Welcome to my website, Hen House Acres!
Here, you'll find me sharing some simple ways to refresh your furniture, the products that I love and use, and the most common problems that will give you issues.
With over two decades of experience in painting furniture, I’m excited to share my knowledge and expertise with you.
My goal is to show you the step-by-step process and making it as easy as possible.
It's so nice to meet you!
I'm Debbie.
Hey, there!
Back in April 2000, I decided to open my own brick & mortar antique and gift store after selling crafts thru booth spaces for several years.
Customers were always looking for furniture. So I started painting some of the pieces I had in the store that weren't selling. Lo and behold they sold right away after being painted a new color!
I went to auctions, yard sales, and flea markets to find more pieces. It was an easy way to upcycle some of the old furniture that no one would never even consider buying in the condition it was in.
And this was before I ever knew a thing about chalk paint or that it even existed.
How it all started
I believe that things should be simple and affordable, and I’m here to prove that you don’t have to break the bank to see beautiful results.
In each blog post, I always include a list of the products I use, showing that you don’t need the most expensive products out there.
My projects are simple enough that a complete beginner can follow along easily, and some can be finished within a few days.
Too often I see a piece of furniture that just needs some love and how paint will make it beautiful again.
I have found some of my best furniture pieces on the curb, at flea markets, or thrift stores. And even in a dumpster!
I also started painting furniture because it was a way to save money instead of buying new and the pieces already fit in my home.
I'm here to help you
wooden table
retro glass top table
Oak doll bench
Can You Guess What Happened To These?
"Where there's paint, there's potential. Just keep it simple."
Fun Facts About Me
My husband and I live in west central Illinois on 5.5 acres. We’ve been raising chickens for over 30 years and that’s where the name Hen House Acres comes from. Right now we have 14 chickens and 3 ducks, along with about 8 barn cats.
I also plant a huge garden each year and enjoy preserving what we grow. During summer we eat meals right from the garden. I’m an avid canner and love putting up jams, salsa, & other goodies for winter. You can find me weeding the garden early in the mornings.
My favorite hobby is junking or flea marketing for just about anything. I have a few favorite places that we frequent often.
Mocha Iced Coffee from Dunkin is my favorite drink. Sometimes ya just gotta go on a Dunkin run!
For over 20 years I ran my own cleaning business. I had many homes to clean along with a handful of businesses, including a bank, government office, and car dealership. All wonderful customers!
