Vintage Chest of Drawers

This chest/secretary thing is so unique! It's been sitting in the garage forever! 

I was almost so fed up with it, I almost put it to the curb! (Do you ever have so many irons

in the fire that you just can't be bothered???!) 

Well, glad I didn't. I just decided to get to it and slapped on some white chalk paint. 

Then I thought I would try some artwork on top by using that cool staining technique

I used on the french provencial dresser awhile back.  Here

OK.  Obviously the before. This is a solid mahogany which the manufacturer covered in this

horrid orangey lacquer finish.  Look what was on top!!!

 This beautiful mahogany wood top!! So I chalked out a hibiscus flower, got out my stains, and went

to town!! I just used a combo of stains. Some I left on for a few minutes, and others I wiped away quickly. This is just a fly-by-the-seat-ofyour-pants type of thing. You really can't follow exact

directions. It's like painting. You just do it. Make sense??? Yeah, well, that's all I got!

All finished. And a few coat of semi-gloss poly 

The final version. Mahogany is so pretty when it's finished correctly! 

More pics.......

 How cute is this thing??!!
For when people used to write letters!! 
It pulls out and has 
these slots!! Then there is a shelf thingy that pulls out!  Big enough for
your laptop and a snack! 

 And how cute is my cat Athena??? 

Linking up at these great parties:

Restore Interiors - Restored it Wednesday

Kammys Korner - Trash to Treasure Tuesdays

Domestically Speaking - The Power of Paint Party

The Shabby Creek Cottage - Transformation Thursday

Miss Mustardseed - Furniture Feature Friday

Redoux - Friday Link Up Party

Homespun Happenings - Rustic Restorations Weekend

Funky Junk Interiors - Saturday Night Special

1929 Charmer - Sunday's Best Party

Knick of Time Interiors - Knick of Time Tuesday

Elizabeth and Co., My uncommon Slice of Suburbia,

Savvy Southern Style. Weds, Beyond the Picket Fence, PJH Designs

From my Front Porch to Yours,  

Between Naps on the Porch

                                                   The Dedicated House, Redoux