June 25, 2007
One phrase has guided my design approach and my paintbrush since I started painting furniture in 1993.

"Who says it has to be that way?"

It's a good question to ask as you stare at a vintage piece of furniture or stemware longing for a new lease on use and utility.

The vintage furniture I use as my canvas has its own strengths and character - it can only be enhanced by a unique approach to color and design. There's more than one way to look at any issue in life, and I strive to find the unusual viewpoint in my furniture designs and in my approach to home d`cor as a whole. My inspiration comes from many sources - the pinks, lavenders and greens in a field of lupines, a chance pairing of color swatches in my sample ring, or from the piece itself as I prepare it for paint.

Staying open to the possibilities enables me to transform a heavy, black 1940s piano bench into a joyful garden bench, or an otherwise drab 1950s maple bureau into the focal point of a room.

When considering a new look for vintage furniture, don't be limited by the original use for the piece. I recently completed an accent piece that originally served as a hallway table. As you can see from the "before" photo, it tends to fade into the background, causing us to wonder what possible use it could be today. A fresh new design and color scheme opens up plenty of possibilities for the piece - a server in a dining area, a focal point to brighten a low-light space, or as a unique showcase for family photos or treasured collections.

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