Have you ever stumbled upon a vintage piece of furniture at a flea market and wondered about its potential? In today’s post, our lovely IOD Artisan Karen Johnson upcycles a vintage secretary desk from a forgotten family heirloom to a timeless beauty. She also shares her go-to tips for stamping with IOD Stamps to add rich depth and texture to a furniture piece. You can stamp with all kinds of mediums, but Karen uses a chalk-type paint to hold those impressions beautifully.

Using inspiration and a few goodies from the 2026 Spring Collection, Karen gives this piece a whole new life, full of character and baroque details.

Grab your IOD goodies from your local stockist and follow along—this one is full of techniques you’ll reach for again and again. If you’re not sure where to find a stockist near you, use our store locator. 💕

• Madeleine Transfer 
• Papillon Gilded Transfer 
• Palais Des Fleurs Stamp 

• Thrifted Secretary Desk 
• Annie Sloan Chalk Type Paint Scandinavian Pink*
• Annie Sloan Chalk Type Paint Arles*
• Annie Sloan Chalk Type Paint Napoleonic Blue*
• Annie Sloan Chalk Type Paint Greek Blue*
• Annie Sloan Chalk Type Paint Louis Blue*
• Yellow Chalk Type Paint* 
• Sandpaper 
• Matte Lacquer Sealer 
• Dark Wax
• Gold Wax 

*we used a chalk-type paint in this tutorial, but there are many brands and types of paint, talk to your stockist to learn which one is right for you!

STEP ONE: PAINT YOUR FURNITURE PIECE 

Karen begins by choosing a palette that sets the tone. She applies a chalk-style paint as her base, opting for a salmon pink to create texture, concentrating it more around the edges of the desk. This initial layer is followed by a golden yellow in the center. 

Next comes the three-tone ombré, where Karen intricately blends blues from the darkest at the bottom to the lightest at the top. Using a single brush, she expertly weaves the colors together. Once dry, Karen sands back the topcoat, unveiling the vibrant colors hidden beneath.

STEP TWO: ADDING TEXTURE WITH IOD STAMPS 

To add subtle texture, Karen incorporates the Palais Des Fleurs Stamp, using a blue tone in the middle range to create depth without overpowering the piece. Stamping from the center outward ensures harmony and balance.

 Once her piece is entirely dry, she seals it with a top coat.

STEP THREE: APPLY TRANSFERS 

Karen tests the placement of Madeleine and the Papillon Gilded Transfer to build a balanced composition that elevates the desk. When she cuts up transfers, she tapes the edges to keep pieces from lifting off the backing while she’s deciding on placement.

If you're just kicking off your creative journey, have no fear — our Product 101 pages are packed with straightforward techniques to set you up for success. We're thrilled to accompany you as you explore and create. For more how-tos and creative inspo, make sure to browse through the rest of our blog.

Once you've crafted your final piece, share it with our Facebook Creative Tribe! This community is not just a showcase but also a supportive hub for when you hit those creative roadblocks. And remember, your local stockist is always ready to assist with IOD supplies and expert advice. We're excited to see what you'll bring to life!