An Early Christmas Present

Greetings!  

I don't know about you, but I'm happy to wrap up this dreary and rainy Monday.

I'd much rather have snow on the ground instead of puddles, but wearing my cute new rain boots helps.

(Red glossies, if you are wondering. I took a accidental departure and ordered them in cranberry, but they were too pink for me. So back they went. I think I counted about 10 mom's sporting Hunters at pick up today.  hmmmm. I'm not so crazy about the trendiness.)  

Anyway....This Saturday,  Jimmy and Andrew went on a little adventure out in the country in Papa's pick up to check out a Craig's list find for me. (ok, not really "the country", only a 45 minute drive away)  I've had my hopes on finding a tall secretary to put in our upstairs office for some time now.  

Ever since I saw this one in Southern Living I've been on a mission...

I was kind of striking out. But on a whim I checked in last week on Craig's list and spotted a new listing for an antique Governor Winthrop secretary.  I did a little research.  The style was created by Thomas Chippendale in the 1920's and named after the first Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.  
Seems like they go for a pretty penny on ebay and at antique stores.
I also realized I'd pinned quite a few...

(super traditional styling)

(so pretty with a fabric or wallpaper back)

(painted blue from elle decor)

 When I saw the price I hopped on it with my pulse racing.

I was sure someone would of snatched that baby up.

It was my lucky day.

Jimmy asked before he left if I was sure I hadn't missed a zero on the price.

Nope.  A rare steal.  Hard to come by.

Now this is my kind of Christmas present...

(Sorry for the awful picture. This room is unfinished. Needs fresh paint + carpet in a bad way)

Isn't the fretwork fabulous!!

Originally, I planned to paint the whole thing a glossy black and line the back with grasscloth,

Now I'm not so sure.

It's in really good shape, just needs a little elbow grease and a couple coats of dark wax.

You'll have to stay tuned to see what happens.

For now I'm just thrilled to get the ikea bookcase eyesore outta there.

While we use this room as an office it is supposed to be a sitting room and adjoins to ours. 

When you walk in our bedroom you can see straight into this room and now

this secretary is the view.  

There is something so pretty about a secretary in a bedroom space, no?

(the above is identical to ours!!)

Now off for evening prayers + bedtime kiss for my eldest!