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Vintage Desk Makeover by Teen Boy

Last week while I was working on my curbside settee makeover, my oldest son had picked a new project for himself to work on as well. He recently reworked a little girls vanity and it sold quickly from my shop, and we were looking for another large piece for him when I spied this vintage desk on Craigslist.

A Craigslist find vintage desk is worn-out and needing a lift. A teenage boy brings it back to being an vintage beauty by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

It had been for sale for a little while and I was keeping an eye on it for a potential project for myself. Since I had plenty to work on, I asked my son if he wanted to have a try at it. I contacted the owner, and it turned out to be a neighbor two houses down. Small world, eh?

A Craigslist find vintage desk is worn-out and needing a lift. A teenage boy brings it back to being an vintage beauty by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

She was so nice to let us come over and take a peek. I was a bit hesitant to let my son take on the desk because the top had a split in it where the boards had warped and lifted. I didn’t have much time to spare to help him out fixing it, but we decided to take it anyway. The sweet lady also gave me a handmade trunk she had sitting in her garage, and you can see its makeover HERE.

After receiving this handmade trunk for free, all it needed was some hardware and industrial touches to give it some kick by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

When we had started over to her house, we thought, “Eh, we’ll just walk over and carry it down the street.” At the last second, I decided to jump in our truck and drive down instead. Boy, am I glad we did! That thing is HEAVY!

DIY TIME

With a little TLC, I knew he could make the desk look new again, so I gave minimal instruction and let him have at it, much like his other table. He knew to sand and make any necessary repairs, but this would be his first time refinishing a wood top.

A Craigslist find vintage desk is worn-out and needing a lift. A teenage boy brings it back to being an vintage beauty by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

He used my orbital sander and started out with 80 grit paper, working up to get a nice fine finish. In case you’re wondering, we found that the top where it had been warped was missing a screw from underneath. So, we replaced it to draw the top down, and sanded it smooth.

After getting it to the right state for refinishing, he used one of my favorite stains, Espresso by Minwax, to give it a nice rich color.

A Craigslist find vintage desk is worn-out and needing a lift. A teenage boy brings it back to being an vintage beauty by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Isn’t that gorgeous?! I used this same stain on my Art Deco dressing table makeover and love its deep color.

PAINT TIME

For the base, he decided to use one of my favorite paint colors, Antique White by Behr, that I’ve also used on this dressing table and this chair. It would be a wonderful contrast to that dark espresso color, and distressing would add character to the base.

A Craigslist find vintage desk is worn-out and needing a lift. A teenage boy brings it back to being an vintage beauty by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Once that was done, he used satin poly on the top and my handmade furniture wax for the cabinet to give it long-lasting protection.

We found a chair that would match the vintage desk style perfectly. However, I forgot to take a before shot to show you. It originally had red and green plaid upholstery. But the wood was in fine condition and is why he choose to use the espresso stain to match.

THE REVEAL

Ready for the reveal? We are!

A Craigslist find vintage desk is worn-out and needing a lift. A teenage boy brings it back to being an vintage beauty by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

What a handsome set this now is. I honestly couldn’t have done a better job myself. No bad for teenage boy, right?

A Craigslist find vintage desk is worn-out and needing a lift. A teenage boy brings it back to being an vintage beauty by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

A Craigslist find vintage desk is worn-out and needing a lift. A teenage boy brings it back to being a vintage beauty by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

The upholstery he choose and replaced himself is perfect for the color and contours of the chair.

A Craigslist find vintage desk is worn-out and needing a lift. A teenage boy brings it back to being an vintage beauty by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

The gorgeous hand-carved details and turned spindles are stunning!

A Craigslist find vintage desk is worn-out and needing a lift. A teenage boy brings it back to being an vintage beauty by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

The set has the antique look with a slight modern touch – a perfect mix and it sold quickly from my online shop.

  • Magic Linen Beige Waffle Blanket available at Prodigal Pieces | shop.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #bedding
    Magic Linen Waffle Blanket ~ $130

 

A Craigslist find vintage desk is worn-out and needing a lift. A teenage boy brings it back to being an vintage beauty by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

I’m so proud of him for taking this on and seeing it through till the finish. Helping my kids do something like this makes all the work worth it. Not is watching them succeed priceless, but I also want them to have financial standing on their own.

SHARE

Additionally, pin and share his vintage desk makeover to inspire others to try projects too! ♥

A Craigslist find vintage desk is worn-out and needing a lift. A teenage boy brings it back to being an vintage beauty by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Next up, I have a fun sewing project for you – head HERE!

