Let me tell you a little about reselling painted
antiques…….. There are so many people everywhere painting and reselling furniture these days that Facebook as become a flea
market. Some of the painted furniture,
in my opinion, is very well done and the designer made it there own, some don’t
have a sense of design so they just copy others, and some just need to hang up
their paint brush and find something they are really good at…..sorry, but as I
said, just MY OPINION…..everybody has
one!! Its hard to find your place in the painted furniture world but making it your own style is what's sets your work apart from just another painted antique. I usually spend days making sure
the antique that I purchased is stable inside and out. Remember, the most beautiful upscale antiques
had no air conditioning in the early 1900's so over time the glue dissolves so its important to
check everything. I am not a carpenter,
so I don’t ever buy antiques without drawers, doors, etc. You DIY’ers out there have to be very good to
make it look like it came that way instead of looking like a road side pick
up. I have seen some, not many, that
look like it came that way!! These are
professional DIY’ers for sure!! One
thing I have learned over the years is if you put one, only one cheaply done piece
in a room with upscale furniture, it stands out like a eye sore and you don’t
enjoy the beautiful ambience of the room.
Being a surfer of Facebook, I see pricing from very low to very
high. This is tough!! Most times, not all, but most……if the pricing is very low, usually the quality
of work is very low. Meaning -- no quality
paints used, no time spend on any repairs, just painted. Medium to higher prices usually take the time
for any repairs, higher end products
used and time spend detailing their finished antique. Once in a while someone will be moving or
reselling and a buyer gets lucky and buys it at a great price, but these finds
are few and far between. I have seen
some spray painted antiques, mostly being sold in stores around our area and I
bought a sprayer but haven’t used it yet.
It gives the antique a more store bought appearance, but I personally
like the personal touch to my pieces. Especially
in the waxing and finishing touches of a hands on painted piece. I might try spraying on
a chair at some point. Old antique
unique chairs are one of my weakness but they are so time consuming to paint!!
Ugh!! Why I keep buying them….crazy I guess!!?? I hope this has helped our clients and potential buyers know a little about the behind the scenes.
The Blue Door of Greenville
I am a lover of everything old and the history behind it. When I see it I only envision what it could be. I use chalk, chalk & clay and milk paints to transform a tired, dreary antique into a “one of a kind” beauty! Like my page on Facebook to see what I am doing from day to day. Each piece has been carefully designed for todays modern home. If you are eclectic, then you will love my collection.
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Friday, January 27, 2017
What a week!!
This has been a crazy week.
I always drive my old work truck just in case I find something when I am
out running errands. Monday I decided to
drive my car so I hopped in and it would not even turn over….dead, dead, dead. I love my old beat up truck!! It doesn’t look beautiful but it is
reliable!! Technology……… so many bells and whistles to go wrong, yet
the old auto’s run forever. ……. Just
like furniture.
This new furniture is junk and does not holdup to everyday
use yet very expensive. To my surprise
even Thomasville and some of the top manufacturers are making junk with big
price tags. I guess that is why people
are jumping on the money train to sell their antiques at high prices these
days.
I think of myself as your personally shopper. I am always trying to find a wonderful unique
antique at a bargain price FOR YOU.
Once I find that wonderful piece, then the work begins. Prepping it and giving it a facelift. For me it is sometimes an agonizing process
…. What color??. As most everyone that
knows me, I think outside the box. I
have never been about plain and simple, so many of my pieces have paisleys
designs, etc on them. I do however keep
my furniture colors classic so it is easy to accessorize your room with bold
crazy colors even by changing the knobs. Anyway, got to run…..lots to do to day and I
need to get busy!!!!
Friday, January 20, 2017
Its been a long time....hello
I have not been on my blog in a long, long time. I recently moved back to Patsy’s Attractions
in Fountain Inn, SC. I like being there
and its always nice laughing and talking with Patsy’s. I may or may not be successful there since
it’s a distance from Greenville, but hopefully my wonderful customers will feel
like it’s worth the trip. Fountain Inn has some nice shops worth checking out
plus J Peters Restaurant is right next door and the food is fabulous!!
