Furniture Flipping Recap

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A few words regarding a post that I have since taken down, “Has Furniture Flipping Flopped?”  In the post, I wrote how I believe there are instances when furniture is not enhanced with paint and should be left to age gracefully.  My opinion.  I happen to like a room that incorporates both painted and natural wood.  I was in no way arrogantly telling everyone that I am the only one who knows what furniture to paint and in what style to paint it.  I think that gorgeous wood grain is pretty obvious to anyone. There is so much ordinary old furniture to flip out there that the lovely old pieces with a history still to be told should not be painted over.  I wrote in the post, “You are killing my business.” Meaning, killing the integrity of my business.  Yes, this was harsh and maybe over the top but I do adore and respect my old furniture.

If a customer brings me their grandmother’s antique bureau to paint white, well hey, I will paint it white and it will look wonderful.  If you pay me, I will paint your grandmother white.  However, this post was in regard to flipping furniture.  This is furniture that is purchased to paint and sell – to flip.  Not custom work.  There is a big difference.

Below is my Hungarian Chest (full post HERE on this find), purchased from a thrift store.  Although I’m sure it would look fantastic painted, I am leaving it alone.  I obviously love how paint breathes new life into old pieces but I also believe that not all old pieces warrant it.  This in no way means that I do not appreciate the beauty of a painted piece of furniture.  There is room for both.

The Hungarian Chest – My Home

I removed the post because there is already so much negativity in this world that I honestly couldn’t take any more.  It is everywhere and I don’t want my blog to add to it.  Peace, y’all.

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  2. As a blogger myself, I completely understand. There is so much negativity everywhere right now it’s difficult to even find a neutral place. Im shocked they took an innocent opportunity as your post to vent. Why are people so mean?

  4. dO WHAT YOU WANT AND IGNORE THOSE WHO DISAGREE. WHAT YOU DO IS CONSIDERED “ART” AND THEREFORE ANY OPINIONS ON HOW YOU DO IT OR WHY YOU DO IT AREN’T IMPORTANT.

  5. Your post was your opinion as we all have the right to. There will always be negatively so be it! love the bureau you found and agree it is beautiful as is. It’s like an older woman with gorgeous white hair, would I dye it…no, BUT in my case I have dingy gray hair so I do dye it! Thanks for your hard work!

  7. I agree – you are quite right, some furniture needs to be left to it’s own beauty and others refreshed. Keep up your amazing work.

  8. While I did understand what you were saying in your blog “Has Furniture Flipping Flopped”, since I too am in the same business, I believe that much of the negativity you experienced has not been fully addressed in this response. It is my understanding that the “before” photo you used was not a piece from your own collection, rather it was from another furniture painter’s photos. This response is one-sided, and for the integrity of the business, needs to be complete.

    • Hi Lisa, the photo was a perfect example of flamed wood and that was the only intent in using it. No hidden agenda. It is what I was posting about – beautiful wood grain or patina – and that is all. I came across it and never mentioned another artist. If I had taken an “after” photo and criticized someone’s actual work, then I could see why others would be upset. A photo of a piece of furniture with flamed wood that can be found on any google search does not constitute someone’s work. I have received truly mean comments on my actual finished pieces that I have worked hours and hours on. If someone wants to use one of my “before” pics and vent on those, they are more than welcome and it actually would make a nice change. It was all part of the negativity that I was surprised that post generated and I didn’t bother mentioning it in this post because I still believe it to be a little ridiculous. Thanks for your question and I appreciate your wanting my opinion on it. I really do and thank you for allowing me to discuss it. Cheers!

      • I’ll quickly add this and then I shall stop 🙂 I mentioned that I could paint my Hungarian Chest white and it would look great. I wouldn’t because I love the aged wood. The person that painted the dresser in the original pic may have painted it like Michelangelo and it may look gorgeous now but that was not the point of my post. The point being that I don’t believe all old furniture is enhanced with paint and is lovely as-is. Thanks again 🙂

  9. I’m sorry I missed your original post. I love your opinions. I love your talent. I know there is always a lot of contention when people start debating whether to paint or not to paint… I heart you 🙂

  10. I saw the post you referred to and agreed with everything you said. I’ve seen gorgeous furniture painted that have sadly been ruined because of it. Careful consideration should be taken whether to paint or not to paint.

