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    Home » Painted Furniture » Painting Mid-Century Modern Furniture: Gray And Metallic Copper Color Combination

    Painting Mid-Century Modern Furniture: Gray And Metallic Copper Color Combination

    Modified: Mar 18, 2023 by Kathy Owen
    This post may contain affiliate links

    Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on Twitter <use href="#<svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 32 32" class="scriptlesssocialsharing__icon flipboard" fill="currentcolor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" role="img"> <title>flipboard</title> <path d="M24.997 13.001h-5.998v5.998h-5.998v5.998h-5.998v-17.995h17.995zM1.004 1.004v29.991h29.991v-29.991z"></path> </svg>" xlink:href="# flipboard "> Share on Flip it

    I sometimes get in trouble for painting Mid-Century Modern Furniture but sometimes the furniture needs an update.

    I have to say the gray and metallic copper color combination I used on this piece is not one I would have put together…..ever. I happened upon it by accident. It all started with Copper Spray Paint. 

     

    sewing cabinet before makeover

    The sewing cabinet came from the Nashville Flea Market. It has been sitting in the workshop since March of 2015. About time for the makeover.

    missing veneer

    The top was rough and the sides also had areas where a bit of the veneer was missing. Not a lot so I didn’t worry about it. I just painted over it. And no distressing. Can you believe that?

    cabinet before makeover

    The sewing machine had already been removed from the cabinet but a lot of the metal support was still there.

    removing parts from sewing cabinet

    I got a screwdriver and removed all of the excess stuff.

    attaching top to the base

    The next order of business was to attach the lift up top to the base….permanently. We don’t need it to open now.

    sanding rough spots

    I sanded the rough areas on the cabinet top.

    painters tape

    The JTS and I are talking about adding a shelf to the inside of the cabinet. There are drawers that can be used for a variety of things and the shelf would be a nice addition. Maybe a liquor cabinet? Anyway, I want to leave the inside as is, no paint. I taped all the inside edges with FrogTape so no stray paint gets inside.

    Rustoleum Bight Coat Metallic Copper Spray paint

    I decided to start with the legs of the cabinet. It made sense because spray painting after I painted the cabinet would be harder to accomplish without getting the paint everywhere. The spray paint is Rust-Oleum Bright Coat Metallic Finish Copper Color. Isn’t that pretty?

    Gliddern Gripper Primer tinted gray

    Next, I applied a coat of Glidden Gripper tinted gray to the cabinet. The little bit of copper spray paint over-spray was covered up with the primer. And I didn’t get primer spots on the legs. Yea!

    This is the part where I had an aha moment. I looked at the gray primer and the metallic copper color and loved the combination. I would never have put those colors together in a million years. But I liked it! I even asked the JTS about the colors and he agreed with me. Now to find a color in my paint supply that is a similar color to the tinted primer.

    ceramcoat paint color oyster shell

    I found a color that was almost a match. The little jar of Ceramcoat in Oyster Shell wasn’t even full. But there was enough for one coat of paint and that’s all it took.

    Gray And Copper Color Combination Is A Winner

    I’m doing the happy dance because I love the color combination on the mid-century modern sewing cabinet. They seem right.

    painting hardware with Rustoleum Bright Coat Copper Color Metallic Spray Paint

    I spray painted the original hardware. Love the unusual design.

    Metallic Copper Spray Paint is perfect for furniture pulls and hardware

    I didn’t see any need for additional details on the cabinet. Clean and sleek and awesome.

    Gray And Metallic Copper Color Combination

    Let me know what you think of the gray and metallic copper color combination. Is it a winner…..or a “not my favorite”….or a “I really hate the colors together”?

    See the mirror I updated with the copper paint. It looks so much better......Mirror Makeover With Metallic Copper Paint. And also my plastic mailbox is now metallic copper see it here.

    Metallic Copper and Gray painted furniture makeover with before and after photos and complete tutorial

    Mid Century Modern Cabinet – Gray & Metallic Copper Color Combination

    is the Furniture Fixer Upper Tour and my talented friends have some beautiful makeovers today. Visit them by clicking the pink text links below the “before” photo collage.

    Furniture Fixer Uppers Before Makeover September 2017

    1. Girl In The Garage
    2. Confessions Of A Serial Diyer
    3. Petticoat Junktion
    4. Prodigal Pieces
    5. Just The Woods
    6. The Interior Frugalista

    Paint a mid-century modern sewing cabinet

    That’s it for me. You guys have a great day!

