Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Neglected No More

Several months ago, I found a pretty little desk at the thrift store. I didn't really need a desk, but the price was right, so the desk came home with me. I stuck it in an empty corner of the family room. It needed to be painted. It was chipped and dinged and a young artist had carved a pie chart into it. At the time I was going through my "paint everything satin black" phase. But I wasn't sure I wanted it black. And so it sat, week after week on my to do list. Then, after building my door desk, I began to think about that neglected desk. It actually looked quite nice in the corner. But if that were going to be it's permanent home, it needed a makeover that would command attention against the red wall. It need a color that would compliment it's feminine design. I took the desk outside and sanded the top to remove the pie chart. Then I used liquid sander on the rest of the piece. I primed it and gave it two good coats of Heirloom White paint. And for good measure, I gave the top a third coat. Once it was dry, I used sand paper and fine steel wool to distress it. It still needs some hardware. But until I can find something that I love, ribbon handles will work just fine.My little desk is no longer neglected.I think it's the perfect little compliment to this piece of furniture that shares it's space.

64 comments:

  1. This is PERFECT! I love the ribbon handles idea!

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  2. your little desk is so cute!! i have three pieces that i got over the weekend that i am really looking forward to working on! yay!

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  3. Aw, Joy, I absolutely love that! Great job!

    I love furniture too, but I have run out of room for it! I have some antique pieces in the garage that I just can't let go of, but have no room for. That's criminal! ;)

    Very cute finish, I like that you made it white!

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  4. No, your little desk is not neglected anymore...she DEMANDS attention!!! LOVE it...you do the BEST-est make-overs!!! It is BEAUTIFUL!

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  5. it is gorgeous..
    I love how it came out..
    it is not neglected .. it is pampered now =)
    I want to paint everything in white =P.. when I read these posts..
    loves.. from istanbul

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  6. That looks awesome! I love the distressing on the top :) The handles are so cute with just the ribbon.

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  7. It looks GREAT!! The ribbon handles are adorable!!
    Janae

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  8. Hi Joy,
    The ribbon handles are adorable...and fit the new desk perfectly.
    Great job!

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  9. This looks SO GOOD! Love how you distressed the top.

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  10. How do you have enough space in your home for all this stuff???

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  11. Love, love, love it! You got me started with the satin black spray paint, which I have thoroughly enjoyed rummaging through my house finding SOMETHING to paint! Now, I might try some cream and black color combination too! Look forward to what you have next!

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  12. I love it!! You find the best pieces at thrift stores!

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  13. I love the desk, and LOVE the tin above it! I am so crazy about tins, that at the store I buy them at, they call me the tin lady!! LOVE THOSE TINS!

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  14. Oh it looks so good! I love the contrast of the white and how it pops against your wall color. Great job do you rent her out? ;)

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  15. Looks like the perfect fit...

    Ya'll must have better thrift stores than we do...

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  16. Hi I love the desk. I need help in painting something like this. What brand of paint did you use? Mine is going to be a bed and dresser would you suggest putting a varnish on at the end? Also how can I keep it from feeling sticky when I am all done? Hope you don't mind all the questions.
    pamc001@centurytel.net
    Thanks

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  17. I am amazed..again! So, when are we going to see you on HGTV?
    Love ya,
    Susan

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  18. Hi ya Joy! I just happened to check my old blog yesterday and saw that you popped by. What a nice surprise, thanks for checking up on me. :)

    The desk was a great find and looks very nice painted white. I tried Heirloom white but it goes yellow in my house, even if it's over primer. It always looks so nice when everyone else uses it! Cute idea with the ribbon handles too.

    Have a great day!

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  19. Ribbon handles?!? You're a genius! I love it :)

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  20. It turne out great. I just love it when you can take an old piece and turn it into a new piece.

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  21. I love this desk the shape is great and that is the perfect color it makes it look so girly;) it looks great against that red wall. Great job again! Love it
    Julie

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  22. WOW! Your desk turned out fabulous! It has just the kind of finish I love!

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  23. I bow down to you Joy! You are the QUEEN of repurposing with style and class!

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  24. That is awesome!!! I love it, it would like great in my house, I want it!!(: Great job Joy!!

