Do you have a project or a piece of furniture that you need to refinish but you just haven’t decided what you want to do with it? I originally thought I would strip it to the original wood, and keep it raw, but I quickly lost interest once I realized how many paint layers were involved. This is the story behind a little vintage desk I picked up on Craigslist a few months ago. This desk sat in my garage staring at me, until I received a sample color of paint from Kilz and I was suddenly inspired to create a desk for my daughter. This began my DIY vintage desk makeover for my little Princess.
Below is the “before” picture of what the old desk looked like in all her painted vintage glory. This furniture piece had seen her better days, so it was time for a little DIY.
Before the vintage desk makeover, this furniture piece was a mess with layers and layers of paint and stain that needed to be removed.
The first thing I did was remove the bottom layer of wood. I’m not sure what the purpose of this was, but it was obviously added later.
This is what the vintage desk looked like after I removed the bottom level. Now I could start to see the potential in this furniture makeover.
My next step is my most unfavorable step; Stripping all the layers of paint and stain from the wood.
In order to strip the old desk, I used an easy technique where I cover the desk in paint stripper and saran wrap. Yep, I really meant saran wrap. If you want to see more details on this technique click HERE.
The picture above is after I’ve removed the saran wrap, lightly scraped the wood, and wiped the paint stripper off with mineral spirits.
The next step is more scraping and then lots of wood sanding.
After I completed a little more sanding, I decided to prime the desk before painting it because I did not remove all the old paint. Will priming prevent the old paint from chipping? No, but it will help. And honestly, the look I’m going for is a vintage desk makeover, not a new makeover.
If you look closely at the top, it still looks rough. I wasn’t pleased with it so I decided to sand the top of the vintage desk down a little more.
After the sanding was complete, it was time to paint! The color that inspired me to complete this project is called Peach Glamour by Kilz. I knew immediately when I opened the sample what I would do with it. I’m not big on bold colors (which you probably know). This paint color is very neutral and bright with a hint of pink, perfect for a little girl.
This desk came with a chair, but to say I wasn’t pleased with it would be an understatement. Craigslist came to the rescue again and I found these vintage swivel chairs that matched the style of my desk.
The chair was in decent condition, but the bar stool bottom area needed a coat of spray paint. I decided to spray it in an oil rubbed bronze color.
After the base was sprayed, I painted the actual chair the same color to match the desk.
Then I had to figure out what to do with the “hole” in the middle of the table that I can only assume used to be a drawer. I found a bathroom vanity organizer that fit perfectly, all I had to do was spray paint it the same color as the base of the chair.
After all the painting was complete, I knew I wanted to lightly “age” or “antique” the pink finish.
After I completed the “antique finish,” I decided my vintage desk makeover was complete.
The only thing left was to unveil it to my little princess.
Side note: Yes, my little princess is two. No, I don’t condone lots of makeup use and “primping” to my toddler, but she asked for her own space to do “makeup” just like mommy. Well, what could I say? She was basically asking me to complete a new furniture makeover project! It just happened to be that I had the desk in the garage just waiting for me to refinish it (haha, as you can see I jump to any excuse to bring new furniture to life).
If you enjoyed this post I would love for you to Pin the picture below to Pinterest or you can see it HERE. Thanks friends!
If you want to see more furniture posts like this click HERE.
Interested in learning about Chalk Paint vs. Milk Paint? I’ve laid it all out in a blog post.
P.S. this desk has been given another makeover since we moved to our Rustic Beach Cottage. See more details below:
As always, thanks for stopping by and I hope you’ve been inspired.
Lindsey**
Such a lovely effect and so stylish, I’d like one! #MMBC
Gorgeous. Can you come round mine and do your thing? You’ve clearly got a talent! #mmbc
Your makeover is fantastic. Your hard work has certainly paid off! #mmbc
What an amazing transformation
Mollyx
Wow, what a transformation, looks really beautiful and fits right in with the room X #mmbc
This became a beauty after you painted it. It is the perfect spot for a little girl to do homework or spend time writing and drawing.
Thank you Debra. Now the test will be to keep it semi decent looking until she will actually appreciate it!
That is perfect! My girls would love something like that!
This looks so amazing!! Love it! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Very impressive! What a great job! I hope your little princess enjoys it!!