    Favorite DIY Tools and Paints:
    Beyond Paint for Furniture 
    Ryobi Drill (cordless)
    Mouse Sander (cordless)
    FrogTape Painters Tape
    Howard's Restore-a-Finish
    Rustoleum Heirloom White Spray Paint
    Rustoleum Metallic Copper Spray Paint
    (Affiliate links for your convenience, read affiliate disclosure here)

    Kathy Owen
    Website

    Author: Kathy Owen (Petticoat Junktion)
    Kathy is the founder of PetticoatJunktion.com, a home décor blog focused on repurposing and upcycling furniture, old hardware, rusty stuff, and thrifty finds into unique home décor. Kathy’s projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines. Read more about Kathy here.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Isadora Guidoni

      October 02, 2017 at 12:39 pm

      This looks amazing!! I really love the color combination. Thank you for sharing the details with us!

      Reply
    2. valarie sanford

      October 01, 2017 at 9:10 pm

      Pinning to all my boards...yes all, I love this soo much!

      Reply
    3. Carolyn George

      September 30, 2017 at 5:30 am

      Love it!! It's perfect with the design of the piece, very sharp!

      Reply
    4. Ivory

      September 29, 2017 at 10:26 pm

      The find was great, but you turned it from a duck to a fabulous swan. I love the end results.

      Reply
    5. Gracie Redfield

      September 29, 2017 at 3:25 pm

      Absolutely gorgeous! I agree that it would be even more versatile to add a shelf. I think I would call that style Mid-Century Asian. <3

      Reply
    6. Barbara Bishop

      September 29, 2017 at 7:19 am

      I love it, such a clean look.

      Reply
    7. ROSE LEFEBVRE

      September 29, 2017 at 3:08 am

      Wonderful improvement! And love the copper colored knobs!!

      Reply
    8. Mary Beth

      September 28, 2017 at 9:50 pm

      Gorgeous makeover! I love the color combo.

      Reply
    9. Naomi S.

      September 28, 2017 at 8:48 pm

      That turned out so well, Kathy! The simple treatment is just right and the colors are great! I'm not really a fan of MCM but I wouldn't mind having that piece in my home! MCM is what I grew up with, so I think that's why it doesn't appeal to me. Also, I'm more of a romantic type, so I like curves and carving and soft lines. But, you won me over with this little piece!

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:55 pm

        I know what you mean Naomi. MCM isn't my style either but I do like how the makeover turned out. Thanks!

    10. Debrashoppeno5

      September 28, 2017 at 8:12 pm

      It is a perfect look for the cabinet. It looks fantastic.

      Reply
    11. Vera

      September 28, 2017 at 6:46 pm

      I love it. I have a chest that I'm doing in the same gray color and I'm definitely going to paint the handles copper. Thanks Kathy.

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:36 pm

        Great!

    12. Michelle West Singleton

      September 28, 2017 at 5:13 pm

      Before I went to my for pay job early this morning painted a few pieces with Parisian grey chalk paint getting ready for our non-profits big fall event Went back and forth with myself during the day do I do dark red? Maybe burnt orange or just basic charcoal-- then I just saw your post!! Love love love perfect As always spot on and I'm using it but will tell all our customers that once again it was one of your ideasThanks from Iowa and know you had a part in making a child's life better

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:38 pm

        What a nice comment Michelle. You are doing good work. Thank you for the compliment. Let me know how the Fall event goes please.

    13. Kathy

      September 28, 2017 at 2:43 pm

      A winner for sure. I wouldn't have thought of using copper and gray together but I love it, your cabinet is awesome and you did a terrific job as usual!

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:38 pm

        Thanks Kathy

    14. Barbara

      September 28, 2017 at 2:13 pm

      Love it Kathy! I like the gray paint and I adore copper. One of my favorite metallic colors and I love old copper pieces. I agree with you that the original handles are lovely and should be kept!

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:39 pm

        Thank you Barbara!

    15. Carolyn

      September 28, 2017 at 11:21 am

      I love the color combination, but I think I would have put wood filler in the places where the veneer was missing.

