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…and there’s still more!  Furniture makeover reveals, that is.

I have to tell you that I have really enjoyed the frenzy of painting and upholstery as I was getting ready for Lucketts.  With everything else I was working on, I didn’t have much time for it.  Truth be told, I was probably a little burnt out on churning pieces out over the past few years and a break ended up being really good for me.  I’m now looking around at all of the furniture in my house and I’m looking forward to tackling some pieces that have been hanging out for a while.  I’m also feeling inspired to work on some spaces and pieces for others!  I’ve always shied away from that, but I think it would be fun.  So, we’ll see…

In this furniture-makeover-episode, I’m sharing the before and after of this desk.  Since it’s prettier, here’s the after first…

Here’s how it looked before…

My dad brought this desk to me, rescued from a family member’s attic.  It belonged to his grandmother, but hasn’t been used for years and was showing wear from a life of being well used.

The wood on the drawers fronts was really pretty, so I considered stripping and refinishing them, but the veneer was a little rough in some places and I was pressed for time, so I decided to paint them as well.  I did strip the top, though, and Jeff and I repaired the drawers.

Cari painted the base coat for me.  I think we opted for no bonding agent on this one, but I forget.  I chose MMSMP Typewriter for the piece, since I knew there would be issues with the red stain seeping through a lighter color.

missmustardseed-161

I also love the way the wood looks peeking through the soft black where it was distressed.

I finished the top with three coats of Hemp Oil with a light wet sanding between the coats.

The black paint pulls out the black in the grain, which looks really cool.

I thought the hardware was pretty, so I kept it as is.  I just cleaned it up with some Hemp Oil.

The antique typewriter didn’t sell day one, but it sold to a very sweet woman on day two.  Her husband gave her time away from the home and kids to shop at Lucketts for their anniversary.  I’m sure they’ll get a quiet dinner or something else as well, but I thought that was so selfless of him.  The funny thing is that just five minutes after she pulled the tag, two other people wanted to buy it!  That’s just how it goes at antique fairs.

Everyone wants what’s already sold!

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    34 Comments

    1. Dena Mullen

      This looks amazing!!

    2. Sian

      Hi Marion, it’s very nice…was the distressing done using Vaseline?

      I’m taking the “Building a Creatively Made Business” course, and I am enjoying all of the videos so much. I have to much to learn!

      Thank you for sharing.

      Sian

      • Miss Mustard Seed

        No, I just rubbed the edges with a fine sanding sponge.

    3. Toni

      I like seeing your processes, befores and afters.
      What do you strip the tops with?

    4. kristen

      Typewriter is fast becoming one of my favorite colors! I am taking the Creatively Made Business course, and loving all your videos; so glad you were involved in it!!! You inspire me daily!

    5. Denise

      I am loving typewriter more and more too! Just finished a side table in that color, but of course didn’t have time to post on it. Really beautiful finish! 🙂

    6. Paige

      How long did this sweet little jewel last? Maybe an hour? The desk is so cool! I have past by ALOT of these without a second thought. Boy, was I a dingbat.

    7. Sue

      Now THIS is how I became addicted to your blog in the first place! I am so happy for everything that has come your way, but boy have I missed these furniture makeovers and the inspiration I get from them.

      Keep ’em coming!

      Sue

    8. sandi

      Wow! This desk just might be my favorite painted piece – EVER! Love!!

    9. quandie

      That hardware is lovely! I’m glad you kept it.

    10. Trisha Kachel

      I love this desk. You also have another desk you posted in Typewriter which was the inspiration for a desk I did( I called it “The I Love Kelly Desk” for a carving that was left for character) in Typewriter and hemp oil and wax! I love the look of the black with the wood!

    11. Amy Rhodes

      Beautiful!! Love it! The details around the edge and the hardware are gorgeous. Glad it was able to stay in the family!!

    12. angela

      i love it love it love it.