  11. Thank you, Suzanne. One of the greatest joys in this work is taking a piece and seeing beyond the dirt and damage the years have wrought. That doesn’t always mean paint. It means that each piece is a challenge we take as artists. Again, thank you and good thoughts coming your way.

  13. I completely agree with your post and opinion. It’s a real shame when someone takes a beautiful old piece that is still in it’s natural state and paints over it. I prefer to restore pieces, but when purchasing from auctions, estate sales, etc… one has to evaluate if a restoration would be profitable. In some cases, yes it is, but in others no it isn’t. i am fortunate in the fact that most people come to me with restoration projects as you mentioned above, their grandmother’s vanity or dad’s bedroom suite and that is where I get my greatest joy is seeing a beat up, old piece in bad condition and my ability to give it a fresh new life, while preserving the history of the piece. a lot of my clients want the dings and scratches left in a piece, they just want the finish to match, so that’s what i do.

    it takes a lot of studying, practice and skill in furniture restoration, whereas, anyone can paint furniture (note I didn’t say paint it well) :). anyone that was offended by your post clearly didn’t understand your intent. there are very few people out there that have the ability to fully restore antique furniture and those of us that can cherish the history when looking at a piece.

    I have been known to hold onto a piece for months waiting for the right buyer to come along that will want it restored because I can’t bring myself to paint it, just to sell it. i appreciated your post and enjoy reading your point of view, i believe we think a lot alike. keep up the good work!!!

  14. After following your blog for some time, your opinion on furniture is always spot on whether positive or negative. I love, love, love your Hungarian chest. The patina has mellowed with age and compliments your painted furniture. Some wood is just too special and rare to paint!

  15. It appears someone took offense and you received some “over the top” negative comments, Suzanne. Sorry for that. I sympathize – I remember making what I thought was a joke a long time ago about how people who attend my card classes should change “stations” with each project, and someone totally misinterpreted it and it cost me 3 customers who used to attend as a group with this person.

  16. I don’t know about everyone else, but I come to Suzanne’s blog because it makes me happy. I get great advise and lots and lots of furniture eye candy, which makes my heart flutter with excitement!
    Why else would I be interested in Blogs such as Suzanne’s.
    It’s a real shame, when people knitpick and FIND reasons to leave negative and hurtful comments, because they misconstrue a posting. How long have you been visiting this blog? I’ve been reading this blog for a little over a year now, and I’ve never felt that Suzanne is a snobby or mean lady, who stands on her pedestal, spewing her views and shoving it down our throats.
    This is about redoing furniture. How can it possibly turn into ugly comments?
    No matter what you do, or what you say, there will be those few people out there, who visit your Blog , just to put you down. I can bet, there’s quite a few Bloggers out there, that know what I mean because they’ve experienced it too.
    Take things with a grain-of-salt people.
    Don’t take things so personally.
    Sue Duffy, you know this first hand; taking a simple joke, and twisting it around. Come on! Give me a break. Those ladies were obviously wound too tight.
    Besides, Ladies, we are in this together.
    Give eachother support instead of knocking eachother down and bickering. Geesh.

    • Thank you so much, Hyedi. Your kind words really made my day! I’m so glad that my blog brings a bit of happiness to others. Thanks again so much 🙂

  17. You do beautiful work. You understand the furniture and know if it should be painted. When you see it in person you can see the flaws and can make an educated decision to paint based on the condition of the piece. Continue to showcase your work, you are an inspiration to us all.

  18. Love your work, respect your opinion, your blog is wonderful! There is too much adversity in our lives now…move on , right? Your beautiful work inspires me and makes me happy!! Thank you! ?

  19. I agree! I love all your work, and repainted some old furniture but also still have a lot of wood too. and yes, there is a place for both!! Keep up the great work!

  20. Dang, Suzanne! I take a break from Blogville and I miss all the drama! LOL JK! I go to Netflix for drama; reading/following blogs is what I do on breaks from my real life to escape drama! I’ve subscribed to many blogs over the years, and I’ve only stuck with four: You, Linda, Mary, and Marie are the only ones that come to my in box. (I still miss Darrielle, but I can at least see her beautiful photos on Instagram.) IMO, you ladies are the best of the best, and you all share something special with us … for free, I might add! The cream always rises, so just keep doing what you’re doing, for as long as it makes YOU happy. Take care, suzanne! Cynthia

  21. Your invision of a piece in good or bad condition, by the time you are done with it, the piece becomes priceless beautiful. I wish we lived near each other so you can redo a few pieces I have.