Every Monday morning starts with a trip to my favorite thrift store -
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Yesterday I scored a very nice French Provincial style desk. I stripped the top in prep for Dark Walnut (my fav) stain. What color should I try on the body and drawers? Any suggestions? Here's the color chart. http://cececaldwells.com/paint-color-chart/
96 answers
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I like the spring hill green!
Phoenix Stone Solutions
on Mar 20, 2012
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Wow, it's really hard to choose! I like all the blues, particularly the Blue Montana Sky. Do you know where this piece will end up?
Miriam Illions
on Mar 20, 2012
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I vote for Destin Gulf Green or Vermont Slate
Teresa D
on Mar 20, 2012
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Santa Fe Turquiose for the body and Destin Gulf Green for the drawers... but with a dark walnut top I might go with Omaha Ochre... there are a few combinations I'd love to try. I love the desk so I think any color will bring it to life.
Pat S
on Mar 20, 2012
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Rustic black finish for desk top with black french style calligraphy on cream glazed background. for the body. Antique mirrored handles to keep the french theme going.
Inside Out
on Mar 20, 2012
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As a jewelry maker who works a lot with turquoise...my vote goes towards the santa fe ...highlighting with the green sound good too
KMS Woodworks
on Mar 20, 2012
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Wow, lots of great suggestions! Miriam, all my work is for sale so I usually stay safe with neutrals to appeal to a wider audience. There are so many delicious CeCe colors I can't choose!
Donna McCrummen
on Mar 20, 2012
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Dtto to inside Out's response!
Terri J
on Mar 20, 2012
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Destin Gulf Green or Alaskan Tundra Gray
Kelli E
on Mar 20, 2012
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I like Spring Hill Green with the proper amount of distressing
Roanna K
on Mar 20, 2012
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Don't paint a piece like this. Do the stain. Maybe a lighter stain on the body of the piece with your Dark Walnut on the top.
Joel N
on Mar 20, 2012
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Well, how about the Santa Fe Turquoise as a base, add crackling medium, then go over it with Vermont Slate so the turquoise is only exposed in the cracks, then go over that with a couple coats of polyurethane.
Troy C
on Mar 20, 2012
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Depends on your room color you want it to blend not stick out. I like Young Kansas Wheat
Debi E
on Mar 20, 2012
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I like the Georgia Clay for the body and Mesa Sunsrt for the drawers.
Denise M
on Mar 20, 2012
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go with a victorian look
Scott E
on Mar 20, 2012
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Depends on what room you are putting it in. I have a place in my girls room and it would be a lovely yellow (chalk paint : Carolina yellow)
Kimber B
on Mar 20, 2012
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My idea would be to just use the stain over the entire piece and seal it with shellac and if it is going to see a heavy work load also a hard poly urethane coating or marine varnish.
Kyle Y
on Mar 20, 2012
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I love all the colors but any type of Gray or close to it is totally out. I like the Omaha Ochre for the top and Young Kansas Wheat for the sides and drawers. I would definitely want to do something with the drawer handles say something in a brushed gold finish.
Rose Marie G
on Mar 20, 2012
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Georgia clay would compliment the beautiful wood top.
Anna O
on Mar 20, 2012
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chalk paint, light turquoise with spring green.
Donna G
on Mar 20, 2012
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I like the Vermont Slate, then take some nice pewter or platinum, or silverish rubbing wax and do accents with it on the edges, just hitting the high spots. I think it would look really nice withthat hand rubbed metallic sheen.
Jackie C
on Mar 20, 2012
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i would do young kansas wheat with crystal knobs
Rachel
on Mar 20, 2012
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It depends on the look you are going for. If you want it to stand out I suggest Carolina Sun Yellow, but if you want it to be versitle Cottonwood Sienna would be a beautiful color that would go with a lot of different accent colors.
Jacquelyn S
on Mar 20, 2012
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I like Destin Gulf Green or Seattle Mist, both distressed
Peggy P
on Mar 20, 2012
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Shiny mahogany with a faux marble top.
Karen R
on Mar 20, 2012
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Gray and yellow are the popular colors this year. However, I prefer Memphis Blue myself.
Jeffrey F
on Mar 20, 2012
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Haven't looked at the color chart, too slow! But me, personally, would paint it antique white. It looks like it could be.
Kathy M
on Mar 20, 2012
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I like black under coat crackled with white on top. I have a dark purple with crackled white on top for a chest of drawers kinda like that but I like purple.
Karren R
on Mar 20, 2012
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Carolina Sun Yellow is a cheery bright color. I think it would look good on the piece.
