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Sunday, September 19, 2010

Writer's Desk & Chair Remodel

We snagged this old writter's desk and chair off of Craigslist for $20!  Of course they didn't look like this when we got them, but look below for their absolute transformation!


To begin with......



1st step, remove drawers


2nd, remove pulls for painting.


3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th....sand, clean, prime, and paint (x3)!






7th, remove ugly tan vinyl cover from beaten up little chair and recover with cute fabric.  (Sorry I forgot to get a before photo of the chair, it was in worse condition than the desk!)


And..........................................

TA DA!


We used Minwax Polyshade Bombay Mahogany stain on the top.  I just LOVE the color and LOVE a stain and poly in one!!!!


Off-white on the rest including the chair, original hardware back into place, and finished!!!



The top coat is such a beautiful rich color, I can't stop staring at it!!!




This will probably come in handy while I try to keep up with my continuing education in Physical Therapy!!



I was supposed to refinish her and give her up....I just don't see that happening now!

Linking to these amazingly creative PARTIES!


25 comments:

  1. Kate - I don't blame you for keeping it -- I would too! Ya'll did a beautiful job on it. I'm thinking I'll do the same on my old, dated bedroom furniture -- dark tops and white bottoms. Going to put some Anthropologie pulls on, though.

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  2. I almost bought a very similar one last weekend but when I emailed the seller it was already sold. I was so sad! Especially once I see how gosh darned cute yours turned out. Such a cozy little place now. :)

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  3. You did such a beautiful job! It's gorgeous now, definitely a keeper!

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  4. I love the desk & chair! I also love the action photos!! Sometimes before & afters, don't show the hard work that goes into a finished beautiful redo!!!

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  5. WOW!! I love it! You did such a beautiful job and it looks amazing ~ of course, I love the painted bottom & stained top :) Love the teamwork too!!

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  6. This is exactly what I plan to do with my thrift store desk and chair. You didn't say you had to strip it at all, just making sure you didn't, if I can just sand mine as well, that'd be excellent!

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  7. I've been looking for a desk just like this on craigslist but haven't had much luck. Yours looks great! Love the stained top and painted bottom! Good Job!

    Tashia @ http://homeinspiredbliss.blogspot.com

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  8. great job!! exactly what I gotta do to my front entry piece.

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  9. Kate...This is my first visit to your blog....it is precious, and I love the way you remade this deal and chair. It has been so many years since I stripped, sanded, and restrained and painted furniture. Maybe I need to go back to it as what you have done is so inviting. I don’t blame you for deciding to keep it for yourself. Great job! I have never been on Craig’s List...maybe I need to give it a try.

    Genie @ buttonsforbaga

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  10. Great job! Love it. I want to do a similar look for our dining room table, white bottom & stained wood top. I just have to find a great bargain on table first.

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  11. WOW...what an awesome makeover you did on her...she looks outstanding!!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  12. Yeah, I'd keep it, too! It looks wonderful! You did a fantastic job.

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  13. Beautiful transformation! I want to do this finish on my antique dining room table

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  14. Wow, you did a great job and what a find for 20 bucks.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  15. I love this desk redo.

    I have a similar desk that I am about to redo, but I'm trying to decide between painting the top or staining it. You have really given me something to think about.

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  16. Great job! It looks a lot like mine I just redid... also a Craigslist steal!!

    Tania

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  17. Awesome redo! Love the fabric on the chair. What color is it & where did you find it? Thanks

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  18. LOVE this. Cassie at Primitive and Proper is doing a couple pieces of off-white furniture for us for our daughters shared bedroom, and we need a small desk (but with storage) for the other room. Am definitely going to keep a look out for this style on CL !

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  19. I love the contrast of a dark top and white bottom. Simply gorgeous!

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  20. i cannot praise you enough for the great work you have done on restoring this table, i love the table with small drawers as they make it multipurpose utility, great work done and it looks beautiful,

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  21. you have done a really commendable job on restoring this desk, simply beautiful and too good looking, love your blog

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  22. Saw this on remodelaholic and was very impressed!! Great job, I'm your newest follower :)
    Christine

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  23. what I like is that it matches my daughters' twin beds and matching dressers... yep... in the same finish as you got it but in much better shape... the set has been in my family for 4 generations now...
    notice the dove tail fittings for the desk?? yea, they don't make furniture like that anymore... this is the good stuff when furniture makers were proud of their work!!!
    you got a STEAL for $20!!

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  24. Great job...I have one of these desks too. Might have to try the two tone thing!

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