Designed To Dwell: My Personal Secretary...

Most moms feel that they need a personal secretary to help with busy schedules, paperwork, and to keep the household running smoothly. Well, I finally have one...

{Okay, so maybe I was kind of misleading!}

I had been wanting a secretary for the kitchen/morning room, ever since I saw the one in Andrea's kitchen (Oak Ridge Revival). Our only computer is in the study, which is in the front of our house, away from the kitchen & family room. Because of this, my daughter gets away with sneaking lots of food & making huge messes while I am busy keeping up on my blogging!

{Case in Point...That would be her polishing off her 6th popsicle!}

I thought this spot in the morning room, which is opened to both the kitchen & family room, would be a great place to compromise keeping up with my blogging & my kids! It will also make a great spot for meal planning & couponing.

Anyway, the secretary had some minor imperfections, & I knew I didn't want to take on stripping & staining this piece because of all the details. I decided to paint it instead. Here's what I came up with:

I decided to paint it a cream color on the outside & a light green inside the display cabinet. Then, I wiped it with stain to tone down the cream & give it an aged look.

Here is a picture of the inside. On the top shelf I placed a wedding picture, plate from Hobby Lobby, & my newest piece of pottery, a pinch pot my son made in art class (my new favorite!). Below that, I placed a silver tray from Dollar Tree, crystal bowl with flowers, & a framed letter. On the bottom shelf I placed a basket (okay, I'll admit, I was running out of extra accessories at this point!) & one of my grandmother's dessert plates.