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Saturday, January 5, 2013

A New Addition

Greetings, friends!

While I should be putting our house back together after taking Christmas down last week ... SOMEhow, I found myself with a paint brush in my hand.

You see ... I've wanted to add an antique secretary to our great room for quite some time now, but, have never found one that I liked ... that is, until the other day (thanks to a rainy morning and Craigslist).

Here's what *she* looked like after we brought her inside ... in pretty good condition, despite dings here and there.  Still, I could practically hear her begging me for a makeover ... so, that's exactly what I did.


And, here's how she looks now, thanks to a can of Annie Sloane's "Pure White:"


Of course, I had to distress her a bit to honor peeks of her history (love the ball and claw feet):


I also decided she needed to be a bit fancy, so I replaced her rather nondescript wooden knobs with fun, clear *vintage-y* ones:


Lastly, to add a bit of pizazz, I painted on a simple, French graphic (thank you, again, Graphics Fairy)!


Before:


And, AFTER!


I truly hope she approves of her new look!

Now, back to vacuuming up glitter and finding everything I tucked away for the holidays!

And, come on over and play with us:

Savvy Southern Style/WUW
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/Tuesday's Treasures
French Country Cottage/Feathered Nest Friday
Jennifer Rizzo/Fabulously Creative Friday Linky Party
From My Front Porch to Yours/Treasure Hunt Thursday

Thanks for stopping by,


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74 comments:

  1. Wow, she turned out so pretty, and yes, I agree, her feet are gorgeous! Nice work with the wording as well, truly, she turned really great!

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  2. She is beautiful!! I know she luvs it :-)
    I am all about the feet!

    I too have to find some stuff I stowed away in November.... note to self, write notes . Sigh.
    Cheers, Gee

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  3. The truth is out ~ you even sleep with a paint brush in your hand. LOL

    Seriously, great job! Love, love the knobs so much and the graphic is perfect. You are a pro!

    xo
    Pat

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  4. That is such a beautiful piece... very impressed with the makeover!

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  5. that turned out so Beautiful. Its the kind of piece that makes everyone else go..I NEED one of those!
    Beautiful
    Hugs
    Karin
    www.artisbeauty.net

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  6. Becca, you did a sensational job! Your secretary looks stunning in white. I LOVE ASCP in pure white!!!
    And the graphics are perfection. This is the prettiest transformation!

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  7. OH my word....it's gorgeous!! I so love it, and I know you do, too! What a grand idea!
    Suzanne

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  8. Wow! I absolutely L.O.V.E it, you did a fantastic job!

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  9. oh, she's gorgeous in her new white outfit!!

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  10. At first I was "no, not over the beautiful wood"
    but when I saw her I knew you were right ! she looks amazing white and a little distressed, love the claw and ball feet like everyone else, and changing the handles -perfection, I can't visualize like you -you must have great instinct.
    Glad I am not the only one who lost new items before christmas -still need to find where i hid them !

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  11. What a beautiful piece, Becca! It is stunning in white. It really makes the glass doors stand out, too. Great project to start of the New Year with!

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  12. You did a beautiful job! I am so impressed with how everything pops now! Well done!

    Pam

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  13. Wow, that is just beautiful, Becca! She should most definitely approve of her new look -- she is just so striking! Great job!

    Carol

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  14. Oh, Oh, Oh....she is a beauty! Love her all dressed up in white! Just gorgeous!

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  15. Beautiful, Becca!!! She looks SO much better and perfect in this spot. Love the graphic too! XO, Pinky

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  16. This is to funny of you calling this piece of furniture a she. That is what I call all of my pretty furniture. You did a great job of painting it she really does look gorgeous girl. Love the white and, ohhhh the glass knobs takes her from old and tired to WOW. I just found a Duncan Phife table and six chairs on CL...for free that I am picking up tomorrow. I am going to paint it antique white. Love your table and chairs. Humble Abode

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  17. I am soooooo jealous Becca! I have wanted an antique secretary like that for our family room for several years. Yours is beautiful...love the transformation!

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  18. wow! It turned out beautiful! I wish I knew how to get that distressed look when I paint something. Maybe you could post a how-to someday :) Have a great weekend!

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  19. you've been a busy girl! i'm still trying to get my blogging groove back...i think part of my problem is hubby's been on vaca for the last 3 weeks and i'm going nuts! so happy he's going back to work on monday (LOL)! i told him he could never retire!!

    love your secretary. i've always loved them but have never bought one (yet)....i'd have to sell something to fit one in my house.

    xoxo!

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  20. Love this piece! And you did a wonderful job with the new paint job! :)

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  21. Becca-It turned out great! I love it...did you have just a moment of "gulp" before you started painting it? I have such a hard time painting good wood pieces sometimes. This one turned out beautiful, though- xo Diana

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  22. She is a beauty! Love the transformation!

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  23. Beautiful transformation!
    Hope you have a GREAT weekend!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  24. That is one AMAZING beautiful piece. I love the added graphic, you are fantastic at these furniture transformations! Happy New Year! XO ~Liz

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  25. Becca, "she" is gorgeous! Love the crystal knobs...that was a great touch! You always have such great transformations!! And energy!! Lol!

