If you’ve ever fallen in love with a piece of furniture despite its dated look, you’ll appreciate this transformation! In her latest guest blog, LeeAnn from Creative Moments takes us step by step through her redesign of a tired old secretary desk, turning it into a stylish, designer-worthy piece. From prep work to paint choices and thoughtful detailing, she shows how a little creativity (and the right products) can make a big impact – even on pieces that many would overlook. Whether you’re new to furniture makeovers or a seasoned DIYer, LeeAnn’s journey is full of inspiration and practical ideas you can try yourself.
(The following is an excerpt from Creative Moments. Read the full article here).
This project is a perfect example of how a monochromatic color palette can completely change the “vibe” of furniture. The original piece had a charming silhouette, but the mismatched pink and cream finish felt a bit scattered.
The Transformation Details:
- The Palette: We moved away from the high-contrast two-tone look and opted for a cool, soft gray. This single-color approach streamlines the desk’s appearance, making it look more expensive and cohesive.
- The Hardware: We kept the original crystal-style knobs. Against the new gray finish, they sparkle much more effectively, adding a touch of “jewelry” to the finished piece.
- The Features: The hutch’s intricate cubbies and those elegant cabriole legs are now the stars of the show. The matte finish helps highlight the shadows and curves of the woodwork rather than distracting from them.
This desk has evolved from a “shabby chic” cast-off into a timeless workspace that would look right at home in a modern office or a cozy bedroom nook.
I had a very good customer who was moving to Scotland and offered me many of her furniture pieces to relove. This desk was a definite yes because it’s the perfect size for so many people. French provincial style is always appealing, and those glass knobs are so pretty. Thanks, Georgina, for this beautiful piece!
Step 1: Clean and Sand
Using my wider
carbide scraper I scraped as much of the pink paint on the desk top off which helped to also smooth any brush marks and create a smooth surface.
The entire desk was power sanded using my Festool orbital sander ETS REQ 125 with 120 grit Serious Grit 5” sanding discs,
This step again smooths any previous brush marks as well as gives the old paint a bit of texture for the new paint to stick better to.
The first coat of gray complete.
After the first coat of paint was dry, the medium/fine sanding sponge was used to smooth the first coat. A second coat of gray paint was brushed on then and after this coat, it was sanded with a super fine
sanding sponge.Step 3: Apply Big Mama’s Butta
To rehydrate the drawers and the drawer guide I applied
Big Mama’s Butta with a dedicated
La Petite brush. This brush is perfect for getting in all the nooks and crannies. The butta comes in different scents or unscented which also freshens a piece aromatically as well.
This desk looks fresh and lovely. It was actually called even before I finished it. My sister in law was looking for a desk exactly like this and the color was perfect for her home. Win Win!
LeeAnn’s secretary desk makeover proves that charm and potential can be hiding in even the most overlooked furniture. With careful prep, smart product choices, and a vision for color and detail, she brought this classic piece back to life with a fresh, modern twist. If this inspires you to give your own dated piece a second chance, then LeeAnn’s experience has done its job! Whatever piece you choose next, remember that a little paint – and a lot of passion – can go a long way. For another easy yet effective makeover by LeeAnn, check out our blog,
From Basic to Beautiful: DIY Makeover with Chalk Mineral Paint.
Thank you for sharing this update, I loved the end results as did my sister in law!
This desk turned out so pretty! It’s the perfect blog to show how a simple one-color makeover can completely give new life to an old piece! Thank YOU for sharing with us!