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Thursday, January 22, 2015

An Antique Secretary in Gray

Buckle up. I'm pretty sure this one's gonna knock your socks off. I did this antique mahogany and mahogany veneer secretary custom for a client who has, I must say, impeccable taste. I don't know what I would have chosen for this piece, but there's no way it would have been as gorgeous as the two subtle shades of gray that she selected. The exterior is a chalk paint made from Benjamin Moore's Pikes Peak. The interior is a chalk paint from Benjamin Moore's Feather Gray. The secretary is right next to me while I'm typing this, and it's distractingly beautiful. I have to keep glancing at it.

I sanded the exterior and interior of the piece to prep for paint, and very carefully removed the glass panes in the doors. Even with all my cation I managed to slice my thumb on one when I was putting it back in this morning. No pain no gain! The darker gray exterior has been distressed and finished with a dark wax. The pale gray interior has been distressed and finished with a clear wax. We swapped out the fussy brass pulls for wood knobs. The piece even has the original key, on an antique leather key fob, and all the locks work perfectly!

Now I want one for myself. I need a bigger house!!

Before and After










Cross posted with: 


The Dedicated House

11 comments:

  1. It pairs so perfectly with the purple hyacinths. They buyer is going to always have to keep a couple of them on it! It's amazing how the gray paint brought out the architectural details, like the ball and claw feet, for example.

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  2. I love this one too Kate! Beautiful Styling!

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  3. Love the gray!!!

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  4. I would love this for my home office-it would fit right in and look so fabulous with my other chalk painted furniture. Great job and thanks for sharing.
    Fondly,
    -Lisa

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  5. Anonymous1/23/2015

    Another incredible piece. I'm fortunate to own two of your works of art and am planning on many more for my home. Kate - your eye for color and design is a gift! Lisa

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  6. Love this! turned out great

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  7. Found you through Miss Mustard Seed - this is gorgeous! I have this exact secretary, but just have not had the heart to tackle painting it yet - all those inside crevices! You have inspired me!

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  8. Anonymous1/29/2015

    I want one of these too. My house isn't big enough either. This is so beautiful! Found you on Before and After Wednesday link up. You did a great job on the antique secretary!

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  9. I just bought this same piece altho mine is missing the pieces that opens and closes to hide what's inside. can I ask how did you paint the inside there are so many hard to get to spots

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  10. I just purchased this same desk. my piece is missing the drop down piece that hides the messed I side. lol can I ask how you painted the inside as there are many tight spaces

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  11. Hey looks so great. How?! Did you get the top drawer knobs off?! There are no screws! Thanks!

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