February 20, 2012

Waterfall Desk

I finally finished my desk! Yay! :)



I bought this desk with a few other pieces from Craigslist this fall. I have to admit I didn't even want the desk. I'm a little embarrassed to tell you that I saw no potential and am not a huge fan of the waterfall style. This is how it looked when I bought it:




So it sat in the garage while I worked on other things...Until I saw this beautiful piece of inspiration from Twice Lovely:


via


I knew right then exactly what I wanted to do with my desk. So the stripping began.....and went on and on and on and on. Under the white paint was pink paint, then gold paint, then the old stain. There were so many crevices that I couldn't get into. It was such a messy job that I couldn't just run to my office and work on it when I had a spare 15 minutes. 




So it sat for days at a time untouched. Finally my husband, Scott, realized that sanding all of those crevices was holding me back from finishing, so he lovingly spent a few hours getting it completely ready for staining. I'm forever grateful :) 




I stained the desk with Minwax Polyshades (stain & polyurethane in 1) in antique walnut. It was my first time using it and it was okay. I used 3 coats to get the color I wanted and afterwards I still felt it needed a coat of polyurethane for strength and for more of a glossy finish. But it was really easy to apply with a cheap sponge brush and I'd definitely use it again. 




For the drawers I knew I wanted to use some cardstock with pretty script writing on it. I got it from Hobby Lobby while it was 50% off. First I removed all of the old hardware, then filled in all of the holes with wood putty and sanded them super smooth. 




I painted around the edges of the drawers with annie sloan chalk paint in graphite, then I attached the paper to the drawer fronts using Modge Podge. I bought the drawer pulls on Ebay and got enough extras to use in my office for whenever I get around to that project! The two little knobs came from Hobby Lobby and were spray painted to match the pulls.




I am really happy with how it turned out and have been enjoying having it in my living room, but it is for sale :) If you live in the Chicagoland area and are interested in buying it you can find my email address above on my contacts page.


(The inset panels were all painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in graphite and then waxed)








While I love how this desk turned out I'm not looking for any projects that involve stripping in the near future!! ;)

39 comments:

  1. a)your talent amazes me.
    b)what is a "waterfall desk" and why aren't you a fan?
    c)how much are you selling it for?
    d)would it bum you out if your sister starting buying your stuff?
    e)please decorate my house.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. a) thankyou
      b) hahahaha, it's a style of furniture where the top/front is rounded like the front of this desk, I just don't usually like how it looks, I like straight lines with a little curvy detail...
      c) contact me at my email and we'll talk price
      d) you're more than welcome to buy all of my stuff :)
      e) gladly, looking forward to it!

      Delete
  2. Hahahaha, you'd better ask Nathan before you buy EVERYTHING Sarah ;) I love it Heidi!!! You sure are full of great ideas!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. So lovely!
    And, it's a good reminder about how many layers of paint you might find when stripping.

    The stain is beautiful.
    Nice job.
    ~ Dana

    ReplyDelete
  4. It is gorgeous. Whilst the rest of us are painting everything white look at how lovingly you have restored this beautiful desk. Thanks ever so much for sharing. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

    ReplyDelete
  5. such a dramatic difference! it looks gorgeous!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I just saw your pic over on Primitive & Proper, I love this desk! You've done just a gorgeous job on it.
    I've just started following you to!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great transformation. I would love for you to link up at my linky party via: ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com

    Mrs. Delightful
    ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful! I want to do something like this to my girl dresser! Thanks for sharing at Trendy Treehouse!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Heidi!
    What a beautiful makeover - gorgeous! I would love for you to come by and link it up at my Creative Inspirations Party and Embracing Change going on right now! I would love to have you there!
    Stacey
    http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. You must have been so deflated every time you found another layer of paint to remove. It turned out so pretty though in the end and you had help with the sanding. :) Thanks so much for sharing at our party this week.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is gorgeous. I'm visiting from AKA design's link party!

    ReplyDelete
  12. WOW this is GORGEOUS!!!! You did a fantastic job!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yes, stripping is a HUGEMO job! But just look at the results. It's lovely!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love it! Then again, I love waterfall.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow! Gorgeous desk! I would love for you to stop by my Creative Inspirations party to link it up - the party is happening NOW!
    Stacey of Embracing Change
    http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love the black hardware and the fact that you painted just the sides black. Turned out so cute!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Fabulous transformation!!!

    Thanks for your visit and welcome to blogging.
    XO

    ReplyDelete
  18. wow..looks great!! you must just love it! enjoy your brand new desk!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Well done! Love the script-perfect for a desk.

    ReplyDelete
  20. This turned out beautiful!! I'm your newest follower and I would love for you to share this on my little party: http://www.nutmegplace.com/2012/02/show-off-saturday-3.html

    Hope to see you there!

    ReplyDelete
  21. The desk is beautiful! You did a great job! Found you on Funky Junk and now your newest Linky follower! I love your style and also LOVE the wreath pillow! I'd love it if you come by!

    jill
    iknowtheplansihave4you.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. wow its so beautiful you did a great job, i would love it if you could share it at my party at http://twiggstudios.blogspot.com/2012/02/hi-every-one-i-hope-you-have-had-great.html

    ReplyDelete
  23. Your desk is delicious! Beautiful and sweet - love it! You really grasped the full potential in this one! Thanks for sharing - please come back Thursday to link up again!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

    ReplyDelete
  24. Heidi,
    Your transformation on this piece is amazing! I'm featuring you tomorrow evening at Knick of Time Tuesday! Feel free to grab my "I Was Featured" button - you earned it!

    Blessings,
    Angie @ Knick of Time

    ReplyDelete
  25. That turned out great! I love the transformation. Thanks for sharing at Thursday's Temptation.
    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  26. HI,
    I am happy to be your newest lf follower. I found your cute blog from the linky followers blog hop. If you'd like to follow back, you can reach me at http://www.measuredbytheheart.com
    Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wow! Turned out great!!! Happy to have you at Things I've Done Thursday! www.bearrabbitbear.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I think it turned out great! I especially love the graphite on the drawers. Thanks for sharing at the Rock ‘N Share!

    ReplyDelete
  29. How beautiful! My mom had this same desk when I was growing up - don't have a clue what became of it, but yours looks a million times better!!

    xox

    ReplyDelete
  30. I think it came out great too!!

    Found you through the new linky followers blog hop. I'm so happy to be your newest follower, it would be great if you follow me back. :)

    And, tomorrow I'll be hosting a "What does your blog want to be when it grows up" blog hop with a few of my blog buddies ... have you thought of your blog's hopes and dreams? The party will be open for a week! My blog goals are here...http://thespacebetweenblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/grow-up-your-blog/

    Karah
    thespacebetweenblog.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'm in love! Newest follower here too! You know, this project would be perfect for our new linky party featuring "Transformations" called Repurpose-Remodel-Reveal, I know our readers would love to see it too! (It starts Friday, March 2nd 2012 at 7:00 am MST and reoccures every 1st and 3rd Friday)

    ReplyDelete
  32. I just love the contrtasting colours! And the pulls!! Beautiful!!!

    ReplyDelete