May 4, 2012

Secretary Desk Transformation

I've been excited to share this little gem with you for a while now!  The old secretary desk sat in our garage for a couple of months just waiting for some new life to be breathed into it.  We got the desk, knew we wanted to do something creative with it, but simply couldn't seem to put our finger on what that "something creative" was...until we thought of combining regular paint, chalkboard paint, and some boldly-patterned contact paper in one piece. Here's how we breathed a whole lotta life into it...

Before... drab, unexciting, partially sanded, but great bones.




And, After... fun, bold, unique, and anything but understated.






Here are some more close-up, detailed pics in case you haven't gotten enough...kinda like me.

 (I scored the bold hexagon contact paper at Marshall's)

 (lovin' the Greek Key detailing on the corners that pop now that it's painted)



(cute crystal-looking pulls from Target - 4 pulls for $13)

(I just dig the colored pencils in the white pitcher...)

Isn't that contact paper AMAZING?!?!  It was super easy to work with, so I'll be on the contact paper train a little more often now...

Here is a quick breakdown of what we did:

1) Remove hardware (including pulls and hinges), drawers, and drop-down door
2) Sand with a belt sander/mouse sander
3) Dust everything off
4) Prime desk frame, drawers, and drop-down door with spray primer
5) Spray paint desk frame, drawers, and drop-down door - let dry overnight
6) Spray paint hinges - let dry overnight
7) Apply 2 coats of chalkboard paint to recessed portion of door with sponge brush - let cure for 48 hours
8) Measure, cut, peel, and apply contact paper
9) Place drawers back in desk, and re-install hinges and door
10) Install new hardware pulls
11) Draw what ever pattern you like with some chalk on your chalkboard - or write a word like "Desk" or "Welcome", or make a To-Do List or keep a running game of Tic-Tac-Toe.  Options are endless! 




Voila!  We love the finished product and hope you do to.  Please let me know if you have any questions about what we used or how we did it.

12 comments:

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Kristen you are so creative! Love all you design!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Kristen, Nice work with that desk! All I can say is that I want to-refurbish one too!
Actually we are re taking the project of my old chairs but the sanding procesd it taking for ever. What is the best and quickest way to sand old chairs?
Tatiana

catlady said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I love the use of contact paper, I am going to use some on the bookshelf that I am looking to redo!

Earthstorm Mama said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Like you on FB, following you on Pinterest.
If I won the contact paper I would use it as the frame of the art wall. I rent my home and am not allowed to hang pictures, so I have to come up with ideas to add color and frames to artworks. This paper would look awesome as a frame around the entire wall and my sons would love it :)

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I definitely liked you on Fbook!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I also starting following you on Pinterest (because I am totally trying your homemade air fresheners)

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

...and if I won the contact paper I would use it for this table we have split into six squares with a glass top so you can decorate each square to fill the table with. I will Pinterest whatever I do with it for sure!

molly.stowers said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Kristen!!! Oh my gosh I love this!!!!! My mom has one of these as the telephone area in the house. Growing up I loved the functionality of it but knew something like that just wasn't a right fit in my house. This update is amazing! I'll have to keep en eye out now to have a desk of my own!

Adrienne said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Just liked you on facebook. Love the desk!

kiteelyn said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Just liked you on Facebook-- I love your ideas. The desk transformation is beautiful.

kiteelyn said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Hi Kristen--I'm following you on Pinterest. I really love your creativity

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I love the geometric design of the contact paper and I would use it to cover an ugly cabinet panel in my utility room as well as utilize some of the other techniques from the same project to spruce up a drap room and make it "POP". Thank you. P.Wells

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