I am a master at creating work for myself.
I could have ordered a compact desk for sixty dollars and spent an hour putting it together, but that would have been too easy.
Instead, I spotted an old teacher’s desk put to the curb. It was dismantled and in several states of disrepair. I knew it would be perfect for me.
That’s the twisted way my mind works.
My husband helped me haul it home and it sat in my dining room for a month while I decided what I wanted to do with it.
My inspiration came from Beth at Sawdust and Embryos. She created a gorgeous piece using stain to actually paint a picture.
Now, I’m not a painter by any stretch of the imagination, so I royally screwed up this projected; however, my friends on facebook cheered me on and convinced me to finish. I am so glad they did.
Here’s what I used to complete this project – all supplies were purchased at Lowe’s, and sadly Lowe’s isn’t paying me to write this post.
(Unfortunately I forgot to photograph the stain. I simply bought a small can of the darkest stain I could find. The color was ebony. I also put about 7 or 8 coats of Polycrylic on top to finish it.)
My laptop is masquerading as an MAC. That’s an apple sticker covering the Compaq symbol. No offense to Compaq.
Yes, I am a dork.
A complete tutorial for creating the flower pattern desk top can found at Sawdust & Embryos HERE.
Here’s my desktop. I sketched out a flower pattern and then used stain to paint it in. I spread the stain with a rag to make it shaded.
I complete screwed up the process which you’ll be able to see when you follow the link and look at the original, but as Nester says, “It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.”
For the desk, I used Pantone’s color of the year – Emerald. I love this color!
I mixed a chalk paint, using this recipe from The Happy Housie. I mixed, one of the sample bottles of paint with 1/2 cup Plaster of Paris and 1/2 cup water. Then I painted like normal. After the paint dried, I waxed it.
This chalk paint has a very different texture. It really is chalky and it is suppose to stick very well to old furniture and eliminate the need for sanding. It worked great for my project.
As you can see, I still need a knob for that middle drawer. All the other hardware is from the original desk.
I’m pretty much in love with my desk and I’m so glad I took the time to complete this project. In total, I think it cost me around $40 to complete, because I already had a half can of Polycrylic left over from another project.
Do you create work for yourself too?
What is the last DIY project you completed?
If you’ve enjoyed this post, I’m going to ask you to please share it by using the “share” buttons below. Thanks a bunch!
Linking to the following blog parties:
DIY by Design, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Green Willow Pond, The Koenigs, Domesblissity, 733 Blog, Start at Home, Thrifty Thursday Link-up, Jennifer Rizzo’s Fabulously Creative Friday, WOW us Wednesdays, Grace at Home, DIY Show-Off, Mercy Ink,
Oh I just LOVE this…absolutely gorgeous! The teal green looks amazing with the browns,,,two of my favorite color combos. You should be proud of yourself!!
Thank you Debby. I’m really enjoying it.
A wonderful job! Your desk looks awesome–truly you’ve turned trash to treasure!
Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party. I’m featuring you this week!
I love finding trash and making it into something wonderful. It doesn’t always work out the way I want, but I’m so glad this one did.
I love, love, love finding things in the trash and therefore create a lot of work for myself…and for my poor husband. That new compact desk you were talking about would have been more expensive, had less character, been more poorly made, and could never be even half as gorgeous as this beauty you created. Kudos to you for such a great job. You have inspired me!
Love the color and love the top, OMG I am in love, simply beautiful
Truly unique with the flower pattern on top! Great job.
I adore the color and the beautiful design on the top! You did a fabulous job! Thanks for linking up to Thrifty Thursday!
I am not sure how you think you messed it up–it looks incredible!
This is gorgeous! So impressive! The design on top is awesome and I love that green color!
I’m doing a post on painting furniture — the pros and cons — can I use your desk picture and link it back to your post?
Gorgeous! I absolutely love the unique stain treatment you gave it. It has such an elegant impact.
Hey! Just stopped by from Thrifty Thursday at LivingWellSpendingLess.com. This desk is gorgeous and actually looks really similar to one I’ve been in love with at GoodwillGlam.blogspot.com. Great post!
Love what you did to the top, and the desk is in my favorite color as well!…following!
This is GORGEOUS! I love the flower on top. New follower here:)
Well I don’t have time to check out the link this morning, but it certainly doesn’t look like you screwed up. It looks gorgeous!
Your desk is beautiful! What an artist you are?
I’m not very good at DIY projects at all!
visiting you from Domessblissity. This is amazing. What an incredible job. Much better than any flatpack.
HOLY AWESOME, BATMAN! I checked out the one you were inspired by and don’t know what you are talking about, yours looks just as good as hers! Gorgeous!! Props to you!
Thank you Jodi. I appreciate that. Glad you like it.
Great job! Can’t wait to see it this weekend.
Thanks mom.
LOVE it Tricia! That color is fabulous and you did an amazing job staining the flower on the top. Sharing this right now on Facebook! Great job!
Thanks so much Krista and I appreciate your sharing it on fb. You inspired me with your yellow chalk paint dresser. I loved how that came out!
Well done Tricia, I am very proud of you.
Thank you Aunt Pat.
I’m really impressed with your stain painting skillz! And yes, I totally make more work for myself all.the.time.
It’s terrible when we’re good at making work for ourselves. We can just never catch a break that way!
ITS GORGEOUS!!!!! Oh, I’d love to have that desk. You done good, girlfriend!!
Thanks Sue. I’m enjoying it!
girl you are amazing!!!!! I am so jealous – wish I was there to see it 🙂 the paint you painted the desk with was chalk paint? and the top is only stain – I am going to those sights to check this out – wish I was that creative 🙂
Lois, you can absolutely do something like this if you want. Definitely check out the sites I linked. They explain things very clearly.
Tricia, that desk is amazing! I seriously gasped when I saw it. Absolutely beautiful~ you are an incredible artist!
Thanks Jessie. I appreciate your kind words. I love your living room too. You guys did a beautiful job. Looks like a whole new place!
You’ve totally inspired me, Tricia. I have been scratching my head about what to do with my coffee table… but now I see a stain/paint project in my future! 😉