Artissimo roll top desk
When I first saw this oak roll top desk at Morgantown Market, I knew it was going to be mine eventually.
It had beautiful lines and a secret little latch in the back that unlocks all of the drawers in the front.
As per usual, I waited a month or so to see if it would sell. After some time went by, and I had the money saved up to buy it, I took it home and pondered how it would look in a coat of Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint.
painting the roll top desk
Once it was time to paint the desk, I had a beautiful vision of it in a faded white all chipped up and looking perfect.
After two coats of white, I had to say goodbye to that vision. The original finish yellowed through the white Milk Paint, and I wasn’t in the mood to prime. Some pieces simply aren’t meant to be painted white. Instead, I turned to a gorgeous midnight blue in the Miss Mustard Seed’s collection called Artissimo.
This color is darker than a navy and is more of a true midnight blue shade. Because it’s so dark and rich, it’s often mistaken for black!
After two coats of Artissimo, I distressed the roll top desk heavily with 100 grit sandpaper, exposing some of the white paint that was underneath.
There was also added texture from having paint layers underneath of the Artissimo. Everything worked together to create the most dreamy character and age! Just look at this shot from the front of the roll top!
special touches
I couldn’t wait to stage this sweet piece this morning! This piece is loaded with special features and staging props. I was so giddy with excitement at the opportunity to photograph and showcase them.
Last night, I reupholstered two of these walnut wood dining room chairs in antique mattress ticking fabric. They were adorned with two sweet linen skirts, but they didn’t sell in my retail spaces. I’m not sure why, but sometimes that happens.
I wound up taking them home and reupholstered them with antique mattress ticking fabric and French scroll trim. I thought one of them would look so perfect snuggled up next to the roll top desk, and I was right!
The antique typewriter inside the desk was a find from Smithfield Barn. It’s been sitting neglected in my basement workshop for months. Yesterday, I dragged it out (because it weighs like 50 pounds!) and gave it some much-needed TLC with Hemp Oil. You can see how I did it on my Instagram highlights.
The scale of the typewriter is a bit too big for this roll top desk, but I couldn’t resist putting it inside!
It looked right at home on top of the rich oak pull out writing surface. Plus, it looks amazing since I gave it the TLC it needed with Hemp Oil!
pull out writing surfaces
The desk has two writing surfaces that pull out from the main body. The first one is where the typewriter is sitting.
It pulls forward so you can snug a chair up underneath and sit down to work. When you’re finished, simply push the writing surface back in and move your chair away. So if you live in a space where you need a functional desk with a small footprint, this piece may be the perfect fit for you!
The second writing surface is hidden underneath the first one. When you pull out the main writing surface, there’s an extra board off to the left.
It comes out completely if you need it to. I thought it was a handy little space for a cup of coffee while you’re working. Both of these surfaces were completely sanded down and rehydrated with Hemp Oil. (Matter of fact, about 90% of this piece got treated with Hemp Oil!)
This desk also has another special feature – a secret latch that is found in the back right corner on the inside. You can see a photo of it in the “before shot”. It’s the middle photo on the bottom row. When you press down on it, there are metal latches that release on all of the drawers and they can be opened.
Without pressing that special hidden latch, the drawers stay locked all the time. Sneaky, huh?
This piece is seriously an antique lover’s dream. Secret latches, hidden writing surfaces, locked drawers, old time charm…it’s like Christmas!
This piece will be staying with me until I need to move another piece into my retail spaces. If you’re interested though, just send me a message and I’d be happy to provide measurements and a price! For now, I’m happy to have it for a little bit longer.
