Meet Cindy Conner!

(Cindy on the far right, with daughters Abbie and Lindsay and mom Marilyn)

When Luke and I started Pretty in Paint, we knew the Lord was calling us to take a big risk! Now, we are entering a new season, with new risks, and we couldn't be happier to be passing the baton to Cindy Conner, who is buying the shop. She is a light and a joy to those around her, and we feel confident those things will spill over into her future ownership of the store. We talked with Cindy recently, because we wanted to share some of her heart here on the blog. We also wanted our readers to get to know her, before they see her friendly face in the shop!

Why did you decide now was the right time to pursue this change?

     

If anyone had told me even a few months ago that I would be in the throes of buying a business today, I would literally have laughed out loud.  While I've entertained thoughts of creating a business that carried on where our Barnstormer event left off, everything I wanted always ended up too similar to Pretty in Paint.  Mindy and Luke are my friends and I never wanted to be in any kind of competition with them. My heart was incredulous that this is the right time, and it quickly became evident to me that God was calling me to something I never saw coming. I had to be obedient and jump off that proverbial cliff in faith.....it was nothing short of terrifying.  I don't do things like this, I'm much more of a dreamer than an actual doer.  This is eons beyond my comfort zone. So while I was physically screaming NOOOO, my heart was saying 'I think you can do this'!

What are you most excited for in the future of the store?

The foundations that Mindy and Luke have laid will not change, and that has me excited. The other aspect would be relationships. As I've been in the store the last several days learning the daily operations, it's been especially gratifying to meet so many people.  I'm excited to see how these relationships will grow. I'm also excited about our team of employees.  Jami, Lynda and Tami are staying on, and I love these women. I'm incredibly happy to also get to work with my own family.  My daughter Abbie is going to be our manager, and Lindsay is feverishly working to get the website up and running, while expanding our online sales.  Heather (the current manager) has been so gracious and loving as she imparts so much wisdom, and is tirelessly training Abbie and myself.   

Can you briefly describe your journey to this point in your life?

     

I've spent my life raising our five wonderful kids. Those kids have now blessed us with twelve grandkids, and in May, we will welcome our very first great-grandchild. My husband helps fight firefighters with an airplane, and flies warbirds in his spare time. Seven years ago, we bought my husband's family farm, and I have logged quite a few hours on tractors and digging irrigation line...becoming a shopkeeper is going to be a huge and welcome change. My daughter Lindsay (McPhail) and I started Barnstormers Vintage Fair in 2012 - it is a family affair managed now with the help of daughter Abbie (Lasota) and granddaughter Morgan(DiBetta), and my mother in law Marilyn (Conner), as well as close family friends Dawn and Kyndall Wiley.  We are strong women with a heart for other women.  It makes perfect sense to me now that Pretty in Paint will be our next step, and I know the skills I have learned in the last several years will make the transition a great one. 

  

Any scripture or quotes you'd like to share that pertain to this journey?

I always feel a bit ashamed when I'm surprised by God. Our finite spirits tend to try to contain Him, even limit Him. About midway through our journey, Mindy and I had a similar experience on the same day.  She had an actual dream about Abraham and Isaac. I had more of a daydream about Sarah and her reaction when she was told she would have a baby.  Sarah didn't lack faith in what God could do, but she did doubt what He could do through her.  I am at a point in my life where I'm almost ready for social security.  My friends are talking of retiring and here God has presented me with this "baby" and I'm going to work full-time.  I think the appropriate verse would be Genesis 18:12 (NLT) So she laughed silently to herself and said "How can a worn out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my husband is also old."  This truly does make my husband and I laugh.  We are relieved God has called us to buy a business, rather than a have a baby!

What should customers know as this change takes place?

