Antiqued Painted Furniture

Painted antique furniture should do more than look pretty. It should tell a story, sit comfortably in your space, and stand up to daily life. At Jumbletique in North Norfolk, I restore and hand paint solid wood furniture using traditional artisanal methods so the finish feels authentic, ages gracefully, and improves the value and usefulness of each piece.

Vintage blue wooden hutch with open shelves and two cabinets. Features ornate drawer designs, dark wood accents, and evokes a rustic, antique feel - Antiqued Painted Furniture.

What Is Antiqued Painted Furniture?

Antiqued painted furniture is not simply furniture that has been painted. It is a layered finish that mimics gentle ageing. The goal is to create depth, variation, and a soft patina that suggests time and handling. I use traditional binders and pigments where appropriate, controlled distressing in logical wear points, and waxes or hardwearing topcoats that protect without plastic shine.

 

When a Painted Finish Completes the Restoration

Even after carefully stripping a vintage piece back to bare timber, a natural finish isn’t always the best outcome. Sometimes, painting over freshly prepared timber brings out the design in a more refined way, especially when:

  • The timber underneath is dark or varies in tone between panels
  • Old patch repairs or filler would still stand out under a clear finish
  • The piece needs to tie in with existing joinery or a set colour scheme
  • The goal is to brighten a space while keeping the furniture’s original character
  • The focus is on celebrating the shape, proportions and hardware rather than the grain

 

My Process, Step by Step

Assessment and joinery first

I inspect carcass integrity, veneer lift, drawer runners, loose joints, woodworm traces and prior finishes. Repairs come before paint.

Surface preparation

Old finishes are cleaned, degreased and keyed. Silicone contamination is treated to prevent cratering. Tannins from oak or mahogany are sealed to avoid bleed through.

Ground and colour development

A mineral or shellac ground is applied, then two or more colour layers with purposeful variation. I often use a deeper undertone so edges reveal history when softly broken back.

Ageing and texture

I add hand wear at believable touch points, refine edges, and consider hardware shadows. Glazes or limewashes introduce quiet movement rather than obvious streaks.

Protection and sheen control

Depending on use, I finish with wax, oil-modified varnish, or a waterborne lacquer. Kitchens and tables need higher durability than bedrooms. Final sheen is tuned from dead flat to satin.

 

Palettes Inspired by Italy, France and Gustavian Scandinavia

Italian influenced: warm umbers, verdigris hints, terracotta undertones, soft black for graphic contrast

French country: linens, putty greys, dusty blues, café-au-lait neutrals

Gustavian: chalky whites, blue-grey, muted sage, pale stone with restrained gild highlights

I keep samples in the workshop so you can see how the light plays across each finish at different times of day.

 

Materials and sustainability

I prioritise low-VOC waterborne systems for interiors, dewaxed shellac for problem substrates, and natural waxes for gentle sheen. Wherever practical I repair original hardware and drawer runners rather than replace. Each restoration diverts a solid piece from landfill, reduces the carbon cost of buying new, and preserves hand built joinery that modern flat-pack cannot match.

 

Three Representative Case Studies

Victorian pine chest

Brief: brighten a low-ceiling bedroom without losing age.

Approach: sealed knots, warm stone ground, misty linen top colour, light edge wear. Original knobs revived with beeswax.

Result: room reads lighter by roughly one paint step, grain telegraphing controlled, client reported the piece became the anchor for textiles and wall colour.

Gustavian sideboard

Brief: add character to a modern extension.

Approach: cool grey base, blue-grey top coat, pale lime glaze to recess panels, satin lacquer for wipeability.

Result: soft movement on panels, durable surface for daily use, photographs beautifully under evening lighting.

Hand painted kitchen

Brief: retain existing carcasses, avoid full refit.

Approach: deep clean and abrade, stain-block where needed, spray primer then hand brushed top coats for subtle brush character, hardware re-patinated.

Result: cost approximately 25 to 40 percent of a quality new kitchen, waste vastly reduced, clients gained a tailored palette and heritage feel.

