This is how the piece looked when it came into my possession…
Typewriter MMSMP is our color of the month for October, so I thought it was good timing to use it on this piece. I generally don’t paint pieces all black, but I knew bleed through would be an issue and nothing hides that better than black.
Here’s how the piece looked when I last showed it to you…
…and here’s how it looks now that it’s finished.
I painted it in one coat of Typewriter without the Bonding Agent added. The piece was sanded to give the surface tooth, though, so adhesion wasn’t an issue. I allowed it to dry and distressed it pretty heavily with 80 grit sand paper. I’ve always loved the look of warm wood against black paint. The top was finished in Minwax Dark Walnut stain and the entire piece coated in Hemp Oil.
I picked up the hardware at Hobby Lobby.
The inside of one of the cabinets has some old newspaper for the liner, which I loved and left intact.
All of the accessories in the shoot are things from around my house. I’ve bought and sold a lot of typewriters (I’m bringing TWO to the Chapel Market, in fact), but I’ve always kept this one. I bought it for $10 at a yard sale, if you can believe it. I like that it’s so tiny.
I bought the perpetual calendar off of Etsy a few years ago.
…and the binoculars and opera glasses are from antique stores.
Here’s one last look at the before and after…
This piece will be making the trip with me all the way to Alabama for the Chapel Market this Saturday (October 19.)
I wanted to share one last thing. I received the most amazing gift in the mail today…
Cindy Austin, the artist of Eulalie, the white cow painting you see in my header, and I have been chatting for a few months about another painting for my home. She kindly painted Eulalie for me a few years ago and never asked for anything in return. That collaboration, though, has worked out well for both of us. I got an original oil painting I absolutely adore and she has been able to sell the giclee print of Eulalie to those who love her as much as I do. So, we collaborated again on another cow, this time a young, spotted Holstein for my family room.
I need to make a frame for her AND need to have the very important “name that cow” contest, which has become a tradition here! Don’t start sharing names, now. Wait for the contest! I’ll share a full shot of her in a later post, but if you’re totally smitten at the preview and can’t wait, you can buy a giclee print of the painting HERE.
70 Responses
Just wanted to tell you how fun its been to see your voice develop. I went back and reread some old posts, prompted by the painting plug. As a writing instructor in my old life, I appreciate a strong voice. Good reveals and makeovers are fun, but great writing makes me come back.
Good gracious…it is drop dead gorgeous. Stunning. I am LOVING it! You sold me on that color paint…I have been trying quite a few of yours and this is next on my list. I am doing a desk now and I know EXACTLY what I will be doing so thanks for the inspiration. You rock!
Stacey
Beautiful, Marian. x I love how it came out.
Marian, Your desk looks fabulous in typewriter! I love all of your photo shoot accessories too! Is the design on the knobs black or blue?
The desk/vanity is the perfect color for fall! Great choice! Love the new cow painting!
Blessings
Just love how it turned out. Love the cow too!!
Black paint with the warm color of the wood underneath is my favorite and your desk turned out stunning, Marion! All the antique black and gold pieces you styled it with are the icing on the cake!
It’s beautiful Marian, and that little typewriter is amazing too. Cindy is such a talented artist, that Holstein painting is jaw dropping, absolutely gorgeous.
Oh this is so classy! Lovin’ this black. I have done several things in black, and you know some things just ask to be that color. The new cows face is so sweet……can’t wait to see what you name her. A joy as always.
Un lavoro straordinario!!!! complimenti
un bacio dall’Italia
Sara
Thought you’d like this: http://besimplyorganized.blogspot.com/2013/10/whats-deal-with-all-sponsored-posts.html
Interesting blog topic from recents ‘drama’ on yours …
Big supporter & love your stuff!
Wait, wait – make a frame? Oh, do share on that in the future!
I am rapidly falling in love with this typewriter colour!! Such a great office colour. Can’t wait to find myself a bit of furniture to try it out on. Love those handles too – in the UK, the ethical brand Nkuku do some lovely ones that are similar. x
The desk looks great and I love the styling elements!
Simone
Love it Marian!!
Not too many things can get me typing at 5:00 a.m., but this reveal is just gorgeous and my favorite of all your pieces. The paint, the styling, all of the entire post just screams HOLY COW! I don’t know how you keep outdoing yourself. I have an antique vanity given to me by a friend about 25 years ago, sitting in the barn. The drawers need to be coaxed open and I’ve been waiting for the inspiration to get it out and do something with it. Now I have that inspiration!!
Stunning! Glad you left the bit of history in the cabinet, it really makes the piece.
I painted a piece last night and when I went to sand it, it was almost impossible. Did I use too much bonding agent? Who would have thought too much adhesion would be a bad thing. I antiqued it with some water and steel wool and it looks great. Just curious if I went overboard. Do you experience this when you use bonding agent?
