Monday, January 2, 2012

Subway Secretary

Yay!  So happy to have painted my mom's secretary desk for her the other night while I was home in Iowa for Christmas!  Want to know how it all went down?  If so, read on.........
Here is the before.  She bought it from a dentist at his estate auction on a total impulse.  She's spontaneous in every sense of the word!  She'd been wanted to paint if for a long time, and questioned me about it practically every time she called!  So when I met up with fellow blogger Laura from Our Prairie Home while in Iowa (How TOTALLY cool is that, by the way?!!!  We got to go junking a whole day together, and had never met in person before that day!  You can read about our adventures together on her blog HERE, she does a much better job at relaying the story than I could ever do!), I invited her in to see if she had any ideas.  She gave me the nudge to go in the subway art direction, so it was two against one when Mom started backing away from the idea!
And since I refuse to buy chalk paint, but LOVE it, I ran into Menards to buy mom some plaster of paris to mix with our paint.  All they had were huge bags.  My brilliant mother decided it'd probably be about the same if we just mixed a spoonful of that pre-mixed spackling into the paint that you see pictured above, so that's what we did.  Guess what?  Same effect!  Who knew, eh?  HOWEVER, I had to add a little water with the spoonful and mash, mash, mash with a fork until it was finally un-lumpy.  Yeah, I'd go the plaster of paris route if you can!  But we're all about making do with what we got, right?


Painting......
And done.  We used three different sizes of letter stencils for our subway art.  I still think we should add a few more small words, but my mom wouldn't allow for it.  hmph.  At least she let me most of what I wanted!!!  It was fun, and it's one of my favorite pieces to date!

We did a little sanding on the edges to distress it up just a little, and then gave the whole shabang a good coating of polyacrylic to seal it all up and give it a finished look.
Thanks for visiting and
 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Todays Creative Blog Feathered Nest Friday
Funky Junk Interiors


29 comments:

  1. What a great transformation! Gorgeous!!!

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  2. That's terrific Kammy! What an awesome job! Please share at my Saturday Splendour Party? :)

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  3. Kammy-
    That is a fabulous secretary. Good vision in it's potential. Black and white are still such a classic and striking combination. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Very cool! I have a friend who moved to Jackson, MI a couple of years ago. She has 2 old pieces that had belonged to her grandparents--an armoire & a large desk similar to your mom's, both oak. Sounds like chalk paint would be much easier than stripping & refinishing, & transforms mundane vintage pieces into Pottery Barn chic. I'll share your link with Kris.

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  5. This is awesome I love all the words on the side. What great reminder of who we are in Christ! I want one for my house!!

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  6. Very creative I love how this turned out!

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  7. what a sweet desk, kammy! i love those little drawers!!!

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  8. Well that's the funnest desk ever. I like it!!!

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  9. Very fun idea! Love the beautiful words :) Blessings to ya! :)
    Lauren

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  10. Amazingly creative!!! I'll bet she loved it :)

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  11. That looks great! Your mom is a lucky lady to have that piece. It's great that she saw the potential and you fulfilled it!

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  12. Sandi @ Making It Homey said...I love how it turned out, so classy looking. I was wondering did you use a rub on poly or a spray on? Thanks Sandi

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  13. This is wonderful! I'd love for you to link it up to a party I have going on at Project Queen.

    http://projectqueen.org/welcome-to-link-party-15-turning-the-daunting-into-the-do-able

    I'm already a follower of yours. :-).

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  14. That desk does make a statement! Love it, I would spray paint that chair black, maybe white seat! Hope you don't mind the suggestion, that wonderful desk needs a wonderful chair!
    New follower, hope to see you visit and join as a friend. I will be back to check more on your blog, found you on Shabby Creek Cottage

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  15. This is my favorite project I have seen in a looooong time! I am pinning it:) AND featuring you on Monday:) AND I would love for you to come link up at my party this weekend!

    http://kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com/2012/01/get-schooled-saturday-5.html

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  16. Ohhhh girl, this is so awesome... I just love how you used the two toned theme throughout the entire piece. LOVE it!

    Shared on FJI Facebook and pinned for SNS 115. :)

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150555712811141&set=a.192514281140.164586.175378011140&type=1&theater

    Donna

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  17. diane@samplinscountrystoreJanuary 7, 2012 at 10:42 PM

    Absolutely loved this piece!!!! So very classy and creative... Clever idea to mix the paint with the vinyl spackling to make your own chalk paint. Beautiful words, beautiful color combos , such a great tranformation and treasure for your mom to enjoy!

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  18. Not only did you take a worn out piece and transform it, but you did it with style and creativity. So much fun now and look fantastic.

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  19. I love this 'Secretary' desk...so unique and what an interesting re-do. Your mom must be thrilled with the beautiful results. Gorgeous.I am now a follower of your blog and look forward to return visits. I invite you to join me as well at http://atastefultouch.blogspot.com
    Hugs, Gayle.

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  20. This is amazing!! Loving desk! You are a very creative and talented person. Would LOVE one in my home.

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  21. This looks absolutely wonderful! I just love it! I was wondering what is so great about the chalk paint? I have heard this paint mentioned numerous times but I am not sure what the fuss is all about? Is it the same as Chalk board paint? Anywhoo, great job!

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  22. Charming and a first time I've ever seen subway art used on a desk like this-- rock on, Girl!


    Visiting from Miss Mustard Seed's Linky Party- thanks for sharing :D
    Smiles, Suzanne in NW Illinois at WHYCUZICAN

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  23. Gorgeous! Love,love, love it! You did a great job.

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  24. This is so creative and beautiful! I love the words you chose :)

    -Bonnie @ Revolutionaries
    http://bonniegetchell.blogspot.com

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  25. YOur Mom is sure lucky to have you do her desk. Bet she'll get lots of compliments on it. What an awesome transformation and different also. Nobody else will have one like that in Iowa. You did so great.

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