I am frequently asked about repainting pieces of furniture
and each time I learn that it has been painted in a latex paint. Using latex on furniture is tricky…….I am
not saying it can not be done, but I am saying if it is not properly done, it
will easily chip and peel away. All
experienced furniture painters always spend the money to buy and use the best
chalk and milk paint available and sealers of choice. Its expensive but so worth it to our
satisfied customers. So if you are in
the market for painted antiques just ask what they use and how is it sealed
prior to buying. You may pay a little
more but you will be so happy with years of everyday use and your purchase
still looks amazing!!
I use Facebook to let my customers and potential new
customers see what’s available, but since I have a working studio / shop at my
residence, some pieces are sold before I can get a photo. I am always open here and working on new
pieces so please come look……..do not feel obligated to buy….just look
around!! I enjoy the conversation and
it gives me a break. Its so beautiful
out today, I decided to do most of my work feeling the sunshine on my
face.
Enjoy your day and I hope to see ya soon!! Debra
Thursday, October 8, 2015
New Location
I want to make it as convenient as possible for my customers
so I found 113 North Main Street, Fountain Inn, SC as my new location. They are open Tuesday thru Friday 11:00-5:00PM
and Saturday 10:00 – 4:00PM. I would love to have been closer to downtown
Greenville, but the monthly overhead is too costly. In order for me to continue to give you
quality craftsmanship antique furniture, use top quality chalk and milk paint
products plus keep my prices low for you, my overhead needs to be low. So
that being said, I hope you don’t mind a short drive to the quaint town of
Fountain Inn, SC to shop with me. You will enjoy friendly faces and a charming restaurant
right next door.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Never enough time
I have been so focused on getting pieces ready for The Vintage Market in the Park, everything else has been neglected. I can get back to showing you some of the pieces I have done....most of them have been sold....some never make it to facebook. The antique stool available.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Happy Hunting!!
It has become less of a burden since I have moved all of my antiques and accessories back to my home. Now it allows me more time to design antiques pieces and go on more
trips to find unique antiques. I did not realize how much
of my time was spent loading, unloading and hauling furniture to the shop. I am happy that I started in a shop because
so many people could see the quality of the workmanship (detailed painting techniques,
embellishments, etc.) that went into
every unique piece and it allowed me to grow in my designs. There is so much more into painting furniture
than putting paint on it. It was a
learning experience dealing with a shop instead of handling my own transactions
and talking to my customers. So many of
my closest friends listened to me rant about things happening at the shop and
they kept telling me “to get out”, but I didn’t listen soon enough. So many more negatives and positives, but you
learn as you grow!! My moto is, “you
give them a “one of a kind” unique quality piece of history and they will come”. Some people may feel uneasy about coming to
your home, but I have found that my customers don’t mind it at all and it is
like a treasure hunt at my house and you never know what you are going to find
painted or unpainted.!! LOL I have things everywhere…..patio, yard, garage
and all over my house. If you want to rummage
that’s fine with me and there is lots to see.
I don’t ever want my customers to feel like they have to buy something
just because they showed up. If you don’t
love it, don’t buy it!! I have just one request……..be sure to call me
first to make sure I am not out on a treasure hunt.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Preparing to haul furniture
Winter is fast approaching us in the South. I am already day
dreaming of summer to be here again. I am preparing to haul furniture and
accessories to Sweeten Creeks Antiques in Asheville, NC in the next few weeks
and I hope and pray the weather will be nice. I have talked to many dealers
that travel to Asheville and they all reassure me that I should have a great
business there with my fair prices on unique custom painted furniture. By the way, I base my prices on how much I
have to pay for it and not the actual value of it. I spend a lot of my time searching for good
deals on quality pieces. I have, however, paid more for some pieces only
because they are a rare find and I will probably never find another one like
it. I always gravitate to the unusual
style of an old piece, ornate moldings and don’t forget the legs…. I love legs
with rusty old castors. In the early 1900’s people did not have air
conditioning so furniture had to withstand the heat. Can you imagine 98 degrees
with no air conditioning and you have to cook too?!!! These antique pieces have withstood many years
of weather, a house full of children and everyday use and they are still in
great shape. It amazes and excites me to
find a wonderful piece of our history that has traveled across the country and
made its home in the South. Here’s a
great example in the photo's above……I found this mid-century modern chest which is a very popular sleek
style and a designer told me to price it at $350.00. It is solid as the day it was built, the
drawers open and close like butter and it has the original pulls. It is painted in a pale blue chalk paint, lightly distressed and heavy waxed.....And best of
all, I am selling it for only $185.00.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)