Today we’d like to introduce you to Darlene Palanek
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
After stepping away from a career in healthcare and welcoming my third baby in 2022, I decided to channel my passion for interior design and a decade of refinishing experience into this business. My refinishing journey began in 2012 when, as a newlywed and new mom, I wanted to decorate my home on a budget. I started with chalk paint, but as styles evolved, so did my skills, and I began to lean into learning traditional restoration techniques to makeover pieces for family and friends.
When our family grew and life demanded a career change, the plan was for me to stay home with the children until our youngest started kindergarten, then return to nursing. However, a few months into my pregnancy, I stumbled upon a video of a refinisher successfully transforming furniture full-time. It suddenly occurred to me that this hobby that I loved could become a business! I became obsessed with researching new techniques, refining my skills, and absorbing as much information as possible
Over time, my business evolved into a curated collection of special finds—some refinished, some restored, all unique. Through AGleam, I’ve met some truly incredible people in the Raleigh area, and I’m grateful every day to have found this passion.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Although I love every minute of my work, it comes with its challenges. Each piece of pre-loved furniture has its own unique flaws. Wood is an organic material that can have a mind of its own, and working with it can sometimes bring unpredictability. I usually start with a clear vision, but as many furniture refinishers know, flexibility is key. While I always love my pieces in the end, getting there sometimes requires adjusting my design plan more than once.
Right now, though, my biggest challenge is balancing work with caring for young children. I find so much joy in both, but as the primary caregiver, my furniture doesn’t always get as much of my time. I know that will change as my children grow, so for now, I’m doing what so many moms do—finding balance.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I own AGleam Design Company, specializing in curating and refinishing vintage, antique, and select modern furniture. I put care and attention into the detail and craftsmanship of each piece, ensuring it’s both beautiful and functional for years to come. I believe this, and my design style, sets me apart. I love transforming old furniture to feel fresh and timeless, allowing it to fit into today’s homes. Many of my pieces become part of family spaces—nurseries, first homes, living rooms—places where lifelong memories are made, and I take great pride in that.
What matters most to you? Why?
Every piece I sell is special to me. I truly believe that furniture refinishing is an art form, and every piece I work on holds a part of my heart. It’s incredibly important to me that my customers love their purchases. In my opinion, the home is the most special place, and I feel honored to contribute in some way to someone’s creation of that space.
I’m also passionate about antique restoration. Even as a child, I was fascinated by antiques, and I love using my skills to restore these damaged pieces of history. Right now, I’m working on a dresser from the late 1700s—it amazes me that I have the privilege of breathing life back into something as old as our country!
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