    13. Devlin

      I have the EXACT same desk. And it’s from my grandmother! It is currently painted silver over red (horrid). I hope to give it a new lease on life later this year. It’s nice to see yours all prettied up.

    14. Kate

      Beautiful work. The typewriter color really compliments the wood tone and grain of the top. One day your husband has to pass on his repair tips. Drawer repair frustrates me as it always seems to involved lots of messy glue and three hands.

    15. Shelley

      Like everything you do….beautiful…
      I’m loving all the furniture posts! They are so inspiring…

    16. Angie

      I bought one of your typewriters for my daughter at the Chapel. (She’s an English major). I decided to save it for a Christmas present. I hid it under my bed. Well…I discovered it there in March!!! She loved it and we had a good laugh 🙂 Hope you do the Chapel again this year.
      Angie from Pensacola

    17. Patricia

      I’m confused by your statement that you’ve shied away from working on pieces for others. I thought that was what you DID.

      • Miss Mustard Seed

        I mean custom pieces and working in other people’s spaces. I’ve always done pieces to sell, but they are my pieces and then I sell them. Does that make sense?

    18. Bee

      That is one sweet desk! Nice job on it.

    19. Marianne

      Love that desk ! You did such a wonderful job on it. That color paint is perfect.

    20. Talitha

      Can’t get over those GORGEOUS walls behind the desk….

    21. Linda Leyble

      Hi Marian…I love Typewriter over a warm wood color. I have to finish two more barstools before I do a post about it, but the soft charcoal color is so beautiful over a warm oak. It really looks great when distressed.

      Love your desk!

      Linda

    22. Alicia

      When I first saw this desk in Typewriter I was inspired with what to do with my teenage bedroom set made by Nichols & Stone Co. back in the 60’s. My mother kept my set and it became hers. I also have my father’s bedroom set and will definitely use Typewriter on that set with an eye to selling it down the road, maybe.

      You continue to inspire me. Your last sentence indicates you’re considering branching out again “I’m also feeling inspired to work on some spaces and pieces for others! I’ve always shied away from that, but I think it would be fun. So, we’ll see…” I look forward to watching your business grow and bless others.

      So. California just doesn’t seem to have the same merchandise in garage sales that you come across on your side of the Mississippi so I gently covet the jewels in the rough that you find at such great prices.

      God bless!

    23. beth treaster

      The desk looks really nice. Did you put wax or anything on the painted body of the desk? I have some pieces i purchased a few years ago that are a soft black, but they are looking really dull. Wondering if there is any product i can put on them to give them some life…in good shape and i don’t want to re-paint.

    24. Jelena

      That desk turned out beautiful! The darker color gives it a masculine feel. Hope it will be well loved in the home of the person who purchased it.

    25. Lorraine

      Speaking of Hemp Oil, how do you get the top off of the can? Mine won’t budge. Frustrated!!

    26. Debora Cadene

      This would be the perfect color for my wash stand. I would like the top as you have, but I think I’ve missed a step somewhere. You said it was stripped and then hemp oil was added. Was anything else put onto it? Did you add any wax to the body after you painted it? and On my wash stand, I also have the rails for the towels….would you paint those black like the body??

      thanks bunches,
      Debbie.

    27. Janelle

      Love!!

    28. Bara

      Nice piece and nice job. Eager to see the workman’s bench.

    29. Deb

      Oh Marian, I love this!!! I learned to type (110 wpm) on a Royal typewriter. do you ever find them in your travels? This desk is fabulous, and I love it to pieces. Wish I wasn’t on the other side of the country……or I’d buy it in a heartbeat. BTW, have you found a new place to call home yet??? Best wishes…….

    30. Kathryn

      I hope she was a hippie (I’m being serious here). The typewriter says Woodstock! oh how Wonderful !

    31. Vicky

      Hi, what color is this green? It’s beautiful

    32. Kelly

      Does this Typewriter paint require any topcoat?

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