If we paint it, that means the piece needs paint to be used functionally in the home or workspace. We respect the craftsmanship of the past, which means that we do our best to find diamonds in the rough - currently lumps of coal - and turn them into something useful and beautiful again. That is what we do in all areas at the farmhouse - we look for useful old things to reuse and renew in the modern era. (Or as the cool kids say, "upcycling")