What to do with Mahogany & Solid Cherry wood bedroom sets?

5 years ago

My husband inherited a Mahogany bedroom set (over 100 years old) from his grandparents, and two solid cherry wood bedroom sets from his parents. Both were made in America (of course), and they are in great condition, especially cherry wood bedroom sets.

He wanted to use one of the sets for our bedroom, but the double bed didn't work for us. So my 3 kids ended up using these sets, and I do not love how they look. My boy doesn't really care, but my two girls (age 6 & 8) would love to have a light colored furniture set instead.

I am leaning towards to selling the 3 bedroom sets and getting new bedroom sets for my kids. But my husband is really against it as you can't get American made - solid wood furniture anymore. (Maybe possible if you pay $$$$$.)

Would it be crazy to repaint at least cherry wood bedroom sets to white for my girls?

The Mahogany furniture doesn't fit very well for my boy, so I really want to sell it. I would feel awful to repaint the Mahogany furniture as this is truly antique!

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Comments (5)

shivece
5 years ago
If your husband won’t get rid of it and you and the girls don’t love it, paint it. A belief is just a thought you keep thinking, it isn’t truth. The belief that you “should” love it just the way it is because it is antique, beautiful wood and handed down from relatives is just a thought. When a belief is not serving you, it is time to replace it with one that does. Time to embrace the belief that serves you - this attractive, well made wood furniture will look beautiful painted and work in our spaces. Let the kids pick their colors.
rwiegand
5 years ago
If someone paints the highly figured cherry, walnut, and maple Arts and Crafts furniture I've built, I WILL be back to haunt them. I actually inscribed a curse for the would-be painter on the cherry woodwork I made for the house.

That said, use judgement. Well made, real wood furniture is terribly out of style right now, so your beds probably won't have much resale value. Double beds also don't have much resale value. If your furniture traces back to a famous Philadelphia or Newport builder from the 18th century you'll be really sad if you paint it. This is incredibly unlikely. If, as is more likely, it's early 20th century factory furniture, go ahead and paint it.

BTW, it's "cherry" not "cherry wood".
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katmumn
5 years ago
There are a few high-end brands from the early 20th century that might have some value if left unpainted- Kindel, Biggs, Kittinger, and similar quality brands. But assuming your pieces have no makers mark and they are from the 20th century, I agree with rwiegand that if it will make you happy, go ahead and paint the pieces.

I personally would like to see cherry and mahogany come back into style, but I think I'm in the minority there.
ginatay124
5 years ago
There are some nice tutorials on YouTube for chalk painting, for example, check out Amitha Verma. It can create an antiqued finish in a fresh color while still highlighting the lovely details in the wood.
Sammy
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
If painting it would bring you and your girls joy, what are you waiting for? Please share the results! And if you need any guidance along the way, I, for one, would be more than willing to help.

Btw, to make the sets look more interesting, you might paint just the bed or just the nightstands and the vanity (or whatever). What pieces do you have, anyway?