$25 Writer’s Desk
May 10, 2011
Hey everyone, I’m adventuring in New York City today, exploring the downtown area and enjoying the spring weather. I’ll spill all the details of the event I attended very soon!
Today I wanted to share a recent revamp of a great little writer’s desk I recently scored at a thrift store. This desk was a total bargain, marked at $49 at my local St. Vincent de Paul, but it was 50% off furniture day, so I picked her up for $25 dollars. Solid wood, classic lines, rope detail around the desktop, and little pull out ledges on each side makes this the perfect writer’s desk. How could I resist bringing it home?
The top was scratched and dented, so I thought with just a simple coat of white paint and a little distressing, this desk could be brought back to life, and would be so lovely.
Here is the desk Before:
.
And After:
.
Of course, I couldn’t resist temporarily bringing this desk into my entry. I was thinking of replacing the hardware, but lately I’m loving antique gold finishes, so instead of new knobs, I simply recoated the original black and gold knobs with antique gold paint so the finish is more subtle, and less shiny.
.
To refinish this piece, I followed all of the same techniques I mentioned in this recent article on how to paint furniture. Some light sanding with my 3M sanding wedge . . .
.
. . . led to this distressed finish, bringing out a hint of the original wood tones.
.
Scratched up before. . .
.
. . . and after
.
Nothing like a coat of white paint to freshen a great find.
.
For now, the desk is sitting in my entry, but here’s a funny thing. My neighbor spied it in my driveway, and stopped by the other day to tell me she would love it for her daughter’s room.
And I’ve already mentioned it to another family too . . .
Such a dilemma, where will it eventually go?
This one is so pretty, and the perfect size for where it sits.
So I just might have to keep it here for awhile. :)
Tags: white, white paint, writers desk
Kate, can you tell me where you found the wipe on poly in the tube? I went to Home Depot today and the paint guy had never heard of it.
Greath job, I realy like it also too much:)
Hi Kate! I love that you are showing so many before and after projects lately! These are the things that made me fall in love with this blog when I first started reading! Your work continues to inspire me :)
Wow! Amazing transformation! It looks gorgeous and insanely expensive! :)
Oh be still my shabby loving heart! What a steal – and it looks amazing! That rope detail is so perfect. But then, I always love your makeovers…
Lovely desk and another beautiful furniture redo. I’m glad you didn’t overly distress it. You are quite talented.
I LOVE YOUR STYLE!
I love this! We have almost the exact same desk, but the drawer fronts are plain. I think I will route the edges like yours… and then paint it for sure after seeing how good yours looks! Thanks!
Beautiful. Who needs new stuff??
Your neighbor’s eye must be trained to keep a lookout for your creative pursuits!!
Oh my goodness I LOVE this! I’ve been scouring websites for months looking for a solid wood desk to refinish in white. All of the ones I’ve found have been too pricey or too wide for the compact spot I’d like to put it in. So lucky! It looks great :-)
Just beautiful. The little boy is beautiful too!
GORGEOUS! You never fail with your painting skills and GREAT deals :)
Gorgeous desk Kate, but I reallyl want to know about the CHAIR…. I’ve been looking for something like that for my office. I’ve looked for something like that in stores, but I feel like it will have to be a thrift store find. If you recovered this piece I may have to ask for advice…recovering a chair that is not a slipcover is something that I yet to try.
Such a pretty desk! It looks great by your stairs, and the distressing technique you used is so simple but looks so good!
Hi Kate, You continue to amaze me with your painted furniture. You girl, are a true artisan!
I have a bedroom set, kitchen chairs and a desk that I would love to paint…gotta get past the fear of failure.
the desk is so cute! you do wonderful things! I do need to ask…where did you get your front entry rug? i have been searching everywhere a similar rug! thanks.
alisonnay at gmail dot com
Beautiful….my sister had the same desk growing up !!!!
This is so lovely. Thanks for sharing. It inspires me to do the same!
Beautiful! I envy you your entry. I’m getting ready to move into a tiny doll house with no entry, so I’m wracking my brain for entry ideas that would give me at least the illusion of an entryway.
my hubby and i are building a lake cottage…not a mcmansion, mind you…just a lake cottage. anywho, the thought of furnishing another house was kind of daunting to me. I’m so much about getting a good deal that it would break my thrifty heart to just go to a furniture store and duplicate the look of everyone else’s house this year. our regular home is very “pottery barn/restoration hardware” and the cottage will definetely be a retreat to painted woodwork, clean colors, and unique fabrics. thank you so much for all of your ideas. it’s got my wheels a turnin’. i will be be checking out all the thrift spots/used furniture stores and craigslist this summer. hopefully i’ll come up w/ a few inspiriring pieces that will give our new cottage a thoughtful look.
Wow. So awesome, what is the cost of the 3m sanding wedge. Are there other uses?
I really like the desk makeover. I have a desk very similar that I want to paint now. Great post!
Love it. I never thought of using the Pier One cancle holder as a vase!!! I think I might do that tonight. :)
meant to say “candle” :)
I have GOT to start going to thrift stores more often!
Hellooooooo :D OMG I fell in love with your writers desk from the minute I came across it on a search… I said to myself I NEED one like this! …. I managed to purchase one off craigslist for $25 … my ALMOST realwood desk had a formica looking top… i still went ahead and followed your process…
My desk is too cooooool!! :) I used good primer on the whole thing and painted it white, distressed it and looks soooooooooooo nice! Thanks for this idea! :)
This desk is too cute! I love the distressed look to it. I’ve been contemplating buying one of those sanders but haven’t been able to muster up the courage, but I just might have to give it a go!
Love it! Can you tell me what color white you used? I’m trying to pick one for a piece I’m redoing and I think the one you chose is perfect. Thanks!!