Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you're new to painted furniture, love it already, or just exploring the idea of giving a old piece a second life, you've come to the right place. I've gathered the most commonly asked questions to help guide you — but if you don't find what you're looking for, just reach out and I'll be happy to help!
Painted furniture isn’t just a fad — it’s more of a lasting decorating style that keeps coming back in different forms.
The ways people paint and style it shift over time, but the core idea stays popular because it’s practical, creative, and adaptable.
This trend is as much about self‑expression and creativity as it is about décor. It turns ordinary furniture into something unique and gives people a way to make their space feel more like them.
Yes! We are happy to work directly with you on designing and customizing an existing piece or a piece that we find together to match a particular style, color or design that you like.
This depends on things like type of furniture, how busy I am and how custom your request is, but generally speaking the process 1-3 weeks on average.
If you have time limitations, please let me know early in the process and I will do my best to meet your expectations.
Feel free to call us, email us or submit a Quote Request to get specifics!
The cost to have furniture painted by a professional artist or painter can vary a lot depending on things like:
how big the piece is (a small chair vs. a dresser or armoire),
how complex the design is (simple solid color vs. detailed artwork),
whether you want a custom artistic finish,
the artist’s experience. Less experienced furniture painters often charge much less because they are still learning. I have over 12 years of experience.
Costs can vary by design type, work required, and special requests such as repair, hardware selection, stenciling, wallpapered lined drawers or other design elements.
New basic furniture (Walmart, Target, etc.) is usually cheaper than hiring me to paint a piece. I only refinish pieces that of good/great quality. Furniture bought from big box stores are "fast furniture", meaning is not intended to last, but serve a need for a shorter period of time. Painting furniture
Typical furniture from national retailers (Raymour & Flanigan, Ashley Furniture.) is usually more expensive than having an older piece refinished. If this is your price point, refinishing your furniture is a great option! Furniture from these stores are not "cheap" but the quality doesn't justify the price, in my opinion. If you want something of quality with a reasonable price tag, refinish!
New furniture from higher end national retailers (Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, etc.) is usually much more expensive than having an older piece refinished. In many cases, an older piece - depending on its age and craftsmanship - may be even better quality (i.e. solid wood) than furniture mass produced today.
But if you want a unique, artistic piece that’s a work of art, expect to pay more for the artist’s time and creativity.
Chalk paint is a type of paint that has a very matte, chalky finish and is popular for giving furniture, walls, or décor a vintage, rustic, or shabby-chic look. It’s different from regular paint in a few ways:
Texture & Finish – Chalk paint dries to a soft, powdery, matte finish rather than glossy or satin. This gives a more old-fashioned, worn-in look.
Adhesion – It sticks to many surfaces (wood, metal, glass, fabric, even plastic) without much prep. Usually, you don’t need to sand or prime first.
Distressing & Layering – It’s easy to sand or rub off some areas after it dries to create a distressed, antique effect. You can also layer colors and blend them for a unique finish.
Sealing – Because it’s porous, chalk paint usually needs a protective topcoat, like wax or a clear sealer, to make it durable and washable.
Adding gold accents to your refinished furniture is a great way to enhance its "wow" factor. When applied to carved moldings, legs, or trim lines, it separates and defines the geometry of a piece creating dramatic three-dimensionality.
Here are the three typical options and the pros/cons of each:
Gilding wax: Is a soft paste wax blended with metallic pigment. It creates a warm, slightly muted, antique-feeling shimmer with a soft luster. It is moderately durable but can wear in high-touch areas and may need reapplication over time. The base price for this finish is approximately $25 for materials.
Metallic paint: Is an acrylic or oil-based paint with metallic or mica pigment in it. It creates a uniform, consistent sheen across the surface. It’s less vibrant and “alive” than gold leaf, but a very good alternative. Finishes range from satin to high-gloss depending on brand. It offers good durability and is more durable than wax in high-use areas and resists chipping better than gold leaf on flat surfaces. However, it is the least “authentic” among the three options. The base price for this finish is approximately $15 for materials.
Gold Leaf: Is extremely thin sheets of actual metal. Pricing and quality vary between true gold (24k, 22k, 18k) leaf and imitation gold. It offers the most luminous and authentic result. Gold is uniquely dynamic because it changes with the light — catching a warm glow in the morning, going deep amber in candlelight, brightening under direct sun. This makes furniture feel alive rather than static. No paint or stain can do this the way gold can! It has a slight texture and organic irregularity that reads as unmistakably luxurious. It offers a durable finish but keep in mind, imitation gold leaf can tarnish or flake with wear. Real gold leaf won't tarnish but it is costly (approximately a base price of $120 compared to $10 for imitation gold leaf). Real gold leaf pricing tracks with the gold commodity market, so it fluctuates. The amount needed to achieve the desired look will also impact the materials cost.
No.
I will reach out about 5-7 days before the start of your job to schedule a time to receive your furniture.
You may deliver it yourself, hire someone to deliver it for you, or utilize the services of our preferred vendor: Dashing Deliveries.
They are independent from Rabbit + The Oak and charge their own rates. We have been working with them exclusively for 3 years and trust their service and have negotiated the best possible rate on your behalf. (However, please feel free to shop for competitive rates.)
Please also contact us if you're interested in shipping the furniture. We do ship to the lower 48 states and exceptions can be considered for Alaska, Hawaii and Canada. Please check out our Shipping Policy for more detail.
I no longer house unfinished pieces. However, I am happy to help you shop Facebook Marketplace for the piece you are looking for!
Just give me the parameters and I'll go to work for you!
If my physical presence is needed (i.e. local antique store). There is a charge for my time. Please contact me directly to discuss further.
Chalk-painted furniture has a beautiful, matte, artistic look, but it’s softer than regular paint, so it needs care to preserve its beauty and protect it from everyday wear.
Here's some basic tips:
Clean gently
Use a soft, damp cloth for dusting.
Avoid abrasive scrubbers or harsh chemicals, which can scratch or remove paint.
For sticky spots, mild soap + water works, then dry immediately.
Prevent scratches and damage
Furniture pads: Felt pads under objects and on chair/table legs.
Coasters & placemats: Protect against water rings, heat, and spills.
Limit direct sunlight: UV rays can fade colors over time.
Use care
Don’t drag heavy objects across the surface.
Be mindful with kids or pets — chalk paint pieces are sealed and protected by the finish (wax or poly) but it still scratches more easily than factory finishes.
Maintain the finish
Waxed pieces: Reapply wax every few years, or sooner for high-use areas.
Sealed with polyurethane: Usually lasts years without touch-ups.
Distressed finishes: Distressed pieces are usually sealed with wax instead of poly because it's more conducive to the overall effect the owner wants in a distressed look. If that's the case, simply applying a new layer of wax is all you need to do. If it was finished with poly, it gets more tricky! This is the wax I use on all my pieces https://foxtrothome.com/collections/autentico-finishing-products-2/products/autentico-clear-wax-250ml
Also, if you have questions please feel free to contact us. We're happy to help!
No.
More Questions?
If there's a question you have about Rabbit + The Oak, my services, pricing or custom furniture design in general that I didn't answer, just contact me and we'll be happy to help!
