Are you attracted to old pieces with chippy paint? If I could raise both hands and feet while jumping up and down, I’d show you how excited I get when I find one. Today is the Lifestyle of Love hop, and my friends and I are sharing our love for all things old. If you’ve arrived here from DIY Beautify, howdy! I’m glad you’re here. Welcome to how I use 7 chippy painted pieces at the farmhouse.
Many times when people find a chippy piece, they intend to repaint and upcycle it. Not me. I’d rather clean a public restroom with a toothbrush than paint anything. I embrace the distressed look and appreciate the original look. Additionally, I get a kick out of guessing how it became so worn. Yes, I realize some pieces can have lead paint, but I don’t intend to eat it, so it’s fine in my book.
How I Use 7 Chippy Painted Pieces At The Farmhouse
Front porch of the 1936 farmhouse.
I could show a photo of the 1936 farmhouse, and you’d see that it’s the largest piece of chippy goodness we have around. The back corner on the west side of the house will soon get leveled, but for now, I warn every visitor that if you drop something in the dining room, plan to chase it all the way to the pantry in the kitchen.
We still love the ol’ girl and will keep her around until she can’t stand up anymore. When that day comes, I hope I’m not around to see it.
Vintage bed turned into a bench.
The first chippy piece is the bench that the Mister made from a vintage full-size bed. It’s a favorite for me. Maybe because he made it, or because I can see that underneath the cracked white paint is a speck of green, and try to imagine the entire thing in that color. Either way, we use it every time we visit the farmhouse.
Vintage closet door made into a floor lamp.
This door was made into a light for the smallest bedroom in the farmhouse. The twin bedroom is called the Desi and Lucy room. I think it adds a lot of charm. Back in the day, they didn’t put in enough lights or plugs, so extra lighting is a necessity. Plus, I believe you can never have enough lamps. Consequently, I don’t encourage the use of overhead lighting. It’s not cozy; it makes you look old, worn out, pasty, and tired. No thanks.
Old chippy ice cream bucket.
My daughter found this bucket for me a couple of years ago. When she texted a photo, she asked if I wanted the old chippy ice cream maker? Duh, and thank you! I use it for faux stems to decorate seasonally in different areas.
Antique columns come in handy.
I use this column from an old farmhouse that was being demolished for a shopping center. That was a sad day, but I was glad they let me have all 6 columns from the porch. We added bases, a few silver spoons, and use them mainly for coats and hats inside the house. It also makes a great towel holder in the bathroom, in a kitchen holding aprons, or in this case, an old frame for patriotic decor on the porch.
This is a well-loved drop-leaf table being used as a side table in the other guest room. At times, it’s used as a desk. When you layer it with part of a sewing machine, it turns something old into something useful and adorable.
Not all chippy parts are complete pieces of furniture.
The last examples I’ll give of how I use chippy painted pieces at the farmhouse are from a broken chair and an architectural piece from a house not far away. The architectural piece is usually a bookend. The spindles from the chair are used to decorate the mantel, and a couple of them as Christmas ornaments on the tree. The seat from the chair is now used as a side table.
No need to throw that chair away – repurpose it!
The chair back became wall art and hangs with another chair back in the living room. No waste!
As a bonus, a couple of years ago we had guests stay the weekend and he needed two of the scrap pieces for a chest. He wanted to raise it up by adding legs. I was more than happy to see them being saved, upcycled and loved.
Here’s an extra bonus for chippy goodness. This plank of wood, running down the middle of the table is a piece I use just about every day. It elevates the centerpiece I choose for the day/week/month. I found it in Round Top, TX for less than a coffee!
I genuinely take joy in most things that are old, rundown, and well used. Oftentimes I grab it and give it a new home. Not necessarily new life, just a new place to live. Do you like old treasures like that? Do you enjoy repurposing or saving antiques and vintage items from the landfill or burn pile? What has been your favorite piece so far?
I hope you found some inspiration today and see how you can give old things a new home. Next up is Rachel, from The Ponds Farmhouse. She’s always full of fantastic ideas. Thanks for visiting today and if you’d like to know more about me, click here for the About Me page. I’d love to become great friends.
Cindy,
I love the rustic charm of your farmhouse. You have so many great pieces. I love the old door turned lamp. Very unique. Thank you for hosting this fun group.
Author
The door was the first upcycle I did for the house about 15 years ago. The rest is a work in progress for sure, but I’m excited about the projects. Thanks so much Rachel.
Cindy …..like you I LOVE anything that’s old and has so much left to give! I am considering curtains for my porch . Do you have any tips on that project?
Author
Hmmm. If you want something you don’t have to wash all the time, I would suggest mosquito netting or a polyester. I buy rectangular plastic tablecloths on the corners of our porch and no one can tell. Since they cost me a dollar I simply throw them away at the end of the season and get new ones the next year. You can see them in the post below. Thank you for visiting and commenting Lou Ann. I love it!
https://www.countyroad407.com/lazy-hazy-days-of-summer-farmhouse-porch/
Love all of your chippy goodness Cindy! There is so much character in a piece of furniture that has a story and shows it.
Author
So true Wendy! They are loved and well taken care of around here. Thank you.
Cindy, your chippy pieces add so much personality to the chippy farmhouse! Really love how you hung the chairs parts on the wall, I too believe in no waste! I had 2 ironstone lids hanging on the wall in our last home, when my daughter visited she asked why I hung trash can lids on the wall? I’m like duh, it’s your inheritance honey 😉🤣
Author
Inheritance?! That’s hilarious! My kids don’t want anything I have, but once I’m hanging with Jesus, they’ll have the best estate sale anyone has ever seen! LOL! Thanks Cindy.
You are so blessed to have this old farmhouse to enjoy and all these great chippy pieces, thanks for sharing. In my collection I have an old ice cream bucket with handle and some old wood boxes of different sizes. They are great for storage.
Author
Thank you Marlene. Do you do different things with your ice cream bucket? I need to start utilizing some of the cheese boxes and baskets I have for more storage. My only problem is that I forget they are in there. There have been many times I know I put something in a certain spot and some little gremlin goes behind me and moves it! 😉 Hope you’re having a great week.
That spot of green on your jenny lind bench would force me to get out my sander and reveal more of that perfect green;) Love seeing peeks of earlier colors through chippy paint! I’d just be greedy for more<3 Love how you use chippy white architectural pieces as art; they are, indeed! Fun theme, as always!
Author
LOL! I am the opposite and don’t want to show more green at the farmhouse. Now if it were my everyday house, sign me up, even though I know I would have never thought to do that. 😉 Glad you enjoyed the theme. I did too. Happy Friday Lora!
Wow, this is just gorgeous! And I love that plank as a way to elevate the centerpieces, too. Visiting from Farmhouse Friday. 🙂
Author
Thank you so much Jennifer! I’m glad you like it and really appreciate the visit from the link party. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
OOOh, loving all the chippy goodness here. And yay for daughters who know what we love!
Author
Yes, yay for daughters who know what we love! Thank you Libbie. You’ve made my day. Happy weekend.
Love all your chippy goodness and its home at the farmhouse. Perfect pair.
Author
Thank you Rita! I enjoy the hunt. 🙂