I present to you...my beloved $39 desk post makeover
Do you know how hard it is to find an old-ish looking desk in a fun color on Craigslist or at a garage sale? HARD! So I decided I'd take matters into my own hands. A couple weekends ago we went "into town" (we laugh when we say this...we are suburbanites now baby!) and hit up some thrift stores. I found an unfinished wood vanity I loved for $120 but decided to check out one more place. No lie, this place is called Furniture and Junk and the most adorable old little man owns it. I knew it was perfect right when I laid eyes on it. Behold...the $39 desk pre-makeover...
So how did I take pic #2 to pic #1?
In non Ruthie fashion...I did lots of research. I am probably the most impatient person on the face of the earth so it shouldn't surprise you I wanted this project to be quick and easy and not involve any sanding.
I went with Zinsser Cover Stain Primer for a few reasons. #1- it requires no sanding. #2- it sticks to anything, including laminate and the desk had a laminate finish on top.
Another thing I did research on was my type of brush, and I'm glad I did. I've always used standard rollers for interior paint but found that a foam roller would help decrease lines and streaks on furniture. A foam roller is a MUST.
Step 1- wipe down desk and rid of cobwebs, residue, etc. Make sure the desk is completely dry before priming
Step 2- Remove drawers and hardware
Step 3- prime. If you're like me and a little OCD and over the top, this is the step where you paint 37 coats of primer. This is definitely the most time consuming step but I recommend you be patient (yes pot calling the kettle black). Be sure to paint thin coats of primer, you will want to do multiple coats as well. For edges, nooks and crannies, I recommend a foam crafting brush (you know the brushes with red handles from Hobby Lobby for $.50?)
Step 4- this primer dries really fast but to be safe, I let it dry overnight (look how patient I am!). This also could have been because I was out of DVR shows and covered in white paint. I never got a picture of the top coat paint but I used the Wal Mart brand of paint in Spicy Paprika. I recommend a semi gloss or satin finish for furniture- I went with a semi gloss. This is the fun part...painting over the primer! I did 3 coats of semi gloss paint just to be safe and I am incredibly happy with my results. Again, thin coats of paint with a foam roller.
Step 5- hardware. I wasn't crazy about the dark gold hardware on the desk but didn't feel like going out and searching for new hardware. To spruce the hardware up, I sprayed each piece with Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Gray primer and let dry. Next up I sprayed them with Krylon Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint in a satin finish.
I let the desk dry overnight before attaching the hardware, just to be safe.
I am so happy with my finished product and look forward to using my desk in my craft/blogging room. Now to find a chair!
Total cost of project
- Desk $39
- Primer $26 (I have 80% of the primer left and I know I will use it on future projects)
- Paint $18 (again, I have about 90% of the paint left and will find a use for it)
- Foam rollers $6
oh and PS...remember that baby sprinkle I threw? Mary had her sweet baby boy last night! He is perfect!
45 comments:
ahhh yay!!! thank u girl! emailing u now :) that desk does look amazing and i love the color how it goes so well with the craft room!! great job chicaaa
Amazing job with the desk! Will you come and decorate my house?!?!
Jaimie
www.jaimiehart.blogspot.com
the desk looks great, love the color!
This came out awesome!
It turned out so awesome! I love the color you chose. And yes, Craigslisting takes SO much patience. I've been looking for a kitchen table and it's ridiculous the amount of money people are asking for USED furniture! I want to email them and ask if the President or a King used to eat at their table :)
That's a great tutorial! Where is Furniture and Junk located? I tried google but nothing popped up (surprisingly!).
This is beyond adorable. You did a great job! It looks brand new. When I did a refinishing project, I used spray paint,which also worked well. The table I did had less nooks and crannies though. This makes me want to refinish something else in a bold color. Thanks for sharing!
It turned out great. I like the color
So cute!! I love the color and the hardware looks great on it now.
The desk looks SO GOOD! LOVE IT! :)
That is so adorable!
Ruthie, it's PERFECT!! I love the color you chose! And thank you for all the detail in what and how you did it, this girl has a project in mind and I really appreciated the info!