I feel incredibly honored that Mindy is going to stand close by for awhile, and teach me about ordering/inventory, and our inventory will remain the same, trusted items that you know and love! I am also happy to hear new ideas about things that people hope to see in the store, and I will be in the store nearly everyday. I believe the community and culture that Mindy has started is so important.  Women need other women.  There is so much ugliness and hatefulness in this world.  I am proud to take ownership in something aesthetically pleasing, but also  something that has a heart rooted in ministry. I hope it always feels like a safe place where a person will always know they are welcome.  The shop sells things that help people make their house a home, where they gather together with family and friends and sometimes even strangers, and that's called hospitality.  Relationship starts with hospitality and I want hospitality to be instant when a person steps through the door...I am so thrilled to be buying the store!

Meet Heather from Gather Here

We are continuing our series of highlighting some of our favorite vendors from the shop, with Heather from Gather Here! Besides being an amazing vendor, Heather has also graced us with her presence as the manager of Pretty in Paint for the last five years. She has an enormous heart for people and ministry, and she blesses everyone who comes through our door. "Daniel and I have been married for twenty three years, and had joyously raised four kids. When we thought life couldn't get any better, we became grandparents. Gathering as a family is our favorite part of any day", explains Heather, "We love building furniture, and bringing life to old pieces. We also are passionate about taking old, forgotten 

wood and making one of a kind pieces for you and and your family!"

Heather adds that their beliefs have always centered around finding meaning and hope in all circumstances, whether they are adventures or heartaches. They also love and value the idea of "gathering" with family and loved ones, and hope their furniture pieces can enable others to do the same. "I have had the honor of managing Pretty in Paint, and being part of the small business that is serving our community and loving people has given me great insight on how a business should run. The Jones family has always placed Christ at the center, and made people a priority", continues Heather, "We share their vision, and we share the love of Jesus as we get to do what we love." One of their favorite things to build are tables, where families can gather to work, fellowship, or share a meal. Every piece that is produced by Gather Here is crafted with love and purpose, and that's what makes them special. They also utilize reclaimed wood, which means every piece is also unique and unlike anything else that is mass-produced. Their tables and large pieces are made to last, and can be passed down from generation to generation, making them a true heirloom. 

If you're interested, you can find Heather and Daniel's unique furniture pieces at Pretty in Paint, and you can follow them on Instagram HERE. Lastly, Heather adds, "In five years, we hope to still be doing what Christ has called us to, no matter the risk!" 

BIG Announcement!

If you're reading this, you're part of our Pretty in Paint family. Just like a traditional family, we share the joys, hardships, and big transitions with each other, and it's time to share our big announcement! It's always been our heart to follow the Lord's leading with our business and our lives (I'll go into it more in a bit), and that's what has lead us to where we are today: We are selling Pretty in Paint! Yes, it's time, and we are thrilled.

Why now?

Luke and I feel that now is the perfect time to sell the store. We are being called in a new direction, and we couldn't be happier. We don't have a crystal-clear picture of what that is, but God has always asked us to take incredible risks. The store has been our heart and soul for five years, and is busy and exciting every single day. I made a personal commitment to God that my identity would never become mixed up with the fame of the store, and it has become harder with notoriety and social media, and I've had to remember that it is first and foremost a ministry. This is the time for us to "pass the torch", so to speak, and get back to a simpler way of life. We prayed for a buyer, and through a trusted friend, we found one we know God has brought our way. Although this is taking place early February, Luke and I will still be present in the store for months to come, along with familiar faces you know and trust.

Where are our hearts?

They are where they've always been: about being servants, and following the leading of the Lord. We took a major risk when we opened the store, and yes, we are taking a risk by selling it. Our family has always believed God has not called us to a "safe" life, and that sometimes that involves scary, hard choices. We know God's best is not always in the places we are most comfortable. Pretty in Paint has given us the most amazing community of people, and we feel overwhelmed by the love and support! However, a successful business has also made us comfortable, and we began to wonder if God's best is where we are most comfortable...maybe not!

What will we do now?

We will continue to be one of the furniture vendors for the shop, because we love being creative and having an outlet for that. We plan to do quite a lot of traveling with the Smith family, doing vintage shows, and we have started our new company, 4 Wall Revival, where we will be renovating and flipping homes..in the future. We plan to take a few months off, and get back to basics!

