Join us for our new series: Stories Behind the Refinishers. We'll be bringing you into the world of different refinishers as we learn why they do what they do!

Guest post by: Lindsay of Rustic Owl Furnishings

Furniture refinishing is a lifestyle to me. I love reviving pieces that look like they are ready for the landfill and turning them into pieces that can be enjoyed for another 100 years, continually being passed down from generations to generations.

It's important to me to keep hand built pieces of furniture around, to preserve history!

It is so much better to repurpose and reuse old well built furniture. It's cheaper, and it is built to last. They certainly don't build furniture like they used to!

My most memorable refinishing project would have to be one of the first commissions I took on. I had no clue what to charge, so I told him I would do it for $100!!! He brought me a washstand he found in a pole barn.

It was covered in thick green paint. He wanted it stripped down and refinished to its former glory. I spent HOURS stripping and sanding this piece. Once it was finished, and the beautiful tiger oak was revealed, my client was so impressed, and I was impressed with myself!

I ended up entering the piece into a furniture contest and it made it to the top 40 in the world.

Looking back, I learned so much about refinishing and what tools I would need to continue on in my business. And also, the most valuable lesson was finding out what my time was worth!

Check out Rustic Owl Furnishings for more great content!

I wear several hats in my day to day life. I'm a wife, a mother of 4 and I work full time as a pharmacy technician trainer at a major hospital. When I'm not doing any of those things, I run my business, Rustic Owl Furnishings. I started it 2 1/2 years ago and it's taken right off! I'm very thankful for that, because this is what I truly love. I love treasure hunting for antique decor or that perfect antique piece of furniture. Refinishing furniture is a lifestyle to me. I love finding antique or vintage furniture, imagining the transformation, and making it come to life! 

You can see more of Lindsay's work at:
Facebook
Instagram

Thank you for sharing your refinishing story with us, Lindsay! Make sure to head over to our post on Facebook and Instagram to tell us why YOU love to refinish furniture!