here are some “afters” of the very blue-and-peach secretary pictured a couple of entries below…a little benj. moore linen white (or in this case, a lot of linen white) was just what it needed.  now it is truly fit for the lovely homecoming queen to whom it belongs: 

(oh, and mrs. jones has re-learned an important lesson.  never ever give an estimate until you open the front of a drop-leaf desk.)

(while painting, waxing and glazing all these little nooks, crannies, drawers and secret-nancy-drew-type-pull-out compartments, i couldn’t help wondering….in txt msg and facebook world, does anyone pass a piece of paper in study hall that ends with “eat this note” anymore?)

(1.13.09….edit: this just in from the clippings file/pile….here’s a similar idea pictured in a recent domino!)