My love affair with painted furniture.

Well, I just love, love painted furniture. Depending on the style it can look old world or old comfy grandma. Either way, it can be perfect. Perfect to keep a high end interior from looking too stuffy and hands off or to add elegance to your first apartment or cabin in the woods. One thing I particularly like about painted furniture is how well it goes with other mediums, such as stained woods or metals. If you have an oak bedroom set (for instance) and need a night stand, a painted piece will fit in nicely - adding contrast, without looking mismatched. Grange from France is one of my favorite furniture companies. From elegant mahagonies and cherry's to painted Louis styles - they have it all!

Roche Bobois, another French company, is well known in the states for it's contemporary furniture line. But, they also have a very traditional and charming line called Les Provinciales. Here is a lovely example of a painted coctail table and how well it fits into a luxurious environment.

Potterybarn is also showing painted pieces in different colors. They are more on the cottagy/cabin look - but still, an easy way to add elegance to a simpler design scheme.