Purchasing Painted Furniture
Many times we have been asked what makes us different and why customers should part with their hard earned cash on our furniture. So we've put this blog together to help you determine what you should look for when buying painted furniture both online and in pop up shops.
Detail is so very important and is what sets a good furniture artist apart from the rest. We've broken down some examples to look out for when purchasing painted furniture:
Clean lines
One example is clean lines. Any great furniture artist knows the importance of good quality masking tape. It's all very well for a piece to look good on the outside but you don't just look at furniture, you use it. Therefore as soon as you open a drawer or cupboard door the last thing you should be seeing is a random brush stroke half way up or in the drawer/cupboard or wonky/wavy lines. When you are paying good money for pre-loved furniture you should expect the details to be spot on. Here are some examples of clean lines from our previously sold pieces:
If a seller is not showing any close ups or examples of clean lines in any of their work, you can always message them to ask what the inside looks like and for further pictures. Every seller is normally more than happy to do so.
Quality of Finish
Now this will depend on the style of painted furniture you prefer. If you like the shabby sheek look then this section doesn't tend to apply very much as its as the name suggests. However if you are looking for more of a contemporary piece brushstrokes should be to a minimum and discreet. We use high quality materials and professional techniques which gives our pieces a smooth and spray like finish, making it very pleasant on the eye and to feel. (Please see examples below).
Preparation
If a seller has spoken about the preparation process a piece has gone through then that's great. You would be surprised at how many furniture artists there are that do not knot or prime a piece (especially with chalk paint). Consequently depending on the type of furniture it is, the finished product may look good when originally purchased, but after as little as 3 months you could start to see knots and bleed through - especially in those painted white.
So if a seller is telling you they have fully prepped a piece including knotting and priming etc then you are on to a good seller. They have put the extra time in to make sure a piece will last for years, not months.
We use a primer that is one of the very best available on the professional market, it is a shellac based adhesion primer meaning it treats the knots as well as priming the piece.
Quality of Materials
When a seller is listing a piece, if they have used good quality materials then they will more than likely be telling you so. Good quality materials are not cheap to come by, therefore will be factored into the cost of the furniture and likely be listed in the description to expatiate the cost. If you want a quality piece that will last, you will want it to have been painted with quality materials.
If a seller is not listing the materials or paint that has been used, again, you can send a message to ask the brand and/or colour that has been used. Some sellers may even send a sample of the paint/colour if asked.
Types of Paint
In terms of Chalk Paint - Annie Sloan is the most popular in the UK, but Fusion Mineral Paint has been making a big name for it's self originating from the States with the promise no preparation or top coat is needed. We have used Fusion Mineral Paint in the past and although the coverage is great, when rolled the texture is quite rough for our liking.
As far as professional trade paint goes, Farrow & Ball has long been the most popular household name known for its traditional period colours. However a lot has been changing within the company and in a bid to be more environmentally friendly the paint recipe has changed which has had a very mixed review. Little Greene Paint has now been taking over and it's no wonder why. It is by far the most superior and durable paint available which we use on all of our pieces. For more information on Little Greene, please click here.
In summary, the above are just a couple of main examples of details to look out for when purchasing painted furniture. We know many people take the time to research and shop around when purchasing items for their home, but it can sometimes be hard to know what to look for with painted furniture, especially when buying online.
If you see an item that you think is either a great bargain or priced a little higher than the average, please look into why and determine if the piece is suitable for you home and your needs. Furniture should only be above the average if it has all the above.
Always ask the seller any questions you have as it is often a lengthy process to return a piece of furniture, we don't mind answering any queries customers have.
We hope this post has been helpful, if you have any queries, please do get in touch with us via our contact page.
Have a great day.
Joanne
Serenity Roots Furniture
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