Maybe you remember this desk from this post here…Since I first wrote that post, the desk has gone through quite a transformation..and she did give me quite a run for the money.
I did learn some valuable lessons: even if you don’t think you need to sand, still do or you will regret it later. And yes I did, I was being lazy, and I skip that part, since it didn’t seem to have a finish on it, and I went directly for priming. After I primed it, I noticed some little repairs that still had to be made, and thats when I also noticed that the primer didn’t stick to the wood, and it was peeling like crazy..So, had to strip the primer, thoroughly sand it down, and start over again..The end result is totally worth the entire work.
I dont usually keep the originally hardware on my pieces, and I didn’t plan on keeping it on this one as well, and I even bought some, especially for it. But, once it was painted, I knew the original one would be perfect for it. Problem was that, I was missing one piece..It happened that I had some hardware from a different piece, that looked perfect for the small drawers. I painted the hardware with Rub N Buff in Antique gold. The paint color is Black beauty by Benjamin Moore.
Finishing coat is water based poly, 3 coats, applied by hand. It took forever applying it, somewhere close to an hour for each one I think..
I dont have a good before picture, here is on the floor of the auction house.
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What a beauty! Thanks for sharing pics!
Gorgeous! And what a difference! She went from drab wallflower to beautiful debutante
She has such graceful lines and curves, and now she finally has a beautiful costume that enhances them. 
Thank you Kathryn!
Lovely! Wow the paint and staging matches the desk perfectly. Great job!
Thank you Martha!
One word…wowsers!
)
Stacey
Oh Stacey, you are way to nice! Thank you!
Wow! That piece is fantastic and I love the little gold detail. I haven’t seen anything else like it. Great job.
Girl, you are destined for GREATNESS!!! This is gorgeous!!!!!!!
Well isn’t she one elegant lady! Love the gold leafing and those drawer pulls are fabulous!! Denise this is a Tramendous Transformation! Found you over at Coastal Charm. Have a great day!!!
Gorgeous piece and paint job. Well done!
Babs
Oh, wow! She’s quite the beauty. You did an amazing job on her. Visiting from Farmhouse Porch. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/09/make-it-pretty-monday-week-14.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
What a stunning piece! I love it.
Mary Alice
I LOVE IT! Your awesome!
Wow! This desk is stunning to say the least! I did actually love they way it looked when you found it. But with the color change & gold details its just amazing! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
What an amazing transformation. I love the colors. You did an awesome job. I would love for you to link this up to my Fall into Fall party that opens tonight at 8pm EST. Hope to see you there.
WOW. what a stunner!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE! and did you know i love it?
Thank you Cassie!
Oh my, your desk is gorgeous beyond words. it looks so frenchy fabulous. You did a great painting job.
rita
Amazing what a bit of paint can do to transform a blah piece into a show stopper! Thanks for sharing at tip toe thru tuesday!
xoxo
Kim
I’m usually opposed to painting old wood, but your piece turned out beautifully! truly stunning! And I’m pretty sure it’s because of all the great prep work you put into it. Thanks for the tips. Vanna
Thanks Vanna! I hesitated to paint this piece, I initially wanted to just re-stain it, but it had some damage that I had to cover with wood filler, and it wouldve probably show thru ..Thanks for stopping by!
That is simply stunning!
Thanks Mel!
the gold accents are just brilliant! thanks for linking up to tip-toe thru tuesday!
Hey, girl! Yes, I love this piece! I feel ya on skipping steps. I try not to do that anymore, because it just creates additional work. Love it! Are you selling it? If I were you, I would totally keep it. Then again, I’m addicted to every piece of furniture I buy. HAHAHA
Serena
Thrift Diving
Thanks Serena! I would love to keep it, I love it so much! It is yet to decide what I’m going to do with it..and thanks for the shout out on your blog! You rock!
She is a raving beauty! I would be delighted if your would link to Potpourri Friday, in progress!
Stopping back by to say thank you for sharing at Potpourri Friday!
I love it!
