Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Tales of a Desk

What I'm about to share with you all is not a big deal compared to the level of Fabulousness that happens here in Blogland, but in my little world it may be one of the bigger projects I've attempted by myself.  I have reservations about delving into projects that involve large, bigger ticket items and altering them to the point of no return!! *terrifying*

This desk was handed down by my MIL.  We love it because it's solid and it's simple but pretty, although it's seen better days.


We have inherited several pieces that have all been well loved & we're starting to look a little like the Clampett's.

The desk was missing some handles, as you can see.  On the right, you had to open the drawer below the missing handle-drawer, reach in and pull the drawer with the missing handle open from below.  I finally made the executive decision to go ahead and try to glam this little baby up just a little.  Who doesn't feel better in a cute, new outfit?!

Daughter A currently uses the desk and she's been going for a vintage Parisian feel in her space.  The colors in her room are green, black & off-white.  She has a black reading chair in the corner, a black headboard, a black distressed coffee table & and a rather large room.  So I thought her room could support another black element.  To go with the black coffee table I thought I'd distress the desk too.  Then I saw what Susie at Blue Artichoke Interiors did with her porch side table & paint and I wanted to do that.  And then I saw what Brooke at The Crafting Chicks did with her stool & fabric and I wanted to do that. 

The second I saw this roll of wrapping paper at Target for ~ $3 I knew I would still borrow *steal*  their ideas as inspiration but apply it in my more frugal way.


Now I know you're probably thinking that a papered desk top may not be the best idea for writing purposes but thankfully the desk came with a glass topper so it would smooth out all of my papering sins!  And sins there were! I've never Mod Podged that large a sheet of paper before so there was definitely a learning curve involved!! *air pockets, wrinkles, Grrrr*  That's ok! It's all going under the glass : )


I sealed the whole desk from top to bottom with an acrylic spray. 

I knew I wanted clear, plastic drawer pulls & was hoping I could get a whole pack of them at Target.  I was shocked at the price - 4 for $15.  Count the drawers, My Friends - 9!!!  Always in search of a better deal, I went to all the big box stores in town, ebay & other on-line haunts.  Sadly, I ended up back at Target and bought 3 boxes.  It was just the bling the desk needed *each and every drawer got it's very own pull too!*  This was not the thriftiest makeover but we do love.Love.LOVE it!!


It is the opinion of some that the desk could use a little more distressing.  I'm sure the desk will come by that honestly.  And Daughter A has assured us that much productive studiousness will be taking place here senior year *like college & scholarship apps*  Grades are $$$$ & Baby needs some $ for school! It's just...


With the rest of the roll of wrapping paper I lined the drawers.  



With the 3 remaining pulls Handy Hubby : ) is going to help fashion a board with the pulls to be used as hooks.  I may or may not even try to Mod Podge the paper to the top of the coffee table...

Watch out all you horizontal surfaces!  I've got Mod Podge & wrapping paper and I'm not afraid to use it anymore!!




Visit thecsiproject.com


Blessings!
MLE

*I'm trying something new to declutter my posts*
Linking to some great parties *HERE* also.  Check them out - you'll be so inspired!
 

68 comments:

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful! :) I love it!

Love the Decor! said...

I love it!!! I am so partial to the whole black and white thing anyway!! you did a great job...wish it was coming home to my house : ) Have a wonderful day

Amanda @ Healthy House on the Block said...

What a great transformation! LOVE the top of your desk - it turned out fabulous! Great job saving it!! :)

brandi @ tales of a domestic goddess said...

wow!! i am so IN LOVE with that paper!! i haven't done any BIG projects either. it's scary!!! but all in good time!!!


{brandi}
{http://blakadomesticgoddess.blogspot.com}

The Autocrat: Haley said...

Whoa! Very snazzy!! I love the black and white. I am sooo jealous that you have a desk like that. I am totally looking for a regular ol desk like that. Looks fabulous!

Kami said...

