The Empty Nest

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Attleboro, MA
The Empty Nest

Putting my background and love for interior design to work by refinishing and repurposing furniture. Currently accepting custom order requests.

Putting my background and love for interior design to work by refinishing and repurposing furniture in my "empty nest." With my boys now graduated, it's time to use my creative flair to reinvent items to give them wings to fly.
- Lisa Walker, The Empty Nest

Currently accepting custom order requests for painted and refinished furniture. Located in Attleboro, Massachusetts.

10/06/2026

BEFORE & AFTER ALERT!

After a brief hiatus, I’m back to doing what I love — giving beautiful old furniture a fresh new life.

This piece had so much charm and character, I wanted to highlight it rather than hide it. I chose Wellington by Fusion Mineral Paint, a rich hunter green that feels classic but still makes a statement.

The carved details were lightly distressed to reveal hints of the original wood underneath, adding depth and dimension. The top was sanded and refinished to give it a beautiful, elevated finish.

I also reimagined the original hardware by adding a simple backplate and refreshing the finish in antique brass. And because it’s always the little details that make a piece special, the dovetail drawers were lined with coordinating fabric.

Once a well-loved piece, she has been completely transformed and now has a timeless, elegant feel.

Approximate overall dimensions: 45”W x 22”D x 35.5”H

Available for preview and sale in Attleboro.
MATCHING TALL DRESSER AVAILABLE FOR REFINISHING
Please message me for additional details.

05/31/2026

BEFORE AND AFTER ALERT
This solid maple beauty has great bones, plenty of character, but just needed the right update to bring her back to life. I knew I wanted navy, but she couldn't be too blue, not too bright, and definitely not one of those “surprise, I’m actually purple.” So, I played around with a few paints from my stash until I landed on the perfect shade: a soft, moody dusty navy with the prettiest gray undertone…exactly what I had in mind.

Then came the finishing touches: an antique ebony glaze over the entire piece to protect it, deepen the color, and add that rich aged character that makes a piece feel like it’s always belonged.
The hardware got an upgrade too with farmhouse-inspired antique brass pulls and k***s, the drawers were lined with coordinating fabric for a little extra charm, and the interior was refreshed with a removable shelf.

There’s something special about giving a quality piece a second chance. This one feels fresh, classic, and ready to be loved all over again.

Approximate overall measurements: 50"Wx18"Dx30.5"H
Available for preview and sale in Attleboro. Please message me for additional details.

05/11/2026

A CLASSIC PIECE WITH A BRAND NEW STORY

These nightstands/end tables started out as a full-sized vintage vanity that had clearly seen decades of daily use. While it still had great bones, its size and layout wasn't very practical. So instead of trying to force it to work as-is, I gave it a fresh start with a whole new purpose.

I have a soft spot for pieces like this, ones that don’t just need a facelift, but a whole new identity. After the piece was carefully separated and the necessary repairs were made, I hit the real crisis: choosing a color. After going back and forth more times than I’d like to admit, I landed on a rich olive green—Bayberry by Fusion Mineral Paint—and honestly, no regrets. A black antiquing glaze followed to add depth, character as well as protection.

The tops? Let’s just say they had stories. Too many to sand away for a perfect stained finish, so instead of fighting it, I leaned in using a painting technique to mimic a soft wood grain look. Same trick on the front legs because every piece deserves a "sexy leg." HA!

Now, about those k***s… they did not want to leave! We had a bit of a standoff (they lost), and in their place went some vintage hardware from my secret stash, refreshed in a pretty antique brass finish. The drawers got a little surprise too, lined with vintage-inspired fabric that ties everything together like a well-planned outfit.

And just like that, what was once a single oversized vanity is now a pair of stylish, functional pieces ready for their next chapter.

Available for preview and purchase in Attleboro. Approximate overall dimensions: 30"H x 12.5"W x 19"D. Message me for details.

05/08/2026

Custom order opportunity. It’s her turn! Time for a makeover for this solid vintage beauty. Message me for details!

05/05/2026

The rabbits have officially staged a hostile takeover of my yard. So naturally, I have declared war…

Enter one $10 Facebook Marketplace dresser with the perfect vintage vibe to become my newest garden experiment. The base color was already doing half the work, and those cute little details? Sold at first sight!

I grabbed my go-to milk paint—Sea Glass by Shackteau Interiors —and got to work chasing that perfectly imperfect vintage chippy look. But first, outdoor survival mode: drawers lined with heavy plastic, drainage holes everywhere and a little surgery on the top so those adorable upper drawers could have their main character moment. Then I swapped out the hardware for some wooden k***s from my secret stash.

After painting and distressing, I sealed the whole piece with marine varnish—because apparently this dresser is now prepared to survive both rainstorms and open water. It came out shinier than I wanted, so I toned it down with steel wool until it calmed down.

Then I bravely visited Briggs Nursery and immediately got overwhelmed, so many choices! But somehow, she came together beautifully, and I’m mildly obsessed. If the plants survive, I’ll transplant some in the fall. If the dresser disintegrates into a soggy pile of regret? Honestly, still worth it. The rabbits are confused, I had fun, and for now…I’m winning. Well maybe not so much. HA!

