Before
When I finally got the desk home, and started sanding the honeymoon was OVER. This desk was a lot of work. I filled in all the gouges with wood puddy and sanded everything as smooth as possible. Then gave it 2 coats of oil based rustoleum paint in glossy white. I gave it a light spray paint at the end to get rid of any brush strokes.
After--just needs drawer pulls
She turned out pretty :). I’m still trying to decide what to do about drawer pulls. I tried ribbon–too flimsy. Then I thought about making my own from wire and crystal beads. But I think I may just spray paint the old ones brushed nickel and call it done.
Before
I had originally planned to get two desks of similar style. I had two 7 drawer desks picked out and bought the first one on faith. But the second seller sold his desk, pulled his listing, and never returned my emails :(. Then I found this adorable piece and fell in love again.
Love the scallop on the drawer
It took a lot less sanding and puttying to get it in order and painted up easily. The best part is the drawer pulls were a single hole so I could get some inexpensive glass knobs from Walmart ($6 for 2) to finish the redo.
Cute little feet
I’m so glad I jumped into this project! The desks look great side by side and I’m over my fear of working with oil paint. It covers so well and outside the fumes aren’t anything to worry about. It cleaned up easily too. The mineral spirits just melted the paint right off the brush and it washed out in half the time latex does.
After
I just had an idea! Why not putty in the holes on Heidi’s desk, repaint over it and drill single holes for glass knobs? Excuse me, I think I’ll go get started :).
Side-by-side
Those desks turned out so stinkin’ cute! I sure wish you lived next door to me ~ I’m sure we could be besties in no time :o)
Angela, their room is just looking absolutely beautiful! How precious that they have such a mom who is willing to create beauty around them and teach them that God is pleased with His daughters when they do! They will rise up and call you “blessed” because you showed them that beauty is important in the eyes of their Creator. Well done!
I can NEVER find anything on Craigslist. Maybe if I didn’t live in such a rural area, I’d have more of a choice.
Your desks are awesome! Good work!
I was going to suggest filling in the holes on the first desk and drilling your own, but I see you thought of it first. I’ve done this many times when re-doing old dressers and desks; it works great 🙂 I have a desk I refinished some years ago that needs to be re-done again for one of my daughters, so I’m feeling inspired to tackle it this week, after seeing yours. Thanks!
LOL-well I’m jumping on the bandwagon late again, as usual, but I was wondering why you didn’t just fill the holes and put whatever knobs you want, wherever you want them-but you already thought of that!
I can tell that it was indeed a lot of work but they’re really lovely!