For those of you who cry or hyperventilate at painted wood…look away.
Consider yourself warned.
I did it. I painted my great-grandfather’s desk. Calm down. Relax. Allow me to explain. This desk has been with me since high school. Through college, two cats and about twelve moves. The finish was tired, had a waxy build-up that I could not clean and it was scratched to bits by my cats. This desk needed to be refinished or painted. I wasn’t about to try striping those curvy legs, so paint was the only realistic option for me. Have you calmed down? This was not a pristine piece.
It also just looks better in the space. Lest you think I have loads of painted furniture, I really don’t…well, didn’t…until this week…when I went a little nutty and painted six pieces of previously wood furniture. I still have a lot of solid wood in my house, though…don’t fret.
I shared in my guest room dresser post that I have been experimenting and enjoying some new products. One product was used on the guest room dresser and my new very favorite paint ever in the whole wide world was used on this desk and the other four pieces I painted.
This paint rocked my world. I have always been a faithful Sherwin Williams ProClassic or Duration user and I will still use those sometimes, but this new paint is going to be my go-to paint.
It distresses beautifully, it clings to almost anything, it’s water based, it’s low odor, it mixes well, it’s…amazing.
So, what is this wonderful paint? Well, I’m going to be totally mean and not tell you in this post.
All in good time.
i love how it turned out.. nice distressing
I love it and never fret about painting furniture. I don't understand the fear – sometimes the piece, like this one, looks so much better with a fresh new color. It looks fabulous under the window, especially with your blue curtains. Great job, as usual!
That is just cruel to tease us like that. But it works I will be looking for the post with the paint's name.
But then I almost never miss a post.
Traci
Just found your blog and I'm loving it! I'm thinking about painting our bedroom furniture white with some sort of distress look. Can you tell I know nothing about painting? Can't wait to find out what your new favorite paint is. Looking forward to reading through your posts. Blessings!
You did an amazing job! I love it! I really love the way you mix painted pieces in your rooms.
I love the look of it…distressed to perfection. Is your new favorite paint Mystic by any chance? I've heard lots of people raving about it lately but haven't yet tired it out.
-Aaron {the girl with the boy's name}
mudpiesandmarigolds.blogspot.com
It is absolutely gorgeous! I think your grandfather would be proud that you cared enough to make it beautiful again! I can't wait to find out what paint you used… xoxo
I love painted furniture, and I just love how your piece turned out. So many times I see furniture, especially older pieces, with beautiful lines and character and think how much more it would stand out if it were painted. I wish some of your painting energy would rub off on me. I have several, okay lots, of pieces to be painted. I'll be checking back to see just what is this fabulous paint you're loving! Thanks for the inspiration, and don't keep us hanging too long!
So gorgeous, but so mean, Marian…so, so mean! LOL!!!!
well, I'm one that has a problem with it. Not a problem in such a way I would scold you for your own choice…but the kind of problem, that allows me to live with my naturally distressed pieces; in absolute FEAR of painting them! Yes. that sort of problem.
I commend you on conquering your fear!
I love your now -painted-great-grandfather's-desk.
Once it's painted- I'm OK with it! It's just that first stroke of the brush.
really, now I'm fine.
afraid to paint the wood~Pat
How do you make a beautiful piece beautifuler!!
I love it!! Love it! And I can't wait to read about your new product!
Ok little missy…that is just mean!
janet xox
OOOO swooning,The paint really made all of the pretty details stand out and the color and distressing is perfect. It looks fabulous.
Ha! Love the tease! I thought you were going to say it's primer!!
THe desk is nothing short of gorgeous painted! You did the right thing:-)
The desk is beautiful! You are being mean, can't wait to find out what it is.
Hugs XX
Barbara
Love the desk. Please don't wait too long to tell us your new favorite paint. The weather is supposed to get into the 50's this week and I'm itching to start painting.
It does look awesome!
WOW!!! I'm in love, it's SO SO beautiful!!!!
Marian, that finish is great. Hmmmm, I wonder what the product is. BM dealer told me their new paints are the only completely water based paint and have low odor and voc's. I have a gallon waiting to go on the walls now.
paint made it perfect!!! 🙂
The desk is beautiful. And it compliments the chair there by it. The destressed look is sure in. Wish I could pull it off but would not look good with my couch. Love seat yes but we are talking of getting rid of the couch and going to a second love seat. May just keep destressing in my mind when we go looking. I need a new look for my coffee and end tables.
Absolutely beautiful…it is making me smile!
Well done.
