Hello, friend! Today is Themed Furniture Makeover Day and our theme this month is Coastal. You can see all the previous themes and projects HERE, and peeks of all my friends’ makeovers are at the end of this post.
I chose to paint this vintage secretary I got from a yard sale last month. I think I paid $30 for it:
It had some reeeeally nice curves. The first thing I did was remove the dated railing on the second shelf though. I filled the holes with Minwax Stainable Wood Filler, let it dry, sanded it flat, and it’s like the railing was never there!
I removed the back of the secretary and the little drawer, and painted those in Duck Egg Blue Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan. The rest I painted in Old White Chalk Paint. Then for the fun part… trying the new White Wax from Annie Sloan. (More about that in a bit.)
Here’s the final coastal secretary look. So much lighter and brighter, right?
You use white wax just like Annie’s clear wax – with a wax brush or lint free cloth, and you can remove excess with clear wax (just as you can remove excess dark wax with clear). The white wax gives the Duck Egg Blue a more “moody” feel – it sits nicely in the grooves of the backboard here, and I’m sure on a more ornate piece that it could make little details really POP. It wasn’t overly white, but hints of it came out. At first I thought it would look kind of like a dry-brushed effect, but this is more subtle and less controlled as far as where you want the white tint to go. (By the way, this is not a sponsored post – but I’ve been dying to try the new wax and I had to let you guys know about it!)
I did use the white wax all over this piece, and even though it’s a little brighter than Old White, once it’s rubbed in and buffed you can’t even notice a difference. I can’t wait to try it over an even darker color.
Duck Egg Blue reminds me of a foggy day by the ocean – it’s such a calming color.
I painted over the existing hardware and lightly distressed it. Here’s a peek inside the drawer:
A few pretties…
And a fab before/after comparison for you:
So have you tried the new white wax yet – or the new black wax? I’d love to know what you think! And is this vintage secretary makeover a hit or a miss?
Jen
Also visit my friends below for more Coastal Furniture Makeover inspiration.
[email protected] says
I am shocked that is the same piece. I really must try the white wax. It’s a miracle product. Bravo!! You’ve given that sweet peice a new lease on life.
[email protected] recently posted…French Chair Makeover in Coastal Color
Lindsay Eidahl says
It is so fresh and beautiful now! Doesn’t even look like the same piece. So pretty!
Lindsay Eidahl recently posted…How To Make Raw Wood Look Like Driftwood {Themed Furniture Makeover}
Jeanie says
Wow Jen! What a difference – I love how this turned out. This was the perfect piece to try out that white wax!
Marie, The Interior Frugalista says
Wow, talk about from drab to fab, Jenn! It’s so fresh and pretty now and looks fabulous against your pretty wall – just say’n 😉
Marie, The Interior Frugalista recently posted…Vintage Patio Wrought Iron Mesh Nesting Tables
Karin Chudy (ART IS BEAUTY) says
oh I LOVE it!! This just shows the power of paint!
Beautiful!
Hugs,
Karin
Christy says
This is absolutely gorgeous, Jen!!! What a steal too…have to try that wax! ?
Lucy ~ Patina Paradise says
I have a weakness for secretary desks and this one is so pretty in the white and aqua! I would love that in my house!
[email protected] says
You did such a nice job on this piece!! I love the white combined with the duck egg blue. I have white wax in a different brand and I really like it. The same wax in black does a great job of toning down a too bright paint color.
[email protected] recently posted…Storage Cabinet Makeover
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Looks so fresh and soothing, Jen! Love that aqua backing.
Mari says
When you use AS dark wax you use clear wax first. Did you use the ckear wax first with this piece or just the white wax? Looks really nice.
Jen says
Hi Mari, thank you! I did not use clear wax first because the white wax is so light anyway. And you can definitely use dark wax without clear – if you want a really dark look to your piece. The clear would be used to help moderate the balance of darkness and would allow you to remove excess if you’re worried about overdoing it with the dark wax. Hope that helps.
Karen Marie Kedzuch says
Jen,
You certainly sent my mind to the coast of the Caribbean islands on a bright glistening sunshine day.
Happy Creating,
Karen Marie
Amy | Canary Street says
Amazing how much better it looks! Love it.
shelley says
wow….what a great update
shanna gilbert says
This looks so fresh and new Jen! I love the subtle touches the white wax gives!
shanna gilbert recently posted…So In Love With My New Plate Wall
Marcie Lovett says
Came over from Confessions of a Serial Do it Yourselfer – what an amazing transformation! I would have walked right past the before – the after lures you in with its coastal spirit.
Jen says
Thanks so much, Marcie! It definitely has a happier vibe to it now. 🙂
Kathy Owen says
You go girl! Painting bookcases kills me. Love the blue on the back.
Yolanda says
Wow! It turned out beautiful! I now am in love with Duck Egg Blue!
Jen says
Thanks Yolanda! Duck Egg Blue is a gorgeous color! 🙂
Jo says
I was humming and umming about weather I should paint our perfectly in good condition but horrible orangey wood stained kitchen cabinet. After seeing your makeover I am totally sold. Thank you for sharing.