Painted Designs

Painted Designs Specializing in hand-painted vintage furniture: unique, heirloom, character-filled pieces of artful storage. I also offer original acrylic artwork.

Faith guides my brush—Jesus is my Lord & Savior. Explore my pieces, message me for customs or inquiries. Disclaimer Policy for ALL PURCHASES

PURCHASES
+At least 50% down payment is required on all refinished items that are not custom ordered
+I do not hold any item without 30% down payment

All ITEMS ARE A FINAL SALE!!
+These policies are in place to help me serve you better and
keep a steady

flow of furniture, leaving my workspace. I am a home-based business therefor; space is a commodity to me.
+All items are vintage and are not perfect. They are hand painted and will come with flaws and imperfections. Cleaning them with warm water is the best way to keep them looking new. Care for your pieces using coaster. Never put anything warm or wet directly on them. CUSTOM WORK
+A 50% non-refundable deposit is required immediately upon booking in order to hold your spot. I do not hold without it
-FINAL PAYMENT IS DUE IMMEDIATELY UPON COMPLETION
+ If you are bringing an item in, please have it clean and remove all glass or mirrors. Thank you kindly,
Sondra, Painted Designs

07/22/2026

Some of the pieces I have available for shipping nationwide right now. Check them out in the comments.

07/21/2026

I decided to show you THIS video instead of the one Tess recorded of the crash that happened right in front of me. 😱 Only the cars were hurt.
I had to give the video to the police. I'm thankful to God it wasn't me!

07/21/2026

I probably shouldn't have painted this one of my favorite colors. 😬
Somebody may have to pry this out of my cold, dead hands.

Another custom project will be starting for a mother daughter duo. It will go to their lake house in Alabama. That's a n...
07/20/2026

Another custom project will be starting for a mother daughter duo. It will go to their lake house in Alabama. That's a new state for me to be adding to my ✅ "States I've shipped."

07/20/2026

An old home movie? 🫣
Nah, just a new project.

Ever wonder why antique painted furniture has so much depth and character?One of the secrets is gesso.For centuries, Eur...
07/19/2026

Ever wonder why antique painted furniture has so much depth and character?

One of the secrets is gesso.

For centuries, European artisans used gesso as the foundation for some of the world's most beautiful painted and gilded furniture. Made from natural materials like chalk and animal hide glue, it created the perfect surface for paint, gold leaf, and decorative finishes.

Over time, those layers naturally aged. As wood expanded and contracted with the seasons, the gesso and paint developed tiny cracks, softened edges, and a rich patina that simply can't be rushed. It's one of the reasons authentic antiques have such warmth and soul.

Many people think "distressed" means sanding back to bare wood, but historically that wasn't always the case. The beauty of antique furniture often came from layers—paint over gesso, glazes, shellac, waxes, and years of gentle wear that built incredible depth and texture.

When I create one of my heirloom-inspired pieces, I'm always trying to capture that feeling. Rather than making a piece look artificially worn, I build subtle layers of texture and translucent finishes that allow the surface to tell a story. The goal isn't to make a new piece look damaged—it's to make it feel as though it has lived a beautiful life.

That's what I love most about decorative finishing. It's not just painting furniture; it's recreating the artistry and craftsmanship that made antique European furniture so timeless.

✨ Every layer has a purpose. Every finish tells a story.



07/18/2026

This former mid century record cabinet was transformed into a centuries old heirloom cabinet for my client. Rather than painting traditionally, I use painterly layers of paints, glazes, and waxes to create a more natural patina. These pieces are well made allbeit boring but they don't have to be boring. And they can live a longer life both as art and storage. 🥰

07/17/2026

Where did my love of radio cabinets come from? It was with THIS PIECE a year ago! A part of history, great craftsmanship, good storage, and a canvas for my creativity!
Who wants to be next?

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East Moline, IL
61244

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