In this post: How to makeover a gorgeous old secretary desk with Fusion Mineral Paint.
Months ago I found a cute little secretary desk on kijiji.
But she was in need of some prettying up.
I went back and forth on color.
She even sat in the basement laundry room for awhile while I pondered.
This week though, Dean hauled her upstairs (like the Superman he is).
And I started painting.
Table of Contents
Painted Secretary Desk
Even mid-painting I changed my mind about color.
I was going to paint her black and then add a coat or two of aqua.
But once the first coat of black paint went on, I was smitten with my black painted secretary desk.
No aqua for this girl.
Supplies
- secretary desk
- screwdriver (to remove hardware)
- sandpaper
- Ultra Grip
- Coal Black Paint
- paint brush
- lint free cloth (optional)
- dark wax (optional)
Instructions
1. Remove hardware and set aside.
2. Lightly sand surface to be painted (just enough to dampen any shine). Wipe clean.
3. Apply Ultra Grip and let dry 12 hours or more.
4. Apply Coal Black paint. Let dry. Repeat.
5. Gently sand edges to distress if desired. Wax entire piece with dark wax and lint free cloth if desired.
6. Reattach hardware.
Coal Black all the way.
More Painted Furniture Makeover Posts
More Paint Tutorials + Tips
What do you think of our latest furniture makeover? Would you paint something black?
This project was sponsored by Fusion Mineral Paints. They provided the ultra grip base coat, coal black paint and brushes.
So pretty!!
Beautiful!!
great job Shannon!
Wow that’s a lot of pencils
Um, yes. Homeschooling means a LOT of pencils!
Love!!!!!
Love it!
Thank you all! I’m kinda in love with it too!
Beautiful, Shannon! I love how it looks in black!
Black is Her Color..She’s Beautiful!
I love the black. I’d paint many things black in a New York minute. When it works…it works. And, this…..works.
Suz
P.S. I especially like the #2 pencils…….
LOL! Yes, the pencils!
Love it—black is perfect and I think by distressing the detail and not painting the inside it kept it from being too black —and yes I love black pieces for accent
I really do like the wood and black together!
Ha!!! too funny read your article earlier today about “what is Hot and what is Not” just got ads for Hobby Lobby and their sales are on every item on the “NOT” list—should we tell em???
Nah! I think there’s plenty of people out there who still like what’s “out” – myself included!
I have a desk that I painted white four years ago and I’ve been thinking of doing it in black, yours is beautiful!
You could always paint over it again if you don’t like it!
love it – I just painted a cabinet we found on the side of the road all black and put a granite piece on top. We use it as a bar cabinet. The black is so chic and classy at the same time. Great job!
Nice!!! And thank you!!
Is this a true black?
Any color will read different in different lighting. At our house – with all the neutrals – it reads black. Maybe a hint of Navy in certain light, but just a hint.
Beautiful! I saw a secretary desk on Craigslist the other day but let it slide because of the price… Now I realize what a good deal it actually was. So now Im obsessed looking for another. Your makeover is so perfect! Thanks for the inspiration!
đŸ™‚ Have fun!
This desk is just GORGEOUS! I love that you painted it black, it looks so lovely. Funny, I’ve been painting all my black furniture white lately. đŸ™‚ I just don’t like the black I chose. It’s totally all in the paint! I love how it looks distressed and waxed, too. Thanks SO much for linking it up with us at Motivational Monday!! We hope to have you back again on Sunday at 6pm PST! Happy weekend. đŸ™‚
It’s definitely all in the paint. A lot of blacks have such a blue undertone. I love this one though!
Love!
Hi,
Oh my God! This is class overload in just one piece!!
Do you sale these pieces, how much is this one?
Thankyou very much.
Ayesha.
Sorry. Unfortunately we don’t sell these at this time. But thank you for asking!
Shannon,
i saw this on pinterest. i am in love. i just found a secretary that i want to paint and wax , I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS. HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON WERE TO STOP THE DARK PAINT AND LEAVE THE NATURAL BROWN.? WHAT AREAS DID YOU FOCUS ON FOR THE DISTRESSING? ANY OTHER TIPS? i WISH YOU WERE AVAILABLE FOR HOUSE CALLS
Hi Karyn! Welcome! I just sort of went with what seemed to work on my particular piece. Really it was all painted black on the outside, and any edges that you could see while the top and drawers were closed too. Distressing is always done to the parts that would naturally seem to get the most wear and tear. đŸ™‚ Good luck!
love this! where did you get the gold apple?