Susan’s Vintage Designs

02/19/2026

A year ago my sweet friend Sara bought her first home, and I knew I wanted to make her something meaningful for it. She once sent me a random screenshot of a DIY dog-leash holder (screenshot in this post) and that was all the inspiration I needed. 🐾

Meet Finnigan (the sweetest golden retriever) and Bristol (the cuddliest brindle rescue). I hand-cut their silhouettes from pine, painted them in a modern style with acrylics, and built a reeded tongue-and-groove back panel with a walnut-stained frame—mitered corners and all, because every detail counts for me. Even the hooks are customized: brushed brass for Finnigan, matte black for Bristol.

Bristol’s fur marking secretly stole the show though… it looks like an upside-down wishbone—or maybe even Florida if you tilt your head. 😂

I’m completely obsessed with how this turned out and can’t wait to hang it on her wall. 🤍🐾🖼️

02/18/2026

02/18/2026

One of my favorite things about living in Atlantic Beach (besides the ocean 🌊) is the treasure hidden in plain sight: discarded wood, old fence panels, scraps from renovations... Beauty hides in unexpected places. 💙🩵💚

When I was invited to create a piece for V for Victory, Mom and I did what we do best: we went scavenging!

Driving down Ocean Avenue, Mom suddenly said, “Stop! I see some wood!” And there it was: a pile of old tongue-and-groove heart pine paneling, rich with history and that unmistakable old-wood scent, discarded from one of AB’s old historic beach cottages.

That reclaimed wood became this octopus who was hand-cut with a jigsaw, sanded smooth, and painted using acrylics. The heart pine was sealed with an oil-based primer to prevent tannin bleed-through, layered with white chalk paint, then distressed to reveal the grain, knots, and imperfections that tell its story. A clear matte topcoat finished it off.

Living at the beach and my love for sea life inspired this design, but the soul of this artwork comes from the journey, the materials, and the belief that even discarded things can be transformed into something meaningful.

On Sunday night at the silent auction, the piece sold for $175, with every dollar supporting V for Victory and the incredible families they serve.

Art with a story. Wood with a past. Purpose in every layer.

Thank you to everyone who bid, supported, and believes in giving old things a new life. 🐙

09/29/2025

Three skulls, three journeys.💀

I built each skull with tongue-and-groove pine, wood glue, lots of nails, a jigsaw… and a whole lot of love.

Bob was the original, keeping Tim and me company at home. Bob Jr., with his black backing, made his debut at the LLS golf tournament where a raffle led him to Nancy, who adored him at first site. Pete got a new twist: open eyes, nose, and mouth, black-painted edges, and a shimmering finish. He glittered his way home with Brad & Katie this weekend.

Three skulls, three stories, endless character. 💀🖤✨

07/21/2025

Another trash-to-treasure moment when I snagges a pile of old fence panels headed for the dump and turned them into something with a little soul.

My latest reclaimed piece is an evil eye: made for a friend who just moved nearby and loves this symbol of protection.

Across cultures, the evil eye is believed to guard against negativity and envy, acting as a spiritual shield. Felt like the perfect housewarming gift with a little extra energy behind it.

♻️💙👁️

09/25/2024

Before and after!

Two nights of rehabbing this little beauty paid off!

First, I had to repair its one foot as it was missing a big chunk of wood (Bondo to the rescue), glue and clamp some cracked wood, Bondo a hole someone had drilled into the back and fix some veneer. Then I sanded profusely, then coated with oil-based primer. I went back old-school and used a high-end latex paint (vs. chalkpaint) in Ben Moore Chantilly Lace (mom wanted white) sanding in between coats with 600-grit sandpaper for a flawless, smooth finish.

One of the nicest surprises though were the pulls… a little brasso and some scrubbing with a toothbrush and they shined up like new. ✨

I also love the little side pull-out shelves, a fun feature. They really don’t make furniture like they used to. And I can’t wait to see this in mom’s new space!

Incidentally, Drexel is a pretty high-end name and I found this exact nightstand online (in pristine condition, of course) for $480 - $585. My price was the best: free.

♻️

10/31/2022

Hope to see you there!

10/21/2022

My latest batch of reclaimed art! 🦈🐢🐠🦎🌊

08/21/2022

What started as an old pallet, I turned into this large-scale piece of Florida art for our good friends who moved to Florida from Michigan with their beloved dog, a feisty, adorable dachshund named Duke.

Duke denotes Jacksonville, their new forever home.

I custom mixed chalk-paint in various blues, grays, and white, then distressed. I painted the edges this pretty aqua for a pop of color. Duke is stenciled in navy.

This piece is ginormous at around 5’ x 6’ or thereabouts and will hang in their dining room.

💙🐾🤍🌊

02/09/2022