I had a yard sale a few weeks ago and one of my friends had this desk leftover. I decided to try and give it a little face lift since I was actually in need of a desk.
Here is what we started with.
I got a smaller piece of plywood (most hardware stores sell them in different sizes, or just have them cut it for you) and cut it to hang over just a little on the sides.
We set the blade of our circular saw really shallow and scored the top to give it an old schoolhouse desk look.
I don't mind using the saw but I have to admit I enlisted my husband to cut and score the piece of plywood for me. His experience made his lines straighter. I did forget to have him score the edges as well, but that's ok.
I got four large screws and screwed the plywood straight to the top of the laminate on the desk. I scarred and carved the wood with nails and other objects I found sitting in the garage to make the wood appear old and used.
I then sanded down the edges and sides and stained and varnished it. I got some really thin wood cove and stained it, then used Liquid Nails to attache it to the sides of the laminate top.
3 cans of Rustoleum Heirloom White spray paint covered the desk. My sister had the genius idea of using jute for the handles since they were an odd size to replace. I actually just braided some twine and used that. I love how it turned out!
I'm thinking I might paint the legs black at some point.
But for now I'll just wait for my Mac to come back from from repair (yes Mac's break too) so that I can set it up on its new home.
This was a really fun and easy project that I worked on at my leisure. I would love to do another one in the future, maybe retro looking or something. These kinds of desks are easy to find and normally very cheap but can clean up well.
Let me know what you think!
39 comments:
I have seen those desks and thought it might be easy to do an industrial style makeover but never one that looked like this! I love it. The handles are simple genius. I do like the legs the way they are. It looks great as is.
That looks wonderful! Great Job!!
I have always loved these old world war desks too. happy to see one get a new life. Good job!
Love the look and the way you made something discarded and trashed new just for you! GREAT JOB!!!
Okay, can I just say....WOW!! I have seen these desks and wondered what you could do to them to make them cute, or at least decent looking instead of looking like a piece of office furniture from a high school!! You did an awesome job!! I love it the way it is, but I think it could look pretty neat with black legs too. Kudos to your sis, those sisters of yours always have good ideas. When ever I get stuck I call H to come over and take a look, she always has some great ideas!
It looks great!!!!!
Gorgeous! What an amazing transformation. I would never have thought to do that with the wood on top, it really makes the piece, along with the handles! I will keep this in mind if we ever have a house big enough for a desk!
Janice
Nice project. I would love it if you would link this up in Modern Craftswoman Monday. Very well done. Rory
Wow, that turned out great. I love the stained boards you put up on the top! Great character for the desk. Wonderful job!
Gorgeous! LOVE IT!!
~Morgan
Meet Virginia!
Meet Virginia!
Meet Virginia!
From blah to awwwwwwww....Fantastic transformation! The plywood really looks like aged wood and the desk is totally a keeper now!
Oh, I'm jealous of your Talent! That desk is a keeper now.
I love the redo! The desk looks fantastic now!
ohhhh, super cool! Great job on the redo. :)
I'm so prod to claim you as my very own sister- you never cease to amaze me! How many times have I passed up this desks' twin brother? Love it!
MMMM..Hmmm..prod. Very prod of you...
Robby says 'Amazing just amazing she is!" I'm not sure if he meant it or not hmmmm. anyway.. I do like it!
That is so amazing! I too, would have passed it up, probably thinking,"Yuck!!". I have 2 vintage typing tables that I am wanting to do something with... just haven't figured out what. Any ideas??
Wow! Your desk looks great! I love the top and handles you've added.
okay when jamie joked I should take it and redo it this was not what my brain pictured! :) It turned out great!! wish my brain could imagine stuff like that! :)
Wow it looks great now! I love what you did with it!
Great transformation! Nice idea for the handles.
Thanks for sharing! :)
You were so brave to take this piece on. It looks very chic, now, and like it could've come right out of a catalog. I love that you made the top a darker, warmer wood and left the chrome legs. Well done!
Hey, that little desk looks great! I love the new top and how you carved the little heart in it, it reminds me of an old school desk! I think painting the legs black is a great idea too.
Tania
Gorgeous! Will for sure be doing this to my dresser makeover. I love the way it looks.
You seriously deserve an award for this. I see these all the time but have never had any inkling of how to make them look good. You've done it right! So cool!
Amy
this project is so beautiful that i'd like to invite you to add a link to it from our blog in our brandnew, weekly DIY & craft tutorial linky party:
http://www.finecraftguild.com/yarn-free-pillow-free-crochet-pattern/
many more people will love it! so well done.
ooops wrong link:
LINKY PARTY IS HERE:
http://www.finecraftguild.com/diy-linky-party-free-pillow-crochet-pattern/
sorry about that.
Nice job! I think the legs would look better brown to coordinate with the top and desk chair though.
What a fantastic makeover. You have a beautiful blog - you are right ... a home is often made a home by the "chipped and dirty made clean again". I am now a follower and look forward to checking in regularly. Michelle
I think you are a genius!! Looks fantastic!
Thank you for contributing this to http://www.FineCraftGuild.com 's DIY Tutorial Linky Party.
It's beautiful and well presented.
In fact, this was one of my favorite contributions!!! You see, I would have had a hard time 'seeing' your beautiful desk when looking at that metal 'thing' before your transformation! So well done.
In fact, if you have a new & equally wonderful tutorial you wish to share with us this week, come on over. We just opened a new linky party for this week's greatest talented artisans out there! (and you are one of them ;-0)
Rose
Thank you for contributing this to http://www.FineCraftGuild.com's DIY Tutorial Linky Party.
If you have a new & even better tutorial you wish to share with us this week, come on over. We just opened a new linky party for this week's greatest talented artisans out there! (and you are one of them ;-0)
Rose
Love the update! You choice of stain was terrific. And I like the numbers on the drawers. Great idea.
Thanks for linking in to Time Travel Thursday!
Hope to see you each week!
Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
I love the desk transformation. I pass up these desk all the time. But now I may try and transform one. Thanks for sharing your great project. karie @
karieschiccreations
I love the desk transformation. I pass up these desk all the time. But now I may try and transform one. Thanks for sharing your great project. karie @
karieschiccreations
I would have passed that desk right over...which apparently everyone did. What you did with it is amazing! I'm going to have to see if I can find one for my daughter's college apartment. It would be perfect!
Very clever! Now it has character :)
Very clever! Now it has character :)
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