Mid-Century Tortoise Shell Secretary

Thursday | 22:46

Hi everyone! So glad to be back and sharing two of my favorite farmhouse style goodies with you, ironstone and this old ladder.. You here: Home; Style; Antiques; Collectibles-General (Antiques) Collectibles-General (Antiques) /Questions. Mid-Century Tortoise Shell Secretary

Mid-Century Tortoise Shell Secretary

About a month ago I was online scoring ads for upcoming local auctions when I found this secretary.

I sought after it SO terrible and thankfully no one else did.

Awe-inspiring possum.

It came home with ME.

When I bid on it, I didn’t grasp it had a leather inlay, so I had grand plans to paint it ancient Hollywood style with black lacquer and gold details.

But the leather was too gorgeous to paint so I turned to plot B.

Watco Danish Oil in Light Maple.

It worked it’s magic perfectly.

I’m so glad I didn’t paint it.

The tortoise shell in the wood grain is killer.

The original hardware is some of my favorite I’ve ever seen.

I spent a lot of time obsessing over some of the scratches and small dings I couldn’t refinish with the oil and a stain pen.

I tried all my tricks and then resolute to let the small dings be.

They add character and who says it has to be perfect to be gorgeous.

For more info on this piece, including dimensions and price, click on The Shop tab at the top of the page.

Also, how about these brass candle sticks my mom thrifted for me?!

I’ll show you how to clean up ancient brass later this week.