I was really excited when I bought this secretary from a really nice lady off craigslist. It was perfect, inexpensive and just needed a bit of a makeover with a few minor repairs. I was sure this one would be a keeper. If you guys recall, here is what it looked like before.
After thinking and thinking and thinking about it, I decided that I would paint it green with a white interior. Something kind of neutral so that it would match the decor in my home. Would I have preferred to do something a bit out of the ordinary? Yes, and now I wish I had. I painted it green, but the green turned out a bit too "minty" for me. It sort of looked like mint chocolate chip icecream without the chocolate chips. Not at all what the color looked like when I got it at Home Depot, but I figured it would look right after it dried. Instead of repainting the whole thing, I tried a little trick that I have done a few times before. I went over the paint with stain. I liked it at first, but when I got it in my house................................um, not so much. So here you go, the after, in all it's glory paintedness, or should I say paintedMESS.
My fiance actually likes this one. Maybe it will grow on me? Maybe I should consider taking the top of it off? I would love some suggestions. Do I sell her and call it a day? Take the top off or repaint the whole thing?
<a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="The DIY Show Off" src="http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac195/Roeshel/DIYShowOffbuttonsmall.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="The DIY Show Off" src="http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac195/Roeshel/DIYShowOffbuttonsmall.jpg" /></a><br />
Shannon
27 comments:
I like it and if you hadn't said so, I would never have known it was an "oops"...having said that, if you are really not happy with it, I would say, repaint it. It is much too cute of a piece to not enjoy to it's fullest~
I have to agree with Terri. I would have not seen a problem either. I think it's a great transformation. But if you do not like, repaint it until it feels just right. I am so impressed at how brave you are. I am looking at my secretary next to my bed and going "hmmmmmm!" Thanks for the inspiration my dear!
Paula
ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
Unless the color in your photos are way off, I don't see a problem here. I think it looks good. However, I do understand what you're going through. I do the same thing sometimes. If it's really bugging you, change it. Otherwise, why don't you give it a chance the way it is. Someone may fall in love with it.
I think it looks great! I find that often I won't like a piece when I first bring it in, but after a week or so I end up loving it. See if it grows on you, and if not, maybe paint it to suit your taste better!
SJ...I like what you did with this piece but if your photos are close to real life your hesitation may not be about the color painted it but the fact that it is similar in shade to the wall color behind it. I know if I spend a lot of time on a project I'd want it to pop and say..."Here I am...look at me!" This is a fabulous secretary...she needs to be shown off! And don't sell her, unless you want to sell her to me!
Is it only the color you're not crazy about, or is the piece not what you envisioned for your space? Color you can change, but if it's more than that, I say sell it and find something you truly love! (That's the voice of experience speaking...I have sold many things that didn't quite match up to my vision!)
I'm your newest follower and would love it if you could follow me back :)
www.ifonlylifecouldbethatsimple.blogspot.com
Hi,
New follower from the blog hop please comes follow me back :)
http://lifewithtwinsandadramaqueen.blogspot.com/
I think it looks great! I could be that you just had a certain look in mind and that wasn't it! I'm sure it would sell if you wanted to get rid of it but let it soak for a while. Maybe it will grow on you or maybe you'll decided to repaint it. I've repainted so many pieces that I've lost count. :)
What a nice piece of furniture to get from Craigslist. The color is pretty though I know how it is when something just doesn't feel "right" to you. Paint can be tricky. Regardless, you did a great job and you have a good attitude. I'm your newest follower and I hope you stop by Cottage and Creek and follow back.
:)Lynn
You are so talented! Thanks for stopping by our blog! I am your newest follower!
I'm assuming you live in Queen Creek...that's where I grew up, before everyone moved out there. I love it there! I will always call it home!
Briana @ babblingsandmore.blogspot.com
If you wouldn't have said anything, I wouldn't have thought anything of it. It looks great to me... maybe it's just the color in the photos...?
I think is looks great. But for me when it bugs me it will always bug me. Thank you for the follow, because now I can follow back.
Lisa
Oh wow! What a gorgeous transformation. Thanks for stopping by to see me at Rhett Didn't Give A Damn - looking forward to getting to know you better. xo
Hey Shannon...You need to cover it and not look for a few days. If it still bugs after that...sell it and don't ever think about it again! Artistic=OCD :)A blessing and a curse. I think it turned out really well. Good luck! ~Jenny
I think it turned out great, but you have to go with your heart. If it doesn't grown on you, bells will ring and you'll come up with something more inspiring.
Gorgeous piece of furniture! It's only paint...you can always change it if you decide you don't like it :-). That's what I love about paint!!!
I'm your newest follower. I'd love for you to link this to my linky party that started today at Project Queen. www.projectqueen.org
I love it too, but agree, if it isn't speaking to you, then bye bye. If you do keep it, I would move the top somewhere else. I think both turned out so cute, but the top almost takes away from the bottom and vice versa. Overall, great work. What a really nice find!
Hey now... give this beautiful secretary a break, please!
I think it turned out just lovely! I agree with some of your other posters, though - if you really don't love it, just re-paint.... or just send it on my way - it's stunning!
Take care,
Christina
designingbynumbers.blogspot.com
I had to laugh at your write up, I just spent a weekend sanding and excitedly painting a peice of furniture! I hated it afterwards and my hubby thought it was nice.
I just went back to the paint isle on that one and now I think it looks pretty good.
all the best!
Mellissa @oldhousenewhousemyhouseyourhouseblogspot.com
Well, I think it looks just beautiful! I saw it over at Sherry's party and had to come by to see the rest. It looks a million times better than anything I would come up with! :-)
Vanessa
P.S. I'm your newest follower!
I know it's sometimes hard to tell in pictures, but I like it. Then again, if you don't love something don't keep it in your house! You might make a profit on it, then get to buy something that you like better! Stopping by from Twice Owned Tuesday.
If it looks as good in person as in your pictures, it'll at least sell like lightening! Sometimes, ya just gotta let it grow on you...sorta like a fungus...I made a wreath like that a while back... Took a while, but now I don't H.A.T.E. it anymo...
If this is a miss, I can't wait to see your hits! I think it's really pretty :) Judging by the other comments, I'm sure you'd be able to sell it quickly!
Hi Shannon - just wanted you to know that I featured your secretary at Project Queen's Link Party #5 Highlights. Thanks so much for posting. Hope you come back again this week. Don't forget to grab a button.
I love it. I didn't even recognize the oops until you mentioned it. Great job@
This is an awesome piece! I just recently scored a secy desk @ my local consignment store for $50 and was looking for ideas when I came across your blog...I don't know what colors I'll be using, but I honestly love this one! What stain/glaze color did you use on top? I love it!
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