Bringing new life to old furniture

Times Reporter     

 

Do you have an old chair in your house that you know has potential, you just don’t know exactly how to bring it out? What about an old china cabinet, or buffet? Patricia Coone and Desiree Maerz, owners of New View Furniture, would love to help you with your project. The women love to find old ‘junk’ furniture – chairs, tables and so on – and give them new life. It’s something they are passionate about, and is a passion they hope to share and teach others. 

“A lot of people would rather say, ‘here you do it’ but I think when you take the time and have the patience and you show someone how to do it themselves I think is more inspiring. It is definitely inspiring me anyways,” said Coone. 

The women will often wander about town on Heavy Item Garbage day to see if anyone is tossing a gem away, like the walnut table and chairs they found one day.

“Our signature is we like to do bold things. Our idea with the zebra chair (pictured) is that you can put that in a room and change the atmosphere of the room with the throw pillows without having to repaint,” said Maerz. 

Not just any piece of furniture will do. 

“Something that doesn’t require a ton of repair. I can do repair but it’s just time consuming if you need to start doing major fix ups. Not everything is worth fixing up,” said Maerz about what works. 

“Something that has a good foundation to it,” said Coone. 

Coone’s goal with the business was to find something she is passionate about, that doesn’t take away from her family coming first. 

“Desiree challenged me on that dream, and with her confidence and skills, I am able to realize those dreams and still be a mom and wife,” said Coone. 

“It makes getting the house-work at night done more desirable knowing I can spend more time sanding pieces in the garage or inventing with Desiree.”

Both women were working on a new piece at the end of December. 

“I am working on a green chair that needs some re-upholstering and hope to tackle the other furniture that’s now piled in my garage. As with anything in life, finding a great foundation is the key to a good piece of furniture,” said Coone. 

Maerz was working on a small-stenciled dining room table, and a child’s IKEA chair that they had repainted and recovered with colouring book type fabric, and a set of nesting tables. The child’s chair has already sold. 

There’s something about working on furniture and recreating a piece that speaks to both of them women in a way they love. 

“I most love that at the end of the project I can say ‘I did that myself’ and I never bought it and know someone else won’t have the same design or color,” said Coone. 

“I also loved meeting people at the Home Hardware Ladies Night and the Christmas Farmer’s Market in November who love to do the same thing and even the stories some of these pieces have. Ultimately I love the relationships that it builds and I love working with Desiree.” 

“I get bored really, really fast, so waking up every day to a new challenge keeps me motivated,” said Maerz. 

“I’m also an artist, so painting is one of my favourite things to do. I’ve always been attracted to things that are asymmetrical and out of the ordinary. This world doesn’t need more brown furniture it needs bold and bright colours.”

The women are more than happy to consult with others recreating their own pieces, and encourage anyone with a question to give them a call at 403-324-3327 or message them on Facebook under New View Furniture.