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  25. I love it~!! The white really pops against the red walls.. Now, if I could find a desk like that~

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  26. I love the way you re-use things. It saves so much money! I tried your letter craft check it out on my blog www.heizzyfam.blogspot.com. Thanks for your inspiration!

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  27. What a beautiful little desk! I love its curves. The white looks so nice against the red wall. That armoire has been one of my favorite pieces of yours since the very first time I saw it.

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  28. Love the shape of that desk & the ball & claw feet! By any chance did you use polyurethane on it to seal it? I've never spray painted furniture always rolled or brushed the paint on. Is it easier to spay paint it?

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  29. Each day you amaze me.

    I can't wait to have a garage to facilitate my desire to constantly be "refurbishing" different pieces of furniture, etc.

    I hope you have a fabulous day!

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  30. What a GREAT find! I love all the little curves on it.

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  31. Hi Joy! Wow it looks like it was purchased with the large entertain center! The white was perfect choice!! Sincerely, Jeannette

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  32. I love the details of the desk! I would have a heart attack if I actually saw a piece of furniture this nice in any of my thrift stores! It turned out great-perfect spot!!

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  33. I sent you another email.... you should read it.

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  34. Ribbon handles! How ingenious! I don't think I would have ever thought of that!

    The desk is beautiful!

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  35. Looks awesome and I love the idea of the ribbon handles. Great thinking!

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  36. Great makeover, Joy! I love these simple changes in furniture.

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  37. This looks amazing! The white paint and distressing give it a whole different character! And it really brightens up that corner! Great job! I love your work! (I know I say that every time I comment but I really do!)

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  38. You amaze me - everything you do is simple and gorgeous! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  39. Your desk looks sooo much better white than before. Great job! It looks great against that red wall!

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  40. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

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  41. Looks great! It really does take some motivation to get those pieces (in the garage or basement or wherever) turned into something you are proud of. I have three pieces that are awaiting my attention in the garage right now, but they keep getting pushed to the bottom of the pile. You are inspiring me to get moving! :)
    Carrie

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  42. That is so perfect! You are amazing with a can of paint! I love it!!! I have a piece of furniture that I bought at a garage sale and it's sits and sits...I am scared to touch it or paint it...you inspire me to try!
    -Sandy Toes

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  43. Wow, turned out nice. Love how you distressed it. Great job!

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  44. It turn out Fantastic! It looks perfect in that corner.
    Blessings, Virginia

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  45. I have gone through several of your journals here and I am so hooked! I am always in awe how gifted people such as yourself can take such ordinary things and make such treasures out of them! Thank you so much for sharing your gift!

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  46. so very pretty and perfect with your other furniture. I love the ribbon handles, too!

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  47. I too am trying to decide between black and cream for a piece I have. It will probably be a couple more months until I reach a verdict. I LOVE how your desk turned out!

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  48. Very cute. Love the distressing. I have ran out of areas for furniture...sigh. cherry

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  49. The desk is wonderful and you certainly do have the perfect spot. The pumpkins looks sweet on it:)
    Deb

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  50. I love your desk. Your distressing looks perfect! Distressing/Perfect - is that an oxymoron?

    Shannon

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  51. Your treasures are amazing, and this piece is not exception! Jackie

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  52. Love it. To think ribbon handles... you're amazing!!!

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  53. You rock. Definitely the queen of paint. Which DI do you shop? You get the best stuff!! Mimi

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  54. Ahhhhh. much better....love the ceiling tile hanging above it too!

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  55. I think you need to open a little shoppe so we can all come buy your pretty little pieces. You know your house can only hold so much.... then you will have to share with us all, smile! I only wish you lived next door to me. Then I could talk you out of some of that great stuff...hehe

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  56. Gorgeous, I needed one of those...but now I filled that space up with something else...so I guess I'm good, lol. We'll see....

    So pretty, love what you did with it!

    Bella

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  57. As always, it is perfect. I think I shop at the wrong place.

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  58. Great find and love it painted!

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I am truly humbled and thrilled that you read and comment on my blog. If you have a question for me, please feel free to email me.
Thank you so very much for inspiring me to be more creative!