Who is the new owner?

We knew we wanted to hand over the shop to capable hands, and in came Cindy Conner! She is a partner in the Barnstormer Vintage Fair, and we have known her in the business capacity since before the store opened. To say she is perfect for this, is an understatement. Cindy has a heart for God and for loving people, and we feel confident she will bring fresh vision to the shop. She doesn't want to change anything at this time, so you can continue coming in and getting the same advice, help, and service you've come to trust! She will also bring beauty and fun; two of the things Pretty in Paint has been known for.

Please tune in to next week's blog to get to know Cindy, and hear her heart in this time of transition, as well! And we would be remiss without saying THANK YOU, with all our hearts, for loving and supporting us as we take this next step. Thank you for being part of our family, and we hope that never changes!

Introducing 4 Wall Revival!

Our story has always centered around redemption. Bringing life where things were dead, breathing new life into spaces, giving fresh perspective to places where people have lost hope. So, it makes sense that our latest project would involve breathing new life into homes and buildings...meet 4 Wall Revival. We are launching in 2018, and we will be renovating old houses, as well as making new designs from old furniture. 

Why renovation and restoration? We have a true passion for real estate and design. We used to build and sell homes during the early 2000's, and we loved it! My husband, Luke, has kept his general contractor's license active since 2002, and we have been waiting for the right time to enter the market while maintaining our love for furniture, as well. 

What will you be focused on? We can't wait to begin renovating homes that need quite a lot of love, and then offering them at an affordable price. Besides this primary focus, we will also be building and renovating furniture pieces. We will be utilizing our background in retail (running Pretty in Paint) to renovate, design, and stage the homes we will sell as 4 Wall Revival. At this stage, we are searching for homes in the Southern Oregon area, and will keep you posted with our progress! 

What do you want people to love about your brand? When people think about our 'revival' projects, I hope that can capture our vision; to see forgotten, dilapidated homes become a beloved and beautiful space. Also, we hope our audience can see our eye for artful design, high-quality craftsmanship, and current style trends. We hope to become a leader in the home market in Southern Oregon. 

What's next? You can find us on our new blog, which we will be revealing soon, and which will feature DIY tutorials, tons of before and after photos for inspiration, and design ideas. Thanks for following our journey, and you can follow along on our Instagram HERE!

Blog Update! -Southern Oregon Home Store and Design Blog

You may have noticed we had been a bit absent from the blogosphere for awhile (thank you for reading and sharing our last DIY post this month!), but we had a pretty great reason: our little shop grew and grew, and before I knew it, years had passed us by in a whirlwind of blessing, challenges, and joy. Now, we are blogging again consistently, and I wanted to share some of my heart as we get back into it! So why now? We love reading blogs! We draw inspiration from blogs about faith, family, interior design, and more, and we always want to gain more insight about life from other's experiences. We hope this blog can be an encouragement to you and your family and friends!

In the past years since we opened our shop, so much has changed. We started out small, with just a little bit of inventory, and it grew at a rapid pace. We doubled in size, and now have a bookkeeper and nine amazing employees, and a delivery driver. We even have people in our warehouse, and it's turned into a full-time company. Of course, there have been growing pains involved, but ultimately, we feel so grateful and supported by our Southern Oregon community. We also love our employees, and we wouldn't be where we are today without the Smith family. They always help us in every way possible! My mom pitches in with shipping and receiving, and she is unbelievably efficient. Jami helps bring order to our chaos, and Jill is hilarious and brings her infectious laughter along with her sweet spirit. We also have Tami, who loves people so deeply and well, and Isabel who helps us learn how to use new social media. We will also be introducing them individually here on the blog over the next few months, so you can get to know the people we consider 'family' now.

