"What determines the price of painted furniture”

I just read an article from The Magic Brush, “What determines the price of painted furniture”. I could not have said it better. I really started painting furniture years ago for myself. Too much dark wood in a room just gives it a “drab” look even with colorful accessories and places like Rooms to Go are just not for me, so painting furniture was a no brainer. My home is a part of who I am and it tells a story from my youth until now. So here’s my story for the last approx. 5 years. My mother came to live with me which made me very happy. I had tried to get her to live with me for years but she did not want to give up her independence. I understand that!!! Nobody wants to depend on someone else to provide you with all of your needs. I get it!! She had to go into the hospital and I would not take no for an answer this time…..you are living with me!! For anyone that has never cared for an elderly parent, it’s a full time job!! Meals, bathing, medicine, nurses, doctors and the list just goes on and on. So now I have 2 full time jobs. I was running myself stupid!!! I needed a stress reliever. I love working in my yard and it would take me away from reality for a little while which was a good thing. I had a constant flow of people in and out of my house checking my mother and they would go on and on about my painted furniture and how I needed to start selling it. I enjoy painting and love antiques so that’s a good idea and that would be an ideal stress reliever too, plus that would help make a little extra money to help with the additional expenses of taking care of my mother. Perfect!!! So paint, I did!! First I started selling out of my garage and I quickly realized I did not have enough room. I am now at Southern Estates Antiques in Greenville and now I have regular customers that shop with me all the way from Columbia. I have met so many wonderful people and it makes me very happy that my customers like my antiques and accessories as much as I do!! It’s more of a hobby and a business. After all of my expenses such as paint, waxes, stencils, rent, gas and not even including my labor involved, I am lucky to break even and recoup my money already spent. I would starve to death and live under a bridge if selling shabby chic furniture was my only means of making a living. I lost my mother in August and painting furniture has become my saving grace!!! So watch out….I am a crazy painting person these days!!!