Thank you Michelle!
Your desk turned out incredibly beautiful. Love it. The colors are great and the original hardware just completes the look. Love it Love it Love it.
What a beautiful transformation! Every time I see such a good job it inspires me to look again at that “ugly” piece of furniture I would usually pass up.
Hi Linda, I am still amazed what a little bit of paint can do! Thank you for stopping by!
I am totally in love with the piece. You really did a great job on it. Way to go girl!!!
Thank you so much Diane!
That turned out beautifully!
Thank you Kari!
Hi,I appreciate you taking time and looking at my website. I understood when I started a blog, that there will be people that will not always agree with my decisions, and I also know I don’t have to personally give you explanation, even though I feel like I need to.
First, your language its not appreciated. Second, you cannot judge the condition of what the desk was in, from a partial picture that I took with my phone. And what you don’t see in that picture is the missing pieces from the front detailing, and the bubbled up veneer, and the two cracks in the veneer that were running across the entire piece… I spent a week glueing, sanding,clamping and filling holes with wood putty on that piece.
Yes, it was a beautiful grain in the veneer, on a piece that was falling apart. And yes, I would not have painted if this piece was tiger oak, but I guess you actually have to work with veener to know the difference.
Respectfully
I LOVE this piece. I wish I had one just like it for my dining room. It would be so splendid mixed with my vintage black Della Robia china. Thanks for sharing the idea, and I’ll be on the hunt for a piece just like it!
Thank you Mary! I hope you will find one, and hope you will share the transformation with me, it would make me so happy!
Gorgeous. Sometime it takes an ounce of vision and a pound of courage to transform a piece from drab to fab!
I hear you on how hard it can be to make the decision to paint. I bought a lovely Danish armoire at auction a few months ago. It is 1920′s with sexy smooth curves but she is veneer…and there are cracks…and loose pieces…it should be a no brainer…but I’m still procrastinating taking a brush to her as she sits forlorn in the corner of my lounge room. I know that she is waiting for her moment to shine, I just need that pound of courage!
Tracey, I understand you perfectlly! I love Danish furniture, it is one of my favorites, and I also know how hard it can be to make the decision to paint it. I once tried to patch up a piece like that and stain it, but all I did was making it worse, because the patches took stain differently and ended up painting it. I know you can give her a new life, and make her shine again! I hope you can share some pictures with me, that would make me very happy!
Maybe “Speak Your Mind” is not the best invitation if negative comments are going to upset you. Just remember that the world is full of tasteless, crass, mean-minded, and resentful people. We all meet a few on our way through life. I, personally, come from the school of thought that uses paint only on pieces that can’t stand on their own two feet when refinished without paint or have an unimpressive provenance. But I appreciate the work of many of today’s furniture artisans and have done a few pieces myself, when provenance is unimportant. Right now, I’m waiting for the stars to line up so I can try replacing veneer on a bureau called, co-incidentally, ‘Marie Antoinette.’ Which is what one gets when asking a frenchman what name he think appropriate for a piece of furniture. C’est la vie. Words to live by. C’EST LA VIE.
Thank you Em, C’est la vie is one of my favorites expressions of all time, and indeed, words to live by. It wasnt the criticism that upset me, I can take criticism. I know eveybody is different, we are all unique individuals, with different taste, hopes and dreams. What bothered me the most was using the “f” word right between Jesus and God, and that was uncalled for. I would love to see your Marie Antoinette, I am sure it is beautiful! I havent tried to completely replace veneer on anything big yet, but I know one day I will have to conquer my fears.
Dear Girl,
I had not the opportunity to read the vulgar and trashy post under discussion, but since you have replied with a graciously careful sample of the post, I must say that this person is poorly socialized and probably enjoys seeing you squirm. Were I to receive such miserable words, I would delete them without a reply or discussion. Please put this aside and concentrate on what makes you feel good….your work, your blog, friends, your family, the change of season, the rising of the moon, the setting of the sun….
