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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Make Me PRETTY!


She’s been patiently waiting.
Several years ago we purchased this oak secretary at an auction and she's been patiently waiting in the garage for me to pay her some attention.  Back then I was planning on finding some veneer to reface her, but now I’m re-thinking the best way to make her pretty…

Oak Secretary


I like her rich oak finish and wish the drop front wasn't in such bad condition so I could just polish her up and call it a day.  Sadly, she's in pretty bad shape...


oak secretary



oak secretary



oak secretary


#4


 oak secretary   


oak secretary

The peeling veneer has to be addressed, so she’s flat on her back getting scraped.
Hmmm, maybe there should be some chalk paint in her future…what color would you paint her?

Blessings,
Cindy

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23 comments:

  1. Wow, Cindy, this piece has such great features! I know whatever color you choose, she will be a new woman when you are done with your makeover. Can't wait to see the transformation!

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  2. I had a piece with flaking veneer and I painted it with chalk paint too. I am thinking old white would be romantic and a red would make a statement.
    Sherry

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  3. This is a beutifual piece, and such a shame about the veneer. I would have said to leave it alone if it wasn't for that. Given that you have to paint it, I would probably use white or cream so it can be moved around the house. Whatever you decide, I bet it will be lovely. Thanks for dropping by my blog today!

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  4. Cindy - That's a darling piece. Love the hardware and all of the little cubby holes inside.

    Judy

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  5. I paint most of my furniture a creamy white. But that piece would look great in any color depending on where it is going. Good Luck, Laura

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  6. What a pretty piece Cindy! She's going to look beautiful painted!

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  7. Good luck with your color choice. I always tend to go neutral but a pretty blue would be nice. :o) Hope you are having a good week...Ann

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  8. Love this piece! It will look great painted! Thanks so much for your kind comment on my photo and verse!

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  9. I can't wait for her reveal. It is a pretty piece Cindy.

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  10. What a great piece! I think white would be a great choice.

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  11. Well let me think... haha! I would always pick white - or perhaps a light grey! But if you want a pop of color I'm sure that would be lovely too!

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  12. Did you take off all the old veneer to make it smooth? Did you just paint over it then?
    Thanks, I have found an old chest of drawers that
    I wanted to buy but the veneer is coming off really badly.

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  13. It's going to be a beauty when you're finished. I can hardly wait to see what you do with her.
    fondly ~Lynne~

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  14. beautiful,I'd probably paint her blue grey :)

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  15. The piece has so much potential! I hope you'll explain what you're going to do with it later. I have a hutch whose veneer is in very bad shape. I need to remove it before painting, but I'm a little afraid by the project!

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  16. That furniture will look so pretty after you paint it, Cindy....Christine

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  17. I just love this piece.. I need to confess that I regretfully SOLD something very similar to this .. years ago. Enjoy.. and keep! We will be anxious to see what you do with this lovely piece.

    xxleslie

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  18. She has beautiful detail. I can't wait to see what color you choose to make her - it would all depend to me on which room you put it. I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  19. I've seen a few pieces recently that have been done two-tone. Part of the piece is left with the original wood finish, and part painted. I wonder if you could do something like that with this piece since you like the oak grain.

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  20. I am a terrible one for deciding on colors, for my own stuff, but for other people I know just what they should do. :) I think it would look cool in a buttery yellow or a deeper yellow, with a little age to it. Good luck with it. It's a sweet piece.
    Liz

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  21. Left a comment and it disappeared. I hate that, because now I can't remember what I said! Anyway, I know I liked Liz's suggestion to paint the bad part and leave the rest in the oak finish. You could use a flat gray-black or a color to match some accent in your room. Polish up the brass and it would be stunning. And later, less re-painting because the oak can be maintained more easily than paint.

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  22. I redid a similar piece recently and went way outside my comfort zone and painted her in Florence! She didn't last very long in the shop either. Here's a link to her pictures:

    http://serendipityfurnishings.com/?p=3159

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  23. It wasn't very nice of you to leave me hanging by not showing the end product. Today is my first visit so I am now following you because I have to see how she turns out.

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