Tuesday, April 23, 2013

secretary desk transformation...

Happy Secretaries' Day! :)
Thanks for stopping by to check out the transformation of my Craigslist
secretary desk. I'll just get to the pictures for you...

BEFORE


AFTER


I decided on the black gloss finish after all, once the inside was painted a lighter
color, it started working for me. I used the same Jamaica Bay from Behr that I used
 for my mom's secretary in her entry. You guys were right again, it needed the back
lightened up to highlight the quatrefoils, I love the impact from their pattern.
I kept the same hardware and gave it all fresh coat of gold rub 'n buff.
The interior desk organizer is the original finish
  because it would have been a nightmare I like the the contrast!
The Greek Key chair was my first re-upholstery project on a $10 garage sale find,
 the post is funny, it was my second month of blogging and the explanation is...very brief!
 



PRODUCT
1 - Primed with Zinnser Cover Stain Primer
2 - Rustoluem Gloss Protective Enamel - Black
3 - Behr - Jamaica Bay (Top and Shelves)

PRICE
Craigslist Secretary - $200
Paint - I had all of it

PROCEDURE
I followed the same procedure as this tutorial for my dining room buffet.

PROBLEM
There isn't a great spot for it in my house, originally I thought it may work in my bedroom
 but I'm not sure. I think I'm going to put it back on Craigslist for $400 - $500.

I haven't ever sold anything I've refinished and am thinking that would be fair, but I'm
not completely confident estimating the value.

Any thoughts if you're familiar with pricing furniture for resale, thanks!


Stop by and check out all the inspiring diy projects:
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style WOW us Wednesdays
Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday
Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick May Before & After Party

49 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's gorgeous! I'm not sure where you are located , I'm in VA, that would be a very reasonable price here & I think someone will certainly love to have it in their home! Too bad it wouldn't fit in yours, but I understand the dilemma! - Susan

Julia@Cuckoo4Design said...

I love how it looks. The color inside is so pretty and I love that you kept the wood in the bottom inside natural.
Resale on Craigslist is tricky sometimes.

Unknown said...

This looks phenomenal Pam, you do such a great job refinishing. I think 400 sounds reasonable. Good luck with finding it a new home!
Xo Nancy
Powellbrower.com

Kim @ Plumberry Pie said...

Beautiful!! I just love it. Bummer it doesn't fit.:(

Dana Frieling said...

It's great how your handiwork highlighted so many details I hadn't even noticed before. Love the inside quatrefoil! Hope you sell it quick and make lots of cash.

A room with a view said...

I would think that is a great price. It looks great, Pam! Such a shame you cannot hold on to it.

Katie {Miss Dixie} said...

I love the pop of blue in the back! I bet someone will snatch that up in a heartbeat Pam!

Crissy @ House of Marlowe said...

Oh my goodness.... how could you part with such beauty! :) I think it will be gone in a heartbeat..... wish I were in the States to snag it.

designchic said...

It looks amazing, Pam. Just love that you painted the back the beautiful blue and the black...stunning!!

Denise Greenwood said...

Wow! It turned out fabulous!! The blue inside makes all the difference. I personally love that you left the insides the original wood, it is a great contrast. Love it!!

Unknown said...

No way... you are going to sell this???!!! Bummer, it's a stunner! I would search not only Craigslist but your local haunts to determine the right price. My thought is start higher, you can always lower.... good luck and keep us posted.

Cindy @ a curious gardener said...

It looks great Pam! Will be interesting to see how it sells on CraigsIist, I was going to sell that armoire I painted but became discouraged when I saw how many armoires were already listed, a huge amount and all very inexpensive. Have since decided to keep the armoire, have nothing else that filled the corner of the room.

BTW-I am painting the bookshelves again! The white was too stark for the house even though I loved how it looked alone. Now painting them the mushroom color that is on the bookshelves in the family room right around the corner. Looks better but more work! You were my inspiration when I decided it just didn't look right, I thought Pam would just start over, no big deal!

Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles said...

It's stunning! I love that you left the wood interior on the middle, this piece screams with character now! I don't think I could part with it, but if you do I hope it sells well!

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

Oh Pam don't sell it!!!!!! But sell it - if it doesn't work in your house. I just want it badly and so I want you to have it :)
It came out beautifully, I LOVE the contrast between the black and the blue interior, and the design on the glass doors is so pretty. What a great piece, keep us updated on whether you can sell it on CL!

Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies said...

It's striking! I think you have found yourself a new business!

Lori said...

I literally gasped! She is beautiful! I would find space somewhere...do you really need a refrigator after all?!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

It turned out beautifully, Pam! I love it!

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

That is one gorgeous secretary...it is stunning!...I am sad to hear that you cannot find a place for it!...but I am sure that it will go quite quickly on Craigslist...!...I guess the pricing would all depend on the area..as some areas can get much higher prices than others...You did an incredible job Pam!

Kathysue said...

