Vendor Spotlight:
For Suzanne Wismer, owner of Lazy Days and Sundays, the journey started a few years before retirement when she took a chalk painting class as a favor to a friend. Her friend moved on. Suzanne didn't.
"I was hooked."
Knowing retirement was on the horizon, Suzanne wanted something creative to fill her time. After more than 30 years in the medical field, she was ready for a new chapter. One that involved color, creativity, and the satisfaction of making something beautiful with her own hands.
That chapter officially began in 2019.
The name Lazy Days and Sundays came from the reality of building a business while still working full-time. Painting furniture became her escape, something she looked forward to on weekends and holidays. What started as a creative outlet soon became something much bigger.
At the heart of Suzanne's work is a passion for giving forgotten pieces a second chance.
She loves taking furniture that others might overlook and transforming it into something meaningful again. Whether a piece ends up with a vintage-inspired finish or a more modern look, the process begins with seeing possibilities where others see something destined for the landfill.
"I've always loved saving well-made furniture and reimagining it in a new way."
Her work is heavily influenced by the many furniture artists she has admired over the years. While she credits those makers for inspiring her journey, her own style has evolved around upcycling, repurposing, and creating pieces that work beautifully in smaller homes and spaces. Multifunctional furniture and unexpected uses for old pieces continue to inspire her designs.
Today, Lazy Days and Sundays focuses primarily on custom furniture work. Suzanne's pieces can be found in local shops including Rustic and Modern Collective and Knot Too Shabby, retailers who recognized her talent early in her business journey.
One of her favorite memories came from a Jacobean buffet she painted in deep navy with gold accents and a surprise pink interior. The piece was displayed on consignment at one of her first retail locations.
At the time, the shop owner admitted she had never sold a $1,000 furniture piece before but encouraged Suzanne to leave it in the store anyway.
A few weeks later, it sold.
"It was the shot in the arm that my new business needed."
Like many creative entrepreneurs, Suzanne's path hasn't been without challenges. Working from home means constantly adapting. Finding room to create, store furniture, and photograph finished pieces can be difficult, especially after welcoming her elderly parents into her home.
Still, she finds ways to make it work.
The flexibility of self-employment has allowed her to care for family while continuing to build a business she loves.
As she looks ahead, Suzanne plans to focus even more on custom commissions and finishing the inventory she currently has on hand. With less room to store furniture projects, custom work allows her to continue creating while making the best use of her space.
When asked about the best advice she's received, her answer was simple:
"Don't be afraid to make a mess."
For a self-described perfectionist, that lesson didn't come naturally. But it reflects the mindset she brings to both her work and her life. Creativity often begins where perfection ends.
Her advice for anyone starting a creative business is equally straightforward:
"Have fun. Enjoy the process. Keep your eye on the long term."
When she's not painting furniture, you'll likely find Suzanne with a book in hand. She describes herself as someone who is never without one.
And perhaps one of the most surprising parts of her story is that she didn't meet the love of her life and get married until age 50. Soon after, she reinvented herself professionally as well.
Proof that some of life's best chapters begin later than expected.
Follow Suzanne and Lazy Days and Sundays:
Instagram:@lazydaysandsundays
Website: lazydaysandsundays.com