getting unstuck.

Published on by Quandie

As I’ve mentioned recently, my furniture is not selling very quickly (or at all) for me these days.

I had a really strong start to 2022.  I sold a number of pieces in January and February including the nightstands made by separating the two sides of a vanity …

this gorgeous armoire …

the barrister bookcase …

a primitive chippy dresser …

and the botanical cupboard …

But since then the only piece of furniture I’ve sold is the dry sink.

Well, and also the rusty garden furniture, which I suppose does count as the sale of furniture.

I’ve been selling refurbished furniture for a long time, and if there is one thing I can say for sure, it’s that it is very difficult to predict what will sell and what won’t.  Mainly because it changes all the time.

For a while there, dressers were a sure fire seller for me while more unique pieces like dry sinks, armoires, book shelves or restyled radio cabinets were likely to be more difficult to sell.  Now the opposite seems to be true.

One of the problems I have when unsold pieces start backing up is that I have nowhere to store them safely.  Sure, I could put them out in the carriage house, but it is damp and dirty out there (not to mention the bugs and critters).  Definitely not a great environment for storing my finished pieces.  They really need to be inside the house, so I line them up in the dining room.  And currently I’m out of space out there.

But really, the bigger problem I have when pieces aren’t selling is that I get stuck creatively.  I totally lose my motivation for working on more furniture.  I just can’t continue to add to the pile.  It starts to weigh me down.

So I took some time this past holiday weekend to try and brainstorm some potential solutions to this problem and I came up with a few ideas.

First up, I have this washstand that hasn’t sold.

I decided that I really liked this piece myself, and it could possibly work in my front hallway.  So I put it out there just to see how it would look.

It turned out to be a good fit.  So at least it’s out of my dining room and freeing up some space in there for now.  I’ll continue to list it for sale, but in the meantime I’ll enjoy it in my hallway.

Next up is the bench.

As you may remember, this is look number 3 for this bench.

If it still doesn’t sell in the next month or so, I may possibly take it into the shop where I sell on consignment.  I don’t usually take big pieces of furniture to them, and I have to wait until they have space for it, but maybe I can reach a wider audience … or at least a new audience … there.

I’ve also decided to try something a little more trendy on this piece …

I’m going to strip the drawer fronts and then either leave them as raw wood or add a white wax.  Then I’ll repaint the rest of the shell in a closely matching chalk paint, maybe Dixie Belle’s Putty or maybe the Burlap that I used on those nightstands.  Or maybe I’ll just strip the whole thing.  I’m not sure yet.  But it will be getting a new, raw wood sort of look.

If that ends up helping it sell, I may have to rework the other two dressers that aren’t selling.  This one …

and this one …

Another idea I had is to try going in a little different direction with the style of pieces I work on, starting with this set of modern end tables.

I’ll be sharing their makeover with you tomorrow.  And then we’ll see if these sell quickly or not.  If so, maybe I need to change up my inventory and focus more on mid mod pieces?

And finally, I’m also going to spend some time working on a couple of projects for myself.  I have a cabinet that I’ve been meaning to get to that will be part of a makeover of my shed/photo cottage, and I also have a headboard that I’m making into a sign to hang on the carriage house.

So hopefully in the end some/or all of these options will help me get unstuck.

I’d love to hear from any of you that are furniture refurbishers.  What is selling for you these days?  And when you get stuck, how do you get unstuck?  Leave a comment and let me know.

43 thoughts on “getting unstuck.”

  2. I’m the same way. Furniture goes in waves. And when we are not selling, I get SO unmotivated. And I love doing furniture! So, I move to smalls. And try not to think about the storage unit full of unfinished furniture 😂

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    1. It’s so good to know that I’m not alone. You’ll probably see a bunch of smaller projects from me over the next couple of months as well 🙂

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  3. I think you should def consider selling on Etsy and shipping!! You’re work is beautiful!! It’s not rocket science trying to ship it is a little work and research I had two wonderful women who walked me thru the process and gave me the confidence I needed to do it I shipped a hutch with glass clear across the country from Massachusetts to Oregon! They paid $1100 to ship it! Didn’t bat an eyelash or one that I could see😂 I’d be glad to pay it forward and help you with the knowledge I have gained if you’re interested! Bureaus in this part of the country sell well there doesn’t seem to be a trend other than raw wood but it amazes me what other flippers in my area sell so I think it’s just the right buyer for the right piece at the right time.