04/22/2026

Getting ready to tackle these cuties. Pieces separated from vintage vanity. Custom order opportunity if anyone is looking for a pair of narrow nightstands/end tables. Message me for details.

04/20/2026

CUSTOM ORDER | BEFORE & AFTER

Two more beauties wrapped up for my “VIP." They belonged to her mom, so this wasn’t just a project, it was a mission to bring them back to life with all the love they deserved.

When I first saw them, I’m not even kidding, I hugged them. The hardware? Stunning. The details? Chef’s kiss. The condition? We don’t talk about that part right away. Once I pulled myself together, I realized we were missing some decorative pieces and these girls had clearly lived a full life. So, out came the molds, the repairs, and a whole lot of "we've got this" moments.

Then came primer and ohhhh yes, we had a BLEEDER. And not just a little one, this thing bled like it was in a horror movie. BIN Primer? Bled. Varnish? Still bled. At one point I think it was personally testing my will to go on. But we don’t quit around here!

And just like that, the horror show stepped aside and the beauty took center stage.

Both pieces got a fresh new life in Fusion Mineral Paint Casement with a soft white wax for that perfect matte finish. The tops? Whole different story. Between the red undertones and mismatched wood, I had to channel my inner mad scientist layering General Finishes stains until we landed on a rich, warm brown that made everything come together beautifully.

And the hardware? Cleaned, gilded, and glowing in antique brass like it knew it was the star all along. Lastly, because the inside matters too, each drawer was refreshed to keep that gorgeous, original wood finish.

These dressers have officially gone from “seen better days” to “excuse me, who is she?!” Strong, stunning, and ready for their next chapter just like the story behind them.

Message me to start your custom refinishing project or visit my website at www.emptnestbylw.com/custom-orders.

04/04/2026

CUSTOM ORDER | BEFORE & AFTER

When one of my "VIP" clients, as I affectionally have named her, reaches out and says, “I have a sentimental piece that needs some love”… you jump right on it and schedule a home visit.

This time, it was the sweetest little secretary desk—full of charm, but definitely in need of makeover. Once I got her back to the workshop, it became clear… those legs had lived a long life 😅 So, I gave her a fresh new set—and honestly, best decision ever. She somehow got even cuter!

I finished her in a bright, classic white with light distressing to blend beautifully with other pieces I have finished for my VIP. Then came the fun part—new hardware (even the keyhole from my secret stash), fabric-lined drawers, and a refreshed interior that truly brought her back to life.

And now?
She’s no longer sitting quietly in the corner… She’s the star of the room.

I absolutely love helping clients breathe new life into pieces that mean something to them. If you’ve got a furniture piece with good bones (and a great story), let’s make it shine again!

📩 Message me to start your custom refinishing project or visit my website at www.emptynestbylw.com/custom-orders.

03/25/2026

CUSTOM ORDER BEFORE AND AFTER

This rustic pine cabinet was originally used as a storage container back in the day. Oh how I love rustic pine pieces! Though my client’s current décor does not suit the light pine wood finish. Her décor leans more towards bold colors and moody pieces. So, when she saw one of my recent projects in the navy blue/black glaze finish, she thought it would be the perfect pop this piece deserved in her space. I am not going to lie, I was hesitant to paint this piece, but when I learned she really wanted to keep the rustic charm, I was all in. I have to say, with the black antiquing glaze accenting all of her imperfections, it really works. This piece is going to be a serving station/bar area for entertaining, which is just perfect! No more looking out of place, she is now the star of the show!

Transformation steps:

🌷Prep included light sanding, minor patching and priming.
🌷Painting, antiquing glaze and protection.
🌷Key hole plate and hinges were stripped (so much fun) and refinished in a worn antique brass finish.

If you have a piece that is looking for a new “look” and not sure what finishes to choose, let’s chat. Please message me or visit my website at www.emptynestbylw.com/custom-orders. Spring is the perfect time to give new life to a piece.

03/22/2026

CUSTOM ORDER • BEFORE & AFTER

I’m not saying I had doubts when I first saw this set… but I definitely gave it a long stare and thought, “Alright, we’re going to need a plan.” 😄

The border on every inch of these pieces gave me pause, a long pause. It really could have been an absolute nightmare, but since I am a prep fanatic, it became a dream come true. And, I CAN'T STOP STARTING AT THIS SET! The transformation is CRAZY!

The rich navy finish with a soft antiquing glaze added the perfect amount of dimension — and the antique brass hardware added just enough polish without trying too hard.

This project is proof that sometimes the pieces that make you hesitate at first… end up being the ones you’re most proud of.

And honestly? I don’t blame my clients one bit for holding onto this set. Solid furniture like this deserves a second life.

Have a piece you’ve been holding onto but have no idea what to do with it? Let’s turn it into something you can’t stop looking at. Message me for more information or visit my website at www.emptynestbylw.com/custom-orders

Address

Attleboro, MA
02703

Website

http://www.emptynestbylw.com/

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