My office area has been looking quite brown lately despite my Benjamin Moore Pink Damask walls. You all know how much I like light and airy and for quite some time my working space has been brown….How drab, right?!? Our living room is shaped like an L and in that L bit is my little office area right off the kitchen. It has been looking brown because my desk is dark wood, my desk chair is wood and then the hutch I picked up at Interior Consignments was very dark. Here’s the hutch before:
1960’s Hutch (Before)
I know super brown! I got it for $50 at my friend’s shop in North Scituate. It had sat in her shop for months and months and she had it on clearance. It is solid wood except for the back which is laminate and has loads of storage! I just had to buy it. Here’s what Lady Grey looks like now:
Lady Grey Hutch (After)
I wanted her to pick up the colors in my wool rug:
Wool Rug in office
I think someone before me tried to do a bit of DIY on this hutch. It seemed to be lighter wood and it looked like someone slapped on cherry stain (not even bothering to remove the hardware). Said person also decided to paint the hardware gold:
Hardware and Hutch (Before)
I got busy washing the hutch down and coating it with clear shellac to prevent bleed through. Then I painted the interior with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White. Conor loved going inside the top of the hutch while I was painting:
Painting with my little helper
Then I did two coats of Paris Grey, clear wax and some dark wax and Old Violette on the hardware. I thought I wanted dark wax on all the detail, but when I did that I just hated it. My hubby snapped this fantastic photo of me applying the dark wax:
Applying dark wax
It was just too dark and didn’t look right so I immediately applied mineral spirits to remove the dark wax (well most of it) and then distressed it to give that shabby chic look. I reapplied clear wax to reseal. Phew, it looks much better now. Here’s a detailed look of the distressing:
Distressing
and the light dark wax:
Dark Wax
The bottom of the hutch is filled to the brim with Finding Silver Pennies paperwork, design inspiration and magazines while the top is filled with seaside treasures and wedding crystal:
Here’s a close up of the hardware now. Much better than the gold:
I love looking at my shells in there:
Finally, here’s a view with my little chandelier. Lady Grey is ready for her close up!
Today’s post is filled with optimism, lots of paint, some distressing and the story of restoring an empire buffed named Murray. My friend Jann rescues…
Absolutely beautiful. I have a similar brown hutch that I have been debating painting for a while. I love what you did. I’d love for you to come and link it up to my party that opens tonight at 8pm EST. Hope to see you there.
your makeover is stunning beyond words. lady grey looks so much prettier now. isn’t it what the right paint color and lots of elbow grease can do? have a great weekend rita
It turned out lovely! Much better now. I recently painted a hutch and I know what a pYoain it can be to paint the inside. Great job. You should share either this week or next week at Transformed Tuesday. We’d love to have you at our party. Hugs, Peggy
Danielle, this looks so much better! She’s so pretty now. Thank you for sharing this at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Looks SO much better Danielle! I did almost the exact same makeover on a china cabinet last year! Same color combo and I loved it!
It’s perfect. I love the blue hardware too.
Just beautiful – isn’t it mind blowing what paint can do?
And you’ve staged it beautifully too!
XXX
OMG it looks amazing!
What a beautiful transformation, Danielle! Love the light background, and your collection!
wow! it’s absolutely gorgeous, especially filled with shells.
great job!
x
Absolutely beautiful. I have a similar brown hutch that I have been debating painting for a while. I love what you did. I’d love for you to come and link it up to my party that opens tonight at 8pm EST. Hope to see you there.
This piece is beautiful, great job!!
Cynthia
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che lavorone, è bellissimo, trasformazione perfetta!
your makeover is stunning beyond words. lady grey looks so much prettier now. isn’t it what the right paint color and lots of elbow grease can do?
have a great weekend
rita
Fabulous transformation!! Much better than before….bet it makes you feel better too!
Nancy
http://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
Gorgeous! Good decision to paint it! Looks perfect with the wool rug. Thank you for sharing this at Rustic Restorations Weekend. Have a great weekend!
Great redo, looks great! Newest follower, hope to see you visit.
You brought it back to life. It’s so pretty now!
Liz
It turned out lovely! Much better now. I recently painted a hutch and I know what a pYoain it can be to paint the inside. Great job. You should share either this week or next week at Transformed Tuesday. We’d love to have you at our party. Hugs, Peggy
Danielle, this looks so much better! She’s so pretty now. Thank you for sharing this at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Lady grey is just stunning Danielle!
Danielle, your Lady Gray hutch is beautiful! What an amazing transformation, we just love it. Thanks for the Link Up!
Beautiful!
Anne