Saturday, February 9, 2013

Living Room Desk Area

About two years ago I got the sweetest little table that I planned to use as a vanity in my bedroom. Being the DIY/furniture redoer newbie that I was, I made a huge mistake. It had been in a basement for who knows how long, so I put it outside. I just wanted it to air out a bit and let some rain wash away the dirt and spiderwebs a little. Can you blame me? Apparently I let it sit a little too long. The paint started to chip and peel as well as the veneer on the table top. :(

The top was beyond saving and with a three year old running around I wasn't risking leaving the chippy paint as is. So the little table that I planned to do absolutely nothing to got a complete makeover.  My plans also changed on where it was going to be used. Like I said, it was going to be a vanity in my room, but my mom gave me one that belonged to my grandmother, so it's now being used as a desk in our living room.

 This is the "left outside and neglected" shot of the desk. 

 This is with one layer of veneer peeled off. The other layers were bubbling and beyond repair. 

 So, we completely removed the top.

 And here's the chippy paint in all its glory. Love it but too nervous to have it around my son. 


After getting a fresh coat of paint and a new fence board top, that sweet little table is now a useful desk!



 Love, love, love!!!!

I have a few other little things to add to the wall, but they are going to have to wait until the brick wallpaper comes down.




 I had to include this ^ picture. It was taken by my three year old son. :)






 Flower frog turned pen holder



 Old knobs from my stash

 Weathered fence board top!! <3


 My husband helped me make a lamp from a vintage laboratory beaker stand and a metal work lamp shade.




Sometimes great things come from Plan B!!!!


P.S. If you'd like to see sneak peeks throughout the week and other inspiration, 
be sure to follow me on Facebook!!


I'm linking to the parties listed HERE and to:







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42 comments:

  1. Angie @ Knick of TimeFebruary 9, 2013 at 1:08 AM

    Your little desk is absolutely adorable and I love everything you have on it. I gotta say though, I love that brick wallpaper you are going to take down!?! I really couldn't tell that it wasn't real. I just commented to my husband today that I would dearly love some brick walls inside our home. There are some wonderful, really old buildings in our downtown that have brick inside and out and I absolutely love how they look. I'm actually on the lookout for some facing brick to use in one room on the wall. Really love your lab beaker stand lamp!

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  2. Sassy Southern LadyFebruary 9, 2013 at 7:18 AM

    You did a great job with the desk. It looks great. I love all the pictures. It was like being there.

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  3. DeeFebruary 9, 2013 at 8:27 AM

    I love Plan "B"! The new rustic top looks great. The lamp is really cool too. How nice to have the whole family involved with this post. Nice job! Dee from My Painted Stuff.

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  4. Amy KinserFebruary 9, 2013 at 10:31 AM

    Your plan B is fantastic. That brick wall is incredible behind your gorgeous desk. I also love love the lamp y'all made.

    Such beauty and such talent.

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  5. Sumaya at Evocative VintageFebruary 9, 2013 at 10:52 AM

    You did an amazing restoration job! I love how you adorned her and your son takes amazing pictures.....quite the budding photographer!:)

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  6. ElizabethFebruary 9, 2013 at 12:19 PM

    Beautiful job - I love the entire look!

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  7. Liz @ Here's to Handy AndyFebruary 9, 2013 at 8:35 PM

    That looks great! What a great piece of furniture!

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  8. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2013 at 10:13 AM

    I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the desk!!! And ditto on the lamp! I just picked up a few of the "lampshades" at our local "St. Louis County Mall" aka garbage dump. Great blog!

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  9. BlissFebruary 10, 2013 at 11:19 AM

    I always LOVE the look of wood coupled with paint on a project. Beautiful.

    Bliss

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  10. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2013 at 8:50 PM

    Sure is cute! I love the frog turned pencil holder, so clever! Little Bit from www.DecorateWithaLittleBit.com

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  11. Leslie GermainFebruary 11, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    Love what you did. I redid a vanity I found on the side of the road. Your desk reminds me a lot of my new desk. thank you for sharing. Visiting you from craft o maniac Monday. www.thememorynest.blogspot.com

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  12. Sandi~A Cottage MuseFebruary 11, 2013 at 1:20 PM

    You've created a wonderful space...love the desk!

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  13. RuthFebruary 11, 2013 at 1:35 PM

    It looks perfect as a little desk. I love all the elements you've included. Takes you back in time as you look at them. lovely area.
    Ruth

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  14. Martha SloanFebruary 11, 2013 at 7:15 PM

    The desk is perfect, love it!

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  15. Loretta CastoriniFebruary 11, 2013 at 8:11 PM

    Love the desk and the lamp! Gorgeous! I don't blame you re the chippy paint! While its lovely, it really is a health risk with kids. Looks better than b4!

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  16. L'Heure Bleue At HomeFebruary 11, 2013 at 9:24 PM

    The desk looks wonderful now! Your lamp is definitely unique and one of a kind.

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  17. ReviFebruary 11, 2013 at 10:37 PM

    The desk turned out just great, but I really love your "stuff!"
    This kind of stuff just excites my soul.
    -Revi

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  18. Donna WilkesFebruary 12, 2013 at 12:05 AM

    Oh, what wonderful treasures. The desk turned out great. Brick wallpaper!?! Good Luck with that.

