Thursday, September 6, 2012

French Gray Vintage Twin Beds

I love seeing a pair of matching twin beds in a bedroom. The girls will tell you, I definitely have a thing for symmetry!
 

And here at Elizabeth & Co., I always seem to be the girl who paints the beds. So when Karla's neighbor dropped these beauties off in her driveway, she asked if I wanted them. Yes, please!


As you can see, they had a ton of red in them. So even though I was using chalk paint, I decided to be safe and prime them with a coat of Zinsser Cover Stain Primer. It is oil-based and really perfect for furniture with red undertones.


The color is a soft gray called French Silver from the Behr paint and primer in one line. It's the same color as Megan's distressed and glazed side table. I mixed it up with the homemade chalk paint recipe. The flat chalky finish was a perfect match for this style of furniture.

 
With the primer, I got great coverage on the very first coat. But these were so easy to paint, I went ahead with a second coat just for good measure. Yes I like symmetry and I'm a bit of a perfectionist, just in case you need to know.
 
 
I love the sweet details on the headboards.


And the footboards have a soft feminine curve.


These pieces also have a formality to them that definitely called for a light distressing.

 
If you compare them to Megan's side table, you can see what a difference the amount of distressing can make. Both pretty and perfect for their individual style. I think it's worth taking the time to really look at a piece and let it tell you what it needs.
 
 
I finished  up with two coats of Minwax Paste Finishing Wax.
 
 
Pretty, don't you think?
 
 
And I just love that there's a pair of them!


I even have the rails and the slats - yeah! That makes life so much easier.

 
And here's a peak at where this pair will be residing for at least the next few weeks - the decorator show house we're working on here in Westminster. We spent several hours there yesterday putting our bedrooms together. Things are coming together quite nicely!
 
 
Stay tuned for details. You know I went through the whole house taking more pictures!

I'm linking to...
Primitive and Proper The Girl Creative
DIY Show Off
  Funky Junk's Sat Nite Special Days of Chalk and Chocolate The Shabby Nest Furniture Feature Fridays button
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
Photobucket 504 Main


Simply Creation's Link Party

Raising Oranges

Jennifer Rizzo

Six Sisters' Stuff

CRAFT

CraftOManiac

Between Naps on the Porch

37 comments:

Anne said...

Beautiful old beds.You are right I don't see matching sets like that.Great color too!
xx
Anne

Susie said...

Lucky you, to receive such nice beds. You did a fabulous job painting them. Smiles, Susie

Deb said...

Can you really cover oil-based primer with water-based paint? I thought that was a no-no?

They are beautiful. I am so envious of all your finds!

Andrea said...

The beds look beautiful. Love the color. I have a thing for symmetry as well.

Our Pinteresting Family said...

So so beautiful, Sharon. They are going to look great in the parsonage. :)

Anonymous said...

Just GORGEOUS! I just picked up a beautiful pair of Victorian twin beds for a client.. can't wait to get them painted.. but I am so lovin' this color! Great job!

Stacey said...

I love them! Can't wait to see the entire room!
Stacey of Embracing Change

Ali Richardson said...

LOVE these!!! Perfect color and the style is so so pretty!

NanaDiana said...

They are just beautiful, Sharon. I love the color and the detailing on them. I can't wait to see the room (s). Hurry up, will ya? The anticipation is killing me- xo Diana

Cathy said...

So beautiful! I can't wait to see the finished room!

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

Sharon, the beds look soooo nice! :) you're good with distressing. Distressing always stresses me out! hahah

way to go girl!

gail

Cassie Bustamante said...

WOW!!!! these are just beautiful! i have a bit of a crush on french gray beds... i don't know what it is, but i love them paired with white bed linens.

Emily @ The Diligent One said...

I love them! They'd be perfect for my twin girls' room! Oh, wait - I don't have twin girls. :) I picture these beds with crisp white bedding or maybe butter yellow. Can't wait to see what you do!

Connie in Hartwood said...

A show house!! How exciting. I just know these beds will be the stars of the show. (I'm a bit of a symmetry nut, too.) :)

Artsy VaVa said...

LOVE the beds!

Twice Nice said...

Those are amazing Sharon! It's so hard to find pairs, so lucky you! I'm just betting there is a rush to those on sale day.

Southscape Designs said...

OMGoodness. Those beds are beeeautiful. I know they will be the star of the room.

Danylle McLain said...

I have a thing for matchy furniture too. I love the gray! The distressing on these is just perfect. Love it!

Fiona, Lilyfield Life said...

these are gorgeous. i'm with Cassie, they will look amazing with white linen!
have a great weekend
Fiona xx

Unknown said...

popped over from raising oranges- the beds look amazing. Really loving gray paint these days!

Unknown said...

Oh it turned out just gorgeous!!!

Honey at 2805 said...

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing your project at Potpourri Friday!

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

Sounds challenging but fun! Love your finished projects. I've been making some homemade chalk paint too.You have such great results with your painting. Hope the decorating of the rooms all goes as planned. What a fun idea. How did you ever get a chance to do that? Love that old house! Hope you had fun getting it all ready.
Liz

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

Beeeeeeautiful!!!!! Oh, and the floors .... sigh.

Vintage Street Designs said...

Oh my gosh...you did a beautiful job! Love the transformation! Hopped over from Strut Your Stuff and happy to be your newest follower. Would love to have you stop by for a visit! Blessings ~ Judy @ www.vintagestreetdesigns.com

Into Vintage said...

HOw lucky to have two of these -- these results are just perfect! I'm wondering if you painted with a brush/roller or a sprayer?

Allison Shops said...

Love the beds. Even better painted! First time to your blog - will come back to look around!

Hope you'll come see Jane's vintage doorstop collection. Dropping by from Met Monday - #38.

Allison
Atticmag

cherished bliss said...

I LOVE how these beds turned out : ) Such great pieces! I have a bed for my daughter waiting for me to refinish... along with a whole other pile of furniture in my garage ; ) Stopping by from Craft o Maniac.

xoxo
Ashley {Cherished Bliss}

daisypetals said...

The beds look beautiful! I can't wait to see this house!
Life to the full, Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle

Good Time Charlie said...

Sharon, these are absolutely stunning, and look like they just jumped out of a decorating magazine. Being a bit of a perfectionist pays off well! Thank you for sharing. -K

Sue@Uniquely Chic said...

These beds are beautiful and I love the gray you chose. Lucky you to get those beds!Hard to come across a set!

Kim said...

I knew you were going to put these in your room at the decorator house! I love this color too. i think I am going to use it on a bed I am converting into a bench.

Thanks for sharing and showing!

Shabby Marilyn said...

Wow, love the beds, would trade my King for those old Twins! Great job, nice color! Following and hope to see you stop by and follow too. Thanks for hosting

Paula said...

Those beds are gorgeous! We'd love for you to link them up at our party! http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/2012/09/riverton-housewives-round-up-32.html

Good Time Charlie said...

Sharon, I am featuring these tomorrow, they are just so perfect!

Jeannie-JB said...

Oh my, these beds are so beautiful. I love the color choice. I think I neeeed these! {LOL - If only I had more room in my house}

Lisa/Fresh Eggs Daily Farm Girl said...

Very creative! Love it! And I would love for you to come share at my Farm Girl Blog Fest: http://fresh-eggs-daily.blogspot.com/2012/11/farm-girl-blog-fest-7.html

And while you're visiting, enter to win a copy of Laura Childs' new mystery Stake & Eggs (the tab to enter the contest is at the top of my homepage)

Lisa
Fresh Eggs Daily