How to make a Boo-Boo Bear Ice / Heat Pack for kids by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces
To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. PLUS, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Until next time!

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Also, more furniture makeovers for you like this vintage desk:

A $3 thrifted side of a vanity becomes a sweet shabby chic piece with wallpaper and The Graphics Fairy by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpiecesRustic Chic Finish by Prodigal Pieces - You can create this look with paint and stain www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Comments

  1. Sue Pagels says

    He did a great job – turned out beautiful!

  2. Kathryn says

    Larissa – Your son did an amazing job on the desk and chair and I have no doubt it will sell very quickly in your store. I follow several bloggers but your site is the first I go to each day. I am blessed to have a house full of family antiques and while there are a few I would never paint, I have refinished many using chalk paint, an entire bedroom set which turned out beautiful. I have an old desk which will be my next project and I am going to complete it the way your son did. Keep up the great work, it inspires me and it is wonderful to see the projects your children complete.

    • Larissa says

      Kudos to you for taking on furniture. It can be so rewarding and we’re happy to hear you like the way he refinished the desk, and is an inspiration. Thank you!

  3. Carol Biehler says

    The desk turned out beautiful. You have really inspired your son and it shows in his work.

    • Larissa says

      That’s very sweet of you to say, Carol. Thank you from both of us!

  4. Sherry Fram says

    He did an awesome job on the desk & that chair is gorgeous! You’ve got to be so proud of him!! Following in mama’s footsteps!

    • Larissa says

      I am very much so! Thank you, Sherry, for stopping by and the support.

  5. Suzanne says

    He did a real problem job. He should get proud.

    • Larissa says

      Thank you, Suzanne! I am impressed with his abilities for sure. 🙂

  6. Robyn says

    I would be very proud too, well done, I hope he makes some good money from this to urge him forward as he obviously has your talent.
    Happy New Year from Australia.

    • Larissa says

      Thank you, Robyn. He is trying to save all that he earns for his future, which makes this mama proud. 🙂

  7. Michele says

    Oh Larissa, you must be so completely proud! I love when I see my children doing something that they learn from me, it makes me feel so grateful to see them develop talents of their own. What a beautiful makeover!!

    • Larissa says

      Thank you, Michele! It is such a blessing and the fact that he enjoys what I do makes it even better.

  8. lisa says

    your son did an amazing job here! How much sanding did he do because I refinished a desk recently (my first one) and had very similar markings on top and sanded it down and couldn’t get those out?

    • Larissa says

      Thanks, Lisa! He sanded enough to remove the finish. Do you know what caused your markings? If chemical stains, those can be nearly impossible to remove and sometimes the only alternative is a very dark stain to conceal or paint.

  9. Rosalie says

    Thanks for saving great pieces of furniture.

  10. Jennifer says

    Hi Larissa!

    I love the desk your son did and I’m looking to do the same with the same kind of desk. However, I’ve never ever done anything like this before so I’m not sure where to begin. Do I start by stripping the top and then sanding? Or can I just sand? For the base and drawers do I just sand or can I get away with not sanding and just priming and painting? The desk I have is exactly the same as the one in your photo and I want to use the same colors to refinish it ( espresso stain and antique white). Any pointers you can give, Id appreciate it. I really want to do a nice job. 🙂

    • Larissa says

      You can either strip or sand to get it down, just start with a low grit paper (like 80) and work your way up to 220. For the base, you want to give it tooth, so use a 150 and then paint on top. You may need a stain blocker like Kilz if it had a mahogany or cherry stain, so test to see before starting. I hope this helps! 🙂

  11. Bernadette says

    Absolutely fantastic WOW…WOW…WOW!!!!

  12. Lisa says

    I have a similar desk and love the way your sons desk turned out. For the hardware did he paint the drawer pulls? Did I miss that in your description?

    • Larissa says

      Thank you, Lisa. He just cleaned them up and left them as is. 🙂

  13. Samme says

    That turned out really nice! I’m very impressed. I’m going to give my pre/teen kids a piece to refinish and get them off those screens their eyes are glued to! Lightbulb moment… ??

  14. Christina says

    I have this exact same piece as a sewing cabinet that was given to me in my teens some 30+ years ago with the original sewing machine. I want to refinish it like this, it is so beautiful! Your son did a fabulous job. What type of Behr antique white paint was used? I’m also refinishing and recovering an old sewing chair to go with this.

    • Larissa says

      How wonderful!! It truly is a gem to have. It was an eggshell finish (if that’s what you mean). I hope you have fun with it! 😀

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