Smiles ~ Ramona
Marian I love mixing painted pieces with stained wood pieces. This desk turned out beautiful, I love it!! But you are a tease:) Martina
Gorgeous..You did such a wonderful job..
I LOVE IT!! I'm dying to know what you did!
I think it looks great. sometimes change is good. Inquiring minds want to know…. what paint was used.
(I'm the deleter above FYI). Do not show me this post just as I finish painting my hutch, dang it. Excuse me while I go rough mine up a bit. Can't wait to read what paint line you're loving. This is so beautiful. (I forgot that last part before, but I'm sure it was a given!)
This looks so great! You have definitely given me the courage to paint an oak dresser that I've had for 30 years! Am waiting with baited breath…
Beautiful!…I am a "if it is old, keep it natural wood type" but I have to say, you are RIGHT, this is a gorgeous piece painted!
I love it!! It was pretty before, but SO gorgeous now that it's painted and distressed.
Absolutely LOVE it! The intricacies all show up ~ a very interesting piece.
Alas such cruelty!!! No fair!! Drats!! I hate to wait…ha!!
The desk looks terrific!!
Hugs
SueAnn
I agree, a little mean. But clever… Now I gotta check back!
~Jaime
Beautiful. Blends in so much better the space you have it in now. ~~Sherry~~
Love it! I have a MIL that gasps every time I paint wood…ah well. I do what I wanna do! New follower from Bliss Images and Beyond, would love if you would visit and perhaps follow back! 🙂
Oh…that's mean! LOL! Don't tease..please give it up soon! I have an antique door thats needs painting and I love the look of your desk! I'd love to do the same treatment on my old door thats hanging out in my living room! I'll be waiting!
Hana
the MomTog Diaries
Hurry up and tell us the scoop!! We followers NEED to know! lol
Carol in GA
GREAT choice to paint it! ANd you are So mean! What a cliffhanger!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin
What a lovely desk! You've done a terrific job 🙂
meanie pants!
but your desk turned out BEAUTIFUL!
I love it.. so much better.. now I want to paint some of my pieces.. ok hanging on for the paint and how bout some hints on how to acheive such a beautiful piece? Please.. not begging.. yes I am please…
Your transformations are beyond inspiring!! I love what you do!!
Audrey @adaywithadomesticengineer.blogspot.com
hmmm…could it be ASCP? (just the initials, didn't want to give it away too soon!) It's such fabulous paint I'm now selling it out of my studio…
I'm about to paint my husband's grandmother's furniture. You have given me the push. It needs it so bad, but it is SO hard to commit to! The desk turned out great. Can't wait to hear about your new paint!
Love the new look of the desk….looks even better than the before…Can't wait to find out which paint you used! 🙂 patti
A l'atelier j'ai repeint la plupart des meubles que j'avais récupérés dans le grenier de la même manière. Cela leur a rendu une allure plus jeune, une seconde vie!
De plus mon atelier n'est pas très grand, cela n'alourdissait pas la pièce et mes toiles ressortaient davantage… même mon chevalet a pris cette même couleur!!
Bravo! pour votre bureau, je le trouve nettement plus dans le vent maintenant!
J'ai chiné ce weekend de vieux cageots aux puces… Ils sont terribles, je vais leur donner une belle frimousse…
gros bisous
You are killing me!! cant wait to find out!!
looks ah-mazing! from a fellow furniture refinisher, i can not wait to hear what new products you love….
Gorgeous! Must be Annie Sloan's Chalk paint. LOVE, love that paint!! Best ever on "what the heck is this ($(^%)& all over this piece of furniture" finishes. If it isn't, then please divulge!
This turned out fantastic!! Love how worn it looks. Simply gorgeous.
I like it even more now! The paint color is gorgeous – – hope you don't keep us hanging too long. LOL
Great site.Good information.Will be back to read more soon.
Totally mean… good thing I read daily so I will soon find out (as soon as you clue us in on your little secret). The desk looks amaZing btw… I am so pro-paint
Lovely before, even better after your treatment!
I JUST LOVE IT! Loved it as a wood desk but now? it is absolutely amazing! I was wondering if you were going to paint it! YOU MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE, its perfect!
Just lovely!
You know I love me some natural wood, but Marian, this piece is sooo much better with your loving touch. I love the color and it stands out more in my opinion. This says Marian!
Its gorgeous I love it, you are so clever
The desk looks sooooo great Marian. Now spill the beans on the paint. I have some projects to get to and you have peaked my interest!
BeAuTiFuL!!! You give us inspiration and courage to paint those outdated pieces. Now if I can only talk my husband into painting his grandpa's cedar chest. 🙂
I almost can't believe you just did that to us!
