Blogger Netherlands on Aug 17, 2012

Is it okay to paint sentimental pieces? YES, it is!! Old Desk Makeover with Chalk Paint

I am the lucky recipient of an old - perhaps even antique - desk from my in-laws. The finish was old and battered and not my style. I hesitated for a long time but then I bit the bullet and gave her a makeover. Removing the top veneer first and then painting her with Chalk Paint.

I think she is mightily improved. Do you agree?

To see more: http://www.songbirdblog.com/2012/03/painted-desk-reveal/

20 Comments

Becky Blair, NE

Sorry, but I find it funny that you redid this desk because it was "old and battered" to look old and battered. (insert giggling smiley here)

on Aug 17, 2012 · Like 0
Aquascape Inc. Saint Charles, IL

Love the transformation ... and love the vignettes you added. Perfect!

on Aug 17, 2012 · Like 0
Its So Very Cheri Naples, FL

I love all of your antiques on your desk--so pretty.

on Aug 17, 2012 · Like 0
Donna R Lumberton, TX

You freed it from it's life of veneer. Now it's a work of art! Love all your pieces on top of it. @Becky, isn't that always what we do! Wonder what generations after us will come up with, probably stain everything maple! What goes around......

on Aug 17, 2012 · Like 0
Becky Blair, NE

Well Donna, I'm the odd woman out here because though I like this painted look I'm obsessive about wood grain. I have folders on my computer with pictures of different kinds of wood, domestic and exotic. Though some things are easier for me to paint, like knotty pine, most other woods I personally prefer to refinish with stain as I am now doing to a vintage dining set. I need to remember to add the latest pictures.... ...»

http://www.hometalk.com/470613/vintage-dinin...

on Aug 17, 2012 · Like 1
Donna R Lumberton, TX

Yes Becky, I remember your table and chairs that you redid for your son. I had commented that the back of the chairs reminded me of a man's tie. You did a beautiful job with the stains and love the way you did the legs different. Now that style and wood, definitely needed refinishing and not painted. There are certain things I won't paint, especially cherished antiques. This desk was begging for paint and turned out so pretty.

on Aug 17, 2012 · Like 0
Becky Blair, NE

Ah, yes that was you Donna. I have an up and down memory. When it comes to my projects and how to do things I have an excellent memory but with other things I can forget with in minutes.
I will say that because of you I decided to stain the "ties" to match the top of the table. The chairs needed some repair, which has now been done, so I'm going to start staining them tomorrow. I'll post pictures when I have them back together. ...»

And I wasn't saying I didn't like this. I was just saying I thought her reason for painting it was funny since it still has an old worn look.

on Aug 17, 2012 · Like 1
Decor & More Marietta, GA

Really like the two tones!

on Aug 18, 2012 · Like 0
Donna R Lumberton, TX

I know Becky. I knew where you were coming from. I just ended a sentence in a preposition.....now that I know you were a teacher, I watch how I word things to you! Please tell me you weren't an English teacher! I really like the way you did the two tone stain. I never think of that with stain.

on Aug 18, 2012 · Like 0
Becky Blair, NE

Oh my I about lost it reading you last comment Donna. If you only knew the "real me", you'd laugh too. No need to worry about how you word things. I was a reading teachers assistant. Though I had my own students and my own little classroom I'm far from one that you need to worry about your grammar with. It's a good thing that wasn't part of what I taught since I can't even remember the parts (the names) of a proper sentence. When my eight year older sister was in college (she originally ...»
majored in English then changed to elementary education) she would "grade" my letters to her. At the young age of nine I told her if she didn't stop that I'd stop writing her letters. LOL She stopped.

on Aug 18, 2012 · Like 0
FunkyJunk Interiors - Don... Canada

LOVE. You totally did the right thing. I vote to love what you have, and do what it takes to make it so!

on Aug 18, 2012 · Like 2
Ally Schenectady, NY

Saved your pic in my "inspiration" file. The two tone is quite stunning.

on Aug 18, 2012 · Like 0
Donna R Lumberton, TX

@Becky, okay I'll relax now! :)

on Aug 18, 2012 · Like 1
Laurie Jonesboro, AR

I think she's a real beauty.

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 0
Emilou Maupin, OR

Love it, really like the two colors. Are the door pulls new or were already on the desk?

on Dec 19, 2012 · Like 0
Karen - The Graphics Fairy Frederick, MD

It looks so beautiful now!! Great color combo too!

on Dec 23, 2012 · Like 0
Marianne Songbird Netherlands

@emilou The pulls are new, the desk originally only had key holes, but no keys anymore. I just added the pulls over the key holes to hide them and make the drawers more functional.

on Dec 24, 2012 · Like 0
Pieced Pastimes Kingston, NH

It looks like this desk was meant to be placed in your creative hands. Love how you painted the two colors and the drawer pulls are just perfect.

on Jan 03, 2013 · Like 0
Emilou Maupin, OR

Hi Marianne, You did a wonderful job of hiding the key holes I think the drawer pulls add so much, and leaving them a dark color adds an interesting contrast. (-: I personally have never cared for veneer. :-) Looks wonderful!!!

on Jan 04, 2013 · Like 0
Beth Seattle, WA

I was looking for guidance on this very topic. I have inherited a number of old, maybe 'antique' pieces that just aren't my style. To paint or not to paint, that is the question? Funky Junk is right (and I love her projects, too!)... we must love what we have! Didn't William Morris say essentially this?

on Apr 30, 2013 · Like 0