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    1. Thanks for your comment Kimberly. I have to be honest, I can’t even imagine dealing with shipping furniture! I don’t even like to ship smalls 😉 So it’s unlikely I would ever go that route, but if I do I’ll know where to go for advice on how to do it!

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  4. It’s so discouraging to pour your hard work into a piece and have it sit there. I believe truly that it’s the environment we are living in right now. People are suffering with the price of gas and groceries. I also agree with Kimberly. Maybe consider Etsy. And you don’t have to ship. People might drive a few miles to pick up a great find. And your prices are quite reasonable. Also I do love all the garden accents and small stuff. Hang in there.

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  5. My first painted desk was a commission, so my refurbishing has grown from that. Alot of people seem to want their great aunt’s buffet updated.
    I see a piece, fall a little bit in love and paint what it tells me to…space does get tight at times, but they speak to my heart and that, apparently, talks to others.
    Haven’t tried online sales, but friends do nothing else. The thought of shipping makes me shudder, but I am told it’s not hard.

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  6. Your smalls seem to be selling quickly. Maybe take a break on the bigger pieces. I am a big fan of all your work big and small. I wish you were closer and would redo some of my house pieces! You have such a wonderful talent.
    Smiles, alice

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    1. LOL, thanks Freida! The black one is at the bottom of the makeover list! Well … maybe more the middle. But I won’t be giving it a makeover anytime soon.

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  8. I am finding the same thing. The only pieces selling are the plainly painted undecorated ones. Pale blush pink seems to be popular right now as it almost looks white. Home Depot “stolen kiss” is similar. Despite moss green being popular with decorators, it does not sell.

    It’s hard to gauge a market in this economy and “color of the year” is not an accurate gauge of what will sell. I watch sites like Home Sense to see what colours go off the floor first.

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      1. Home Sense, Marshalls, Winners and TJX are all the same company. They use different names in the UK to Canada who used the first 3,

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  9. Good morning, thank you for the timely and honest blog.I also refurbish and echo all of your sentiments.Some large bloggers say “stay true to your style” but styles change. I have always done furniture very similar to yours but have recently done several MCM pieces and they sell super quick. I know only a few of my customers have remarked about gas prices (I am rural) but then I had one come via two ferries and many miles and I don’t ship. Please know that you have a unique style and continue to inspire me and your “how to” tab has helped me endless times. Sorry for the ramble but this one really hits home. Thank you.

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    1. I hear that advice all the time too, stay true to your style. And while I agree that is good advice for one’s own pieces/home, when you paint pieces to sell them you do have to pay attention to trends in decorating. So I totally agree with you on that Laura. Thanks so much for your comment 🙂

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  10. No I don’t like shipping either. You may want to consider a small space at an antique mall or post on Facebook, pick up only. Just be careful not to be alone when they pick up and stick to cash, no cheques. There is a lot of grab, load and run out there these days so money first.

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    1. Actually, I do post my pieces on both Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. I’m totally familiar with all of the scamming that takes place online and thus have a cash only, pick up in person policy. I always make sure both Mr. Q and I are home for these transactions, especially since I typically need help with the loading anyway.

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  11. It’s not you – it’s the economy. My business has softened as more people are cutting back their discretionary spending. Hang tight and be patient!

