Owners aim to offer decor at affordable prices

As a child, Austin native Diane Schnurr was mystified by the beauty of architecture and antique furnishings. That muse led her to start a business with her family that specializes in vintage furniture restoration.

A House & A Tree sells vintage furniture items such as picture frames, stools, dressers, armoires, chairs, light fixtures, benches and tables. Diane and her husband, Steve, started their business on the road in 1999, traveling and selling their items at markets throughout Texas for nine years.

The Schnurrs opened their first storefront on Burnet Road in 2013. They moved five months later to Northwest Austin, where the business relocated to a house surrounded by large trees at 9416 Anderson Mill Road in the former location of Time Masters. Diane said the new location brings character and more visibility to the shop.

"It felt like home as soon as we were here," Diane said. "It's so great to be part of a community."

Diane and her daughter Ericka refurbish furniture to add a rustic look by sanding, stenciling and painting each item until they feel it is ready for retail. The artistic process takes about two days to two weeks on average, depending on the size and condition of the item, Ericka said.

Inspiration for the Schnurrs to revitalize old furniture comes from the shapes and smells of everyday items, and color compositions and vintage architecture in magazines. Diane and Ericka hunt for furniture at garage sales, flea markets and estate sales throughout Texas at least once a month to find items for the store.

"Our first love really is the furniture," Diane said. "Just the connection that we have [with them], the character and story that pieces have that they come with, the quality and then how they can be transformed and saved."

Although restoring furniture can be a lengthy process, Diane said she and Ericka strive to offer affordable prices for their customers.

"We do have to work really hard to find quality pieces that are affordable," Diane said. "... We want to be affordable, where people [say], 'Look at this great thing I got, and I love what I paid for it.'"

A House & A Tree also sells items made by Steve, who creates furniture with reclaimed wood that comes from items such as old cabinets, shelves, barns and garages.

The store carries Maison Blanche Co. vintage furniture paint and hosts workshops to teach people how to finish their own furniture. The store also offers small gift items made by Texas artisans, such as cards, jewelry and lotions.

Diane said she and Ericka help customers find a vision for their homes and to get rid of furniture that they do not love.

"Your home is what should feel good when you walk through the door," Diane said.

Anniversary party

A House & A Tree celebrates the first anniversary of its storefront in March and is hosting a party to mark the occasion.

• When: March 1
• Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Activities include: Refreshments, a drawing for gift certificates to the shop and a painting demonstration to highlight specialty products and stencils for restoring furniture

Furniture makeover

At A House & A Tree, Diane and Ericka Schnurr encourage customers to experiment with refurbishing their own furniture. Below are some of Diane and Ericka's tips for preparing to paint and restore furniture.

• Choose a no-prep paint, or paint that does not require sanding or stripping of the furniture's surface, such as Maison Blanche Co. furniture paint.
• Clean the furniture, remove all hardware and make any necessary repairs.
• Gather supplies including a drop cloth, wood blocks on which to set the furniture for painting, a paint opener, stir stick, small container in which to pour paint, paint brushes and paper towels, both dry and wet.
• Stir the paint if it has been sitting a while, or shake well if used recently.
• Apply two light coats of paint onto the furniture.
• Finish the piece with wax or varnish, according to instructions on the can of paint.

A House & A Tree, 9416 Anderson Mill Road 512-565-8073 www.ahouseandatree.com Hours: Tue.–Fri. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., closed Sun.–Mon.