HELP! I want to give this a colorful makeover!

My cousins wife is creating a craft area for the sweetest 3 year old you could ever meet. I love that she is always wanting to paint and draw and is so creative. This is the perfect addition to the room and a perfect spot for her to let her creative mind go where ever it pleases. I’m really new to this diy stuff but have always been very good at projects creating things with my hands and not at all afraid of hard work. I would love if anyone would share ideas they have to make this a little girls favorite place!
  13 answers
  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 09, 2017

    Rub it down with sandpaper till smooth and then PRIME, UNDERCOAT , THEN TOP COAT (child friendly paint) Enjoy the project........

    • Jessica Anne Haley Jessica Anne Haley on Nov 09, 2017

      I am an electric motor winder by trade, but a complete newbie to woodworking. I really appreciate the advice and tips.

  • Rowgop (Pam) Rowgop (Pam) on Nov 09, 2017

    Need to sand it to get the poly or finish off, make sure before you paint finish sanding with at least a 220 grit. Then paint a cute paint color, and maybe even stencil the seat or top.

  • Rowgop (Pam) Rowgop (Pam) on Nov 09, 2017

    I would love to redo that. Best of luck. Have fun with it.

    • See 1 previous
    • Jessica Anne Haley Jessica Anne Haley on Nov 09, 2017

      I see a lot of unicorn spit projects that have really fun colours. Do you know if something like that would work here maybe for the desktop? It may be a bit more complex than I am ready for. I really want this to be whimsical and fun and perfect. But I'll settle for close to perfect lol

    • Jessica Anne Haley Jessica Anne Haley on Nov 09, 2017

      I have had the idea of making some matching chairs for her and a few of the adults that adore her. Instead of her name, I planned to put Sunshine because she brightens the world when she is in your presence. This may be a great opportunity to put the best part of that idea in motion! Thanks so much for your help!

  • Gracie Gracie on Nov 09, 2017

    Sand first and then prime. Prep is the most important part. Use bright colors for the chair. Should be adorable.

  • Pg Pg on Nov 09, 2017

    I would sand it and then paint it in several primary colors. Like one for the seat, another for the desk part, another for the back and one more for the legs. Are you going to use the spool as a craft table? That would be fun.

    • Jessica Anne Haley Jessica Anne Haley on Nov 09, 2017

      can’t make a decidiom on the spool. When I decided to get crafty I really went all in. Have this in the driveway! Finishing up a brass lamp back to its glory either this evening or tomorrow. you will probably be seeing more questions from me in the woodworking projects. I can do electrical but I know Next to nothing about woodworking! It’s exciting

  • Cindy Hagemann Cindy Hagemann on Nov 09, 2017

    What a fun project! I painted one a few years ago and sold it. Before you paint it, make sure you clean it good and then us a primer such as Kilz, then paint. Here is an idea for you - using paint and putting chalk board paint on the desk part for her to use chalk on. I know she will love whatever you decide to do!

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 09, 2017

    My pleasure........

  • Rowgop (Pam) Rowgop (Pam) on Nov 09, 2017

    Just put a coat of polyurethane on it to protect it

  • Emily Emily on Nov 09, 2017

    It actually will be quite a while before a three year old is comfortable sitting in this chair so I would just clean, sand and maybe paint it one of her favorite colors. When she is older you could do a fancier job. I would like to see this (as someone already suggested) painted in many different colors.



  • Clök Concept Clök Concept on Nov 10, 2017

    I would simply wash it with TSP and lightly sand with 120 grid. Then use chalk paint and wax. If you don't have much experience, this would be a good way to start and be sure to have great results. You could use bright color for a seat cushion and accessories, you could change them as she grows up. :)


    Don't forget to post pictures!! Good luck!

    • Jessica Anne Haley Jessica Anne Haley on Nov 10, 2017

      Unicorn spit and chalk paint are the 2 ideas that my sunshine’s Mom and I had going in to this. I think we should start with the easier of the 2 for sure. We can always update down the road when the little one gets older and has her own ideas about what she wants. We want to teach her to do things like this as she grows anywa. Thanks for the advice.

  • 62q10370829 62q10370829 on Nov 10, 2017

    Clean, sand all, paint in her favorite colors, put her name on back of chair & put her favorite cartoon on seat & then black board on desk top or favorite animal picture. Good luck.

  • Jessica Anne Haley Jessica Anne Haley on Nov 10, 2017

    I've already run in to the 1st thing Im unsure of this piece of wood peeling doesn’t go through to the bottom but it does extend the length of the side of the deskto. Should I peel it off and sand it back close to flat on the side or just sand it carefully until the Peeling portion is gone? FYI I am an ask questions even if I think I already know the answer person. Better to ask and do something once rather than not as and do it twice. Hope I don’t drive anyone nuts with the questions

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    • Jessica Anne Haley Jessica Anne Haley on Nov 25, 2017

      Plastic wood thats just weird to say. I’ll definitely check it out though. I can get it at any oF the big home Improvement stores right?