Thursday, June 28, 2012

My pretty secretary desk

I have had a ugly little secretary desk for about a year now. I got it at Goodwill and I knew I could bring it to it's true beauty. I have been putting it off it. I don't know what I was waiting for. I am funny that way--sometimes I keep things not looking good for a long while so I can appreciate them when they look pretty! I am so weird that way. I like to appreciate what I have fully.

The kittens think everything is a potential toy!

I am so happy with this little desk now. I think it is just adorable!


When I bought it it was not adorable. I think my husband really thought I had lost it. He couldn't figure out what I liked about it!


I think everyone can tell how me it is now. I love the feminine look!
I love my crafty area more and more. It is just feminine all the way around now.


I like the lace technique on the drawers. I put the edge of the lace on the bottom drawer. I have used the lace technique a lot--can never get too much lace!



Someday when I have extra money (lol--like that ever happens!) I want to get some crystal knobs for it. That would up the pretty factor. Maybe my garage sale going Mom will find me some:). I had one cute one to give the look a try...


Yes, that is what I want for it next...pretty knobs!


I am in stenciling mode--so did a little stencil in the corners. Pretty!

I added an keyhole applique from Do it Yourself Chic  I think it is perfect for this desk!



I love that I can hide all my stuff in there, and the Wifi stuff too, and nobody sees it. I love hiding places!


Thanks for stopping by and letting me show off my little desk!

Have a great day!

Edited : A lot of people have asked--I have a brief tutorial on the lace technique in this post

43 comments:

Latane Barton said...

what a wonderful transformation!! Love the pink on it.

Our Hopeful Home said...

I absolutely love it! So girly! I am in awe of the lace technique. Did you ever do a tutorial on it? We'd love to know how you do it!

xoxo
Kathleen

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Hi Sandy: How perfect! Love the lace image on the drawers and I love that little lamp too..Happy Thursday..Judy

Lucille said...

Very pretty, Sandi. Looks like the little lamp also got a cute makeover. You are so enterprising! Beautiful work!

Ethereal PLUS what I Love said...

This turned out really sweet :)
Francine

The Porcelain Rose said...

Just beautiful! I love it! What a wonderful transformation. I purchased one very similar a few months ago. I've been contimplating as to what to do with it. It is in very good condition with it's original soft pink paint. I love the "lace" technique and may use it.
Thanks for inspiring me!
Will visit again soon.
Elizabeth

Anne said...

Sandy,
What a great find.Love this piece.You are lucky to have found it at a thrift store.That stencil adds great detail too.
((Hugs))
Anne

Honey at 2805 said...

What a sweet and charming transformation! She must be doing a happy dance that you made her pretty!

Thanks so much for participating at Potpourri Friday!

farmhouse-story said...

love the lace technique on this, sandy:) such a huge change! i love the idea of the crystal knobs, too:)

Janae said...

I knew it would be cute but it turned out even more cute than I thought!! Great job mom I love it!

Karen said...

It turned out beautifully. What a pretty touch adding the lace. The crystal knobs will be perfect for it.

sunnyskiesandsweettea said...

Such a pretty little desk now! I think the glass knobs will be so pretty, too.

Blessings,
Amy Jo

Ivy and Elephants said...

Amazing transformation. Wow this was a wonderful 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

goddessof4 said...

What a great technique!!! I will have to try using lace one day!!!! I love how it turned out!!!! Keep up the good work!!!! Blessings,Sara

Heaven's Walk said...

Sandy!!!! That turned out soooo sweet! I LUV that you used lace as a stencil! Genius! :)

xoxo laurie

Heirloom treasures said...

How lovely,I was dying to see it when you got it done and you haven't disappointed xx

Bunny Jean said...

Hi Sandy!

That is just adorable... and yes, it was pretty ugly in it's 'before' state. It looks as if it can hold a lot of stuff in those drawers. Target had little 'faux' crystal knobs...

I have a little Queen Anne secretary like that in my closet that I use as my make-up table.

Thanks for sharing at my party!

xoxo Bunny Jean
Wednesday's Bunny Hop Party!

