painted groove: A jig, a job, an online garage sale ...

Let's just say my painted groove has taken a jig and a jog, and a long break from blogging. An obsession with simplicity has emerged. My taste in faux finishes has changed. I want less stuff, no clutter, manageable spaces, and using our monetary resources in other ways than we have been. It's a new day and it's exciting.

In the interest of time, here's the short version: I indulged my long-time passion for painted furniture last year and began selling vintage and antique pieces at Back Alley Antiques in San Antonio. Then I met a new faux finisher friend and started collaborating on jobs with her. This made me too busy to paint furniture on a speculative basis. So earlier this week I brought all my leftover treasures home.

Now the old me would have kept them all and incorporated them into my home. New me wants to sell everything at a huge discount. That's why I'm telling y'all. If you like it, it's yours. If you need measurements, just let me know. If you like the piece but it's the wrong color or you have a better idea, you have come to the right place. I can fix it for you.

After this, it's going up for sale on craigslist, up for grabs to those "other people."

An estate auction find. Alphabet Jumble Table in metallic silver, antiqued finish $98

I am still a huge fan of Back Alley Antiques. In fact, I think it's critical to respect and incorporate older furniture and accessories in our lives because they add character and a rich energy into our homes. Nothing makes me crazier than new houses full of nothing but new furniture. But then that's another subject for another post.

"Half a Table" console with faux dark chocolate leather top $125

When my new friend Mary asked me to consider painting with her, I was a little leary. Most of the time, at least in my world, art is not a collaborative process. And, other people can get on your nerves. That's why I do what I do. I like to think, create, pray and transform -- on the job. For me the work is regenerative. I didn't want to mess that up. But as it turned out, Mary has been the best blessing. She works so hard, and is very talented. And, we laugh a lot. I have seen the error of my ways.

I really don't want anybody to buy this. $150

Petite pink, gold & chocolate antiqued side table with leopard spots $89

As a freaky perfectionist who wants to do everything, and do it perfectly, my painted furniture and antiques endeavor was nagging at me, and making me feel like a loser because I wasn't giving it my best. If there's one thing I have learned it's this: If something is bugging you, get to the bottom of it and change it! Prune it and free yourself to grow in new areas. And read Secrets of the Vine by Bruce Wilkinson.