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Monday, March 18, 2013

Paint Inspiration: Secretary Desks


Looking for some unique painted secretary desks to 
inspire your next project of the XL size?
Just in time for Easter and Spring~
Crackled doors in cream, a pink and black harlequin
pattern on the lower doors, rubbed white legs and pediment
with touches of gilding~and don't forget the rabbit head!
This might be easier to pull off~
looks like a custom mix of Provence, Florence and
 Pure WhiteChalk Paint® finished with clear
 and dark wax.  I love the look of this fresh color 
on a traditional piece, don't you?
For those that have artist skill a takeoff
on a Gramercy wallpaper motif gets translated
onto a faded out aqua background.  I would consider
doing a hand painted vine and then adding flowers and birds
using Transfer Gel by Artisan Enhancements or decoupage.

Lately I have fallen in love with the look of 
this antique green.  We used Olive Chalk Paint®
to achieve a very similar color and finished it with Gilder Paste
 in African Bronze, which has a greenish gold cast.
After my trip to Colorado for an artist retreat
I played with the Venetian inspired painted 
finishes using lots of color and metallic.
If I were to capture these colors I would start with 
Cream and Versailles and tweak them to make them a 
little bit stronger.  Old Ochre as the base, clear and dark wax
with Gilding Wax or Gilders Paste to finish it off. 
I am working on a massive armoire and am always
in search of inspiration in the paint department!
So far I have finished two coats of French Linen,
but that is only the beginning. Hopefully I get a chance 
to work on this piece during the week and 
I will be back with updates on how it is taking shape.

Sources: These images are from my Pinterest page~




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16 comments:

  1. GORGEOUS inspiration pieces Amy!! Can't wait to see yours finished!

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  2. OMG! I want that first piece, Amy! It's got a lot of elements to it that I just love {including the bunny!}. Can't wait to see your finished armoire. I have a smaller one that I want to paint from black to Old White in our guest room. I just need to get the paint.

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  3. Love seeing what you are up to! I think you can do ANYTHING you set your mind to! That chinoiserie inspired armoire is incredible!!

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  4. Great inspiration photos!! Love the second one, the colour is just what I like!!
    Ozana

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  5. Some really great inspiration pieces here, Amy. I can't wait to see your piece all beautified. I have no doubt it will be wonderful- xo Diana

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  6. What a coincidence! I just bought a Venetian secretary yesterday...and I don't think I am going to paint it! That NEVER happens! It's 95" tall and I added some finials but I think that's all I'm going to do (yeah, RIGHT!)
    I have that bunny armoire/hutch saved from years ago! I thought it was from a book by Kathryn Elliot, but it's not there. It's a book from that era, however! Have you seen her books? Filled with great ideas! I wonder what happened to her? I googled her name and she doesn't seem to exist anymore. :(
    I am always inspired here!

    xo

    Andie

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  7. I love your inspiration pieces, Amy. I'm anxious to see what you're working on.

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  8. love seeing you in action, amy! your arms must be toned like a mutha.

    smiles.

    michele

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  10. Gorgeous secretaries....and it is obvious that you have such an eye for color when you can tell the colors that were mixed to create a custom color!....I love the color of the piece you are working on....can't wait to see the finished piece!...

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  11. Gorgeous secretaries....and it is obvious that you have such an eye for color when you can tell the colors that were mixed to create a custom color!....I love the color of the piece you are working on....can't wait to see the finished piece!...

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  12. I love your inspiration. Thank you.

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  13. Wow! That first piece is really something! Looks like Mackensie-Childs.....I have just picked up a massive armoire and haven't started it yet...I need to accrue enough paint first! LOL

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  14. What pretty pieces... I love the fun blue in the second photo, and can't wait to see how the armoire you're working on comes out...

    Cindy

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  15. Those are some great inspiration pics for paint combinations. Looks like you had fun in CO. I'm sure you're even more inspired to make over pieces now!

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