I think maybe you might be starting a new business on the side! It turned out beautifully and I love the combination of blue with black. In fact that is my family rooms base colors, black and white striped rug with a blue ticking stripe sofa! Beautiful piece, that price sounds fair to me!! Happy Wednesday,
Kathysue

Vel Criste said...

OMG, this is just gorgeous Pam!!!! Love the black and blue together, I also love the fact that you left some raw wood look in the cubbies at the bottom! Huge pat on the back for you!

Myplace4tea said...

Oh my this looks so elegant. Love those two colors together.
List it at 550 and give it a week or two... and then see how many people will be interested. You can always bring the price down 50 at a time as you renew your listing. It would be a shame to let it go for 400.
It is truly one of a kind and gorgeous!

Great day to you.
Angela

Jen (House of Ruby Jean) said...

Beautiful!

Unknown said...

Pam, tell me you are not going to part with that gorgeous thing of beauty! I think your price sounds more than fair. Good luck with it!

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Very pretty! Love the black and blue together like that, I'd go for $500.00 seems fair to me:)

Haley said...

I LOVE this!! I like how you kept the original finish on the inside.

Christy James said...

Wow, this turned out absolutely a-mazing!!!! I love the blue accent and that you kept the insert wood. Stunning!!
XO,
Christy

meaningfulspaces said...

So beautiful! I'd say that price seems reasonable. It's gorgeous!

Cassie Bustamante said...

WOW. a favorite redo for me for sure. i am in lust!

Danielle said...

Beautiful. I love the blue inside! x

Judy said...

i think it turned out beautiful pam...you really did a good job. too bad you can't find a place for it...you could always do like me and "store" it indefinately! i'm trying to do away with those tendacies and don't keep anything i don't need.

you shouldn't have any problems selling it...especially since it's 'custom'...i think you've got it priced just right.

Carrie @ Hazardous Design said...

OMG. I CAN NOT believe this is the same piece of furniture. Love the blue accent. Love. It.

Unknown said...

Pam your before and after are incredible! I love your "new" secretary desk!

xo, Tanya
http://twelveoeight.blogspot.com/2013/04/pretty-things-link-party-17-and-party.html

My Little Bungalow said...

Fabulous job, Pam! It looks amazing. Yes, the interior color in that beautiful blue makes the quatrefoil design on the doors pop! And I love the interior compartment left natural ... great contrast. If you can find a place for it, you should definitely keep it!
Claudia

Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home said...

Beautiful! Can't believe how much more those quatrefoils pop now!

Amber B (Simple Dwellings) said...

Don't sell it! :) I wish I lived closer... I would buy it instantly! I love the way it turned out. The colors are gorgeous. The blue paint color really make the doors pop. What a great refinishing job!

Unknown said...

Love that find! Maybe the original seller would pay double to get it back!

erin said...

Gorgeous! (And you made that black gloss look like perfection!) Great job!

Unknown said...

Thats hard to believe its the same piece. I love the blue inside, wonderful job!

Angela said...

That blue interior totally changes it from HoHum to Awesome! Great job--hunting Craigslist around here...

Dwellings by DeVore said...

It looks great, love the contrast of the blue interior!

Stephanie said...

Dang I wish I lived by you! I'd buy it from you in a heart beat! $500 is a good price. You can always go down right?

SHERRY HART said...

I can't believe you don't have a place for it!!! Stunning....loving the blue accent!

Stacey {steward of design} said...

Wow, that looks so good! And I love the blue color inside.

pve design said...

Beautiful. I would say $600.
pve

Anonymous said...

Just beautiful! I am working on a secretary now and debating about lining the back with fabric or painting and also what type of black paint to use. My question for you is how did you paint the doors with all that detail???
Thank you!
Trish

pam {simple details} said...

Hi Trish,
I slid a piece of paper between the glass and the wood quatrefoil as I painted, I did get some paint on the glass here and there but it cleaned up easily with a razor blade. Good luck with yours!

Anonymous said...

Oh, this is one beautiful piece!! I really love it and it gives me the courage to tackle a cabinet of my own now..have always been afraid to paint it..but now I will! I have a question on the greek key chair (and I love it toooo...) I know that you stripped the wood...
1. Did you strip the cane?
2. How did you finish the wood part of the chair...paint or ?
3. Did you then paint the cane?
The reason I am asking is that I have a similar chair that is dark wood and I would like to give it that light finish that you have on your chair..
Oh, so many questions! Thanks a million for your help! Diane

pam {simple details} said...

Hi Anonymous,
1. I didn't strip the cane, I left the original stain because it seemed a little delicate to be scraping and sanding.
2. I sanded the wood down to its natural color, I tried putting a couple different poly coats on to finish it, but didn't like the look so I ended up sanding them off.

Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck with your projects!

Miss Southern Prep said...

What a beautiful pieces! I love the quatrefoils. You did a fabulous job refinishing it!

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