Antique furniture guilt.

Standing in my hallway is a really beautifully made table that has been in my family for at least 100 years.  Unfortunately like everything else in the house it is worn out, and tired, and badly in need of a coat of paint, or sanding, or both.  But I'm paralyzed by my Antique Furniture Guilt.  It's the same guilt that has our 150 year old dining table in the garage rather than being eaten on lest it get ruined or scratched or one of those white water rings.

I have made a point of not letting my possessions own me but am failing where it comes to these old things.  I'll never sell them, so why does it matter if I "destroy the value" by painting the entryway table to make a beautiful impact.  Like this one from  Anne Coyle which was in the HGTV Magazine this month:

How gorgeous is that?! 

or this one from SimplebutMatters.com 

one more:

(this time featured on betterafter.blogspot.com)

Finally, don't judge me, I've been living with this table for 35 years, the last 13 of those I've actually owned it.  And I've felt guilty to do anything but dust it! 

What do you think? Lemon yellow? Kelly Green? Bright Tangerine? 

Either way, it is headed for a change or it is headed for the attic.

And what good will it do me up there?