Gah!! I love this, Ruthie! This reminds me a bit of the desk I had as a little girl...so cute :) I need to get some vintage furniture pieces...I love a good re-do project! Now, if only I had a place to spray paint. This would have to be done outside my apartment and who knows how the Seattle weather would hold in the drying process! Perhaps I can bring my paint projects to my cousins house who has a yard!
Wow that looks great Ruthie! I want to remake an old desk too. Now I know how :)
I love it!
LOVE that color Ruthie, makes you happy just looking at it :)
Looks amazing! I really LOVE that color!
Looks amazing! I really LOVE that color!
How could you not feel fun and cheerful at that desk? Just go ahead and ship it right up to me . Mmmm Kay, thanks
I LOOOOVE LOVE LOVE it. Oh and can I just say your brave painting on your carpet.:) I would seriously knock the paint can over:)
Cute! Love that color!
Great find with the desk. I'm sure you'll be crafting some fun stuff over the years!
I'm so impressed by this! You've inspired me to hunt down an old desk on Craigslist and make it over :) I'm going to pin this for sure!
RUTHIE!!! You are amazing! Love it!!!
it looks GREAT ruthie!! love the color you picked, spicy papricka, i love it!!
Love, love, love. Now get to crafting and messy that thing UP!!! :)
Ruthie! Love your blog! Great project. Looks fabulous
Popped in to say hi! That's so cute! I love transforming furniture!
It turned out FANTASTIC! Love it!
I LOVE it!! Re-doing furniture is so much fun, especially when you get such a great deal on it!
This came out so cute Ruthie! Love the fun pop of color.~I agree, foam rollers make all the difference in the world, don't they?
love it! i am kind of obsessed with the color! you did good!
i bought a desk at a thrift store recently, and i've been procrastinating about painting it... i must say, thank you ruthie for doing your research for me, lol!!! :)
xoxo
What a perfect color! Also, I need to get directions to this place. I'm aching to get my hands on a project, so this place sounds perfect to start with!
Britt
The Secondhand Magpie
omg ruthie i can't believe how perfect is it that i read this post!! i just found a set of end tables at a thrift store (pic is on my blog), which would actually look great with that desk, but sorry the tables are mine....i need to paint them and have been researching how. soooo thanks for saving me the time and trouble. you rock. love that color, btw.
omg. i absolutely love this !! i looooove the color. and i'm all about skipping the sanding ! lol. the color is beautiful, too. {saw you on positively splendid}
~ jackie
imathriftaholic.blogspot.com
ha i must really like the color because i said it twice :P
Awesome desk! Love the color.
Julie
jamscorner.blogspot.com
So incredibly helpful! I just bought a perfect wooden dresser that I can't wait to paint. Now just deciding what to paint it! :D
Your desk looks great, but I have one question...how has it held up over time? I want to do a dresser in my boys room following your instructions, but I'm worried the paint will chip off with wear and tear of rough kids. How has yours been?
Thank you for taking the time to find my blog & respond to my question. I didn't realize i forgot my email. Thank you so much. I'm going to try this this weekend!
Thank you for taking the time to find my blog & respond to my question. I didn't realize i forgot my email. Thank you so much. I'm going to try this this weekend!
Oh my goodness - I just bought the bedroom set that matches this desk! All the little details are exactly the same. I thought it was all wood but realized part was laminate and started researching how to refinish it and found your post! So so glad I did and I hope mine turns out as great as yours!
Sarah @ BecomingMartha.com
Oh my goodness - I just bought the bedroom set that matches this desk! All the little details are exactly the same. I thought it was all wood but realized part was laminate and started researching how to refinish it and found your post! So so glad I did and I hope mine turns out as great as yours!
Sarah @ BecomingMartha.com
Did you really give it 37 coats or am I just not understanding something
I found an unfinished wood vanity I loved for $120 but decided to check out one more place. No lie, this place is called Furniture and Junk and the most adorable old little man owns it. I knew it was perfect right when I laid eyes on it. Behold...the $39 desk pre-makeover...
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