No More Writer’s Block
August 20, 2009
Last week, I hinted at the table I transformed into a desk for my office/library in this post.
For some time, I’ve been drawn to the idea of a writer’s desk in lieu of my traditional dark wood desk with its big and heavy drawers. By definition, a writer’s desk is more like a table, with few or no drawers, open and airy, forcing the user to be clever with storage, and always organized. And I’m the type that has to force myself to be organized.
In my decision to move from dark to light, I found a table at a local outlet that was closing its doors, and decided that with a little paint, and a glass top, it could become my own version of a writer’s desk.
Just for kicks, take a peek at a few writer’s desks I admire, but am not so willing to pay top dollar for:
Beckton from Ballard Designs
From Computer Desk Experts
From Overstocks
Windham from Crate + Barrel
To replace my dark wood desk, I found a solid wood table for $40 at a local outlet closing its doors – the same outlet where I found these twin glass towers.
Here’s the table:
Just a basic, ordinary table, painted a butter yellow. I didn’t want the yellow shade in my office, so I sanded the top, primed it with spray primer, then gave it two coats of my most favorite shade of spray paint: Rustoleum’s ‘Heirloom White’.
To give it a personal touch, I made my own stencil out of the fabric from this valance, with the idea to copy the pattern onto my new desk.
Here’s what I did: 1) I photocopied the fabric on my office printer/copier, 2) I used a report cover available at any office supply store as the base for my stencil, and finally, 3) I used a sharp blade to cut out my own pattern in the plastic.
With my homemade stencil, I sketched the pattern in pencil on the table top.
Over the sketch, I used an artist’s brush to paint over the pattern with a soft blue/gray acrylic paint.
I had a local glass shop make me a custom glass top. In this picture, you can see some of the hand painted detail.
Can I just tell you it’s almost impossible to get a decent photograph of a glass table top under a window. The glare is way too intense.
So there it is – my own hand painted writer’s desk for my new office. Please forgive the bad photograph due to the awful glare. I even had to lower my dreaded mini blinds which I always hide. Grrrr. I couldn’t get a decent shot! I’m sure you get the idea.
And that is how I transformed an ordinary table into my new desktop. Now if only I could tackle painting those giant bookcases, I could finish this space !
Tags: desk, heirloom white, spray paint, stencil
Could you share the size of brush you used to paint the design?
Your desk is beautiful! I love it. Where did you get your cute little Eiffel Tower that is sitting on the desk?
I love your project and started to love the color "heirloom white" that you always use. Where do you get the paint? I tried Home Depot and Lowes but couldn't find the exact one. Thanks
Joanne, I found it at a True Value hardware… it’s definitely an off-white (in a yellowish way).
I ADORE this project. I’d like to update my own writers desk in the same way. What a good idea.
[...] used the stencil from this writer’s desk project and lightly sketched a pattern by hand with a [...]
[...] guest space with the smaller wood bookcases. I replaced the bottom heavy dark wood desk with this fresh new writer’s desk I transformed from a table. I spray painted the table, stenciled and hand painted the surface, then I had a [...]
[...] #7 Table Turned Writer’s Desk [...]
Absolutely gorgeous! I like yours the best! I can’t believe you painstakingly cut out a stencil to do the edges like you did! I don’t think I could have been quite so patient. Thanks for the idea, though…lucky for me I have a nifty Silhouette SD machine that cuts stencils (among other things). I think you NEED one too! Maybe Silhouette America would let you review one and you could show how you would use it for decorating!
You have a very inspiring site! Thanks for the wonderful ideas! I just delved into spray paint (well primer spray paint) for the first time just an hour ago. I’m attempting a remake of an old brass chandelier. I wish I would have read your tips first. Oh well, I only paid $15 for the chandelier and I’ll chalk it up to practice and experience. Can you sand primer drips on brass? Thanks again!
I love how you bring back to life items with a little TLC and a ton of creativity (but not a whole lot of cash expense). I can picture two glass knobs on the front of this desk becoming a ‘faux’ drawer… after seeing the samples you posted included their own drawers. It would go with the glass top I would think…
Do you mind me asking what the glass cost you? I’m almost done re-doing a desk I got (inspired by your desk of course!) and am looking for a place to make the glass. My desk is 30″x60″…I wonder how much money I’m looking at to get that glass?
Thanks.
Beautiful and so inspiring! I’ve been keeping an eagle eye on craigslist for a table that i can turn into a sewing/craft table using this very idea.
I’d love to have a chair like yours to complete the look – did you refinish/reupholster that yourself or did you buy it that way?
I love love love this piece! Man I just want to be a copycat on this one, actually now that I am thinking about it I just want you to gift me this one.
Congratulations on your many successful pieces. QUESTION: You used acrylic paint on the embellishment, over alkyd/oil enamel…usually this peels off with a thumbnail. What acrylic paint did you use, and/or what was the process? Is that why the glass is on the top?