Graphite and old white are the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint colors I chose to update an antique solid mahogany secretary.  I think the dark charcoal color adds a little more sophistication to the desk than a solid black would.

This piece is one I am doing for myself, so of course it has been on the back burner for some time!  I plan on using it for my stationery – I think I am one of the few that still uses it!

I didn’t use any fancy painting techniques on this piece, but the job was extremely time intensive because of all the little nooks, crannies, and secret compartments!  I started by putting a shellac coat on all the interior parts to be painted in the old white.  I needed to seal the mahogany so none of the color would seep through the white – an orangey yellow often comes through white with this type of piece if it hasn’t been sealed.

The outside of the piece was straightforward painting – I used the graphite and painted two coats.  After a coat of shellac on the inside, I painted two coats there as well.  After the painting was complete, I added a coat of Annie Sloan clear wax.  I did not do any distressing on this piece, but I did put a second coat of wax using Annie Sloan dark wax.  I wanted to give the graphite a deeper color and I also wanted the old white to look really old.  I was sure to rub dark wax into some of the nooks and crannies!

I used all the original hardware.  I really like the old, dark hardware with this piece – the inside hardware looks especially nice against the old white paint and in combination with the graphite paint on the outside.

I am so happy to have the piece completed and ready to store all my paper products.  I see a Felix Doolittle order in my immediate future!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie