About Lyn Wilson
Hey there, I’m Lyn!!
For as long as I can remember I have been drawn to objects that have survived generations of use and have stories to tell. I probably inherited that from my mom. She would travel the country roads in Vermont and find gorgeous oak furniture that joined the antiques she had inherited from her mother and grandmother. I stored my childhood treasures – vintage hankies, marbles and paperweights – in an old school desk complete with a hole for the inkwell.
While I inherited my love of vintage and antiques from my mom, I inherited my love for learning and teaching from my college professor dad. I have loved learning my craft and it is part of my mission to teach others so that they, too, may find joy in DIY furniture makeovers. I welcome your questions and invite you to check out my blogs for tips and techniques to get started.
One of my great joys in restyling furniture has been the ability to rescue and repurpose quality vintage furniture. Styles change but quality workmanship and materials are timeless. Perhaps plain, brown furniture has fallen out of favor, but with some imagination these high-quality, often American-made, pieces can be transformed into farmhouse, cottage, boho or glam statement pieces that reflect each owners’ personal sense of style.
In 2017, my world came crashing down…well, truth be told, it had been in a free fall for many years. As early as grade school I was a perfectionist and an over-achiever, leading to what some might call “impressive” accomplishments throughout the years. But insisting on such high standards for myself led to stress, anxiety and depression which I managed by drinking too much and eating too little. When I got sober, I still could not find joy in my life but found solace in the fact I had a great career. That is until May 2017, when my job was eliminated while I was on a medical leave seeking treatment for severe depression and anorexia. What I didn’t realize at the time was that this was God doing for me, what I couldn’t do for myself… loving me enough to help me find hope again.
I was suddenly spending my days at home instead of the office and began to notice how my dark, old furniture only served to deepen my depression. I began chalk painting my furniture and discovered my mood lifting as a long-dormant creative spirit awakened. Through furniture painting, and subsequently, reupholstery, I learned that “mistakes” are not failures, but truly have value as learning experiences, and that perfectionism inhibits creativity. I have always been passionate about learning and teaching and life as a furniture artist offers ample opportunities for both…and in the process I get to transform dark and damaged items into beautiful, new creations for others seeking to add something unique and special to their worlds.
I welcome your questions and invite you to check out my blogs for tips and techniques to get started. You never know what value a little creativity could bring to your life.
