I bought it at a local auction and fell in love with it’s small scale and skinny legs. It is really really old!
The back of the desk fell apart while transporting it but I was able to salvage the company’s label:
Check out this link HERE to the Cron-Kills Company catalog from 1905!
I originally wanted to strip the many different paint layers but quickly realized that just staining it wouldn’t be an option. After all I didn’t have the back to it anymore either.
I kept the flimsy desk slots but opted to not attach them for now because I feel like it gives you more room this way for modern day items like laptops. In the good old days those slots where for when people actually wrote letters instead of emails.
The desk was stripped, sanded and then the outside got a coat of Annie Sloan Aubusson Chalk Paint and the inside got Annie Sloan Scandinavian Pink, lightly distressed with a final coat of clear wax. You could use some darker wax for a more antique look but I love seeing the shades of the colors.
And I have been drawn to the blue and salmon/pink color combo.
And here are all the after photos for this Annie Sloan Secretary Desk Makeover:
It’s a little different from my regular style but I truly love it and the piece will be for sale in my Etsy shop. And you can find the pretty rug HERE.
Tschüß,
Kelly says
April 29, 2015 at 5:04 amLove the desk!! Where is the rug from??
Julia says
April 29, 2015 at 5:53 amThanks Kelly and I probably should include that in the post shouldn’t I 😉 It’s from Urban Outfitters
Julia says
April 29, 2015 at 5:57 amI updated my post and included a link.
cassie @ primitive & proper says
April 29, 2015 at 6:08 amso pretty! i love the pop of scan pink inside!
Julia says
April 29, 2015 at 2:08 pmThanks Cassie, those are still the colors I bought at Sweet Clover a long time ago 😉
Gretchen says
April 29, 2015 at 6:17 amThose colors look great together–so pretty!
Sarah says
April 29, 2015 at 8:16 amI wasn’t sure I liked your choice of blue, until I saw the interior painted in the contrasting coral. I love it!!!!
Julia says
April 29, 2015 at 2:08 pmI’m glad you like it with the pink 😉 thanks
Sherry Fram says
April 29, 2015 at 10:54 amBeautiful piece!! Love the surprise of pink when you open the desk up!
Julia says
April 29, 2015 at 2:07 pmThat pink is my favorite. I used it on some pumpkins two years ago too. And thanks!
[email protected] says
April 29, 2015 at 1:39 pmLucky you for finding such a nice piece of furniture! And beautiful remake, too!
Julia says
April 29, 2015 at 2:06 pmThanks Angelica
[email protected] says
April 29, 2015 at 2:53 pmLove the pop of color on the inside!
Julia says
April 30, 2015 at 5:09 pmThanks Ashley
carol says
April 29, 2015 at 4:20 pmvery nice!I have an antique oak (dark) dresser with attached oval mirror that I have been thinking about painting (as a newbie) with Annie Sloan chalk paint as well. The front of the drawers have some detail work… from your experience how easy is it to paint ?
Julia says
April 30, 2015 at 5:08 pmHi Carol and thanks so much. I do have to tell you that it’s the easiest paint with ever. It really is. It’s so much harder to paint with oil paint and other paints. And since you can sand it easily you can fix mistakes during your first time painting. Good luck!
Claire Brody says
April 30, 2015 at 9:19 pmThis is flawless, Julia!!! It is so perfect with that rug! Love!
Pam @ Simple Details says
April 30, 2015 at 10:13 pmJust charming with the pink surprise inside, and so great with your fabulous rug!!
Corinna - For My Love Of says
May 1, 2015 at 3:13 pmOh my goodness those colors are so unexpected together but so, so pretty! I actually really love the contrast between the desk and your other decor. Makes for a really interesting space.
Julia says
May 3, 2015 at 8:32 amThanks Corinna!
Kimberly Duran says
May 2, 2015 at 2:15 amOh that colour combination is inspired and it works so beautifully with that little rug!! Gorgeous! xxx
Julia says
May 3, 2015 at 8:33 amThanks Kimberly
Gilly @ Colour Saturated Life says
May 2, 2015 at 5:03 amThis is a beautiful makeover Julie!
Julia says
May 3, 2015 at 8:34 amThank you
Bethany @ Dwellings by DeVore says
May 4, 2015 at 7:14 amLove the color combo and how well it coordinates with your rug!
Julia says
May 4, 2015 at 7:35 pmThank you! I guess I’m feeling the blue and pink in all shades since the patio style challenge
Trisha D. @Black and White Obsession says
May 4, 2015 at 8:06 amLove the peek-a-boo pink on the inside. Glad you were able to salvage a piece that surely needed some TLC!
Julia says
May 4, 2015 at 7:37 pmI really wanted to stain it but it was just too messed up. Thanks
[email protected] says
May 6, 2015 at 12:09 pmGorgeous! I love this color combo so much! (I’m catching up on blog reading today – can you tell?) 🙂
[email protected] says
May 18, 2015 at 12:00 pmJulia! Its sooo pretty! I LOVE the pop of blush inside. I still have never tried chalk paint. Maybe one day…
Julia says
May 19, 2015 at 4:54 amYou must try!!!! And thanks!
Sheryll & Critters. says
May 19, 2015 at 7:21 amOh so very beautiful. When I stike if rich……. will you design fo me?
Kate k says
March 5, 2016 at 4:37 pmI love this desk and am now on the hunt for one similar! Love that it’s originally from piqua Ohio, which is 10 minutes north of my hometown of Troy Ohio!