Beautiful Job! What a steal on finding that paper at Target, I am going to have to go looking for it. You did an amazing job. No need to worry about how the family feels about changing it, you definitely improved it!

Kindra-At Home With K said...

I'll take this desk off your hands! :) I love how it turned out! Great idea to use the wrapping paper for the top! We are going to paint my son's desk soon so my ideas are flowing now!

lindalou said...

Great job on the desk. I just love it and the paper top is beautiful.

Since the desk is unrecognizable, I think you just play dumb should it come up in conversation. "What desk?"

Anny said...

Aww! I love when family items get new life and remain in the family :)

Elizabeth said...

It's just beautiful..I am soon inheriting a desk just like that, and you've given me some ideas!

Great work, and it IS fabulous!

Stevie @ Sincerely Stevie said...

Oh this is beautiful!!!

Ott, A. said...

Well you have impressed me. Love the top with the wrapping paper. Looks very trendy!!!

Blue Artichoke Interiors said...

This is fabulous. Your MIL better not try to take back this desk you rescued by giving it a new life!! Thanks for the mention :)

Cassie Bustamante said...

emily, that looks amazing! i love the top you gave it and the finish- it's just perfect! i can totally see it in a paris chic hot pink, black and white room. can't you? it's gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Wow! This looks great...I love how paint can transform furniture. Also, thank you for your nice comment on my blog!

Unknown said...

I am SOOO impressed :) great job and thank you for linking up to MMM...I am featuring you next Monday!!

Melissa said...

I am drooling over this. I am going to redo my computer desk. I think something like this would be amazing. What a lucky daughter you have. Thanks for linking to my party!

Infarrantly Creative said...

You had me at DAMASK. Gorgeous!

Embellished Bayou said...

Great job, it looks fabulous! Love the damask!

Karen Mortensen said...

That is so beautiful. Good job.

Melissa Miller said...

WOW! Emily you did a fantastic job on it! It is truly gorgeous. Love the damask design and way you displayed it as well. Fabulous!

Blessings sweet friend.
~Melissa :)

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

Love that you painted it black, I think that was a perfect color choice! Beautiful job!
Londen

Michelle {Fun On a Dime} said...

Oh, I love this...I'm always keeping my eye open for a desk or table that I can do something like this with! This looks fantastic!

Ανεράιδα said...

Great job! I love the paper and the black color is so modern!

Unknown said...

Awesome transformation!!

Christine said...

This desk is stunning, great great job!

Life in Rehab said...

Wow. Seriously. Wow. I think you can deny with plausibility that that desk was ever a family piece just in case someone comes shopping the house. That is one stunning make over.

The Frosted Gardner said...

Love this! Turned out fabulous! Glad I stopped by to see it!

Lori @ Projects Plenty said...

What a fantastic job! The damask puts it over the top.

Kate said...

LOVE IT! It turned out perfect! I would seriously buy this if you were selling it. :) Nice job!!

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

I'm a damask lover! You made that desk just adorable!

Bethany @ The Paper Pony said...

The damask, the knobs, the color- just so cute! Great job!

Niki said...

That is so cute! Very well done, I love it!

Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas said...

I love it!
Now, I must signup to follow your blog!
Have a good day!
Leticia

Lisa said...

Very pretty! I love how you added the patterned paper on the top to give it more character. Great job! : )

Anonymous said...

It's gorgeous! I love it!

Terri said...

I LOVE THIS~ I just bought the same roll of paper at target to do something similar with an end table! Great job!

VIRG @ WASTE NOT WANT KNOT said...

Beautifully done!

Mama's Viewfinder said...

So gorgeous and so different! Great job!

Unknown said...

I love that. I have an old desk that needs some help on the top. That would be perfect. I might have to go shopping for wrapping paper. Thanks for the inspiration.
Brooke

Sassy Sites! said...

VERY CUTE!! I'm a follower! Come by and say hi at Sassy Sites! ;)

Unknown said...

