Watermarks–Marcia Hummel
A closer look at Barron Lake residents.
Turning an outdated piece of furniture into an updated work of art takes a lot of creativity, a lot of work and a lot of patience. While most may not be up to the task, there is a Barron Lake resident who is—and her finished pieces truly are a work of art.
Marcia Hummel, who moved onto the lake in 2019, also started painting that year. In just a few short years she has dozens of updated finished pieces to her credit.
“I had an old historical big home, about 160 years old on five acres in South Bend. As I got older, we wanted to downsize. My house was full of antiques because at the time I owned a home décor shop with antiques, florals and gifts and that period suited the house. When we moved to the lake all that stuff just didn’t work. Here I have this mid-century home and I had to do some things on a budget. That’s when I started bringing things up to date to be focal points when you enter the room,” Marcia said.
It was around this time that chalk painting was becoming more popular, so Marcia started using this medium to change the look of the furniture. “It was also my way to save good furniture that nobody wanted because it was outdated. I did it because at that time it suited my personal needs and then I got hooked.”
Marcia uses various techniques to achieve the results she’s looking for, including blending the paint. “Most painters don’t do it because it’s a difficult process to learn,” she said.
“I blend colors like maybe from light to dark and the shading gives the piece depth. Plus, I’ll use some transfers. I just I kind of just let my imagination go wild.
Hours of work goes into crafting each piece. Some pieces need to be completely stripped while others just need sanding. Then there is the painting, and several coats of polyurethane to preserve the design as well as the wood.
Living on the Barron Lake does give Marcia inspiration. The views, the sunsets, the water—it all inspires some of her creativity and her retirement allows her some freedom to “play.” “Until we moved to the lake, I really didn’t have the time to play—when I paint it’s my play,” she said.
Marcia spent 16 years in education and then opened Lavender Lilacs and Old Lace in Mishawaka before going into sales prior to her retirement. She also had worked with two builders in South Bend in the Panorama of Homes decorating homes for the public tours. “That’s when I learned you really need something in every room that is a focal point—something different, something that pulls in the character of your home,” she said.
For Marcia, it’s the painted updated furnishing that really stand out in her home. But she doesn’t always do the painting just for her house. Some of her work is available at Restyled Furnishings in Granger and she can also do customized work for people who have their own piece of furniture.
Now, being back at Barron Lake really feels like home for Marcia.
“I grew up in South Bend and when I was a teenager we used to come up to Barron Lake to hang out at the beach. When we decided to downsize we knew we wanted to be on water and near family, so we decided on Barron Lake. It’s kind of funny that I was here as a kid, and now ended up back here,” she said.
As told by Marcia Hummel. Written by Jodi Marneris for Barron Lake Association.
June 2024
