Refinished and Refreshed
Bluegrass Designs by Diana
Gwen Akers
The Ashland Beacon
Diana Daniels is breathing new life into the beautiful mid-century furniture of our area and creating refreshing pieces that enhance homes across the state.
It all began 30 years ago when Daniels and her mother were in need of a new mattress and ended up buying not only a new mattress but several pieces of furniture from their next-door neighbor. Daniels, unsure of what to do with these extra pieces, began experimenting with refinishing and refreshing these lovely items. It wasn’t until the pandemic hit, however, that Daniels dove headfirst into learning the art of furniture refinishing.
“This was probably before YouTube and the internet and all that good stuff, so I just winged it and refinished it [her first set of furniture]. I think I did it all by hand. I didn't even use the sander. I didn't even know to do that,” Daniels recalled about her first attempt at furniture refinishing.
What started with watching videos on YouTube soon grew into a full-fledged business for Daniels, who now uses her garage as her workshop during the winter months. Whether it’s repainting, refinishing wood, restoration work, reworking furniture, or adding charming details, Daniels began the process of teaching herself a skill that has continued to serve her well.
After completing her first set of furniture, Daniels began searching for pieces that needed just a little TLC. She found her first coffee table on the side of the road, refinished the wood, and sold it on Facebook Marketplace within just a few days. After that, Daniels was hooked, and the online storefront for Bluegrass Designs was born.
Daniels looks for a certain character in the pieces she works with, paying attention to and restoring the solid wood designs of mid-century furniture, opting for restoration over overhaul.
“You can't go to Walmart and get solid wood furniture, so I like taking those and refinishing them,” Daniels explained. “If I can save it [the original wood and design of the piece] somehow, I will try to always do that first.”
Working as a pharmacist at Daniels’ Pharmacy in Flatwoods, Daniels’ furniture work is truly a labor of love. She sources her pieces from yard sales, estate sales, second-hand stores, and sometimes even the side of the road—always keeping a keen eye out for furniture in need of a refresh and a touch of artistry.
Since starting her online storefront, Daniels has also begun selling her furniture at the Peddlers Mall in Morehead, KY, as well as accepting customization orders from the surrounding areas. Recently, Daniels has even experimented with furniture transformation, taking the solid bones of certain pieces and upcycling them into new functions. Whether it’s turning a mid-century dresser into a TV stand or restoring the wood and adding transfers to old jewelry boxes, Daniels has an eye for seeing potential in a piece of furniture and turning it into a reality.
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