What material is the console? I think a blue hue pulled out from the rug could be really nice.

I am not sure. It has a faux marble kind of look. It has a finish that is shiny. I will send a closer look.

Do you think paint will adhere to that finish?

It does look quite shiny, indeed. I'm not sure I would paint it, but you could add a cushion on top if you're looking to add some color and cover any imperfections. (Btw the room looks lovely!)

I don't know. Friends say it sticks to even cloth. I was hoping someone with experience with this would comment.

Certainly not a pro......but I have had success with spraying chalked paint on shiny surfaces. My only hesitation with this piece is that I'm not sure that a chalked piece fits with your Asian inspired decor. Most chalk finished pieces I have seen have a very rustic or old farm look.

I have painted lots of things with chalk paint and, yes, it will adhere to nearly anything. I do not believe it will give you the Asian look you like. It is not a hard lacquer finish. It is more muted and lends itself more to a country/farmhouse look.

My goodness! No chalk paint!!! If you want to redo this and your not willing to go through the necessary steps then send it out to be done! It would have to be sanded , then primed with a quality oil based primer. Several coats of semigloss or high gloss paint. You can use BM advance ; it is an oil base , water clean up paint made for cabinets and jobs like this. You will need to sand between coats and use a tack cloth. You will need to buy good quality tools, brushes etc. or you can send it to be sprayed to look like an Asian lacquered finish .

I think chalk paint would be fine. I think it would adhere to the finish with no problem. It will not look like lacquer but it will like Asian inspired because of the shape. I think I would just paint it black and then be sure to rub it with clear wax when you are done. It should look great!

Your console is a Henredon goatskin finish lacquer Chinoiserie table from the late 1970s or early 80s. Please don't ruin it with chalk paint! It could be valuable, as they have sold for quite a bit of money on sites like 1stdibs.com. Sell it and buy something else to use in that spot instead.

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I think it looks great the way it is! Does it need refinishing or do you just not care for the color?

So it’s split opinion here. Ok, I know it’s Henredon and thanks for someone noting. I am not sick of it so much as after 40 years, the finish is drying out. Legs are chipping. Wish I could kee this finish. So should I have it refinished in black or red by professional? My fear with Chalk is that the outcome will not be Asian. Just everyone saying Chalk is so much fun. Do the sofa table red and then black on top. Then sand edges to expose some red. My husband fears the chalk won’t work as well. Hmm

Why not try the chalk and if it does not work then send it to a professional? Chalk paint is cheap enough that you could paint it one color and if you dislike it then do another. Unless you are trying to distress the piece, which clearly would not be Asian, I don't think it would take much time to paint the table. You would know pretty quickly if you liked it or not.

I think I would learn to live with it the way it is...I don't mind crazing on lacquer finishes but I also know that you can make the crazing less noticeable by applying a solvent to it. If I messed it up, I would then send it out to be refinished...

You would have to do the research on how to do it.

Anyway, I would do that before chalk paint.

It's a smashing piece.

I would do a Chinese red or a blue to complement your rug, the room needs a bit of color. Good luck and have fun!

I don't really have anything new to add, but for whatever it's worth....The first thing I thought when I saw your table was,' a red, lacquered finish would look great on this table'. I have used chalk paint for various projects and while I do think it will adhere, I question how durable it would be unless you do some prep work first. I also don't think the finish would really suit this style of table. Good luck with whatever you decide.

On second lok, I would leave it alone, imperfections and all. Designs using an asian theme often incorporate aged pieces because of their character, adding to nystque.
If you really don't like it, sell it and purchase a black lacquer console or chest.

It appears the gesso is separating and coming away from the wood base. This isn’t a diy project for someone who isn’t familiar with this process. Don’t put chalk paint anywhere near this. If you want this restored you need to send it to a pro.

Hmm. I do like it. Definitely will keep it. If I refinish professionally, any thoughts on refinishing it to black or red? I have never had anything refinished. My hubby is very talented. Can read how to do anything in woodworking, painting and can do well. Recently tufted a headboard. Just thinking..,

Love your dining room! Paint the console red!

You would probably tire of it quicker if it was red. I know I would and I love love red...So if you absolutely must paint it, I would do black..

An auto painting place would get you the best non-lacquer finish, but you need to get a perfect base which will be on you to achieve if you go that route...

Paint won’t hide the fact that it’s chipping, and it may continue to chip..what will you do about that?

Sherry, I quite like the bit of imperfection on this console table. Your Asian room is so regal, I personally think it does not detract. And in any impeccable room, a little imperfection helps your guests relax.

I would not paint this table black or red. With Chinese traditional red, it would become a focal point in your room and you would need to change your flower arrangement in the corner. With the darker wood on your dining table and chairs, the black would just be another dark piece of furniture. Leave the console as is, then find a couple of silk slide in cubes or poofs to fit under the console in either a brighter hue or perhaps a bitter gold similar to the background color in your wall pictures.

Try moving your blue hurricane candles to the console, they are too predictable in your beautiful room; elevate one hurricane on one or two glass blocks so that it is taller than the other. A third slender glass or brass vessel lined with moss and filled with some wispy, tall oriental grass could make a great arrangement with the candles. Place all three together, to one side. The art work above the console is intricate and busy so any arrangement needs to stay simple.

You could add an off-white textured/nubby runner to cover the top of the console if you really cannot stand the finish. I also thought you could add a piece of glass, mercury glass, gray smoke glass, black or mirror glass cut to fit the top. I think you have quite a few options to maintain the integrity of the piece and still update to get the look you want. You might also call Henredon's customer service and ask their advice. Good luck.

Search for Beth H here on Houzz. She is the absolute best on refinishing furniture. You can send her a private message to ask her to weigh in on your post.

Wow. Great ideas. I will look into your ideas. The surface is in great shape. It presently has family pictures on it. The only place in my home I have personal ones displayed. I put the hurricanes on dining room table because I don’t know what else to put with silk orchid arrangement. The shadow box above the console are Asian shadow puppets. I want to not lose their beauty. I will see about something to put under the console. Where do I get glass block to put under one of the hurricanes?

I think the chalk paint has been decided against, which is good. With it being in such close proximity to other pieces, I definitely would not go with red. There are lots of videos on how to refinish and repair and I would just go with a shade that is similar to the frame above. Lower the art and accessorize, and you'll have an area that works well with your dining set and a classic look that you won't get tired of.

How do I search for Beth H. on Houzz?

Next to the Houzz logo is a search box. Type in her name and click on Users.