I love the desk! You have been such an inspiration to me, you have no idea. As a matter of fact, Your sheet music dresser has had my wheels turning since the day I first saw it.
Look what I did this week, inspired by you!:
http://ifyoucouldseewhatisee.blogspot.com/2011/03/dictionary-dresser.html
looks gorgeous!
Your grandfathers desk looks beautiful and paint or no paint it is still from him and loved! People can be funny about painting wood – an older lady at a thrift shop was very upset that I was going to paint a big wooden bench I found. I decided to let her know I'd be distressing it as well. People can be so opinionated without even being asked! Love your work and your results. Looking forward to hearing about your new paint find!
I can't wait to hear what pain you've used. That desk is simply gorgeous now. It was beautiful before but now it's truly outstanding. Makes me want to paint something.
Oh you tease… I was sitting with paper and pen in hand waiting for the paint name and bam…nothing… did I mention patience is not one of my stronger traits…lol
Love the desk… I have a very hard time painting old wood pieces but sometimes you just have to do it so you can totally fall in love with it all over again.
Another great job.
Hugs, Deb
You really are so talented at this! Well done chica :>)
Love your blog! Please post paint soon….getting ready to redo an entry way table and I really could use this great paint!!!! Please, please share!!!
Paint. smaint. That desk is G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. The color made my heart go pitter patter. Gives me courage to paint the antique vanity that I have had since I was 13.
That is just wonderful!
I think it is a bit of a stigma, this thing with keeping wood as it is. Of course natural wood can be very beautiful sometimes, but a lot of times it is just not so beautiful. Our house was basically all wood, but we're finally down to only a few remaining spots on natural wood and I can honestly say I do not regret painting for one second.
I think it looks amazing!
This is absolutely gorgeous! Yes you did the right thing and the color and how you did it is amazing! Anyway we can get a quick tutorial on how you distressed it, and it kind of looks like you dry painted it too and it looks very professional! It's PERFECT with the curtains! wow! I would pay you to know how you did this! ALso is there any type of protective finish you put on top of it???
Curious minds want to know!
Sandy
Wonderful! I love that you continue to make the piece YOURS! I bet your grandfather would be proud that you have the piece and still display it proudly and USE it! And it is fabulously beautiful also!!!!
I absolutely LOVE it! Such a pretty piece. I love your curtains, also. Did you make them?
So glad I found your blog. I love it. Can't wait to explore more.
I just started following your blog and love it. I, too, like painted furniture. I like what you did to your desk.
I'd like to ask your opinion…I'm trying to decide if I should redo an armoire or not. If you have a minute, I'd be honored if you gave me some input. Thanks!
http://musingcreatively.blogspot.com/2011/03/decisions-decisions.html
that piece is just beautiful!! i love it so much! that paint ahhh i want to know so bad! i know just where i want it and what on! haha i hope you tell soon 🙂
It's just wood… a tree. Had it been in a forest it would have fallen and decomposed by now.. paint it. It is just a thing.. and if paint makes it a happier thing for you.. paint on my dear!
Of course I am dying to know what paint.. and wonder if it is one I already use!
maddie
Please don't keep us waiting long. 🙂 I am sanding down a desk right now to paint in a similar technique to the ones you often use, so I'm ready for any and all paint recommendations you have.
The desk looks great!
Your desk is simply gorgeous. I have a beautiful oak hall tree from my great-grandmother's family that I have considered painting–leaning more toward that now. Would your new paint be BM Aura–love, love, love it!! It is by far the best paint I have ever used-for walls and furniture, it dries fast, great matte finish for distressing and the sheen is perfect for walls! Enjoy your week, Kim
You really know how to keep an audience tuning in……for sure we will all be waiting to hear about this great new find…AND…..your tutorial for us less imaginative friends.
I love it! It's hard not to paint everything! I know! Waiting on the edge of my seat for the paint!!
Great job! I wonder if it's C2 paint or Mythic? Can't imagine MMS paying the $50/gal though… but Mythic is the only one I've found with just about ZILCH odor. C2 uses actual paint on the paint chips instead of ink and is also low odor.
I LOVE this piece painted, It looks 1000 times nicer, the color and the distressing is done beautifully. I can't wait to read what the new paint is. Don't keep us in suspense to long
I like it both ways! Too bad you didn't have two. 🙂
Tease…
Donna
It looks fabulous!
Kathy
Please don't make us wait toooo long…I am old and need to get on with a few projects! This truly looks lovely and I am not one to paint an old piece unless it looks pretty bad. Can't wait!
