Meet Karen Gibson | Furniture Refinisher & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karen Gibson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karen, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Growing up in the 80’s, in a suburb of Chicago, I enjoyed a certain level of independence and autonomy. I had 5 siblings and we quickly learned to do most of what we wanted or needed for ourselves. My parents were busy with work and family activities, but in their free time fixed up our home room by room—before it was even cool to DIY! I grew up learning how to handle power tools, spackle drywall and paint. Being self-sufficient at an early age and learning how to change my surroundings stuck with me into adulthood. I’ve never let fear of the unknown stand in my way.

Today, my passion for creating beautifully reimagined furniture and my desire to create a more sustainable way of life is in direct harmony with a past that taught me that it’s necessary (and ok!) to try new things, make mistakes and problem solve.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I started painting furniture I loved the physical nature of the work. My body was so happy to move, and working with my hands brought me back in touch with a creative part of my soul that had long been neglected. I discovered I could take old stuff that’s basically headed for the trash, fix it up and make it pretty. It’s such a magical feeling! At that point in life I was really in the thick of raising young kids, and felt very lost… I needed something that was mine. A way to get back in touch with me. Not the me I was before, because that person was gone, but the new me—the one buried beneath to-do lists, playdates, diapers and a mountain of emotional labor.

I started my business in 2020 and from the beginning I knew I wanted to create furniture that was art. I was so inspired by other artists that were pushing the boundaries of design. The individual nature of each piece really spoke to me, and I let the furniture dictate the design. Many artists pick a look and specialize in it, but I don’t have any one particular style, I let the piece tell me what it wants to be. And it always does! This approach is really the core of who we are. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, we go where inspiration takes us.

Today our business is mainly word-of-mouth and referrals. We have a lot of repeat clients and my partner and I have gained respect for our skill as well as the bespoke looks we create. We still do this as a side-gig, so balancing jobs, family-life, and personal time can be difficult, but we enjoy the process and find the rewards outweigh the challenges.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Madison is such a unique and vibrant city! It’s nestled between two lakes, so lake life is only minutes away. There are beaches, trails, bike paths, and gorgeous parks all within 30 minutes of each other. I live on the west side of the city, and love the easy pace of life here. As an outdoor enthusiast, I’m thrilled that we’re surrounded by so many amazing places to enjoy nature, no matter what the season! As a family we hike, bike, walk, ice-skate, SUP, swim and canoe, and living in Madison makes all that easy!

A perfect week would combine some of our favorite outdoor spots with great food, a little entertainment, and some unique to Madison adventures. Our favorite breakfast spots are Marigold, Yola’s Cafe, Hubbard Street Diner, Lazy Jane’s Cafe, La Brioche, and Greenbush for donuts! For fun we ‘ll go to the famous Farmer’s Market on Capitol Square, rent paddleboards on Lake Wingra, hike the UW Arboretum, and explore the shops on State Street. Browsing thrift stores is also a must because I’m always on the hunt for a deal, and who doesn’t love an afternoon antiquing!

Madison is a huge biking city—we have more bikes than cars here, so a few hours on one of the many bike trails, followed by ice cream at Chocolate Shoppe is a must! Another hidden gem on the west side is Owen Conservation Park, where you can hike prairie and forested areas, plus get up close with wild turkey, deer, birds and native plants. For an absolutely amazing day trip we’d drive an hour to Devil’s Lake State Park, hike the bluffs then relax on the beach. Hitting the Merrimac Ferry on the way home is a great way to see Lake Wisconsin and there’s optional ice cream at the end of the ferry ride!

After all that outdoor adventuring we’d want to get cleaned up and go out for a fancy dinner. Madison is such a foodie town, there really are too many great dinner spots to name them all, but here are some favorites… Sardine, Graze, Mint Mark, Everly and Eno Vino! We also love Cafe Hollander and Forage Kitchen for a more casual vibe.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The journey to becoming a furniture refinisher and artist happened slowly and organically. I had kids and a home and because our budget didn’t allow for new stuff, I started painting what we had to make our space more beautiful. It wasn’t until I found the vast online community of furniture painters and refinishers that I was able to teach myself how to repair furniture and bring old broken pieces back to life. My first shoutout goes to the OG painters who posted their tips and tricks and made it all seem possible! That knowledge is what gave me the confidence to create a business. Shortly after forming August Wren Furniture I found a friend who also became interested in painting and we partnered up locally. So a huge shoutout goes to Amy Irving for giving me someone to lean on and share all my crazy ideas with. Our friendship has been invaluable through the years! A final shoutout goes to my paint stockist, Cindy from @studio184, who’s mentorship and encouragement from the very beginning was instrumental in not only helping me learn new techniques, but also with business advice.

Instagram: @augustwrenfurniture – https://www.instagram.com/augustwrenfurniture/

Facebook: August Wren Furniture – https://www.facebook.com/augustwren.furniture.9