This is sooooooo pretty! I just love the touch of black. It gives it a warm, rich feeling. You’re so good at what you do.
Hugs.
Perfection !! Everything is right.The color,accessories,the set up. MMS furniture line ,maybe on the horizon?
Love your desk makeover!!!!!!!! It is gorgeous and so it your staging. Your last two pieces almost make me want to start refinishing furniture again. Notice I said “almost”.
Cindy
I wasn’t sure that I’d like black, but this furniture piece is GORGEOUS!!! Well done (as usual). 🙂
I so want that desk! GORGEOUS!
I will be painting a piece in that color very soon. Absolutely love it!!!
Oh I am so happy you didn’t paint the top black. I have a round black coffee table/end tables that have a black glossy like finish on them and it shows every speck of dust. Its a full time job keeping it dusted. Perhaps if it had a more matte or distressed finish it wouldn’t show the dust as bad? BTW… your little desk calendar is just too cute!!
That piece is so sharp, yet not harsh. Beautiful!
Love It! I read that every room in a home needs something black….too bad I am not closer to you. This would fit the bill! You do such lovely work Marian. I look forward to reading your blog & can not believe how far you have come since I first “found” you about a year ago. You are truly an inspiration….plus, I am a bit jealous of you, too!
love it great job! I want to paint something!
I subscribe to your blog and this post is at the top ten of my favorites. Love the Typewriter color and how you refinished the dresser. So awesome. I’ve never tried your milk paint yet; I live in WV and can’t find anywhere that sells it. Constantly asking home improvement merchants about it, hoping some day …
Q: Why did you choose hemp oil instead of a paste wax? Yes, I’m clueless.
I have an antique typewriter, and it’s covered under a dust cover in a closet. You’ve inspired me to bring it out and display with another one of my antiques. I am a court reporter, and it’s very iconic of my profession and fitting to have it in my home.
Love your inspiring blog.
I am usually not too fond of black furniture either, but I like this little desk. The color made it look a tad more masculine, despite the curvy legs.
As for the new cow, she is very pretty! Love her long eyelashes! 🙂
Call me crazy but typewriter is my favorite color to paint with. Use it as a wash on raw wood with character and its beautiful. I love that you staged the desk with a typewriter. Its a cute one! Over the weekend I got a 1933 Royal for my 12 year old daughter who is my “auction buddy” 🙂 She is intent on restoring it. I adore the eyes on your holstein! She looks like a sensitive soul. Thanks for sharing everything! — Pauline
great job
A picture is worth a thousand words. If someone tried to just describe this color to me I probably wouldn’t have bought in on it. After seeing this beautiful reveal, I’m sold!!
Wow so amazing!! I would want to keep it!! Love the cow!!! I want one!!!!
As always, your projects turn out stunning! I’m so happy to be able to follow along with each post and see where you’re taking us next… I’m hoping to buy some of your milk paints soon so I can share along in the fun! 🙂
You have truly outdone yourself, Marian! What a wonderful post!! The desk is gorgeous and the new cow print is over-the-moon fabulous! Thanks for sharing your talent and inspiration with us. God bless and keep up the great work you do!
You stole my heart! You know I’ve been asking about the color black lately… LOVE the Typewriter color on this piece!!! May now have to reconsider this option instead of PB green for my kitchen hutch! 🙂 I can’t make a decision… 🙂
a truly handsome desk! great work!
so pretty!!
The desk looks amazing! And, the cow is totally precious! I am looking for a painting with 3 cows. My girls are named Daisy, Anna Belle and Lila Mae, so people often refer to them as my “herd!” Life to the full! Melissa
Beautiful! I love the accessories, the typewriter is fabulous (old typewriter). I have a couple myself, not as old as that one, but vintage.
I LOVE the cow painting. Cindy Austin is so talented. I made my own ‘copy’ of Eulalie as I was too broke to buy a giclee. It’s not an exact copy but my take on Eulalie.
Love the Holstein! My grandparents had a dairy farm so I have ‘cow’ accents around. One is a milk can from the farm, then I have a cow head and a tiny very old painting with cows I got at a garage sale. Now to frame ‘my’ Eulalie and hang it up with the rest.
Sally
I have that exact same vanity. I am going to attempt to copy your fabulous results on yours. It’s just beautiful. I grew up on a farm and never had an affinity for cows. They are definitely starting to grow on me. This painting is just so so sweet.
Wow this really did come out smashing! I LOVE the way you pulled it all together with the antique accessories, typewriter etc… and great wooden stool. I’d buy it as a set.
love love love this dresser!!!! The staging on it is incredible as well – too bad I live in the west, I would buy it in a heartbeat! Great job!
I really love how you refurbished this desk.
