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January 8, 2014 By Shirley

“To Paint or Not to Paint ~ That is the Question” The tale of an antique table

Lately, I have acquired quite a few pieces of furniture that someone no longer wanted.

One of those pieces is a little round table ~

~ ~ an ordinary type of table that I thought I would use after I painted it red!

But when I looked at it closely, I thought, “no, maybe not” . .

The wood was actually nice and I realized how old it was when I looked at the bottom of it..

~ ~ it has great patina and looked like it was handmade vs. machine made.

I can hear a voice come out of the crevices ~ ~ “don’t paint me ~ don’t paint me”

And ~ ~ I have been taught to respect “my elders” so I listened to that old table ~ ~

~ ~ and I put away the paint brush!

I swear I heard it say “thank you” πŸ™‚

So now is sits happily between the loveseat and chair.

~ ~ the other table was moved over to the other side of the chair.

~ ~ ~ do you spy my Demi-john from France?

This is the only room that is completely devoid of Christmas decor..

Well, except for winter berry sprays I left in the hanging scale.

Thought it could pass for my “winter decor”

I think I have a bit of a “scale” thing going on in this room ~

I rescued the lantern from the back porch from the 9 degree weather ~ ~

~ ~ the lantern thanked me too!

The sunroom is still a work in progress ~ ~ adding and deleting things here and there.

The Demi-john is just sitting “quietly” in the room..waiting for its permanent place.

~ ~ and speaking of Demi-johns ~ WHAT IS THE ACTUAL CORRECT WAY TO SPELL IT?

I have seen it spelled in three different ways:

Demi-john ~ ~ demijohn ~ ~ demi john

So what say you? ~ How do you spell/write it?

Have a wonderful day!! ~ ~ and the table says so too!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Antique round table, lantern, sunroom, vintage hanging scale, Vintage Scale 31 Comments

Previous Post: « Vintage French Scale, A Centuries Old French Stock Pot and More French Treasures
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Liz @ Infuse With Liz says

    January 8, 2014 at 7:44 pm

    Oh I’m so glad you didn’t paint it. I see this done so much and it totally destroys the value and the fact that it has a history that I think should be respected. If the piece is in really rough shape and needs a lot of fillers and so forth then it seems like it’s ok to paint since it’s beauty has been degraded already. I looked up demijohn and it seems like all three ways are acceptable to use. Each time you stare are your demijohn you can smile inside knowing where you bought it! This cold system can leave anytime! We’re going to warm up into the 30’s starting Friday and I’m thrilled! It was 5 when I got up this morning. I’ve put away Christmas- now it feels naked!

    Reply
  2. Linda miller says

    January 8, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    Wise move, my dear. It looks to be in very good condition, HANDMADE, and you have plenty of painted furniture in your sunroom. As to your question regarding the correct spelling, I write demi john. But when in doubt, Google it! I didn’t.

    Reply
  3. Carol Hanson says

    January 8, 2014 at 8:03 pm

    what a treasure! it’s hard to believe that so many don’t appreciate the value of our past. i think paint is for walls and beautiful wood should be enjoyed. I have a similar table that I inherited from my great grand parents and i think of all the stories it could tell; it traveled on the last steam boat that came up the Missouri to Fort Benton MT and then on a freight wagon to their home. I’m really enjoying your blog. thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  4. Cynthia says

    January 8, 2014 at 8:33 pm

    I love this table and you can tell it is well made. I don’t think I would’ve painted it either!!! Great charm.

    Cynthia

    Reply
  5. Pat@Back Porch Musings says

    January 8, 2014 at 8:33 pm

    I am so happy you did not paint this wonderful little table. I love the patina. Beautiful!

    Reply
  6. Beverly says

    January 8, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    I agree you made the right decision to not paint the table. It is in great condition.

    Demijohn. One word.

    Reply
  7. Barb @ The Everyday Home says

    January 8, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    NO, it wasn’t the table you heard saying “thank you” that was me. πŸ™‚ It is gorgeous and I loved seeing the underside. What a sweet gift someone gave you. The DJ is spectacular. Looking good.

    Reply
  8. Heidi @ decor & more says

    January 8, 2014 at 8:54 pm

    Yes, that table looks handmade — so glad you didn’t paint it! Such a sweet little piece; I’m a sucker for accent tables!
    I STILL haven’t put away all of my Christmas stuff, but there’s always the weekend, right? πŸ˜‰
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  9. Mary Alice Patterson says

    January 8, 2014 at 9:10 pm

    Darling table with great patina!! Having some wood pieces always adds warmth to a room.
    Mary Alice

    Reply
  10. Christy @ 11 Magnolia Lane says

    January 8, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    The table is beautiful, and I have a scale addiction, too. Glad to see I’m not alone!

    Reply
  11. Kim says

    January 8, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    That is some pretty patina. Good decision.

    Reply
  12. Brand @ Nest of Bliss says

    January 8, 2014 at 9:13 pm

    I think you made the correct choice – the patina reminds me so much of my antique bread bowl I love so much!

    Also – your room is STUNNING… Your style is amazing!

