Old Writing Desk

I found this old writing desk at a yard sale when visiting a friend in Cleveland.It is a sweet little desk, very old and very charming.  I'm not sure Idid it justice because the paint job did not come out as nicely as I wouldhave liked.  But before we get to the painted pictures, here are the before pictures.

This piece has lovely detail work.

Now for the after pictures.  I painted the piece black and although itdistressed very nicely, the black paint sanded out very splotchy anduneven.  No amount of effort seemed to resolve this problem and leftme very frustrated.  Does anyone have any secrets for working withblack paint?  The paint seems to go on okay, it's just when you start sandingor distressing it that I run into trouble.
Here it is on display at the store.

This picture shows the unevenness of the paint and under these bright lightsit shows up even more than it did in my home.

I'm hoping that someone interested in the piece might think that theunevenness of the finish adds to the oldness of the piece.  One can only hope.

Here is how I finished the inside.  I wasn't about to paint all thoselittle cubbies, so I left them natural for contrast.

Now this is my favorite picture ~ how I wished the whole piece looked.

I would truly love to hear if anyone has ideas of helpful tips on distressing black paint.
~Linking with~Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday~Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday~The House in the Roses for Show Off Your Cottage Monday~Mod Vintage Life for Mod Mix Monday