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!

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!

Creative and Stylish Storage Tips

It’s 2018! The new year is here! And with it all of the things that we’ve accumulated from last year. Chances are, in the season of resolution, that you’ve resolved to win back the lost space in your home. That’s a hard battle to win, when you’re deciding between getting rid of past gifts to make room for new ones. That, and many of the little knick-knacks that we have throughout our homes have great sentimental meaning to us. Letting go of those things is like letting go of a memory, and that’s a struggle that we just don’t need among the stress of our busy lives. 

We actually have a lot more space in our homes than we may think. Even if you have a small apartment, there’s a lot of unused room in nooks and crannies that allow you to store anything new you may have accrued last year. Think about it: there’s a lot of unused vertical space everywhere in your home, especially on your doors. There are many cheap solutions for creating storage space on your doors, and it’ll free up your home so it feels more open. You could use a hanging rack on your bedroom door to store shoes, or smaller items, or to hang coats on, or you could use a rack on a pantry door to store spices and herbs. Keep in mind that you want to match or accent the decor of your home, and to keep things in order on the rack. Since there’s not much there to hide unorganized items, it’s easier to seem more cluttered if you don’t keep it neat.

The same idea about vertical spaces can be true of narrow spaces. Shelves can be any length at all, but we seem to have in mind that there’s a minimum of a few feet for a shelf to be of any use. The truth, of course, is that any shelf space can be used, and the narrow nooks in your home can be utilized as a valuable storage area. Installing said shelves are usually a simple task, and you can find any style of shelf to suit your home’s own theme. In smaller spaces in, say, a restroom, search for sized-down furniture. While it may be smaller, it doesn’t mean that it has less utility. Some small shelving units can be perfect for storing toiletries and towels, or can be used in a living room to store books and remotes. It’s a practical solution that doesn’t sacrifice style.

Some items, though, are meant to be stored inside of drawers, so having tons of shelves or open storage won’t really work out. And, as we all know, our drawer space gets eaten up very quickly! Everyone seems to have a ‘junk drawer’, where we throw everything that we’re not sure where to put. Getting some furniture that has a mix of cabinets and drawers solves this issue well, where you have more space to accommodate everything you need to store. There’s a lot to choose from, so matching your own personal decor style is easy - and there’s a lot of them that don’t have a massive price tag. 

There’s a new trend everyday it seems, but one that’s lasted the test of time is minimalism. It’s more of a mindset than a style, but its practicality speaks for itself. It’s helped popularize multi-purpose furniture. A really common example are hollow footstools, serving two functions: storage and comfort. There’s so much to choose from, and each serve at least two functions. There are desks that double as a fold-out bed, beds with drawers and storage built into its base, even chairs with shelves built in. The point behind each of these pieces is that they’re focused on functionality, without sacrificing style. You can save cash by buying one item that’s really two or three in one, and save a lot of space while doing it.

Keeping with the minimalist perspective, one of the most practical, cheapest solutions is just to purge the things that you don’t need or use. For some of us, it can be one of the hardest things to do, but letting things go will only benefit you. The less clutter you have, the more open and relaxing your home will feel. It’ll allow you to give your house a consistent theme, with decor that matches from room to room, making your house feel more like a home. These things don’t always have to end up in the trash though: there are many places where you can donate your unused items to those in need, like Goodwill, or some items can be recycled for future use. Putting some thought into your purging can be a win-win for everyone!

New year’s resolutions can be tough to keep to. Hopefully this will spurn you onward to holding to it, if you want to de-clutter and create more space in your home, and it’ll only be a blessing to you and your family. Here’s to a spacious 2018! 

Five Ways to Affordably Update Your Home

It doesn't take a ton of money to make an impact! As an interior design shop, we often hear from customers who long to make a drastic change in their living or dining areas, but have a limited budget. We try to be a place in our community that offers affordable and functional design elements, and although we carry large pieces of furniture, we also carry smaller, budget-friendly items that can really update your home. We wanted to share five versatile and inexpensive ways to make your home feel more cozy and welcoming:



Doormat or rug:

A large area rug will definitely be an investment piece, but a smaller rug or sisal doormat can really bring a space to life! We love fun, statement doormats, because they are often one of the first things a visitor sees when they arrive at your home or office. If you're looking for an indoor rug, we recommend a textured style in a neutral tone, so you can move it around your house depending on how you change your decor! This "Let's Stay Home" one has been a very popular choice in our shop, because it matches anything from farmhouse style to a more modern feel.

Wreaths: 
We are big fans of greenery in just about any form, but especially in a wreath! The classic magnolia leaf wreath looks great in a farmhouse or minimalist style home, and can be layered as shown with another wall piece like a window-frame or door. We have been looped them around candles or wooden crates for a tablescape that will welcome any guests! They can also be used for multiple holidays (try weaving mini LED lights inside for Christmas!), making them a versatile purchase.

Signs:
If a large sign is out of your price range right now, consider purchasing a smaller-scaled sign with a wooden frame. It is a very budget-friendly way to add character to bookshelves, above your sink, or in little nooks like next to your coffee maker. Whether you choose something with humor, or a classic quote or scripture, make sure it's something meaningful, and it'll be the best value for your money. If you're not sure which one to choose, a simple one that says "Farmhouse" or "Home" will be able to be used for years to come.

Pillows: One of our favorite ways to add charm, warmth, and pattern/texture to your decor. A pillow is a small investment, which means
you can afford more volume and quantity, and you can layer them on couches and beds. It also means that if you change your style up in a year (or a few months, for those of us who change our minds often :)), a pillow can be re-covered or moved to another room. We always have multiple styles in our shop, and rotate our stock frequently, so you'll be sure to find something that will work in your home.

Tea Towels: Searching for a gift for a friend that is affordable? Not only are these a way to add fun and personality to your own kitchen, they are also a gift that just about anyone would love. We have many different designs in stock, and yes, they are washable, which means they are practical, too.

If you're looking for something specific, you can always ask one of our shop employees to help! They love helping you search for what you're looking for! Visit us at 305 Bartlett Street in Medford anytime!