This week we will build on last week’s blog post “Country Carpenter: Country & Primitive Furniture” with a short interview with the owners: Barry and Kay Bennecoff.
How did you begin making primitive furniture?
I have been building furniture for approximately 25 years. I am a fourth generation carpenter. My wife Kay loves colonial and country and primitive style furniture and I started making her dreams into a reality for her.
Why Old Village Paint?
We started out staining our furniture and then with the help of “Early American Life” we wanted to use milk paint. Kay planned a trip to Sturbridge, Mass. and we found a shop up there that carried Old Village Buttermilk Paint. We enjoyed Old Sturbridge Village one day (we love going to the village) and then the next day we went to the shop. We found the paint and bought some quarts and we were very happy shoppers.
When we read the label on the back, we realized we did not have to come to Mass. to find this paint. It was manufactured right here in good old PA in Fort Washington. This was wonderful. We were fortunate to meet Mr. Stulb at a designer show in King of Prussia. He was delightful and very happy to talk to us about his wonderful paint. He was very happy to hear our story of how we began using his paint and was accomodating to us to make us a dealer. We have enjoyed using this paint on our furniture and have gone on to using it in many different ways with our furniture. Over the past several years, I have spoken with Laney and she like her Dad is just a great person. She cares about her customers.
I enjoy working with people and getting their input when we are working together to make a one of a kind piece of furniture for them. My style leans toward old New England style of primitive/farm style. I enjoy making working hutches for kitchens and designing pantries. I enjoy mixing modern conveniences in old style cabinets, corner cabinets, etc. Bathroom vanities and medicine cabinets are other favorite pieces to do. The colors of Old Village paint only enhance what I do. My wife Kay loves painting with Old Village and replicating finishes that have that just right “patina” She most recently discovered goopy paint (Laney told her about it) and WoW! She loved the look!
Thanks Barry and Kay for sharing part of your story with us! You make some beautiful items! You can see more of their work on their Facebook page, just click here.
I have lived a long time and am convinced that God governs in the affairs of men. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? I move that prayer imploring the assistance of Heaven be held every morning before we proceed to business.- Benjamin Franklin
Old Village Paint 
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