It is gorgeous. As for the white, I think every room needs some white and some black to make it interesting. I like the look of a white room, however I don't want an all white room for me. Hugs, Marty
I am pretty sure I found the color I want to do to a bunch of my mirrors to coordinate them (I have the spectrum of colors right now). I will try a few before I say anything...
I love this seafoam green and the color is great on me - but my husband hates it. :(
Oh and the mirror is awesome...
I like that seafoam green mirror frame you did. I don't like a lot of white either. I refinished an old French commode chest in my foyer and posted it in one of my first blog posts. It was my first furniture piece to refinish and glaze. You can check it out by going to my blog and clicking on my Jan. archive and it is the second post.
hi rory! i, too, love seafoam. a afave color of mine os by behr called seafoam spray and it is very soft and subtle. i paint a lot of colors, blues, and aquas and seafoams tend to be my favorites, BUT when it comes to selling, sometimes white is just the safe choice. and i admit i LOVE rooms with all white furniture and white everywhere- they are so fresh! but it has to be chippy, relaxed white, and not sterile. if i didn't have 2 kids and 2 dogs (not to mention a husband!) i would have more white in my house, too!
I do like white, but I like the seafoam green as well; plus other colors. As much as I love the look of the all white rooms I see, I can't go that route. There's no way I can paint every single piece of antique furniture I have white! Much of it are family pieces.
Nancy
It's funny, 'cause I read what you had to say, then read what Layla at The Lettered Cottage had to say, and I should have counted how many times she said the word "white". I love white still- it's sooo classic. But to have an accent color with white, that is the bomb.
Doesn't it seem like turquoise is everywhere?
I love the seafoam green. I think there are other colors besides white that can refresh a room...
Beautiful work on the frame!
Alyssa
lifeoflyssie.com
I think this is a fab color for this piece and it's surprising how well this color can be incorporated into any number of existing room/color motifs!!!
Hugs, Lana
Hi! Visiting from Motivate Me Monday- I vote white! :) Great blog!
http://coffeypartyof3.blogspot.com/
I like white... it goes with much more
definitely a very versatile color that brings charm to a room. I like it very much,
Kathy
This is a fabulous color - I love it! And as I mentioned on your last post, I do love seeing something other than white.
I'm hosting my very first blog party this Friday - I would love it if you would link up this project.
I like sea-foam green and white, but I think that white is almost overdone. Color is already making a big comeback.
These twp mirrors are fabulous. The detailing is incredible. Love the finishing techniques. The green patina is gorgeous! Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase. I greatly appreciate it! Hope you are enjoying your week. ~ Stephanie Lynn
These twp mirrors are fabulous. The detailing is incredible. Love the finishing techniques. The green patina is gorgeous! Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase. I greatly appreciate it! Hope you are enjoying your week. ~ Stephanie Lynn
I never do anything white because it shows wear and tear too fast, and in my house furniture doesn't need help looking worn and torn. :P
I like the seafoam when it is kinda distressed-looking like your mirror. It almost looks like tarnished copper. I think a full-coverage solid seafoam green would be too much for my tastes.
Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills party!
I do like the seafoam green...but I do have to say that I do like white accessories: white candles, white napkins and tablecloths, white dishes, white enamelware. All of which I have. Because it all looks great when I add the different seasonal colors.
That looks fantastic! Love the green. Perfect.
I love the seafoam green! I am not too big into white either! Thanks for linking to Hoo's got talent!
I love the seafoam green. It has a very mystical quality to it. :-) I can't do white rooms....it just isn't realistic in my life....they'd become "grey" rooms by the end of a week.
I think I would shrivell up and die in a white room - too streile for me. I love color! In fact, I did a post about that recently.
http://thethriftydesigner.blogspot.com/2010/04/colorful-confession.html
I personally do love the white - but not all white decore - there must be some color splashes thrown in - for my taste.
I really like your mirror though. I like the way the seafoam green emulates a worn copper patina.
Thanks for sharing!
I like colors! Especially in accent pieces! But white is nice too! : )
Not clinging to white here! I LOVE the green! (but then again green is my second favorite color! hehe) This mirror makes me thing of aged copper! Very nice!
~Bridgette
Hmm, this look reminds me of the old copper roofs on churches and stuff. They turn sea foam green over time.
I don't think I'll ever use this technique, but I'd love to see some examples in person! Maybe I'd change my mind then.
Thank you for participating in the Creative Therapy session at Life in the Pitts.
I'm in love with the color white and there are days when I wish EVERYTHING was white. But, I love color too! I believe that's my problem. Both mirrors are pretty, I like them both!
Love your seafoam green mirror... beautiful color. I'm going to feature it tomorrow at the POPP Spotlight.
I love a wide range of colors... I am usually drawn to browns, greens and reds the most though. But white and black are always so classic that you can't go wrong addin them into any room.
Love the mirror, what a great technique!
Thanks for sharing @ Anything Related!
{Rebekah}
The mirrors are nice.
I like white, but also color..
Thanks for joining Get Your Craft on Thursday at Life As Lori. Please join me next week for another great party.
It's gorgeous!!! I love the depth. Awesome job. I love white but I also LOVE colors. I'm loving the green right now too.
The green mirror is beautiful!!
Thanks for linking up to Saturday is Crafty Day!
really elegant. hi from tatertots + jello
www.yesterdayontuesday.typepad.com
Gorgeous! I love the colors!
Love the mirror! While white can be beautiful, it would be SO impractical for me. I like me some color!
Love it! great to find you! Have a great day!
Love that color! Great job!
I am with you on the white. We painted my daughter's room a couple of years ago. We had all the colors in there so we thought white would be a nice change, she couldn't stand it so we painted in gray, actually a very soothing color. I just don't know if I could live with all that white! Take a look at my blog I recently painted a frame alot like this one but mine is brown. I love your frame, very nicely done!
Hm. My all time favorite is still red. Not all over, but touches of red. But I am digging turquoise right now too even though I don't have any of it in my house right now...
I love how the mirror turned out! So great!
Thanks so much for linking up!
~Ashley @ www.simplydesigning.blogspot.com
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