Patricia W
on Mar 20, 2012
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VINTAGE WHITE
Nellie T
on Mar 20, 2012
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Carolina Sun Yellow!!!!
Karen S
on Mar 20, 2012
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I'd stain it, but if you really want to paint it, I'd go with vintage white for the body and Omahaochre for the drawers
Joan G
on Mar 20, 2012
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Consider the room decor where this desk will live. i think it is a shame to paint the natural wood. If you are craving color, consider staining the wood with a transparent stain that lets the natural wood grain show through. There are many colors to choose from. As a designer that specializes in Vintage furnishings, The French Provincial style may look cheap with a garish paint color. I like the idea of enhancing the French design with the mirrored handles and maybe some French calligraphy hand painted on the wall around the desk. Tell us more about the room setting and colors.
Lynda B
on Mar 20, 2012
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zebra , white with brown stain to make it look old! awesome
Laura H
on Mar 20, 2012
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GEORGIA CLAY
Inez A
on Mar 20, 2012
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Omaha Ochre with slight accents of the dark walnut in the creases of the drawers would be amazing!!
Wendy V
on Mar 20, 2012
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carolina sun would look good with walnut
Cindy H
on Mar 20, 2012
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Funny, I inherited an identical desk from my Mother! It is a very nice piece of furniture
Allenna R
on Mar 20, 2012
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I agree with Lynda B. When you have a very distinct style, it can come off badly and look really "thrift shop junky" if not thought out. I think the transparent or opaque stain is way to go. But most importantly is the fact that you worked very hard on stripping it down to the bare beauty; do you really want to hide it. Just saying. I'm sure it will be pretty when you finish. Please post pix.
Diane B
on Mar 20, 2012
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messa sunset if the tops going to be walnut with spring hill green drawers!!
Cindy M
on Mar 20, 2012
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I Love French Provential painted white. My favorite stain color is Jacobian.
Tammy E
on Mar 20, 2012
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Santa FeTurquoise would be beautiful with the dark walnut top
Sherrie A
on Mar 20, 2012
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I like the Mesa sunset with the undercoat of Santa Fe Turquoise. But a lot would depend on where the desk was going.
Marci N
on Mar 20, 2012
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Hershey Brown base with Blue Montana Sky drawers.
Tamara K
on Mar 20, 2012
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how about pickling maybe with a tint
Kathy M
on Mar 20, 2012
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None of the colors, I love the look of natural wood and it is a beautiful piece of furniture.
Carol L
on Mar 20, 2012
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Body-Spring Hill Green ...drawers-turquoise !!!
Brenda A
on Mar 20, 2012
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stain it all the dark walnut!
Jennifer M
on Mar 20, 2012
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I would say do not paint...It would spoil the integrity of the desk.
Michelle D
on Mar 20, 2012
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I have this exact desk...mine has a leather inset...Please post when you have it done!!!
ANNE M
on Mar 20, 2012
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Whatever you do we know it will turn out great!
HandyANDY - Handyman & All Repairs, LLC
on Mar 20, 2012
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Depends on where it's going and what you are using for. It would make a great cabinet for a sink
Joan P
on Mar 20, 2012
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Smoky mt. gray will go well with the walnut top
Keith B
on Mar 20, 2012
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Great suggestions all....I should have put this in the original post as many of you asked where it will go. I sell all my work so I don't know where it will go :-) All I hope is that it goes fast. LOL - sorry all you wood lovers staining, poly, shellac, etc. are not options. It will be CeCe Caldwell chalk paint and a lustrous wax finish. We shall see if I can step outside my neutral comfort zone!
Donna McCrummen
on Mar 20, 2012
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yep, turquoise
Diana S
on Mar 20, 2012
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Georgia Clay or Carolina Sun yellow would look wonderful with a dark walnut top.
Dana P
on Mar 20, 2012
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dark stain..then distress it ..chnage handles to something clunky
Sandy R
on Mar 20, 2012
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pure white, Gloss, you wont be sorry because it will go with almost anything, I have done similar pieces, In my case they sold for a hefty price in a short period of time
Rich B
on Mar 20, 2012
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Santa Fe Turquoise with the stained top is really in now....Have seen it on pieces like yours...it'll look great...good luck. : )
Judy V
on Mar 20, 2012
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Do a distressed Cottage White. It will be Awesome.
Just Fine Tables
on Mar 20, 2012
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Alaskan Tundra Gray and Destin Gulf Green
Maxine B
on Mar 20, 2012
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I agree with everyone that said stain it...It's a very pretty piece...and with a new luster...it will be striking. But...if you are going for a fun, fancifil, whimsy feel...the spring green is cool...and change the hard ware to ceramic, unique shapes or theme.