    Reply
  13. Donnamae says

    January 8, 2014 at 9:29 pm

    It did Shirley. It did say ‘thank you’! Wonderful details on the bottom of your table…that would have been covered up with paint. So glad you listened to that voice! πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  14. Pinky at Designs by Pinky says

    January 8, 2014 at 10:02 pm

    Oh Shirley, I know that little table is so glad it didn’t get painted and so am I! I love REAL WOOD and you little table is beautiful. I am loving all the scales, plants and birds. I am GUESSING that it is demijohn. But I will check. XO

    Reply
  15. Kristen says

    January 8, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    I vote for no paint too! It’s too hard to find quality wood pieces in that good of shape! As for demijohn… I spell it like that, but I don’t know which is correct? Good question πŸ™‚ Love, love, love the one you brought home from France… I’m a complete sucker for those!

    Reply
  16. Kris says

    January 8, 2014 at 11:30 pm

    So happy you were the furniture whisper and listen to that piece and did not paint it! It looks beautiful and tells a very pretty story in it’s original state. Looks beautiful Shirley.
    Kris

    Reply
  17. Anne@DesignDreams says

    January 9, 2014 at 12:26 am

    hmmm I would have painted it the darkest rose colour in the fabric on the sofa. You know how much I love paint! then again, sometimes I paint something and then spend a whole lot of time stripping the paint back off again.

    Good thing I can blog about it all!

    xoxx

    Reply
  18. laura@top this top that says

    January 9, 2014 at 12:50 am

    as much as i love a painted piece, good decision. I wonder how old the table is? I think demi-john is alot like mantel or mantle.

    Reply
  19. Patty Rumaker at Home and Lifestyle Design says

    January 9, 2014 at 1:02 am

    That table is beautiful. I love the color of the wood and it will work in so many places. I always thought it was demijohn, but I am not positive. WE know what you mean. LOL!
    Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design

    Reply
  20. Sandy says

    January 9, 2014 at 1:37 am

    Beautiful table a I think a good ideal not to paint it. I love your sun room and I think the table just adds more charm to the room.
    Sandy

    Reply
  21. Angela says

    January 9, 2014 at 1:57 am

    Great decision not to paint! If I every doubt whether or not to paint, I always hold off to see if the “urge” continues. Usually, it does not and I’m so glad when I listen to it!!! ~~Ang

    Reply
  22. Mary Feguson says

    January 9, 2014 at 2:10 am

    Oh Shirley, I am so glad that you didn’t paint the table – it’s stunning. I like where you placed it in the sun room.
    I packed up my Christmas quilts today so I am finished. Let out a tub just in case I run across something I missed. I love Christmas but so glad to get back to normal. Now I want to deep clean each room.
    Hopefully your weather is warmer now. Have a great weekend.
    Mary

    Reply
  23. Martina says

    January 9, 2014 at 2:16 am

    Can you believe I’m going to say I’m glad you DIDN’T paint that pretty table!! She’s stained such a pretty color and has wonderful patina!

    Reply
  24. Jann Olson says

    January 9, 2014 at 2:26 am

    Shirley, I’m all for painting furniture, but not a piece like that. It has so much rustic charm! I love vintage scales and I think the berries look great for Winter. Last year for Christmas my kids gave me a huge hanging grocery store scale. I thought I would hang it in our farmhouse basement kitchen, but didn’t have a place. Saving it now for an outdoor building. (Someday)
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply
  25. Doreen@househoneys says

    January 9, 2014 at 2:57 am

    Good move Shirley! Not everything should be painted, least of all a piece as lovely and beautiful as your table. How nice that this was gifted to you also. I’m sure it’s happy it found such a beautiful home to live in now :).

    Reply
  26. Lady Delores LeBoeuf says

    January 9, 2014 at 4:44 am

    I too say thank for not painting the antique round table, the patina is lovely and there is so much to learn from years gone by….

    Reply
  27. priscilla says

    January 9, 2014 at 3:56 pm

    What a pretty little table Shirley ! It looks fabulous just te way it is ! Love all your scales ! I have a thing for them too πŸ™‚

    Reply
  28. kelly says

    January 9, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    That wood is so pretty. I don’t think I would paint it either. It’s got too much character and patina all by itself. I think if you ever want to give it a makeover, just use a table skirt. Then you can always go back to the wood if you want to. Love the demi john that you bought in France too!

    Reply
  29. Vanessa says

    January 10, 2014 at 4:49 am

    Oh I’m SO glad you didn’t paint that table Shirley! The wood tone is so beautiful and it looks perfect in that space. Such a lovely room!

    Reply
  30. Mary says

    January 10, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    Such a wonderful little table and beautiful patina Shirley! So glad you put the paint brush away πŸ™‚ Love your handsome demijohn too!

    Reply
  31. Betsy@coastal-colors says

    January 10, 2014 at 2:04 pm

    Shirley, I love this table! I’m so glad you didn’t paint it! It’s a great accent piece and I love the patina! It looks lovely in your sun room! You have so many pretty vignettes for Winter. I am using some Christmas decor too. You have a beautiful home. Have a great weekend!

    Reply

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About Me

Hi I’m Shirley and I am here to share my love of classic interiors, french country style, my passion for flowers and making our home, The Hickory Cottage, a warm and hospitable home for family and friends.

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