I love garage sales and thrift shopping! Even when I do have a little extra cash, I still shop at these places instead of at the mall or anywhere else. Getting a bargain is sooo fun, and addicting! So a few weeks ago I went in to my local Goodwill to find a piece I needed for aprojectI was working on, when what do you know, I run into this old and very much in need of love yet full of potential gem:
I didn’t actually need a desk, until I found this one, then of course I ‘found’ a need for it. It’ll be my new work desk. My future blog posts will be more enhanced, enlightening, and entertaining, because they will be written on this desk. That’s what I told myself-and I bought every word of it. HA!
Here’s a quick tutorial on how this seen-better-days desk, got a makeover:
Outdoors with an orbital sander, and 60 grit sandpaper I sanded the top to remove all of the stains and water damage.
Lots of cosmetic damage |
Much better! |
Using Zinsser Cover Stain, which I adore, I painted the legs and body of the desk, leaving the top bare.
I didn’t sand before hand because the cover stain is pretty good at gripping on to the stain without any necessary prep–this is why I loooove it!
Once the cover stain dried (about 10 minutes!), I did go over the whole thing with the sander to smooth it out completely. I used 150 grit and it took about 5 minutes since I wasn’t removing any stain or paint, just smoothing it out.
I bought a sample size of Behr paint in Bleached Linen (white) at Home Depot and with a foam brush I painted over the primer, and went over the desk top with Minwax Wood Finish stain in Dark Walnut.
With a sanding block, I distressed just the edges to give it a classic and worn feel. Lastly, I added a couple coats of polyurethane to the entire piece.
During the dry time, I painted the original brassy hardware with silver spray, which I already had (that’s the best kind!)
Loving the wood grain showing! |
Super easy right?! A few hours, some paint, and a vision..that’s all you need to make something old and discarded, into something beautiful and timeless.
Here’s a sneak peek at where it will be living..right under the large Pottery Barn bulletin board I got at a garage sale for a whopping $3. Can’t wait to fix it up and accessorize this space!
What are you finding at thrift stores and garage sales these days?
Our Pinteresting Family says
That desk is fantastic! I love what you did with the top of it, Barbara. What a deal! It looks wonderful with your PB corkboard too.
Chase the Star says
Thank you so much! I’ve been accessorizing it slowly…can’t wait to update the post with that!
Carolyn says
My obsession at Goodwill is clothes. I recently went from a size 10 to a size 2 so had to replace my entire wardrobe which is definitely not in my budget. In Arizona Thursday is “Dollar Day” at Goodwill where everything of a certain color tag is $1. Check out my blog to see my refashions, everything was $1. Love your desk, I also got one recently at Goodwill, the price was $14.99 but she gave me the senior discout so it was $11! I love a deal.
http://kamsmomusa.blogspot.com
Chase the Star says
Congratulations on your weight loss success, Carolyn! A discount at the GW? What a score! Thanks for stopping by! I’m heading your way now!
SuttonsDaze says
Great job! Love it!
Chase the Star says
Thank you so much!
vikki says
Great make over and great price. Our thrift shops here would have charged five times that!
Chase the Star says
Thanks Vikki! I must say I have a pretty great GW nearby!
Betsy @ Romance on a Dime says
Looks so gorgeous now!! That was a great find – Nice work. Thanks so much for linking up at Romance on a dime. Pinning this.
Chase the Star says
Thank you Betsy! You are so sweet:) Thanks for hosting your party!
Hani@Craftionary says
I love how it turned out! Thanks for linking up at Friday Fun Party and have a nice day!
Chase the Star says
Thank you Hani!! Hope you have a wonderful day too!
gail@My Repurposed Life says
barbara–gotta LOVE that orbital sander! Love the dark stained top! Your desk looks fabulous.
gail
Chase the Star says
Thank you Gail! The orbital sander is my BFF!