I love beautiful wood, but if the wood is damaged and needs repaired or if the finish is worn and just too much to strip, I say paint it. It turned out lovely!
Tease!!! The desk is lovely…can't wait to hear about the magic paint. I also have my grandmother's dresser that is just screaming to be painted but have not gotten up the nerve yet…maybe I will now after I learn your secret!
Great post, Marian! 🙂 I like it better with the robin's egg wash…!
Beautiful! I am hyperventilating though — not at the paint job, but that you didn't tell your "magic" paint. Please hurry up and let us in.
I hope I can be honest……..love, love, love the chairs, drapes, and all the rest you've done, but this desk, IN THE SPOT IT IS IN AT LEAST, looks to "matchy-matchy" with the chairs. I would have loved a shot of black there, or dark, brown, or the desk moved to another area that doesn't already your your signature blue with white distressed look. What are your thoughts? As the other have said, obviously, it's a great job, but I felt like it just disappeared into the distance with all the other blues and whites around it. Call me weird 🙂
Kate
You're kidding?! I was headed to Sherwin Williams today! I'm ready to paint! Please "spill the news"!! It's gorgeous and I don't blame you for doing it. Some future generation can strip and sand it and restain it. For now- it looks just how it should!
I'm with Annie Sloan chalkpaint. Went to her seminar this weekend…Unbelievable…your work is great.
It's funny that you painted this desk. I have an antique desk that is NOT in pristine condition. I wanted to paint it… but just didn't have the nerve. I knew that you had this desk, but couldn't remember if it was painted or not. So – about 3 days ago – I went through your blog to see yours in hopes of getting up a little courage. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed that it wasn't painted. LOL.. Guess what I'm going to be doing! I love yours – it looks wonderful with your chairs.
I can't wait to see what paint rocked your world! My guess is that it's Behr's Paint and Primer. I just discovered it when I needed some paint at a time when my go-to store was closed. I have been amazed. It's very low odor, too, which is incredible. I sound like a commercial. Did I guess correctly? OR have you discovered something even more amazing?
oooh,just beautiful and it is inspiring me to go paint and sand all my furniture….and you are clever and mean to keep your adoring audience waiting…
Are you kidding me–not telling us?!? You are bad to the bone! But of course we forgive you cause you share your projects with us–and this one is beautiful! Nice job! If I could paint like that I'd paint 6 pieces in my house too! Your great Grandfather would be propud of you!
Thanks for sharing.
it is soooo gorgeous. i cannot wait to give the new stuff a try. 😉
shaunna
Forget mean Marian….. how abut darn right cruel, lol!! Not to worry though as I am an avid fan and reader of your awesome blog, so I know in due time (sigh!) you will share your new paint. I have horded a few bits and pieces that I am dying to try painting, so am pleased to learn your tips and tricks! L-O-V-E the final product of your desk… the color hues and the texture that just the right amount of distressing gave it… PERFECT.. Drool!!!
Just when I was talking about how sweet you are you go and do a thing like this! What if I NEED some new paint and I gotta have it? Now I won't be able to sleep at night thinking I'm not using the bestest and suddenly Sherwin Williams paint seems boring. UGH.
*gasp* Ya big meany tease you lol LOVE it. I always wondered how that desk survived being painted lol Now since I almost always ask a question, what are the titles of the books in the pic? They look blue & well I loves me some blue lol
OMG! Awesome! It didn't take my breath away because you painted the wood! But because it's stunning! DO NOT wait too long to share the paint details! PLEASE!
You're killing me Smalls!
It is gorgeous…and now I want to do one too!!! So how long do we have to wait before you tell us?
That is gorgeous! The finish is so perfectly imperfect!
Why do people think that when you paint wood it turns into plastic???? It's still wood. It's still lovely.
In this case, it's lovelier!
I love that you left the pulls natural, a lovely contrast to the painted wood. The desk looks fabulous and personally I think it's your/our business what you/we do with your/our furniture. So there naysayers!! You are a bit of a bugger not telling what the paint is but I can wait……..ok, that's a BIG FAT lie! But I am glad you found something you like so well. Great job!!
Oh! It's gorgeous! You did the right thing. Now I'm dying to know your paint secret!
Imagine how thrilled your Great-Grandfather would be .. it is lovely .. I hope your new go to paint is sold in Canada!
Next to the Union Jack dresser; this is my all time favourite – that is, until you show us more of your magic 🙂
I love how it turned out. It looks fabulous. Can't wait to find out the paint color.