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  12. Oh no! Not the black dresser😱It’s my favorite and I would definitely buy it but I’m far away and getting there would cost way more than the dresser. I paint furniture for myself and family, not to sell, so I can’t speak to experience but I have no doubt that the looming recession and the price of gas and food is impacting how people are choosing to spend discretionary dollars. As others have suggested, perhaps widen your exposure. And the raw wood and more plain style may have wider appeal as well, so that’s a good plan. Starting over on a piece on which you’ve already invested many hours requires a lot of commitment to your craft. You are an inspiration!

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    1. Thanks so much Jan! I’ve certainly gone back to the drawing board before, and sometimes it works and other times it doesn’t. But I am excited to try the raw wood thing, so that might be the best place for me to start 🙂

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  13. I own a 2x per year vintage market in the Inland Northwest and we saw quite a difference between this year and last. Last year had the joyful first-big-event-since-Covid vibe and large items flew out the door. This year buyers were much more conservative in their spending and the large item sellers didn’t do as well. Granted, the weather was not great but I don’t think that was the only problem. I have seen it in my own painted furniture sales I do on Marketplace. The only thing I have sold since January is a light switch cover🤣In the fall, I could hardly paint fast enough. I completely understand the “stuck” feeling. My poor family is having to deal with random furniture sitting all over the house, some unfinished because I can’t get inspired. I have recently come back from a trip to Ireland and the UK and that has spurred me on again. In Ireland I saw many brightly painted pieces of furniture from the 1700 and 1800’s. Britain was more subdued but I saw a beautiful “old English library” room that totally moved me to go darker on some things. Trends come and go (over hundreds of years!) and the important thing is that you are happy with the work you have done. You do such lovely work and inspire me every time I read your blog. There will be a buyer out there. Hopefully you don’t have to wait until 2100😜

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    1. Thanks for sharing your experience with me Connie! And clearly I should have included ‘take a trip to Europe’ in my list of ways to get ‘unstuck’ 😉 I always feel inspired after traveling … whether it’s to Norway or Venice or even just somewhere closer to home. Maybe it’s time to plan another trip!

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  14. I just have a feeling that more modern pieces are desirable right now. Think mid century Danish Teak , but with some dark paint, blacks, deep blues or maybe even going lighter with whites. Just a feeling that I have.

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  15. I’m glad I am not the only one having trouble selling furniture. I couldn’t keep enough in my booth in January and February – flew out as fast as I stocked. Painted and unpainted both. Now it’s sitting and I’m very frustrated. Actually EVERYTHING is sitting where I am located. Even smalls are moving slow. Considering the mess at home with all the inventory, I am thinking of just giving up for now until I retire in a few years. I have a great spot in a mall, but sales barely cover rent during April, May and June. Grrrr…… what to do, what to do! I get unmotivated as well 😦 On that note though, I really do love everything you do and love your style!

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    1. Well, I’m glad I put this post out there. I can see that it’s not just me, it sounds like a lot of us are suffering poor sales at the moment. Maybe it is time to take a small break from painting things to sell and go ahead and focus on my own projects (I do have a couple of things that I’ve been meaning to get to for myself). Fortunately I don’t rely on any income from this hobby of mine to pay the bills. I feel for those who count on furniture sales to put food on the table. Let’s all hope that sales pick up again before too long!

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    1. LOL, right? I’ve always said that too, NO stripping! Or wait, maybe it was my mom who said that to me 😉 But seriously, I’m not a fan of stripping. I don’t mind flat surfaces like plain drawer fronts or dresser tops, but when you start getting into curvy details with lots of grooves … no thank you!

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  17. I’m sorry you’re having this struggle Miss Quandie……..it’s just a guess, but I’m thinking the lack of sales has to do with this whole general malaise that has seized the country? Or maybe, too many people in your area are thinking “why buy furniture when climate change will destroy the world in 12 years?” hahahahahaha! I still love love love that black chest of drawers! But you have said that your MCM pieces pretty much fly out the door, and the partial raw wood look can be quite pretty. It’s a bummer that you doubt the “fashion” of your aesthetic because it’s beautiful and “a thing of beauty is a joy forever”, no? And your “smalls” are great so maybe, for a little while, you could channel your creative energy towards those? And I’m guessing that you don’t want to have your own booth because of all of the logistics, expense, etc. that comes with that?