Sadly my Marie Antoinette sits in the dark garage, one leg broken, four drawers pitifully stripped of all or most of the curved veneer that makes me wonder if I have adopted too rank a stray for a good outcome. I take comfort in her lovely hardware, intact save one handle, the tall majesty of the case goods, the vision I have in my head of this ragamuffin outcast renovated to the status of queen of all she overlooks in my humble home. Now, have I not set myself up for grand failure or stupendous success? I do believe I’ve done that once again. LOL.
No way will I ever have anything as glorious as your Antoinette, truly a queen of hearts and stars.
Oh, dear…no, no, by all means do not allow posts that contain curse words, Denise! I signed up to receive your posts because you’re such an inspiring individual, and so kind (to people and furniture). You cannot please everyone-and actually you’re doing a nearly flawless job of it so far! So, carry on, and do not allow spammers to enter your lovely world.
God Bless!
And prayers for the person who is hurting, thus the hateful post.
XO
This sideboard is drop dead gorgeous. It really is. Your artisan talents are beyond words. I have just joined your site and hope to be on board for a long time, and learn lots from you. Barbara from Tennessee.
Hi Barbara! I am really happy that you like the sideboard, it is one of my favorite pieces as well. Thank you for the follow!!!
Ok I originally just read the comments to see what the nasty comment was since I am days late to this. Then I looked at the desk, it is beautiful. There are so many pictures of furniture online that are beautifully painted few stand out anymore. Don’t worry about the negative comments, nothing you can do about those people.
Hi Debra! I have taken down the nasty comment, everybody agreed that the language used is a little bit too much. I am so blessed to have received a lot of support and positive feedback, couldn’t have asked for more. Thank you so much for stopping by, and for all the nice words!
I cannot believe that this is the same piece. Clearly you have amazing vision. This is a beautiful and inspirational post. I would love it if you would share it at our WIW Linky Party. I hope you can join us.
Paula
Ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
Thank you for the invite Paula! I am joining the party right now:)
You are featured today at Potpourri Friday!
Wow, I can hardly believe this is the same piece. I love the beautiful gold trim. Great job! Thanks so much for sharing it on Fabulous Friday at Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust.
Warmly, MIchelle
I stumbled upon your blog this evening….and I LOVE all of the furniture transformations you’ve done. Beautiful work. You have such an eye for picking the right colours for each piece. Love the tips you give for priming and stripping furniture too. Its unfortunate that someone has sent you a negative and rude comment. No one deserves to have negativity around them. Can’t wait to see what your next project is!
What a beaUtiful piece!
GreAt job–wish it was mINe!
Catherine
Thank you Catherine, I am so happy you like it as much as I do. It will be hard to say good bye to it, not sure if I want to yet:)xoxo Denise
I just discovered you and your incredible project through Lindsey’s Better After!
I left you a comment to say how much I LUV your finished piece, and suddenly see your reply to an apparently really negative, rude, and insensitive comment—
It’s really too bad CLOSED MINDS don’t come with CLOSED MOUTHS.
Catherine, again!
I just happened to find your blog through another blog and all I can say is this piece is amazing. You have done a beautiful job on this piece..brought it back to what it once was…but a more modern approach. I have been looking at all of your other pieces…all I can say is your work is incredible…beautiful…and I wish I lived near Jam so I could come see your work. I will definitely be a follower….
Hi Kathleen, I am so happy you like my work! It’s not always easy, but is definetlly challenging and very rewarding! Thanks for the follow as well! XOXO Denise
I love the transformation! I love painted Oak because it has texture that other woods do not, makes the final paint look interesting.
Beautiful project! Beautiful and as mentioned already , classy!
Of all the furniture that I have seen posted— repurposed, painted etc… Antoinette is the prettiest. She is like a regal lady dressed in her best! I love your blog!
I love this desk too!
Sometime when you discover another Oak piece you will also need to try:
grainfiller
and cerusing with liming wax (Briwax) or black.
Oak tends to be left behind when it comes to painting projects because of the grain, so there are lots to choose from in the pickings!