Presenting - My Secretary

I've discovered that my newly acquired secretary traveled all the way to North Carolina from Staten Island, New York. After buying her and showing her off on my blog, the gals at SuzAnna's Antiques heard from a gentleman who informed them that the secretary had belonged to his wife's Uncle Neil, and that she will be pleased it found a good home down South - how sweet is that?

So far I've done nothing to change her painted finish. English brother in Southwest France, who has a new second career painting furniture in his village, thinks perhaps I need to "shabby 'er up a bit more Sis". While I ponder reaching for a sanding block, and wait for dh to heal his very painful back strain from lugging her up the stairs, she remains elegantly in place in all her loveliness.

I'm really pleased with the way the padded pin boards for the doors came out. It was an easy no sew project. I cut foamcore board to fit and covered with quilt batting using a heavy duty stapler. Then did the same with the toile fabric, using a different scene for each door to make it more interesting. Crisscrossed the grosgrain ribbon, stapling in back and used bronze upholstery tacks on the front. Attached finished panels to the doors with Velcro tape, dh's great idea as we didn't want to pound nails! I lined the three lower drawers with pretty scented paper.

This is one of my painted and decoupaged boxes utilized as a bookend. I made several on returning from Tuscany. I had lots of wonderful souvenir paper ephemera I wanted to display to remind me of my ten most fabulous days ever!

Florentine portfolio ~ French jars from Michael's, I added dried lavender ~ magnifying glass with silver handle.

The drop down desk is so sturdy - arms automatically come out to support the writing table and it is perfectly level. The little cubbies are home to my many writing papers, envelopes and blank journals, purchased usually when traveling ~ beautiful ones from Florence, Paris and England. I have always enjoyed writing and receiving handwritten letters and notes. The first 30-something years I lived in the USA I wrote home to my Mother in England at least once a week. She in turn wrote to me and I still have many of her letters packed away in a pretty box. In the '60's and '70's a 3 minute phone call across the pond cost $25! We didn't call much until the later years when international long distance became much cheaper.

This sweet piece of handpainted Japanese china with a bluebird was my maternal Grandmother's hatpin container. I have such vivid childhood memories of it standing on her dressing table. It makes a perfect pen holder.

The encre (ink), pen, sealing wax and fleur-de-lys seal came as a set in a J. Herbin box from France. This company has been producing inks and wax since 1670!

I'm sure you can tell I'm pleased with my secretary. I think she really adds a bit of pizazz to this room. The makeover is still in progress ~ more to come later.