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What’s in a name? When I googled Secretary Desk I learned that an alternate name is an escritoire
Escritoire, fancy right? Secretary desks are often on the fancy side (especially with a paint update) but they carry a name that sounds, well, basic. I think I might start listing them as escritoires.
This Secretary Desk has definitely been given a new lease on life! When I first picked it up it was looking a little rough, but the wavy design on the doors was too much to resist! We found it in a warehouse while we were picking up other items. We were lucky that our new friends were able to hold it for us until we could make the 45 mile trip back. Thank you! As you can see, she was worth the trip!
It did not take me long to pick the color. I love greens! And this piece was begging to be coated in our PHP Dusk colored paint! But I also loved the existing Mahogany finish. I was able to update it with a light scuff sanding and 2 coats or our PHP Mahogany Stain. I did NOT sand the original finish off! I chose to keep some of the dings in the desk surface. To me they tell a little bit of the story. New hardware can be fun, but in most cases I stick with the original Vintage hardware & just fix it up with a good cleaning and PHP Hardware Opulence. I used Bronze Opulence on these & they look amazing!
What kind of glaze did you use?
I used the Chestnut Glaze.
How much paint does it take to paint i’m guessing two coats?!?! I’ve got a very similar one that I’m going to start soon!
Hi Erin, With our PHP paint in this color the 16 oz container should be enough. I used Dusk with the Chestnut Glaze.
I have a secretary exactly like that, well not quite – the window pattern is different, otherwise, exactly the same. None of the young people in my family are interested in the antique value in it so I might as well design it for myself. How did you get the hardware off, and what pre prep work was needed before painting? Love the way it turned out.
The flat hardware, like the keyholes, you can pry them off by getting something thin like a butter knife under and wiggling it up. There will tiny nails that hold it in, put them all in a baggy because they are easy lose. Everything else should come off with a screw driver.
For prep a good scrubbing and a “chalk” style paint made for furniture followed by a top coat should do it. Every paint brand will vary, if you follow their instructions on the container you should be good to go.
This is beautiful! How did you paint the wooden inserts in the glass doors? I have one similar I want to paint.