Build A Modern Farmhouse Console Desk From MDF & Salvaged Legs
8 Materials
I built this modern farmhouse console desk using some furniture legs salvaged from an old sewing machine. It was built using MDF and given a bright yellow paint color and textured with plaster.
I first drew my desk on brown wrapping paper so I could get the scale right.
I then cut out my pieces of MDF. The picture is missing the top piece, but you get the idea.
After it was put together, it looked like this. The drawer fronts are just decorative.
Next came the painting. Since the legs were already dark brown and since MDF is more of a neutral color, I started off by painting the MDF brown. I used the color "Provincial Walnut" milk paint. I'm not sure if it was really necessary but it was just to start with the same color overall.
To create layers, I am using two different yellow shades of paint.
Next step I mixed up some "Garden Seed" milk paint and painted the first coat.
Next step was to create some texture on the MDF desk. To create texture on surfaces, "Fresco" Texture Powder is an amazing product to try. You just mix it into your paint. If using it with milk paint, make your milk paint a little thicker than usual. With milk paint, I feel it seems to need a little more powder.
So I next mixed "Prairie Sunset" Homestead House milk paint (this yellow is a bit lighter than the Garden Seed) and added the Fresco powder to it. I painted the Fresco mix with a brush and went horizontally and then vertically.
So I next mixed "Prairie Sunset" Homestead House milk paint (this yellow is a bit lighter than the Garden Seed) and added the Fresco powder to it. I painted the Fresco mix with a brush and went horizontally and then vertically.
To add even more texture and to break up the horizontal and vertical lines, I also used a natural sponge and pounced on the Fresco powder mix. In some areas it created neat alligator-looking skin.
I let the plaster dry a couple of hours and then went back and painted the last coat of "Garden Seed".
After it dried I lightly sanded to reveal the texture and knock down some of the peaks.
At this point you can adjust your colours. You might want to add more of the darker yellow or more of the lighter yellow.
So just to summarize, I painted the brown first, then a coat of the dark yellow, then Fresco powder is added to the lighter yellow and painted, then last coat of dark yellow is painted and then sanded to reveal texture.
The last step is to seal the piece. I applied Furniture Wax all over and then to add some patina, I randomly applied some Antiquing Wax and buffed.
Here is the finished desk.
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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2 comments
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You are so creative and talented. Was amazed that you drew a template for the desk...you must be an artist or designer. Love the texture and color of your beautiful piece. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you so much Karen.
No, just a wannabe designer!!!!.....for now!
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