"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!!!

Happy to finally move into a larger space!!!

I moved into a larger space yesterday at Southern Estates Antiques. I really needed the space. I have several new pieces to show you. One of them almost stayed with me!! I love it!! Its a 24 x 24 old wood piece which would be perfect for your kitchen as an island. It would look even better with old wrought iron hooks on the side for hanging pots and pans or your dish towels. I finally got this awesome buffet into the shop. After finishing it, I moved it into my dining room to see how it looked and loved the details with the mix of chalk paint colors on it. Its the perfect piece for storage too. And another favorite piece is a storage bench painted in Annie Sloan duck egg blue. Here's some of my pics of my new space and I hope you will stop by an shop with me.

New Year and a new beginning

It’s a New Year and a new beginning. I am moving into a larger space at Southern Estates Antiques which will be great. I have so many new pieces to introduce to you soon. I think I have come a long way since I started refurnishing vintage and antique furniture. So many pieces I wish I could have kept for myself, but that’s the beast of the business. I want to thank everyone that has purchased from me and I hope you will enjoy the pieces for years to come. As my techniques are evolving you will see a lot of unique pieces this year so stay tuned!!! Here is a few new pieces I am working on trying to get them ready for my new space. They should be available this weekend.

HUGE 50% off SALE

The past few months have been crazy for me. I have tried to keep things moving in my room (#0378) @ Southern Estates Antiques. I have some awesome vintage pieces that I just marked down to 50% off for a limited time only. First time ever doing a 50% OFF. I hope you will take the time to stop by,shop with me and save $$$$$. I had a vendor tell me that every time they pass my room it makes them smile. Not all antiques need to be painted, but if everything in a room is dark mahogany, oak, etc., it just brings you down!!! A custom painted antique with details just gives a room that “WOW” factor!!! I hear so many people say, I love that, but it won’t go with anything in my room. If you love it, it’s your style. Put a little piece of you in your room. You will be amazed how good it will look!!! Take a leap of faith and don’t be a “Rooms to Go” kind of gal, let your style put a smile on your face every time you come home!

Here's more!!

Fall is near!!

It has been a long time since I have posted anything on my blog, but the last few months have been a nightmare for me. My mother passed away in August and it was by far the worst days of my life. I am trying to stay focused on work, painting and just everyday things but thoughts of why, why, why am I doing these things without a smile on my face!! I am so sad and heartbroken that my mother is gone forever and ever and all of these things mean nothing to me. I hate that feeling!! And then I can hear my mother saying. “do not look back….always look forward”. So, that’s what I am going to do out of respect for my mom. She would not want me to drown in self-pity, but pull myself up and keep on going. I have been posting new finished pieces of furniture on facebook that I have finished and put in my room at Southern Estates Antiques. (ROOM# 0378). I hope you like them. If you see a piece of furniture you like but would like to have it in a different color, please let someone know at the store and I will be glad to paint it in your preferred color for a small fee. Here is a few new pieces to show you. Enjoy!!

Latest news!!

I had the best month yet at Southern Estates Antiques!!! Woo Hoo!! Thank YOU so much!!! I have more great new pieces coming in soon. I hope to have them ready by mid July. I am so happy people like my work!!! I know I put a lot of time into it and the chalk paint is not cheap!! Wow!!! But I like the finished look of it, so I can’t complain!! I have been so busy with my day job, painting furniture nights and weekends that I have not had time to post anything for a month now. My mother had to go to rehab out of the hospital, so I have also been visiting with her every other day. Here’s a few photo’s of some of the pieces I sold in June and you can follow me on facebook at thebluedoorofgreenville to see the new pieces coming in weekly.