Secretary Sadness

I wish I knew how much room I will have to work with in our next house. If I knew I had the floor space, I would totally snag this $100 secretary from Boston's Craigslist.


Then I would do an Eddie Ross transformation...

beforeduring
after

The key is the incredible mirror backing to the cabinet fronts. Love this project.
on

24 comments:

  1. Katie L.April 21, 2009 at 9:47 AM

    OH. MY. GOSH!! That secretary is perfection!!

    I wish I lived in Boston! I would snatch that right up!!

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  2. AnonymousApril 21, 2009 at 9:50 AM

    Jealous of how awesome your craig's list is...

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  3. Vanessa GreenwayApril 21, 2009 at 10:03 AM

    WONDERFUL!! Love it painted white!

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  4. amy merrickApril 21, 2009 at 10:04 AM

    I've been dreaming of Eddie's secretary, too!

    One small comfort is that they seem to come up pretty frequently on Craigslist, I'm sure you'll be able to find one for a good price when all your ducks are in a row!

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  5. AnonymousApril 21, 2009 at 10:06 AM

    You should just buy it anyway. $100 is SO cheap for a large (probably) vintage piece like that! I bet you could sell it for three times that, if it turned out that you didn't have room. Though, something tells me you'd find room to house something that FABULOUS!

    :) Ginny

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  6. LizApril 21, 2009 at 10:23 AM

    Ahhh, gorgeous!!! What a beautiful makeover!

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  7. High-Heeled Foot in the doorApril 21, 2009 at 10:35 AM

    Wow so pretty and a steal at $100!

    I would totally buy it anyway. You could always re-sell it if you couldn't find a space for it.

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  8. heidikinsApril 21, 2009 at 10:40 AM

    Swoon!!

    That is gorgeous!

    xox

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  9. bluehydrangeaApril 21, 2009 at 10:58 AM

    You have to buy it!! If you buy pieces you love you will always find a spot for them. Otherwise you will probably be kicking yourself!

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  10. BonnieApril 21, 2009 at 11:14 AM

    Wow - the transformation piece is AWESOME. I'm really, really tempted since I live in the area. The only thing I don't like is the big swirly decoration piece on the top of this one... but still tempted. As usual, your craigslist saavy is amazing.

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  11. Todd and Emily RichardsApril 21, 2009 at 12:03 PM

    Okay, if that is REAL then you definitely need to get it. My parents have two of them and they are worth a ton. Got hooked on your blog last week when I wanted to see if you were still alive. :) We're doing great. Todd graduates this week! We need to catch up some time.

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  12. hqmApril 21, 2009 at 1:14 PM

    I have been searching for a Larkin to make over, too!

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  13. AnonymousApril 21, 2009 at 2:16 PM

    Get it, get it! I love the makeover! I could see lining the inner cabinets with some beautiful wallpaper, too :-)

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  14. Nadine @ BDGApril 21, 2009 at 6:27 PM

    I'm having the same problem with a clawfoot tub-- i've got the tub in my sights but no bathroom. But at that price, you might just take the risk. Think of it as rescuing the piece. Best, Nadine Bouler

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  15. Tania McCartneyApril 21, 2009 at 8:54 PM

    I'm off to find me a secretary!!!

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  16. Porchlight InteriorsApril 22, 2009 at 6:10 AM

    What a beautifuly piece - if I ripped out some ugly built-in cabinets at my house, I would have a perfect spot for it! (its on a long list of things to do) Tracey xx

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  17. AnonymousApril 22, 2009 at 9:45 AM

    Nadine, that's funny because I have a clawfoot tub and I used to covet them when I'd see them in magazines and then I moved into a house where the only bathroom has one and I can't wait to get rid of it. It's just very impractical to get in and out of and the paint/enamel is chipping and replacing the crappy shower head it came with is expensive as are shower curtains that wrap around the entire tub. I don't covet them anymore..lol.

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  18. Haven and HomeApril 22, 2009 at 10:52 AM

    How is that only $100? Such a great deal!

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  19. Amy KApril 22, 2009 at 1:57 PM

    $100??? Unheard of! You must snap it up!

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  20. tarheelApril 22, 2009 at 4:58 PM

    $100?!! You just HAVE to buy it! You'll always regret it- oh my gosh, aren't you the girl with the sad tufted ottoman story- you are!! BUY IT!

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  21. UnknownApril 23, 2009 at 8:07 AM

    Oh my gosh! I have the secretary sitting in my living room right now!! I never thought about refinishing it that way, BEAUTIFUL.
    Amy

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  22. MaryApril 23, 2009 at 12:54 PM

    OMG my parents have this EXACT same secretary in their house! It was my grandmother's and she purchased it in the 1930s. If my parent's ever don't want it, I am taking it!

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  23. JoApril 24, 2009 at 5:29 AM

    I am typing at that very same secretary right now. And I mean the *exact* secretary. The little carved uprights on either side of the door at the back of the desk part come out, as "secret" hiding spots for things.

    I've thought of painting it white; this reinforces my decision.

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  24. mindyApril 24, 2009 at 5:29 PM

    If I lived there I would SO buy it, in a heartbeat.

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I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)