Gothic Novel-Writing Desk... Dramatically Painted in Grey

In case you wondered, I haven't been on holiday I've been slogging away here since my last post, phew!  I've had some big commissions on the go, but more about that later.  Here's a truly amazing desk I've been working on.

Here's how she looked before any work.  Just too brown for me.

A delicate little lady and just the right piece of furniture for churning out a few manuscripts I reckon.  But how old do you think she is?  judging by the finish, handles, drawers, I'd say 1950s.  No makers marks...

Here's the story so far then, I painted her all over in a light grey chalk paint, called Foggy Venice.

And then went to work with black wax - not one of the brown 'antique' ones, pure, dramatic blaaaaack.  This bought out all the gothic carved work and has given the light grey paint quite a steely finish.

There's so much in the design and those legs are to die for!  The handles have been replaced with white ceramic buttons to keep the external monochrome look.

Meantime, internally it's just a ray of sunshine!  I used a golden chalk paint and added antique gold gilding around the drawer tops for a bit of extra bling (you know how I like my bling).

One minute it's very Mary Shelly...

And the next it's more Hans Christian Andersen.

It's been a real crowd stopper and here it is, finished in the shop at last.  There's an ornate Victorian mirror above in the same colour and finish.

I'd really hate to split them up...

So what do you think?  Needs some candlesticks?