Cindy said...

It's beautiful! Ok, so now, what is your lace technique??? How in the world did you do that?

Cindy

Stacy's Shabby Shoppe said...

Sandy, that looks just amazing! I love that lace technique. I have never tried that! I will have to! Yummy! xo

Unknown said...

What a beautiful transformation - and I love love love that dresser beside it!
Your newest follower - would love to have you visit and follow back
Hugs,
Suzan

violi igłą malowane said...

beautiful

Melanie said...

Your desk is just so lovely, you are right, one can never have too much lace!!! Laughed when I saw the kittens, everything is a potential toy to kittens! They are fun to watch aren't they? They are growing so fast, have enjoyed watching these babies grow!!!

Julie said...

Wow. beautiful desk. I love lace technique you used. I shall try. (smile)

Thank you for sharing.

Julie x

Poppy @ With a Dash of Color said...

I love how you transformed the desk with your magic paint brush! Adding the lacey accents make it even prettier and so feminine:)You did a wonderful job on it...even baby Kitty loves it:)I love the beautiful rose lamp shade as well...so pretty. Thanks for the inspiration and for your sweet comment.Have a great weekend!~Poppy

Pam Kessler said...

You really didn't prepare me for the before photo. I was thinking "Oh, how bad could it be?" until I got to the photo and jumped back from my computer screen a little. Great makeover. You deserve an award for seeing the potential in it!

Janet said...

I just love how you redid your little desk! I bought one just like that at a thrift store, too! I painted mine white, as well, but I really like how you used the lace technique! It makes it look so sweet and charming!
Blessings,
Janet

Anonymous said...

I wish I had a desk like that to hide everything away. I've always liked that style, but I really like the details you've added with the lace and stencil to make your desk unique. You did a great job Sandy. Have a wonderful weekend.

Ana said...

Beautiful! It is totally you now! Love the lace technique. You did good my friend. Wishing you a great weekend.

Hugs and Kisses,
❤Ana

Marti McClure said...

Sandy, You did an amazing job on this little desk! It is really beautiful. I love the little raised element you added on the top front. Happy Fourth of July and Pink Saturday too. ~Marti

Anonymous said...

Sandy, this is gorgeous now! I love the lace technique on the drawers! You turned this ugly duckling in to a beautiful swan! I love it!

Unknown said...

What a lovely desk..I could sit there all day and send out my bills! well, okay not bills but lovely calling cards LOL!

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

The secretary is beautiful. I think I'll start looking for one.

Jennifer @ Town and Country Living said...

Oh Sandy, I love all the details of your "new" desk. It's really pretty and looks so completely different. Great job! The kitties are adorable!

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a beautiful dresser! I love everything shabby chic and romantic :) Have a blessed day <3 Lisbeth from the land up north: Norway

Jessica said...

The desk looks so beautiful now! Great job. :-)

Michele said...

True Shabby Chic Beauty in your little desk, Well done.

God Bless You,
Michele
Pearl 13.1

koralee said...

She is so lovely! What a good job you did. Your room is beautiful. Happy new week. xo

Candy said...

I love your desk. It turned out gorgeous. Im also lovin the mirror above it. Did you do that?

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

This looks great, Sandy! I love how you transformed it and it fits in with your room so well now. I have seen a couple of these recently and just saw one this past weekend as I drove past a garage sale. I knew I should have stopped to see the price! I would get one for my daughter as she wants a desk to write at. Of course, I should probably find out if she even likes this style!

Jenny's Heart said...

SO CUTE!
You did a great job on that, I love the lace and wow what a transformation.

Noble Vintage said...

So cute! I love those little secretaries. What a makeover! :)

LifeLessOrdinary said...

I don't know how I missed this but I just love how your secretary looks. I've always wanted one like that. And, once again, I'm jealous of how good your lace painting looks...esp. the bottom drawer!

Shasta @InTheOldRoad

Bliss said...

That is exactly it.... It's more you now. That turned out pretty darn cute to the rest of us too.

Bliss