 

What To Consider Before Commissioning

  • Function first. Decide where the piece will live and how it will be used
  • Light levels. North facing rooms suit warmer neutrals, bright rooms can take cooler greys and blues
  • Sheen. Lower sheen looks more antique. Higher sheen wipes easier in kitchens and halls
  • Scale and proportion. Large wardrobes and sideboards enjoy two-tone or colour blocking to reduce visual mass
  • Hardware. Original brass and iron can be restored. New knobs change the read completely

 

Pricing and Lead Times

  • Small items such as stools, bedside tables and mirror frames typically from £120 to £350
  • Medium items such as chests and sideboards typically from £450 to £1,100 depending on repairs
  • Full kitchen repaints generally quoted after inspection, often 25 to 40 percent of a quality refit
  • Lead times vary with season. I keep a limited selection of ready-to-deliver pieces in the workshop near Fakenham if you need something now.

 

Care and Maintenance

  • Wipe with a barely damp cloth then dry. Avoid aggressive sprays with silicone
  • Coasters on table tops prevent ring marks
  • If a scuff appears, often a small wax touch up will re-amalgamate the surface
  • Avoid prolonged direct heat. Radiators and log burners can dry timber and open joints

 

Why Choose Jumbletique for Painted Antique Furniture?

Background and Training

My Fine Art and Art History studies guide my sense of proportion, colour and historical detail. I trained hands-on with artisans in Tuscany and use those traditional methods in a practical way for modern homes.

Craft and Technique

Structural repairs always come before finishes. I use the right primers and sealers for tannin-heavy timbers, apply glazes with restraint, and finish with durable coatings suited to how each piece will be used.

Reputation and Clients

The workshop is based near Fakenham, Norfolk. Clients range from local homeowners along the North Norfolk coast to London families restoring or furnishing second homes. Interior designers often source pieces here when they need depth and quiet character.

Clarity and Care

All projects come with clear quotations, a written finish schedule, and simple aftercare notes. Visitors are welcome to the workshop by appointment to view samples, discuss finishes, or see work in progress.

A vintage black wooden desk with seven brass handles, showing wear for a rustic look. It sits on a red patterned rug, adding a warm, antique feel - Antiqued Painted Furniture.

Painted Antique Furniture - FAQs

What pieces take antiqued paint best?

Solid pine, oak and mahogany with good bones. Veneered items can work well if edges are sound.

Will the piece feel genuinely old?

Yes, the aim is credible age. Wear is placed where hands would have touched it over time, not randomly across flat fields.

Can you colour match?

Yes. I can colour match to any major paint brand including Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, Edward Bulmer, Paint & Paper Library or bespoke mineral mixes. Each colour is then tuned with glazes and waxes for depth and authenticity.

Is it durable enough for kitchens?

Yes, with the right system. Kitchens receive a tougher topcoat and a carefully chosen sheen for clean-ability.

 

Commission Your Own Painted Antique or Choose One Today

If you would like to discuss a commission, bring photos and approximate dimensions. I will suggest palettes, finish samples and any joinery work needed. If you need something immediately, I hold restored pieces ready for delivery that may not yet be photographed - Nationwide delivery is available. You are welcome to visit the workshop by appointment. If you’re interested in commissioning a piece or coming to visit the workshop, please email simon@jumbletique.co.uk, call 07824 771140 or send me a message using the online enquiry form.

 

About the Workshop

The workshop sits quietly at the edge of what was once RAF West Raynham, inside a repurposed water tower with thick walls and tall, dappled windows. It’s not a showroom, more a working space; full of light, timber, and half-finished pieces waiting their turn. There’s room to breathe, room to step back, and room to get the details right. A fitting place to work on furniture that’s already stood the test of time.

About Simon

I am a furniture restorer and decorative painter based near Fakenham. After a career in tech and media licensing, I returned to the craft, trained with artisans in Tuscany, and now specialise in antiqued painted furniture finishes that interpret time rather than imitate damage. I take on single pieces, doors and panelling, and entire kitchens.

A craftsman in glasses and an apron sits on a wooden bench, quietly studying a tool in his hands, surrounded by restored cabinets and sideboards – Antiqued Painted Furniture.