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  19. UnknownFebruary 12, 2013 at 9:55 AM

    I'm stopping over from the Cowgirl Up Party. Your desk is great (and I happen to love the frog pen holder!) :)

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  20. Kammy's KornerFebruary 12, 2013 at 10:03 AM

    oh shucks, that is so perfect. Awesome pen holder! And brick wallpaper.... dude, I had to reread that. Totally thought you had a brick wall in your house!

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  21. UnknownFebruary 12, 2013 at 10:17 AM

    I can't say enough nice things about this post, so happy I found it. I love your desk redo, its simply fabulous (and I'm so jealous as that is the EXACT size/style desk I have my eyes on finding at the moment) all your details are just beautiful, so many wonderful vintage treasures. Love everything!

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  22. bridgettFebruary 12, 2013 at 2:33 PM

    Melissa-So glad I stumbled upon your adorable blog! Your desk looks fabulous and all of the vintage details are perfect! The oil funnel lamp is genius! Newest Follower! Would love for you to share at the party tomorrow! xo

    http://www.osiemoats.com/

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  23. Honey I'm Home BlogFebruary 12, 2013 at 2:49 PM

    What a darling piece. Love what you've done with it & how you've stylized it!

    Warmly, Michelle
    Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust

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  24. AnonymousFebruary 12, 2013 at 5:48 PM

    So happy to have found your blog. Love everything in these pictures.... every single thing!
    melinda

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  25. UnknownFebruary 12, 2013 at 10:31 PM

    Gorgeous! I have a desk I've been hesitant to paint, but this would be exactly how I would want it to turn out. Thank you so much for the inspiration!

    Jen @ Noting Grace

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  26. Taylor @ DearOlympia.comFebruary 13, 2013 at 2:24 AM

    Absolutely gorgeous! Great work!

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  27. Jamie-So Much Better With AgeFebruary 13, 2013 at 1:26 PM

    Wow! You're so talented. I love your styling too. Following you on FB now ;) Happy Valentine's Day!
    Jamie ~ Better With Age

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  28. Crunchy DivaFebruary 14, 2013 at 7:42 AM

    Love the transformation. I have a cabinet that is chippy and I am so on the fence about whether to paint over it or not - so I'm glad to see what a great job you did, now I'm leaning toward painting it. And I love the idea of using a flower frog as a pen holder - I have TONS of these and never thought of using one for pens! Found you thru Alderberry Hill

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  29. Taryn @ Design, Dining + DiapersFebruary 14, 2013 at 9:43 PM

    As usual, I love what you did with this desk! Beautiful job, I love the color and the new table top.

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  30. SandyFebruary 15, 2013 at 5:24 AM

    Do you believe I found this exact piece in
    a yard sale for $2.00. Like yours it was a
    mess and it now stands proudly at my front
    entrance.
    You did a wonderful job of reinventing it!
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Sandy

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  31. MONICA LIVASFebruary 15, 2013 at 11:52 AM

    You did an amazing job! LOVE this little desk!

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  32. Jocie@TheBetterHalfFebruary 15, 2013 at 1:34 PM

    Wow, what a great job! and i love that you used a vintage beaker stand for the lamp - so cool!
    Not sure if you have heard, but would love for you to come join our link party. We give away free ad space every week to one random link party-goer. http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/the-humble-brag-link-party-20/

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  33. Craftberry BushFebruary 16, 2013 at 9:29 AM

    amazing! thank you so much for sharing...we featured you today at The Inspiration Gallery...xo

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  34. UnknownFebruary 16, 2013 at 7:17 PM

    Thanks so much for linking to Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill. You are being featured this evening!
    I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, and join me tomorrow night for Make the Scene Monday #62!

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  35. Nita StacyFebruary 17, 2013 at 8:11 PM

    I featured your cute little desk today on Mod Mix Monday!

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  36. GretchenFebruary 17, 2013 at 9:56 PM

    Just stumbled upon blog from a linky party. Love your taste. Ths beaker stand/lamp is so great, add is the entire vignette with your desk. <3 it all...
    Planning to follow you here and your Facebook.
    Gretchen

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  37. GretchenFebruary 17, 2013 at 9:58 PM

    Just stumbled upon blog from a linky party. Love your taste. Ths beaker stand/lamp is so great, add is the entire vignette with your desk. <3 it all...
    Planning to follow you here and your Facebook.
    Gretchen

    ReplyDelete
  38. must love junkFebruary 18, 2013 at 7:34 PM

    OMGosh I love it all! The desk, all the cute things on it...and I thought your brick walls were real and I was so jealous! :) Also, your son is quite the talented little photographer!
    Susan

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  39. Linda S.February 19, 2013 at 1:28 PM

    Add my name to the list of readers who thought your brick wallpaper was not only real, but made me jealous because you have the perfect background for the type of furniture and display pieces you love to use. Who knew?????

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  40. My Repurposed LifeFebruary 21, 2013 at 3:34 PM

    I love your new desk! :) I have been wanting to do this with a coffee table, but I've been using all my old fence for my Etsy signs... if/when I come into a great load of fence, I WILL do this. :)
    thanks for sharing at CCC, catching you!
    gail

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  41. Michele @ {Primp}February 27, 2013 at 6:06 PM

    so cute, great job--thanks for sharing!

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  42. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2013 at 1:37 PM

    I too loved everything Including the wallpaper. It looks so real. And great job on the lamp. HGTV has a tutorial on how to make a beaker lamp from a stand and glass flask but I like yours much better.

    ReplyDelete

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