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  26. She is a beauty! Tom would die if I ever came near something like that with paint, but I just love it! Is this where your foyer table was? I am trying to place it!

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  27. Beautiful Job, I love the transformation.

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  28. A beautiful change from the original.

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  29. Oooh - I love it, Becca! I've always wanted a piece like this. You did a great job of giving her a makeover and I love the graphic that you added.

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  30. Gorgeous. What a fabulous piece. I love the bowed drawers. Stunning. Hugs, Marty

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  31. Wow....a beautiful transformation! Great job! I love your site and all that you post. Keep up the good work.
    K

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  32. Just gorgeous, you did a fabulous job on her!

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  33. Oh Becca she's a beauty!! LOVE the makeover you gave her! The knobs are perfect and the graphic looks great!! I know your going to have fun changing her up for all the different seasons!

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  34. Pretty! I'm jealous. Love her new coat of paint. I've been watching Craig's List forever for a secretary. One of these days!

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  35. Okay, normally I am a "don't paint it" but this is just beautiful. I especially love the design on the door. Wonderful job!

    Okay, one of my New Years resolutions is taking the time to leave more notes for my blogging friends! I always read posts in a reader and it makes it hard to leave a comment or two. But I do not miss a post! Love seeing the things you share and your lovely home. I wish I had more time to blog, but I work part time at our local library. I wanted to share with you my new blog, just opened this week.... http://www.brookekroeger.blogspot.com.... it will be for my vingage and digital work... including printables you might enjoy. I also have my home and garden site, http://www.creativecountrymom.blogspot.com. This week I am doing a look back to my spring garden.

    Hope to be able to connect more in this new year. I am spending less time on Facebook and gave up twitter and everything else. A girl needs time to create, decorate and GARDEN ya know!

    God bless....Brooke
    creativecountrymom@gmail.com

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  36. i am inlove I love the inscription on the lid. Beautiful
    XO
    Beverly

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  37. Becca...the secretary is gorgeous...you certainly transformed it from ordinary to extraordinary!...The graphic is a fantastic addition...So love it!

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  38. This is so perfectly you! Good job and I'm sure it wasn't easy with those panes in the glass. Love the knobs too!

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  39. Becca, gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Love the crystal knobs! You are very brave and talented. Looks amazing!

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  40. Very nice, Becca...love how paint just rejuvenates old, boring pieces!

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  41. You did a beautiful job Becca! Happy New Year, Jen

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  42. Oh goodness, Becca! I love it!! I swoon over anything French Vintage.

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  43. what a beauty!! i just love how this turned out. I am featuring on my weekly wow's on saturday.

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  44. Great find Becca! Love the script and love the paint job. WooHoo for Craig!!
    xoxo,
    Kim

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  45. What a gorgeous piece Becca. I have always admired those pieces. LOVE the graphics too. Happy Friday to you!

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  46. Love her new and fresh update. Great transformation.

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  47. Becca, I have one very similar that I bought at a consignment store because of the fretwork! I also just finished giving it a makeover. I'll have to post pictures soon. Happy New Year! Keep inspiring us on 2013. :)

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  48. I can't even begin to tell you how jealous I am. LOVE this piece and have wanted one just like it for our home too. Lucky lucky you and what you did to it made it all the more fabulous. I think you should share it tonight on BeColorful. :D
    xoxo
    p

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  49. She looks a lot better now! Love the glass knobs and the graphic. And of course, you can't go wrong with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint! Love the color choice.

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  50. I swear my mother in law had that secretary desk and we sold it when she died. Oh, how I could kick myself now. The trouble is we had no space.

    You did a beautiful job on it.

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  51. Awesome...too pretty!!! Loved the white color on it...thanks and keep posting more stuff!!


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  52. That is truly gorgeous. Some how I missed this post. Super job!

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  53. Oh Becca I am so jealous!;) I am hunting one down myself. Yours is gorgeous lady!!

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  54. Beautiful transformation, love the new look!

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  55. Great job! The graphic on the front is really neat.

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  56. What a fabulous makeover!! This is so gorgeous. I love your style. I am visiting you from Tuesday Treasures and folloing you as well :)I look forward to seeing you at My Dream Canvas.

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  57. You a great job. All those little panes of wood, and the graphics, terrific!
    Nancy
    http://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

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  58. I have almost the same exact piece. Love what you did with it. Thanks for sharing.

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  59. I've been debating whether to do this to our family heirloom. LOVE it SO much!!! You've inspired me to take the plunge ... maybe. Not sure what my mother in law with think, though. ;)

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  60. what an amazing transformation! I love the writing you added to it - so pretty!

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  61. You already know how much I love this piece! Just wanted to say thanx for parting lady!

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  62. The secretary looks fabulous. Does it have the hidden pockets inside on each side of the center door? Some have an open slot on each side. My parents had one with the hidden pockets. Love the ball and claw feet, too.

    Helen

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  63. Love her all dressed up in white! Just gorgeous!
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  64. That is gorgeous...Im curious to know how you added the graphics ? Please tell

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  65. Stunning and shabby...I love it, Becca. I adore and drool over all your designs. I Simply see myself relaxing in your Serenity Room and the one you did for your parents was a work of art...and that ocean view...wowzer
    hugs

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