Great desk redo! We're getting ready to makeover a thrifted desk for my oldest daughter's "big girl" room--which is also getting a damask/french theme--your idea may be stolen!
Thanks for sharing!

Helena said...

$3 wrapping paper?? Holy cow. It looks beautiful! And I'm going to have to remember the glass top trick. Mod Podge can be so finicky, the glass top would be such a relief.

Thank you for participating in the Therapy Session with Life in the Pitts!

Vanessa said...

Love it! It looks so nice! I love the wrapping paper on top idea.

Anonymous said...

I love it! I am your newest follower also! Thanks for sharing at It's Party Time Thursday at PonyTails&FishScales!

Jacqueline said...

Gorgeous makeover - so so classy. I will take one too!

Mel said...

A fabulous makeover.

Unknown said...

I love it! Im totally thinking about trying this. Our desk got scratched up in our last move :(

Becky
mrsbettierocker.blogspot.com

visiting from Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots & Jello

Paula said...

This is absolutely gorgeous!!! You did a fabulous job! I love that black damask paper! I think I need to go to Target!

Kat @ Black Kats Design said...

Beautiful! Love the wrapping / Mod Podge idea. The knobs add just the right sparkle.

I’m having a new link party “Cheap Thrills Thursday” starting the 29th. It’s for creative ideas that cost under $20. I’d love for you to stop by and join in!
Kat
www.BlackKatsDesign.blogspot.com

Ashlee Marie said...

I love the damasks and the black and white! the desk looks totally different! Thanks for linking up to Topsy Turvy Tuesdays!

Unknown said...

Thanks for joining us for another great Anything Related! ~Bridgette

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh my gosh, this is spectacular!!!! Gorgeous, gorgeous!!!
HUGS,
Cindy
xoxox

Renee said...

Oh!!!! I am in love! hmmmmm I know where I can find an old desk...I think I may just be trying this project too!

Unknown said...

BEAUTIFUL so glad you linked this. I adore damask. THE DESK looks fab. I love the pieces you put on top, that framed chair, AGIAN FAB. thanks Jenn

Breathing In Grace said...

What an amazing transformation....you did great!!!

AUDRA said...

Great job!

Thanks for linking up to Socialize with me Monday til Sunday.

Joy@Thrifty Parsonage Living said...

I love it...great transformation!

Ashley said...

Great job! I LOVE it!Nice touch with the drawer. Its the details that take a good piece to a GREAT one!

Lina Thomlinson said...

Gorgeous! I have a similar situation with a glass-topped desk I found on Craigslist that I want to re-do. I just might steal not only your idea but also go and buy that exact same paper for mine.

mle said...

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! I cannot tell you how overwhelmed and humbled I am by your support & encouragement!! After our drama this weekend, it was so touching & uplifting to read all of your generous comments! Thank You : )

Shaunna said...

This is beautiful!! I love the paper on a piece like this behind the sofa...what a focal point! Thanks so much for linking up to Style Feature Saturday! -shaunna :)

the cape on the corner said...

yay yay yay! that looks great, and it is more than i have ever tried to do. i am so glad it worked out for you!

thanks so much for stopping by the cape on the corner, and for your comment love. good luck with grabbing more vinyl..i'm gonna try it out this weekend!

Jeralee said...

I love the Damask... soo pretty. you did well!

Lucky Loves Home said...

Great looking desk. I have a hint for you. If you spray both sides of the paper with laquer -- one or two coats -- it really helps with the winkling and such when using mod podge. Hopes this helps on your next project.
Cheryl from Lucky Loves Home

thriftytickle said...

Oh Emily, I love it! I used a very similar looking scrapbook paper on a perpetual calendar I just made over. Please come by and link up toVintage Suitcase Friday! (And add me to your blog party list too...I finally put up a button!)

Mindy said...

so pretty! Fabulous job!

Amanda said...

obviously I've been holding on to this for a while! I've featured you on Craft Gossip here
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/9-revamp-projects/

If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here!
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/