Happy Wednesday! Hope your week has been going well…. mine has had some unexpected bumps, and add to it that we are wrapping up dance and soccer, and life has been too busy! I contemplated skipping a post for today, but this desk was such a fun find that I wanted to share it!
Last weekend my friend and vendor, aka my friendor, Traer of Traer Loves, picked me up in her minivan and we hit the flea market together, rolling in style. We made an important stop at Dunkin Donuts for coffee, and then headed off to the flea market. We had fun working our way through, and we made sure to fill that van up! After all, what is a van for if not transporting children hoarding treasures.
We had a very successful morning, and on the way back to my house, I spotted this desk at a yard sale from the street. Traer had just $1 left, so I decided to head back to that sale after she dropped me off. I was glad I went back for it- the price was right and I just loved its shape! It was clearly missing a drawer and a sliding door, but those legs just won me over. She’s got legs and she knows how to use them.
In this image, you can see the before, amongst all my other finds that day! I told you it was a success….
The desk had a blonde finish that was chipping in some areas. I sanded it down all over, including the legs.
Once I had it sanded, I used water based primer for the body, applying 2 coats. To prime inside the drawer and the cubbies, I used an oil based spray primer. To paint inside the cubbies and drawer opening, I used Rustoleum White spray paint in a semi gloss. As luck would have it, the color and finish were almost identical to General Finishes in Snow White, which is what I used for the rest of the body. I don’t care for the uneven finish I always get with spray paint, so I wanted to hand paint the body primarily. Because I wanted to protect the finish without fear of yellowing, I used General Finishes wax on the body.
The legs received a different treatment- I wanted to give this piece a bit of a mod look which suited the shape. I sanded the finish off of the legs, and then applied Briwax in Golden Oak just to give a touch of warmth and contrast as well as protection. Finally, for the brass feet, I applied a little rub n buff to make them shine again. Here it is after! And I think the chalk writing makes for awesome staging, don’t you?
Have you ever seen one like it?
(Emmy’s good friend came over Saturday after a birthday party and wrote “today I went to a birday party”).
This is the first time I have come across a piece like this, and I was sooooo tempted to keep it. But I had shared it on facebook and a few friends were interested in it right away. It went off to its new home today! And I am happy to say it will be used for a sweet little girl in a hip vintage home. I love knowing it will be loved and appreciated!
Have a great day!
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