I need another hobby like I need a hole in the head. Most of you know I cross stitch, scrap, and sew. However...I've recently become intrigued with this whole furniture refinishing idea. Enter my grandmother's secretary, which I'd originally planned on selling, but then decided, "Hey! I can just refinish it and use it!"
Now, in my head, this was going to be simple. Paint, wax, done. Easy peasy.
It was easy, I just wasn't prepared for just how long it takes to do a piece of furniture which I'd grossly underestimated in size.
This is a before picture ---
It's a cool piece, right? I just wasn't sure what to do with it. I had the bottom piece in my living room, and it didn't fit right. Then I moved it to the dining room, and it just doesn't belong there. So, I was in a limbo state with this piece of furniture. Which just sounds weird, but now I'm picturing doing the limbo on a beach somewhere tropical with a fruity drink in half of a coconut.
God I need a vacation.
Anyhooter. One day, when I was at my friend Sue R's house for a stitch fest, I asked her about refinishing furniture, since she's a pro at it these days. Sounded easy enough - paint, wax, sand, wax, done.
So, after talking with Sue, I went and got these --
They sat on my dining room table for a solid two weeks before I was able to find more than 30 seconds to string together and get to work.
Again, for those of you who are thinking of doing this, it's not hard - just time consuming depending on how big the piece is that you're finishing. Plus, I was really taking my time, making sure everything was right before moving on. Considering it's, you know, my first time attempting this type of thing, and what better to do it on than a giant secretary. Go big or go home, right?!
Ahem.
The above pic is of the top and bottom pieces, drying in the sun. Good ol' frog tape kept the paint off the glass on the doors.
Then, the next day, it was time for the wax ---
I apologize for the shadow, but you can at least see the dark wax, and how it brings out the variations in the paint strokes and the wood. I sanded some of the edges and corners after the clear wax and before the dark wax, to kinda give it a rustic look. As much as a secretary can be rustic. Ya know.
This is a close up of the front of the bottom piece, which flips out to become the desk ---
So cool.
I just have to finish waxing the drawers and the insert for the desk, and I'll be able to move the entire piece back inside.
Then, you'll get to see what I intend to use this piece for, since it's not going into my home office.
Stay tuned for Part II!!
Much love ~~~