What a fantastic makeover! #fortheloveofBLOG
I love the desk now. The color is great and will be perfect for your daughter. Saw your post at the wed. link party. Just pinned:)
it’s amazing, you did a wonderful job. My daughter would love a desk like that (and I would too). Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned!
Love the desk but not so sure about the chair/stool. #mmbc
What a super cute desk! How cool that you were able to imagine something beautiful from the original desk! And I love that soft pink color too.
I’d never think to use a saran wrap. how clever! Im in awe of your ups cycling and repurposing skills. the table is stunning.
Thank you Vicky!
Oh this is so cute. I love seeing the before and after pictures and reading about how you changed it into a treasure. I have painted a few pieces of furniture and been so pleased with them. A little paint can really change a piece.
Paint sure can transform a piece! Have a great weekend Theresa.
What a fabulous transformation! You should stop by the Ultimate Pinterest Party on Friday and share a pin to your project!
This looks fab, so professional! #SharingtheBlogLove
Thanks so much for joining us at the To Grandma’s House We Go link party. Your link has been pinned! Please join us again next Wednesday! Cheers!
Oh Wow, this is lovely. What a transformation. You are very talented ???? #fortheloveofBLOG
What a great gift for anyone! Love the finish!
What a pretty desk! The video tutorial is so helpful, I’ve always been nervous to antique furniture because it just looked so easy to mess it up. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
That looks so beautiful, I would buy this!! Popping over from #ThatFridayLinky
You’re so creative! It looks great! Well done! Thanks for linking up to #ThatFridayLinky
Loved the colour and the makeover.It’s adorable.
This is just beautiful. What a lovely transformation. I assume those extra bits at the bottom were added for a computer stack or printer maybe? How gorgeous that it has a whole new life now. Thanks so much for stopping by at Handmade Monday to share this with us.
Thank you for the kind words Julie.
The desk turned out wonderful and little princess is darling! Thanks for sharing with SYC. I’m sure it’s not intentional, but I’m not seeing a link back to the party.
hugs,
Jann
It looks gorgeous Lindsey. Everything from the new “drawer” to the beautiful, soft pink color you chose. Bet your Princess is super impressed
Great makeover and such a clever use of the vanity organizer! I’m sure your little princess is thrilled!
WOw – this looks awesome. What a brilliant transformation. I would love this! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
Fab job it looks awesome Thank you for linking to #ThatFridayLinky Please come back next week
What a fabulous transformation! I love that you saw the beauty and the potential in it, it really does look wonderful now, and a really charming touch to a room. Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Monday….I wanted to let you know that you are one of my featured picks this week. Come check it out at https://www.farmhouse40.com/inspire-me-monday-153
Excellent out come, your hard work and smart work have payed off. Lucky little princes to have creative mom.
An amazing transformation, you really are good at seeing the potential in old furniture. I just don’t have this in me! Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
Your little princess is darling with her beautiful curls. What a huge transformation, the desk is gorgeous and I love that you painted it white. Great job.
The transformation is amazing and you did a fabulous job and your princess is adorable 🙂
Very nice. Have you ever used Unicorn Spit? It is a water base stain that has incredible colors. They are on Facebook, tons of examples.
never heard of it! I’m off to check it out now!
Ah beautiful! I love a desk with history 🙂 What a sweet gift for your daughter.
That desk looks gorgeous and I can imagine it was hard work stripping back all the layers of paint. Well done for persevering and getting it done, and thanks for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
What a beautiful transformation. The desk is gorgeous now. I will be featuring this tonight at my Fall into Fall party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I’ve Been Featured button. Thanks. http://diybydesign.blogspot.com
Thank you Judy!
It looks like everyone loves your desk makeover for makeup. The Blogger’s Pit Stop will feature this post on Friday. Well done again.
Kathleen
Blogger’s Pit Stop
Thank you Kathleen!
I love it when older things get a new life!! This turned out beautifully! 🙂
What a fantastic job! This will grow with your daughter. The blink of an eye and there will be makeup all over it! xx
That poor little thing–it looks so much better now! Pinned it–thanks for linking up!
Wow a major difference from the before! Great makeover and I love the chippy door and the little princess staged with it! Thanks for sharing your project at #fridaysfurniturefix, love having you Lindsey.