      Reply
      • Nette

        September 28, 2017 at 1:14 pm

        I agree with Carolyn. Those spots distract from the overall look of a beautiful piece. Possibly a little distressing here and there could even things out.

      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:39 pm

        Thanks for the suggestion. I may try that.

      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:40 pm

        I thought about it...but didn't. Maybe I will distress them just a bit.

    16. Marie

      September 28, 2017 at 10:45 am

      When I saw the before picture I thought to myself what a fabulous cabinet - that hardware is too perfect. I had no idea it was a sewing cabinet. I never in a million years would have thought to combine grey and copper either and it really does look stunning and perfect for this MCM piece! I totally see a fabulous bar on the inside with martini glasses and crystal decanters. LOVE it, Kathy!

      Reply
    17. Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

      September 28, 2017 at 10:32 am

      I love the finished look of this little cabinet! The copper is pulls are very chic! XO

      Reply
    18. kimmylouwho

      September 28, 2017 at 10:23 am

      Great cabinet and love the copper! how did you permanently close the top? screws and wood filler? I see sewing cabinets all the time and that is an easy solution to the top.

      Reply
    19. Amy Driver

      September 28, 2017 at 10:19 am

      I LOVE it!!! I live copper and it looks perfect wit the gray on that mid mod piece! Great choice!

      Reply
    20. Marg

      September 28, 2017 at 9:43 am

      Right click on your lovely sewing cabinet makeover, search for images, and see how many more show up just like yours, and how $$$ they are. This is one of your best makeovers, love how "mistakes" are magical.

      Reply
    21. Marcie Lovett

      September 28, 2017 at 9:12 am

      I wouldn't have chosen that combination, either, but I think it's a total win! The copper is beautiful and the pulls are amazing, but I think the best part is that you can see the grooves in the doors now. Total midcentury magic. Adding a shelf above the legs would make it even more functional.

      Reply
    22. Stephanie Mudd Carrico

      September 28, 2017 at 8:33 am

      It's lovely, the copper really pops with the grey.

      Reply
    23. Susan

      September 28, 2017 at 8:23 am

      ??

      Reply
    24. Fonda

      September 28, 2017 at 8:04 am

      Now, THAT'S gorgeous!

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:20 am

        Thank you Fonda! I thought so too. But I sometimes have tunnel vision.

    25. Sue

      September 28, 2017 at 7:45 am

      I love the color combo! Who would have thought !

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:20 am

        I know. It was a surprise to me too.

    26. Bonnie

      September 28, 2017 at 7:13 am

      I think the piece looks amazing. I was just gifted a sewing cabinet and small matching chair by a friend and now you've given me the inspiration to secure the hinged top ( wouldn't have thought of that!) and give it a pretty paint job. Any advice on how to reupholster the back of the small sewing chair??

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:22 am

        Glad you are going to take on the challenge. It's not hard, I promise. Without seeing the chair I can't really tell you how to reupholster it. I would say look for screws to take out the upholstered part. If no screws, I have no idea!!

    27. Sandi

      September 28, 2017 at 6:37 am

      I love the cabinet and the colors are perfect!

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:22 am

        Thanks Sandi

    28. Vickie

      September 28, 2017 at 6:17 am

      Love this color combination!! Turned out so nice!!!

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:22 am

        Thank you Vickie!

    29. Tonya

      September 28, 2017 at 6:02 am

      Fabulous! I love this combination.The modern feel fits perfectly with this mid century piece. Great makeover!

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:23 am

        I thought the paint colors went great with the mid century modern look too. Glad you agree Tonya.

    30. regina

      September 28, 2017 at 5:53 am

      It's a winner!

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:23 am

        Thanks Regina.

    31. Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces

      September 28, 2017 at 5:53 am

      What a fabulous update and new creation! I love the look - so chic.

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:23 am

        Thanks Larissa!

    32. Kate

      September 28, 2017 at 5:43 am

      Those handles are to die for!!!
      And the combo is gorgeous 🙂

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:24 am

        Thank you Kate!

    33. Lois Stimax

      September 28, 2017 at 5:25 am

      I love it! I think the combo looks awesome together. It would also make a great desk for a small space. Well done!

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        September 28, 2017 at 8:24 am

        It would make a great desk!

    34. Regena

      September 28, 2017 at 5:09 am

      I like it!!
      Who would have thought?

      Reply

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