This may be my favorite MMS piece ever.
I love black. so this color is nice. But what I totally love is the piano chair! Old!!!
My favorite piece by far. Your artistry and the color names are so enjoyable. Appreciate seeing such inspiring work.
Whhhhaaaat??? I have TO WAIT to name the cow???? I have names, I have names, LOL!!!
I love the young cow and I LOVED the desk!!!! I have a desk here and I think it woudl look great, painted black too!!!!
Cant’ wait to name the cow!!!
HUGS
Claudine
This piece is incredibly beautiful. If I were you, I’d have a REALLY HARD TIME selling it. Your styling of it, is spot on. I would also keep that adorable typewriter. And what a steal! I just found a wonderful vintage typewriter for $16 at a thrift store, but it was from a later decade. I still love it, though.
Absolutely beautiful… both the desk, and the cow!
That piece came out awesome!!! I wish I could go to Alabama this weekend but I can’t. One day I’m going to get to something you are at. I love everything you do. And….that cow picture is spectacular!!! I love cows! The artist is unbelievable. I love the cows face, it’s beautiful. I’m picky with the faces. This cow has a sweetness in her face. Love all your decor, the typewriter was a score at $10 and it’s a really nice one. I have to come yard sale-ing by you.
I love this…I like the look of black and stained wood together…looks perfect with the old typewriter and other goodies…just invites you to plop onto that piano stool and tap out a note to someone!
http://www.tymespast.blogspot.com
Absolutely beautiful!! You have such a talent and are so inspiring! Have a wonderful day!
Oh my word – that is simply stunning – I have always had a weakness for the brown / black décor & that is perfectly done & presented … Stunning work!
Wow! Your newsletter was the first email that I opened today and I am blown away! This painted piece sings every love song ever written! Actually, today marks the beginning of many “firsts”. This is my first time posting a comment and the best one, my favourite “first”….
I just received my first order of MMSMP! I am absolutely “geeked” to begin transforming some really awesome pieces that I have “scored” over the years. I ordered a Value Pack (through your Canadian retailer, Homestead House Paint Co Inc.) which has all 15 magnificent colours to choose from so, I better get started. My goal is to (one day soon) submit a project on Furniture Friday.
Thanks for the inspiration, Marian. Your newsletters are like having daily coffee with my best friend and decorating pal!
Marian – This desk and chair set look terrific! I am a huge fan and user of milk paint and your website and blog always inspire me no matter what color you are using! I am currently painting a bench with a custom mix of 4 parts tricycle and 1 part typewriter – love it. There is no end to what can be created with your paints and that excites me.
Gayle
One of the most gordious painted desks I´ve EVER seen! Just love how the wodd comes out of the black!GREAT!
I am so in love with this color and the look you gave this vanity. Just wonderful! Where can this color be purchased on line?
This is really beautiful, Marian! I love distressed black on warm wood as well. I think I’m going to have to make that my next color choice after seeing this! 🙂
Wow… This is stunning… Great job!
Dear MMS, OMG I love it! Even though black isn’t your a usual color for you, you sure know how to paint it and style it too. Lovely!
WOW… what a beautiful job you did on that desk. I too love how the old wood shows thru under the black. I think it’s a fantastic piece.
And, I can’t say that I’m a great fan of cows, but this black/white painting is really, really nice!!! I may have to check out her prices. Keep up the great work and best of luck at the sale. Wish I could go.
Beautiful job on the desk…….he looks like a Koenraad to me…..the cow that is……Dutch for Conrad……
love it!!!
Hey there, Marian! I’ve got gotten interested in black on wood, so seeing this only solidifies my desire to do a great black piece like this. I haven’t tried your milk paint yet. I first dibbled and dabbled in it at Haven, but I’m curious so maybe I’ll put the ‘ole chalk paint aside and see how it works 😉 You did a great job on this piece and the styling is perfect 🙂
See you next year at Haven!
Serena
Thrift Diving
This is an example of when NOT to paint a piece. That wood was beautiful and in good condition. The paint hides all the interesting details and the gorgeous wood grain. Plus, milk paint is so overdone now.
Totally agree.
Thanks MMS! I am pinning this for a boring old china cabinet that needs reinventing. You are the best!
Marion.. the desk turned out beautiful and will be the inspiration for my oak dresser turned bathroom vanity 🙂 I wanted to you ask about the little stool in one of the photos of the desk. I just purchased one IDETICAL to it. Literally, glass ball feet and everything. I bought it because it is just adorable. The top is cracked, so the hubs is going to fix it but I thought I could use as a plant stand as an alternative. I wanted to ask if you had any history on the stool. Thanks 🙂
So Sorry!! My mother in law’s name is Marion. And, I meant “IDENTICAL”…sometimes I type faster than my brain works. 🙂