Stately Secretary Makeover

13 Materials
$100
8 Hours
Easy
This petite secretary needed a refresh. It had lost its luster and looked ready for a fun update.


We started by removing all the hardware and cleaning the piece with Dixie Belle White Lightning. We removed the back board and slide in drawers too for an easier reach.
After rinsing and drying we lightly sanded the entire piece with 220 and used a lower grit (100) for the legs to remove the old finish and worked back to 220 for a smooth prep finish. We removed all sanding dust with a tack cloth. We then taped off the areas that we did not want paint on such as the drawers and legs. Next it was time to prime.
We used coverstain to prime in the spray can, lightly sanding between two coats with 220 grit.
Remember those drawers I mentioned not wanting to get paint on? These rolls of painters plastic with painters tape are a huge help. They make it so easy and eliminates the need to go searching for newspaper or craft paper. After priming and removing all the dust with a tack cloth we sprayed our Country Chic paint in Dune Grass with our holiday gift to ourselves, a professional paint sprayer. There are many to choose from on the market that can get the job done, but we used a Fuji Semi-Pro. We sprayed two coats on all sides, lightly sanding between each coat with 500 grit and making sure to remove any dust in between. We lightly distressed the edges for a coastal look making sure the undercoat of white and the original wood color poked through. After finishing all coats, we used Country Chic Tough Coat in Satin to seal (except for the areas where we decided to add a fun accent - and the front two legs we taped up before - more below). Again, two coats, lightly sanding in between each one and removing dust.
We cleaned, lightly sanded, primed and sprayed all the hardware in an oil rubbed bronze by Rustoleum, finished with their top coat spray and changed out the two drawer pulls for something more modern. These card catalog pulls by D. Lawless Hardware worked out perfectly.
We decided on adding a floral accent to the back panel and pull down shelf for a little extra fun detail. We used the decoupage method for the floral accent by painting the area in a light pink called Tea Rose by Dixie Belle, adding a layer of Mod Podge, laying out the paper making sure it was smooth, added another layer of mod podge, smoothing out any bubbles and after letting it dry, sealed again with the top coat and lightly sanded to smooth out the finish.
For the front two legs we used Country Chic Paint's Antiquing Wax which is a beautiful dark wax to bring out the natural grain of the wood, removing any excess with a shop towel.
Peek a boo surprises are always fun!
And here it is complete. Thank you for following along!
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  2 questions
  • Lee Berardi Lee Berardi on Feb 19, 2020

    Love the idea thank you!I know you put the link for the shelf paper that you modge podge but I pulled up the link and I couldn't find that exact one. I'm looking for that exact one can you send me the link? Thank you so much

  • DEE MCNEIL DEE MCNEIL on Oct 28, 2021

    WHAT IS A HOLIDAY GIFT?

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  • Mary Jo Murphy Mary Jo Murphy on Oct 26, 2022

    Absolutely gorgeous! Well done!

  • Ramona Ramona on Oct 27, 2022

    I don't disagree! I think the piece is beautiful the way she chose to do it. It wasn't a criticism of the finished piece, only an observation that some pieces are worth stripping and restaining, in lieu of painting. I have the exact same desk and have been debating with myself which way I'm going to go- paint or restain. I respect all the craftsmanship and artists who take the time to bring old pieces of furniture (no matter the value) back to life. I have been doing it myself for over 40 years! My hat is off to all those who upcycle, recycle and salvage!

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