No. The secretary is not finished.
At this point, it may be more pragmatic to build a time machine, go back to February 2013 and disentangle myself from this particular obligation. Or, at least, keep the original outer finish intact!
Alas!
This has been, by far, the most disagreeable piece of furniture I have ever had the misfortune to own.
Not really.
Just being dramatic.
This is what she looked like when we got her home. Beautiful, but very clearly her style was stuck in the 90's. She was acid washed denim in a skinny jeans world.
Grey is my answer to pretty much everything. Not this grey, though. This grey is too brown. Today, I will paint the exterior with Annie Sloan Old White and French Linen, then Clear Wax and a light coat of Dark Wax.
It is a dreary day in the Midwest today. Even with a two story wall of windows it was too dark to photograph well.
Painting those cubby holes was an exercise in patience. I used Annie Sloan Duck Egg Blue. I have no idea how I am going to age the interior with the Dark Wax.
I'll figure it out.
Here is my inspiration:
I'm sure you all know Loi Thai from Tone on Tone!
Wish me luck!
I'm goin' in!
xo
Andie
Sharing with The Dedicated House, Anything Blue Friday
Just keep going, keep your eyes on your inspiration. I used to do decorative finishing and love nailing down the color which takes time. The inside needs more blue, a danish blue like the sky on a rainy day. A gray, a dark mysterious blue - rubbed on and lifted off. Very often it is layers to achieve the right color but I love where you are going.
ReplyDeleteYou won the Never give up pouch. E-mail me your address so I can send it off to you!
pve
You're too harsh -it's a great piece! Maybe without the finals on the top? Let the profile stand alone. Hm - inside may need small fingers for the wax? haha
ReplyDeleteHi Andie! Oh, this piece is gorgeous! I know you can do it and it will be even more gorgeous! Your things look like they've come out of a castle! So very elegant my little young friend! :)
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Exquisite piece.
ReplyDeleteFondly-Lisa
Oh I have complete faith in you. You are too good. I am still waiting on that book! And I have a great name for it...."The Craigs List Contessa"!
ReplyDeleteAndie that piece looks beautiful!! Love the inside duck egg blue!
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha I like "The Enchanted Home's" name of The Craig's List Contessa! Looking forward to seeing this little beauty all done.
ReplyDeleteSharon
@novaraway
Amazing transformation, it's on it's way to take on the beauty it so deserves.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful job Andie.
Xx
Looking forward to seeing it in its full grace and beauty.
Xoxo
Doré
I liked Craigslist Contessa too! Andie I have a tip for you to get your interior dark waxed...if you mix a tablespoon of so of the dark wax with equal parts of more of mineral spirits you can apply it more as a wash and then just rag it all around and take off excess. It will be easier to apply it inside the nooks and crannies.
ReplyDeleteWow, Andie! You painted that? I think it looks fabulous. Wanna come paint for moi? :) Glad our little guy provided inspiration - thanks for the link :) Ciao, ciao Loi
ReplyDeleteI'm certain your Transformation of the piece will turn out Divine! Any ambitious Project can be a mite bit intimidating... but just think of how proud you'll be once you've declared Victory and given it New Life!
ReplyDeleteDawn... The Bohemian
Good Morning Andie, You are such a talented young lady, I love visiting you to see what you have been doing and today is no exception. You have the patience, talent and certainly the eye, to change every piece you buy. I just know you will do so well with your book.
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes to you,
Daphne
Frankly, my dear, I can't see a THING wrong with it, as it looks in your first "after" picture. I really love the subtle contrast between the warm brownish-gray of the exterior and the chalky, grayish-green of the interior, which looks almost like verdigris." What you have done picks up the warmth of the predominantly red carpet and it all harmonizes beautifully. The slight brownish tone helps, I think. Why did you reject the original finials? Were they, perhaps, made of metal of some sort? I have to admit I'm not wild about your replacement finials. They look just a but "clunky" to me, but I'd never have thought to say so, if you hadn't been tearing the piece apart.
ReplyDeleteWhen the doors are closed, the piece looks a bit plain, but beware of doing too much.
A suggestion: Paint or wax, whatever it is you do, the INSIDE of the panels the same grayish green color as the interior. I think the simple gesture would give the piece more of the depth and richness you are looking for. An easy "fix" I should think, and if you don't like it, you can always do something else.
PS: The little Louis XVI-style chair is PERFECT. (I think it's Louis Seize, but I'm not perfectly. I just know it's not Louis Quatorze -- but it's one of the other two ;-)
DeleteThe color of the seat and the chair, itself, is another element that adds harmony and depth to the total picture.
I LIKE it! I LIKE it!
No question that this will be just as you envision. You are one very talented lady! Love the idea of a book. '-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning piece of furniture, and I love the colors that you are using! That is a lot of work to paint all the little cubbies and nooks in that piece. I am procrastinating working on a larger piece up in our library, so need to get on it:)
ReplyDeleteAndie! It's stunning! What a beautiful piece and you've done an amazing job with her!! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features today at the Anything Blue Friday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week's party! http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/11/anything-blue-friday-week-35.html Hope to see you again at the little blue soiree. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
ReplyDelete