I love a challenge, especially if it’s something I’ve never done before. So when I a client sent me this picture I was beyond excited – an also extremely nervous.
It’s funny that the kind of things I love to do to most, the challenging ones, also tend to give me the hives. To start I’m stressed about getting it cleaned enough for the paint to stick. Have you ANY idea how much gunk is on an old school desk. I mean, I’m used to working with vintage furniture so my best friend is a degreaser but an old school desk basically needs to soak!
On top of that, the veneer is coming up in places and since you know it’s for a 3 year old all you can envision is a sweet little leg getting pinched.
Then theres’ the rusty and/or peeling metal to deal with.
But then you get past all that and think, now what?!
There are so many possibilities really. Where to start? Which to go with?
Mommy said her little girl was a princess loving drama queen who likes purple. Well, that’s as good a place to start as any! So I went into it thinking purple and drama and this is how it ended up. Soooo, whattaya think??
I debated about painting the wood and the metal and going with a solid purple but I just couldn’t bring myself to paint the wood. So I spiffed it up with some stain and gave it a nice coat of poly. I wasn’t sure it was the right decision at first but as soon as I saw that rich wood come to life with a little stain and add to that a little gloss from the poly, I knew I’d made the right choice. Drama, indeed!
And every good little diva needs a nice damask pillow. This one I was lucky enough to find but it needed something. So, I made the voluptuous purple flower and, bam!, it was perfect.
Finally, I dressed up a paper mache box with black polka dots, added a knob {because divas cannot be bothered with reaching all the way in} and popped in some little chalks for her chalk top desk. Her monogram added the finishing touch!
Now, all I need is a little girl of my own to make one for. I have a feeling though, what with my SILs, friends, and their friends who’ve put in an order for one, I probably wouldn’t get to it until she was in college.
Thanks for stopping by! As always, let me know what you think!
Did you have to take the desk apart? I have one just like this that my 3 year old princess uses for school and she would love this!
No it wasn’t necessary to take it apart. This one was for a 3 yr old princess, too! 😉
Thank You I am diving in this weekend!
No. I did one in zebra hot pink and blackboard and it turned out great
I love this idea. I have already looked and found similar ones around my area (Florida). Your ideas/projects are really neat. They always make me regret throwing old furniture away! Keep It Up!!!
I have one from my father when he was growing up. I dont have children but the desk has come to find it self a place as a family heirloom I like the thought of putting initials and painting it to give it a little up date but I want to wait till I have colors in my home chosen to stand out as storage and seating for little ones who visit. Cute idea. Thank you!
I have a question…does the chalkboard paint go right over the desk top or does it need to be sanded or the shiny veneer taken off?
Same question as Casey, do you need to apply anything before using the chalkboard paint? Would liuid sandpaper work? I am very lucky to have one in excellent condition, and a 7 year old Grand daughter who uses it all the time, so it may be larger.
I have one that I would like to refinish. Our desk top is missing so I need to cut one. Does anyone have the dimensions on the desk top?
what kind of paint did you use to paint the metal? prep work? i have a desk like this, but figured i would have to leave the metal color as is….now i’m curious if i can change it! fabulous work!