Cabinet Refinishing · Oct 2021
Antique secretary desk with hutch: cherry painted white
Antique secretary desk with hutch: cherry painted white. These are before and after photos from the job, taken Oct 2021. This cabinet refinishing project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Before and After Photos
Antique Cherry Secretary Desk and Hutch Painted Soft White
Our post for this one said it was time to give this older piece some new life. It is a tall secretary desk with a glass-front hutch, a broken scroll top with a turned urn finial, a drop-front writing surface and a curved chest of drawers on carved feet. The before photos show a deep reddish cherry finish with wear on the writing lid. Inside the desk are letter cubbies, a small door with a carved fan, two turned columns and a row of tiny drawers. The hutch had diamond pattern glass doors and dark wood shelves. In our shop, the serpentine drawers were pulled out and set aside for separate work. The after photos show the whole piece in a soft, even white with a low sheen. That includes the hutch interior, shelves, cubbies and carved fan door. The original dark metal pulls went back on, and they now stand out against the white.
How We Refinished This Antique Secretary Desk
- We brought the secretary into our shop, removed the drawers and hardware, and bagged the pulls and small knobs so every piece went back in place.
- The old cherry finish was cleaned to remove years of furniture polish and wax, which can stop new paint from sticking to antique wood.
- We scuff sanded every surface by hand, taking extra care on the carved fan door, the turned columns and the curves of the scroll top.
- A stain-blocking primer went on first. Red woods like cherry and mahogany can bleed pink through white paint if they are not sealed well.
- We masked the glass panes in the hutch doors so the frames and inside edges could be painted without getting paint on the glass.
- Two finish coats of soft white were applied to the case, shelves, cubbies and drawers, with light sanding between coats for a smooth feel.
- After the paint cured, we reinstalled the dark metal pulls and knobs, rehung the doors and checked that the drop-front lid opened smoothly.
Paint Colors Similar to This White Secretary Desk
These are similar whites to consider for painting a piece of antique furniture like this desk, but they are not the exact color used here.
Sherwin-Williams Pure White SW 7005
A clean, balanced white close to this finished desk, bright enough to show off carved details without feeling cold.
Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace OC-65
A crisp white that keeps strong contrast with dark metal pulls, the same effect you see on this desk’s original hardware.
Sherwin-Williams Creamy SW 7012
A warmer, softer white if you want an antique piece to look a little aged and gentle rather than bright and modern.
Questions About Painting Antique Wood Furniture
Why does red wood need a special primer before white paint?
Woods like cherry and mahogany often have stains and natural tannins that bleed through light paint. The result is pink or yellow blotches, sometimes weeks later. A stain-blocking primer seals the wood first. It is one of the most important steps when painting dark furniture white.
Should you paint an antique or leave it as is?
That depends on the piece and your plans for it. A rare or valuable antique may be worth more in its original finish, so check first if you are unsure. Many older pieces are loved for their shape more than their wood, and paint lets them fit a new room.
Can I keep the original hardware when painting furniture?
Yes, and it often looks best. Remove the pulls and knobs before painting, clean them, and put them back once the paint has cured. Dark original hardware on a light painted piece gives a classic look. If any pieces are missing, matching reproductions are often available.
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