And while some things have changed, others have not. We always put God first, and love people. We adore jumping into new adventures, but always seek His will and watch Him provide the way. Our mission also hasn't changed: we want our store to be an affordable, beautiful, inviting place for women to come shop and relax. We want our customers to feel "heard", and to know they can always ask us for tips, or help choosing a piece for their home. We also love offering small businesses a place to sell their hand-made items, and we believe in bolstering our local economy and helping each other!

What will you find here on this blog? Stay tuned for special events, faith-related encouragement, news, updates, design inspiration, and most importantly, DIY projects! We are so glad you're here!

Love, Mindy

DIY White Painted Floors - Southern Oregon Interior Design

I couldn't be more excited to be sharing the tale of our new white floors! But to do that, I have to start back at the beginning...four years ago, to be exact. That's when we installed a whopping fifteen hundred feet of pine flooring straight from the lumber yard! We knew we were heading into a 'down and dirty' remodel that we are now three years into. We have remodeled every room, and we have ripped out walls as we moved from room to room. We custom build furniture for our store out of pine, so we knew that we would have a use for those pine boards when our remodel was complete. Although we are years into our intensive remodel, we aren't ready to replace our flooring just yet, so I began dreaming of painted floors, instead.

When I say 'beginning', the truth is, I have been eyeing white floors for quite some time. I have stalked and scrolled enough Instagram pages for a lifetime, and I've even woken my husband in the middle of the night to whisper, "Look at these white floors!" He actually was more excited about the idea, because his style is clean, minimalistic, and modern. I lean towards a modern farmhouse style, but with a simple approach. I was bolstered by friends and family to finally make this happen, so today, I'm sharing HOW we brought the dream to life!

BEFORE:

Here are the floors before we started the project. As you can see, they were hard to keep clean, and the clear coat was wearing off.

MATERIALS:

I began my researching the best paint and products I could use. Home Depot had the best prices and options for what I needed. Here are the items I bought ($167.00 for these items, but prices will vary based on how much paint you need, and which items your local store has)

• Kilz Primer 
• Floor Paint
• Scraper
• TSP cleaner 
• Blue painter's tape
• Brush
• 1 gallon water based Minwax Top Coat 

THE PROCESS: 

1) I vacuumed the floors thoroughly, and scrubbed them with TSP cleaner. If you are using TSP, be sure to ventilate your work area, and wear gloves. It's a very harsh cleaner, which is why it works well, so keep out of reach of children/pets. I used a metal scraper to get any lasting residue, and then scrubbed again with TSP.
2) I painted the primer on. I did two coats, with a two hour dry time between primer coats.
3) Painted the floor with three coats of floor paint, with a two hour dry time between paint coats.
4) I then applied 2 coats of Minwax Clear Coat, with an hour dry time between coats. I did note a slight yellow tint with the addition of the clear coat, but the floor would not hold up well without it. This is the best clear coat I have found, as it has the least amount of yellow tint.
On the right, you can see the various stages.


AFTER (After images courtesy Lahna Marie Photography):

FAQ's:

How long did this project take? I had to work on the floors throughout seven days. I had to section off my house so my family could still use it, as we have two children and three pets. If I had an empty house, this could have been done in about two days, but we needed to use different parts of the house as I worked!

How do we keep it clean? This has been the number-one question as I have shared our results! Any mom knows keeping their floors clean is hard enough, so it makes sense that lots of people are concerned about dirt. Yes, it is a bit more high-maintenance, but not nearly what you'd imagine. we have a  Roomba, and I highly recommend that for keeping surface dirt and crumbs to a minimum. We do try to take our shoes off before coming inside, but any footprints or dirt wipe off extremely easily due to the top coat finish.

Any other advice? The only thing I'd change if I did this again is getting some sort of knee pad for my poor knees. You'll be on the floor for this project, so I'd recommend one of the knee pads you use for gardening, or a similar pad to save your joints!

If you have been dreaming of white floors and currently have wood floors, I say, GO FOR IT! Our entire family loves it, and it has brightened up our space (which makes it feel larger and so welcoming).