Vintage Desk Makeover
by
Handan & Greg @ The Navage Patch
(IC: blogger)
$225
2 Months
Medium
When we moved into this house two years ago, before we learned how to craft and woodwork, before we figured out how to do-it-ourselves and find-it-for-cheap, we went on several IKEA sprees. Handan had been a big fan of the store, since they could be found in many countries and provided an easy solution to furnish apartments as an expat. On the other hand, I have been at odds with the Scandinavian behemoth since my first visit to the Emeryville, CA store in 2004. I detest the way they turn customers into maze-rats. Once entered, forever trapped! Shoppers are forced to wend through inescapable and endless warrens of gleaming, happy-colored crap. It is like traveling down the hallways of Hades, each step taking the hapless consumer farther from the world of the living and closer to some eternal damnation, where souls are forfeit for flat-faced furniture with unfathomable names. Bend your ear to the east; you'll hear the kronor piling up around a delighted Swedish family and hear their laughter as they haul that money to the bank.
*Affiliate links used in this post*
*Affiliate links used in this post*
During one of these slogs through swamps of oak and frosted glass, we picked out a desk for me: a flat, black monolith, devoid of charm, beauty, and drawers. It was a perfect study in efficient minimalism. The absence of drawers or storage forced the user to adopt an ascetic work style. All material possessions (paper, files, pens, etc.) had to be shunned while at the desk, lest they spoil the clean, sterile form. I have no idea why we picked such a thing (besides price), and soon I was longing for drawers. Lots and lots of drawers.
The top has a beautiful fiddleback veneer of what looks to be African cherry, but could be American cherry or another wood I can't readily identify. This is the kind of desk you dive under during an earthquake.
In some places, the veneer was peeling from the substrate, and in one of the corners it was missing altogether.
I repaired the veneer that had come unglued by squeezing some wood glue under the veneer and spreading it around with a toothpick. I clamped it and let it dry. The result was good enough. For the corner missing the veneer, I planned to leave it as is. Once I re-finished the top, it wouldn't show as much. Besides, this was going to be a working desk, so I wasn't worried about making it a perfectly restored show piece. I liked the character it had, and I just wanted to spruce it up a bit. The first step after gluing the two small patches of veneer was to sand down the top to get rid of any old varnish and dirt. Since veneer is so thin, any sanding must be done very carefully, especially when using a random orbital sander. I had learned the hard way (see "Veneer & Loathing" at our blog) that an orbital sander will chew through veneer faster than you can say "OH, SH!T!" What followed was a series of errors and course corrections that took an easy two-week project and twisted it into a Sisyphean summer of tears and despair.
First Attempt
After a few hours, I checked to see how the poly was drying. The glossy sheen was mostly gone. I looked at it a while longer and realized something: I wanted it a little darker and a bit more red.
Okay...so it looked good, I guess. But, I don't know. Maybe it would look better if it were glossy?
But...I still hadn't fully learned how poly works. Even though the can says to "sand with 220 grit," they're basically full of crap. Sanding with anything less than 2000 or 1500 is going to leave noticeable swirls and scratches.
Fifth Attempt
But instead of stain, I applied some Danish Oil (like I did on my first try with the desk).
When this had dried for a few days, I gave them all a coat of my favorite dark finishing wax.
After Handan finished, I re-attached the drawer hardware, put the drawers back in their places, and put a final protective coat of dark wax on the desktop.
(Okay, so maybe I upgraded the typewriter)
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Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Published April 10th, 2016 2:32 PM
Comments
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3 of 162 comments
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Lindalovie55 on Apr 25, 2016gorgeous desk and loved the storyline Clever writing skill
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Handan & Greg @ The Navage Patch on Apr 25, 2016@Lindalovie55 Thank you, Linda!
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Nancy Nesbitt on Mar 31, 2021
Greg - I just found your desk makeover project. I have to say you are not old enough to be a "baby boomer" but your description of IKEA fits my generation. I love real wood and antiques - whether painted or not. Obviously, it has been several years since you posted this, but I have to say I also admire your tenacity with this desktop. It turned out perfectly.
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