Kimberly L
on Mar 20, 2012
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Omaha Ochre to blend into a room. Destin Gulf Green is you want the piece to stand out. If you plan to sell it after it's finished, use Cottage White and distress it a bit.
Alethea S
on Mar 20, 2012
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Dont paint it! It is lovely the way it is.
Mary N
on Mar 20, 2012
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I like the Memphis blue, vintage white, or Smokey Mt. grey
Caitlin M
on Mar 20, 2012
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Destin Gulf Green & Santa Fe Turquoise
Kathleen B
on Mar 20, 2012
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That is a lot of advise, are you still happy you asked?
Pedini of Atlanta, LLC
on Mar 20, 2012
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I like the Memphis Blue w/ dark wax distress, still quite neutral
Rhonda M
on Mar 20, 2012
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Yes Pedini, I'm glad I asked. Lots of great CeCe colors to choose from!
Donna McCrummen
on Mar 20, 2012
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70 comments on facebook, btw, in case you need some more opinions: http://www.facebook.com/Hometalk/posts/202147609894899 No pressure but I hope it turns out well:)
Miriam Illions
on Mar 20, 2012
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I would definitely do Mesa Sunset. Nice splash of color.
Patricia Mayne
on Mar 20, 2012
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Young Kansas Wheat has my vote!
Marcia M
on Mar 21, 2012
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I LIKE THE MEMPHIS BLUE!!!!!!
PRISCILLA M
on Mar 21, 2012
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It is so beautiful, why paint? How about just stain?
Vmsscuba
on Mar 21, 2012
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I am the NJ retailer for CeCe Caldwell's chalk paint. I paint everything. My dog is often fearful of standing still too long. Thanks for the FB post Miriam. I just finished reading all the comments - took two cups of coffee!
Donna McCrummen
on Mar 21, 2012
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Was on FB a few minutes ago, and saw some of your work there too. Are you trying to twist our arms to come up to NJ?
Terri J
on Mar 21, 2012
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Yes Terri. You guessed it. I stained the top of the desk today. I decided on Minwax Provincial - the wood is so so beautiful I couldn't make it too dark. I decided on a paint color. Will share as soon as it's finished.
Donna McCrummen
on Mar 21, 2012
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Can't wait, to see the finished product. I have an old desk similar to the one you are doing now. Give me hints...
Terri J
on Mar 21, 2012
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Send me a picture Terri - I'll help all I can. Donna@ShabbyDaze.com
Donna McCrummen
on Mar 21, 2012
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Will try to do it over the weekend.. I appreciate it!
Terri J
on Mar 21, 2012
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Check for bed bugs. Apparently locally bed bugs were introduced in an apartment complex via thrift stores!
Mareline S
on Mar 21, 2012
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Oh no! Bed bugs???? Gross!!!!
Terri J
on Mar 22, 2012
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Thanks Mareline. Bed bugs have become a real problem all across the country. They usually travel on upholstered pieces but can get into wood - I'm always very very careful about what I bring home.
Donna McCrummen
on Mar 22, 2012
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Love this desk!
Tim S
on Mar 22, 2012
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Different hardware could easily turn this piece from French Provincial to a Spanish/Mexican piece! I like the idea of painting it rather than staining it. Too much wood in room can be quite boring and dull. A painted piece can add the punch a room needs.
Alethea S
on Mar 22, 2012
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dark grey
Jhowell H
on Mar 30, 2012
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TA DA - sorry folks pics taken with my iPhone. Not so great...but unlike some of my work - I love how this turned out.
Donna McCrummen
on Mar 30, 2012
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I used CeCe Caldwell Vintage White and left over AS Versailles. I used Minwax Provincial on the top.
Donna McCrummen
on Mar 30, 2012
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That is BEAUTIFUL, NICE JOB!!!!
Renee S
on Mar 30, 2012
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Perfect!
Kimberly L
on Mar 31, 2012
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amazing!!
Pat S
on Mar 31, 2012
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As always, beautiful work!
Terri J
on Mar 31, 2012
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Thank you everyone! On to the next -
Donna McCrummen
on Mar 31, 2012
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love the detail in that piece!
Pat S
on Apr 05, 2012
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That Monday visit equals 52 pieces a year.....what on earth do you do with all those pieces when they are finished? Do you have a shop or gift them or what?
Bill Croley
on Jul 09, 2015
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for your desk i think blue- black is the right coulor and polisch up the copperware and the tabletop whith a stencil in gold or kopper a border pattern.....Yolanda from Belgium
Yolanda.smits2
on Mar 31, 2016
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