Monday, October 13, 2014

Secretary Desk

On the hunt for treasures I found this great old secretary desk that was very sturdy and solid, but had lots of scratches and dings.
Before: 

I decided to make this a beachy/Frenchy color so I mixed up Mills Springs Blue by Benjamin Moore into home made chalk paint.  This a beautiful soft aqua/blue/green color and it is one of my go to colors.  I painted the inside Garlic Clove by BM and sealed the entire desk with dark wax/hemp oil.  
The desk has 2 original keys

I love the hardware

Keyholes 

Curved legs 



I love all the compartments inside


Old books


Lots of storage 



Curved front drawers 


Posted by at
Share this Post Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Email This Pin This

41 comments:

  1. ℳartina @ Northern NestingOctober 13, 2014 at 3:36 PM

    Darrielle I know I always say this but you always find the prettiest pieces...love it!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 14, 2014 at 7:18 AM

      Thank you Martina-I have my eye out at all times for good furniture!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousOctober 13, 2014 at 3:43 PM

    Gorgeous! Love the secretary (it's one of the best I've seen due to size and overall style) and the color is beautiful. You did a fantastic job. Is the BM color Garlic Glove or Garlic Clove, want to be sure since I want to get both these lovely colors. Thanks for sharing the beauty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 14, 2014 at 7:20 AM

      Thank you Debbie-The colors is Garlic Clove --typo-sorry! I love both colors. my kitchen is paired in Garlic Clove and my daughter bedroom furniture is all done in Mills Springs Blue-that is how much I love both colors. Good luck with your projects-I would love to see them!

      Delete
  3. PatOctober 13, 2014 at 4:39 PM

    Darrielle,
    This is one gorgeous piece, dear one!!!
    The curves and hardware are elegant!!!
    I love the hue of your paint and the distressing is perfection!!!
    Thanks for the gentle reminder to look beyond the limitations for the possibilities that lie within!
    Fondly,
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 14, 2014 at 7:20 AM

      Thank you Pat-I love the shape and the hardware too!

      Delete
  4. lalaOctober 13, 2014 at 5:48 PM

    Oh, this is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!! The color is pure perfection - you certainly have mastered the art of using the dark wax.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 14, 2014 at 7:21 AM

      Thank you -The color is one of my favorites and I love using dark wax.

      Delete
  5. The House EnthusiastOctober 14, 2014 at 7:20 AM

    Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  6. angieOctober 14, 2014 at 8:40 AM

    danke für die schönen bilder!!! einen schönen abend wünscht angie aus deutschland

    ReplyDelete
  7. DD's CottageOctober 14, 2014 at 12:22 PM

    Thank you Angie!

    ReplyDelete
  8. MarigeneOctober 14, 2014 at 4:54 PM

    Darrielle, this is by far my favorite piece that you have transformed...it is gorgeous! You have inspired me to look for a piece like that and give it a try...this is something way out of my comfort zone.
    Have a wonderful week.

    ReplyDelete
  9. DD's CottageOctober 14, 2014 at 5:46 PM

    Thank you Marigene-I am grateful that something I did inspired someone else-thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Betsy@My Salvaged TreasuresOctober 15, 2014 at 2:12 PM

    Oh wow! This is gorgeous and I absolutely love the color! Do you have a secret for painting all the little nooks and crannies inside? Did you use a small brush, spray? I'm happy you shared it at Vintage Inspiration Party.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 15, 2014 at 6:56 PM

      Thank you Betsy-for the nooks and crannies I spray paint first and then go over it with chalk paint. Love your party!

      Delete
  11. UnknownOctober 16, 2014 at 7:43 AM

    Love love love this!! You did a great job and I love the colors you chose. Stoppin in from Sweet n Simple Friday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 16, 2014 at 10:38 AM

      Thank you Dawna-I love the soft aqua blue color too-I use it a lot.

      Delete
  12. Marie-Interior FrugalistaOctober 17, 2014 at 8:57 AM

    Gosh I love your work Darrielle! This secretary is so pretty. Questions, did you dark wax the entire piece first and then add hemp oil? Do you prefer using hemp oil rather than clear wax and if so, why? I've never used hemp oil but lately it has been piquing my interest.
    Thanks,
    Marie@The Interior Frugalista

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 17, 2014 at 11:16 AM

      Thank you Marie-I actually use the hemp oil and wax at the same time. I dip my brush in the hemp oil and then right in the dark wax and paint on the piece and wipe off the extra. I have more control of how dark the wax is and it is much easier then just waxing. I like how it turns out and I can get a piece finished faster-I don't have a lot of patience!

      Delete
  13. MaureenOctober 17, 2014 at 9:16 AM

    Loooooove the blue!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 17, 2014 at 11:16 AM

      Thank you Maureen-It's one of my favorite blues!

      Delete
  14. JulieOctober 18, 2014 at 6:37 AM

    Absolutely gorgeous, Darrielle! I love the hardware, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 18, 2014 at 6:00 PM

      Thank you Julie-I love everything about this desk!

      Delete
  15. AnonymousOctober 18, 2014 at 8:12 PM

    This is beautiful. You really did a great job in choosing the colors and bringing this piece back to live. Who wouldn't love to have it in their home? Ann Marie @ Iris Abbey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 19, 2014 at 8:30 AM

      Thank you Ann Marie-I really love this blue/aqua color-I used it in my daughters room for her furniture.

      Delete
  16. Christy @ 11 Magnolia LaneOctober 19, 2014 at 9:57 AM

    What a great color! Thanks for linking up at the Pretty Preppy Party!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 20, 2014 at 4:24 PM

      Thank you Christy- I love the color and use it lots!

      Delete
  17. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.October 19, 2014 at 6:23 PM

    What a beautiful curvy secretary! I love the colors you chose and the hardware really is the cherry on top!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 20, 2014 at 4:25 PM

      Thank you Sharon-I think everything went to bother very well too!

      Delete
  18. DIYbyDesignOctober 21, 2014 at 6:32 AM

    What a beautiful secretary. You did a great job. I will be featuring this tonight at my Fall into Fall party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I've Been Featured button. Thanks. http://diybydesign.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Kathryn Ferguson GriffinOctober 21, 2014 at 7:22 PM

    It's gorgeous! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features tonight at The Round-Up from the Before & After Wednesday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link so you can check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2014/10/the-round-up-from-before-after-wednesday_21.html Hope to see you again tomorrow at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 22, 2014 at 6:29 AM

      Thank you Kathryn-love your parties and thanks for the feature!

      Delete
  20. ToneOctober 22, 2014 at 4:05 AM

    That is a lovely secretaire! I love the color, the nice legs (who doesnt?) the crisp, white on the inside, and even the matching old books delicious! Great job! I allso painted an old, vintage secretaire with homemade CP a few weeks ago:) Please stop by my blog an have a look:)
    http://frugalfurbishing.blogspot.no/2014/09/antique-secretary-make-over-with.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 22, 2014 at 6:30 AM

      Thank you Tone--I will check your blog out-I love the blue and white too!

      Delete
  21. AnonymousOctober 22, 2014 at 7:10 AM

    I absolutely love this secretary desk! You did a wonderful job on it. I hope to find one that I can restore just like yours someday!
    Cyndee
    http://christmanscreations.com/

    ReplyDelete
  22. Felecia CofieldOctober 22, 2014 at 1:39 PM

    Great job, DD!Thanks for sharing! Blessings from Bama!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DD's CottageOctober 22, 2014 at 5:31 PM

      Thank you Felecia-I love how it turned out too!

      Delete
  23. PamelaOctober 22, 2014 at 4:09 PM

    Beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)