Paint to Order is the question we get asked most — and the one that takes the longest to answer well, because it isn't really one service. It's a conversation between a piece's original construction, the finish you want, and how the two can meet in the middle. Here's what actually happens between "I love this piece" and it arriving in your color.
"The best Paint to Order results come from working with the piece, not against it — the wood underneath still shapes the outcome."
What Paint to Order actually means
Every piece we offer through Paint to Order starts as a genuine vintage find — solid wood construction, not veneer-over-particleboard, which matters because solid wood is what makes a quality repaint possible in the first place. You choose the piece, choose a color (from our palette or a custom match), and we handle the prep, priming, and finish work before it ships.
- You're not commissioning a build. You're recoloring an existing, structurally sound piece — the drawers, joinery, and hardware are already proven.
- Color is the variable, not the piece. The dresser, sideboard, or credenza itself stays exactly as sourced; only the finish changes.
- Timelines are real, not instant. Proper prep and cure time takes longer than people expect — rushing it is where paint jobs go wrong.
The process, step by step
1. Piece selection. You choose from current inventory tagged "Paint to Order eligible" — not every piece qualifies, since some finishes or veneers don't take repainting well.
2. Color consultation. Pick from our standard palette or send a reference (a paint chip, a fabric swatch, a photo of your room) for a custom match.
3. Prep and priming. This is the part that determines whether a paint job lasts ten years or two. Original finish is stripped or properly sanded, imperfections are addressed, and a bonding primer goes on before any color.
4. Painting and cure. Multiple thin coats rather than one heavy one, with full cure time between — this is what gives the finish its durability and depth rather than a flat, brushed-on look.
5. Hardware and final detail. Original hardware is cleaned and reinstalled (or upgraded, if you'd like), and the piece gets a final quality check before it ships.
What to expect on timeline and cost
Timeline. Paint to Order pieces typically take longer than an as-is purchase, since proper cure time can't be compressed. We'll always give you a specific window before you commit, rather than a vague estimate.
Cost. Paint to Order carries a premium over the as-is price of the same piece, reflecting the labor, materials, and time involved — not a flat add-on fee, since it varies by piece size and finish complexity.
Color accuracy. We'll confirm a color match before painting begins, especially for custom references — screens and lighting vary, so we'd rather double-check than repaint.
A note for designers sourcing for clients
Paint to Order is often the fastest way to get a specific vintage silhouette into a client's exact palette without waiting for the "right" piece to surface in the right color. If you're specifying for a project with a firm install date, loop us in early on timeline — proper prep and cure time is non-negotiable, but we can usually work around a deadline if we know it upfront.
Firebird Furniture offers Paint to Order on select vintage pieces, with both standard and custom color matching available.
