I bought a secretary desk a while back. I searched for one for months on Facebook Marketplace, and at local antique stores, but I ended up finding it at Scott’s Antique Market in Atlanta. It was the first time I had ever visited the once-a-month event (can you believe that?) and it was the very first thing I saw as we pulled into the parking lot that day. It was sitting front and center in the booth closest to the parking lot and “Stars Fell On Alabama” was floating out of the speaker sitting on the ground beside it.
(There she is…just drawing me in!)
My eyes watered up as I moved toward it. I don’t know if it was the song, or the specialness of this secretary, or because I was so happy I had pushed myself to make the trip even though big crowds and new places tend to make me feel panicky….or maybe a combination of it all. Either way, it made it’s way into my heart and, a couple of hours later, into the bed of our pickup truck. (For 250 bucks if you’re curious. Oh, and there’s a video of me walking up to it saved in my Highlights on Instagram- ha!)
The hutch is separate from the base, which made it easier for Kevin and I to carry it into the house.
It didn’t start out as a secretary though. It was assembled from scratch by an Amish man in Pennsylvania out of reclaimed wood from a church in Ohio. The vendor I bought it from explained that he takes old, condemned buildings apart and then hires the Amish man to make fun furniture out of the pieces. So the historic beadboard you see there used to be wainscoting, and the planks of tongue-and-groove pine paneling used to clad the church’s ceiling.
I immediately loved it as-is, but after living with it for a couple of months, I decided that this particular piece would feel more whimsical with a coat of paint. And after all, it’s not an antique (the wood is old, but like I said, the secretary itself is brand “new”!) and painting it one color will help unite all the different wood tones.
That’s paint grade 1/4″ plywood inside the middle section of the secretary. It’s going to be very challenging to paint the insides of some of those smaller cubbies, but I’ll figure something out. 😉
I’ve actually already started painting the outside and I’m loving how it looks. I’m using Miss Mustard Seed’s milk paint because I want the wood was painted all along. I mixed 4 parts Mora with 1 part Layla’s Mint to create a very dusty gray that leans mint green. (And, yes, she named the latter color after me…squee!)
Unfortunately, to avoid having a painful, full body flare-up that usually starts in my right wrist, and that requires many days of steroids to go away, I have to be very careful with my joints. (I have an autoimmune disease called palindromic rheumatism if you’re new around here.) So I’ve been painting it very slowly, and because I’m covering up such a dark (stain) color, it’s taking several coats. I’ll be sure to show you how it turned out whenever I do finish though. I think it’s going to be so much fun to style!
Have you dragged home any new (old!) pieces of furniture lately? Tell me all about it! I love this stuff!
Layla
Nothing new or different here, but I’ve enjoyed watching your search for your secretary and am excited to see how she turns out!! I love reading and watching your videos! Shopping trips are wonderful!!
I live in West-Central Alabama and look forward to your posts.
Recently a porcelain-topped kitchen table and also a cabinet from the same era jumped in my van and rode home with me. Can’t wait to get them painted and back to their original beauty!
Can’t wait to see the finished product!
I know it’s going to be amazing — can’t wait to see it finished!
It really is the perfect piece for that spot! Score!
Layla it’s gorgeous!!!! A true gem for a gem!!! Enjoy it!!!
Sometimes we do have to live with something for a while before we can make it perfect for our home. Take your time – will look forward to seeing the finished product. Merry Christmas
I’ve been going to the Scott’s Antique Market in Columbus Ohio for years. Where is this man??!!?? Love this!!
Can you spray milk paint? I’ve never heard of people doing it, but it would make it easier to paint those cubbies. I love that this is repurposed wood!
Actually I bought a few sofa tables from this same vendor who used old flooring and spindles from a house in Atlanta. I love my tables!!
Beautiful, most gorgeous secretary!
I use small rollers and a long handle paint frame to paint areas like the cubbies. Yes, I use paint rollers with milk paint. Everything doesn’t have to be painted with a brush.
https://www.amazon.com/Linzer-MT-701-11-0600-Roller/dp/B005FGC78M/ref=asc_df_B005FGC78M/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=193152739170&hvpos=1o28&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1344415122253582421&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027201&hvtargid=pla-306608893151&psc=1
I have an old oak secretary I’d love to paint, but the hubs is bawking, lol. I took the glass doors off and the shelves out of the top and have a painting I did a long time ago hanging in there. It’s kind of fun and different.
I had been stalking a twin size vintage bed since August at my favorite antique store near my house. I would go back once a month and check on it & see if the price had dropped. Mid November I decided If the bed was still there it was meant to be. It was there & a higher price than I wanted to pay but I didn’t want someone else to scoop it up. I now use the curved footboard as my fireplace screen and I LOVE looking at it every day!! Mixing in vintage pieces into my home makes me happy!! I now have eight pieces throughout my house, one of which was the bedroom suit my grandparents purchased when they got married in 1946. ❤️
I know you are going to make it even more gorgeous than it is now. Can’t wait to see what you do with it!
I was recently diagnosed with an autoimmune arthritis called spondyloarthritis. They say it starts in your 20s (I’m 44now) and isn’t rare but I certainly never heard of it before! On the bright side, it does explain why everything has been hurting for years though and I’m not actually crazy or imagining it since my Dr. seems to think looking healthy equates being healthy.
Beautiful
I can’t wait to see how your secretary desk is going to look at the end. 😍 I just got a china that I want to paint pink and put wallpaper on the back, the color is absolutely out of my comfort zone but I saw a picture that really inspired me and I want to try. At the end paint is paint right? I can always paint over if I don’t like it! 😄 In Italy we say: “Who go slowly go far” so don’t worry, take your time! 😘
Beautiful secretary! My favorite part is the story of how it came to be. Love having things with stories like that! I’m sure it will be fabulous when you are finished with it. Looking forward to the big reveal when you are ready!
Great find. Beautiful back story of its birth.
I know you want to paint it, but I love it just the way it is! All those different wood tones, just make it look older and cooler to me. What a find!!
I have fibromyalgia and if I do much at all with my arms (like painting), I will hurt for days. I understand your frustration, just wish I had your patience because I usually overdue it and pay for it. I’ve always wanted to know how you and Kevin met here in Springfield, my home town. Oh yes and the hutch is perfect!
I’m so sorry you hurt sometimes too, Carol. 🙁
And Kevin and I met at a concert hall there because his band was headlining a tour and the company I worked for at the time was sponsoring it. I saw him from across the room and BOOM! 🙂
Gorgeous! What a great find for you, and your house. Fits right in with the decor. Can’t wait to see it completed too. Thanks for sharing your find. Happy Holidays!
Thank you, KJ! I hope you and yours have a very merry Christmas too! 😀
Oh this is a beauty! And what a precious way God gave you this gift…music and all 🙌
~ Jill