The last time you tried repainting an old piece of furniture, Benjamin Moore found crevices you never knew you had.

Some stuff is better left to the experts at Chic Antique, a tiny new Lakeview shop owned by interior designer Crystal Blackshaw. Via estate sales, Craigslist, and old-fashioned scouting, she scoops up everything from art deco bureaus to antique credenzas, then revamps with her modern look.

She’s excellent at mixed-media pieces, using unlikely elements like faux snakeskin or fabric. We love the geometric wicker chair and the bright red fleur-de-lis entrance table. Blackshaw prefers leaving vintage hardware intact but will replace knobs when necessary and always seals the tops with glass.

Make an appointment to drop by the store and browse what’s on hand. She happily does custom work, too.

Chic Antique, 3435 North Broadway, at Hawthorne Place (773-857-2695 or chicantiquechicago.com).

Photo: Courtesy of Chic Antique

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