Last weekend I went thrift store shopping for Southern Vintage Table and came across two beautiful vintage doors.  They were narrow and had three small windows in the upper half – just charming and I thought they would be perfect as a prop after painting and distressing.  I was trying to decide if I should go with a light blue or an antique white when I thought – oh no, I wonder if they have lead paint on them. Suddenly, I was the one who was getting distressed because I knew they probably did.

I stopped by the hardware store and picked up a lead paint test kit, hoping that it wouldn’t be.  Got home, unloaded the doors, read the directions on the kit and tested them.  Bam – the tester turned bright pink which meant they had lead paint.  As I said, I was very distressed.  After researching how to remove lead paint, I decided to call on an expert.  Found out it would cost way more than I could afford for two prop doors.  Oh, well…

I figured this was another valuable learning experience and posted them on Facebook.  Within 30 minutes someone wanted them, even knowing they had lead paint. I was pleased because they needed to be saved and restored.  Lesson learned  – take a lead paint tester with me and check before I buy them!

Not all was lost on that shopping day. I did find two vintage china plates, a vintage berry bowl and a vintage table runner.   Only one of each but that’s part of the fun of thrift store shopping!

These and other beautiful vintage china and accessories are available for rental at Southern Vintage Table!

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