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    1. That’s correct. I don’t think the small amount of items that I produce are enough to justify the overhead costs of a booth of my own. But you’re right, I’ll channel my energy towards the smalls for a while and see what happens. After all, I have a huge mound of old toolboxes in my workshop that will keep me busy for quite some time 😉

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  18. I think it’s the time of year….at least in my neck of the woods which is the Myrtle Beach, SC area. I would always see a slow down in the summer. But they are continuing to build everywhere they can here so people will need furniture and the wait for new pieces seems to be long. I currently do not have an outlet for my furniture as the business I rented booth space from for the last 8 years closed in the spring. I took it as a sign to take a break and do some things for myself-HAHAHA. I try not to look at my overflowing workspace in the garage or think about that storage unit still half full. 😁😁. I’m enjoying summer and my grandchildren and a little traveling without stressing about an empty booth and grateful that I can do that. I LOVE redoing furniture and smalls so I’ll have to figure something out in the next few months. And I have had to redo a few items that sat too long but I think everyone does! I know you’ll figure it out….your work is too beautiful not to! Also, I went in the Restore last week for the first time in months and it had so much furniture! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that! I was having withdrawals 😛.

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    1. Bummer about losing your booth space. Hopefully you’ll find another good outlet for selling items! Good to know about the ReStore, but I don’t dare go in there. I’d be tempted to buy more furniture to bring home even though I have nowhere to put it 😉

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  19. I had a slow spring selling furniture but had a booming July market! Here in the Midwest of course neutrals sell better but I did sell a muted teal buffet.
    I have found as much as I like to use transfers it really limits my buyer. Plainer pieces sell faster. I’ve also done some marketing touting the value of vintage furniture in this current economy. Why buy new?

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  20. I have 2 small booths in a mall and have noticed slow sales over all. I’ve been doing OK but it is all smalls and I have really been working my two spaces to try and keep them fresh and I feel like it’s made a difference. The problem is the furniture- I don’t want to haul it back home and have no where to put it. Getting older and the big stuff is getting harder to move back and forth. So it sits and has to be worked around constantly. Then there are the “trends”. I just said to someone “ I always feel behind the trend- I need to start my own trend!” Anyhow- I feel everyone’s pain- not for the faint of heart, but for the love of it. Still tough some days though. Everyone hang in there.

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  21. I follow the trends in the UK as well having lived there. They seem to be about 3 years ahead of us. I subscribe to UK antiques magazine and things I see this year will invariably be popular at Winners and Home Sense in about 2 years, especially the smalls. I last visited in 2018 and I see things on the stores here now that I saw then.Trending right now over there are very pale sage green,brass accessories (vintage and antique),Chinese ceramics are still selling well, simple architectural pieces in rustic black or strong blues ate popular. Painted furniture is muted grey blues, soft whites with pink, grey or cream undertones and soft greyish greens. Noticeable absence of logos and signage on furniture and walls. Geometric wall papers and Lucien Day prints are popular from the 70s. Hall benches with a mirror above for putting on your boots instead of entrance tables are trending. Pick up nice benches now ladies from garage sales etc. Style was Mid century leaning towards art deco or the 70s but not so much 50s and 60s. Floral upholstery is also evident but not the old lady prints you see here but classics like Morris, Scandi or Day. Hope this helps. I am on the hunt for small benches and paintable hall mirrors with beveled glass.

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  22. It’s so frustrating when things sit-it’s hard for me to not let it affect my attitude/perspective! You’re in such a great position to truly be able to do this as a hobby and something you love, and eventually it will sell! I’ve had to repaint a few things over the years😅 keep up the amazing work!!!

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    1. You’re so right, I am lucky to be able to just ride it out and hope things eventually sell. I’m moving on to working on some smaller projects for now, and some things for myself!

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