I was born on a farm and I live in farm country, so you can best bet I was tickled to see that our Themed Furniture Makeover Day was going to be all about FARMHOUSE. Yee Haw! I have had oodles of things going on that should have kept me from joining up this month, but I didn’t want to miss out because I had the perfect project I had been aching to work on. Meet my farmhouse desk straight from the farm…literally.
I saw this desk listed by a local lady who owned an antique shop and called to inquire. She told me it had some damage with nicks and such, but it was in good structural shape. So, I sent my hubby to pick it up and he said it had been stored in her barn for quite some time. This is what I found…
Ummm….that’s more than the “little bit of damage” she mentioned. There’s a crack running full-length, big ol’ holes, and major damage overall. The holes and chips could be repaired, but that crack? Yes, I could fill it, but it would crack again over time.
I was annoyed and felt like giving her a call. That is until I had an idea. hee hee hee. You know I love me some rustic goodness, so I went with it.
DIY TIME
First, the chair I found at a local thrift store had damaged caning, so I yanked it out and cut a new seat with my one of my favorite new toys, a cordless jigsaw. eep! Isn’t it amazing how the little things can make life so much easier?
This thing is a dream, and even my husband is surprised at how nice it is to use. AND I also bought a cordless circular saw and it is sooo much gentler on my wrists than my hubby’s giant one. My motto: “Tools over jewels”.
Okay…back to the farmhouse desk. ahem. I covered the chair with new padding and batting and topped it off with a feedsack cover. (I’ll show you soon!)
SANDING
Then it was time for the desk. I decided to let those blemishes take center stage and create the character I was after in this piece. I just sanded down the top with my orbital sander and left the raw wood.
Next, I decided to create a graphic to add to the top, and I used my transfer method to layout the design. Then, I used my woodburner tool to sort of “brand” the desk like a farmer would brand a steer. This is also a fun tool to have and I have used it to make my kids toys as well as their under-bed bins.
I have your attention now or you think I’m nuts, right? Stay with me.
Now for the hardware. I love rust and really debated on replacing these old batwing pulls because they’re so cool!
However, because this set is headed for my shop, I didn’t want to have them breaking on the new owner, so I replaced them with the next best thing – cast iron pulls. Aren’t they gorgeous?
To make the switch, I just filled the old drawer pull holes with wood filler and the drilled new holes with my cordless drill.
PAINT TIME
Next is to paint the cabinet and drawers of the farmhouse desk. There was no hesitation for me in my choice because a color called Rust Belt Red is perfect for the farmhouse look I was after.
After a couple of coats of paint, some chippy distressing, and a topcoat of wax, my new creation is complete.
With feedsack upholstery…
…and woodburned saying, “Life is better on the Farm”.
I let that rustic flavor roll and I LOVE IT! The red just makes it and those pulls are the perfect accent, don’t you think?
Isn’t it funny how sometimes those imperfections we find can actually be ways to draw out the true nature of a piece.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my funky farmhouse creation and if you are interested in purchasing it, you can find it in my shop. (SOLD)
And…I’d love it if you’d pin and share to inspire others to see the beauty that lies beneath the worn and tattered too. ♥
Up next, I’m giving a kitchen update. Woot! Then, I’ll show you what I do with this one-legged wonder I found lying on the curb. I’m a sucker for a makeover, eh? See the after HERE.
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WAIT! Before you head off, check out my blogger friends FARMHOUSE makeovers.
Also, more of my furniture makeovers like my farmhouse desk:
The desk turned out nice. Someone will snap that right up.
It was a brain teaser for sure, but I had fun! Thanks, Debra.
Absolutely One of My Favorites! Love Love the way you did the Top of this desk! Totally made it perfect! And the Red is Gorgeous!!! Sigh..heart be still!!!
hee hee hee…you made me giggle!! Thank so much for the love, Jamie. 😀
Gorgeous red color! It is perfect! I have been looking for a certain green color that I can’t find and this shade of red reminds me of that color. I want to try a wood burning tool. It looks like it could be a lot of fun! Love this makeover!
You will have a blast woodburning, Lindsay. It’s therapeutic and fun for kids too! Thanks for the love. 🙂
I’ve seen a lot of desk makeovers but this is my absolute favorite!! I love the graphic on top!
How exciting to hear!! Thank you so much, Carol.
Those beat up neglected pieces are my favorite to rehab and give new life to. This turned out beautiful…I love the red!
Same here! I was just taken aback by her lingo. She obviously wanted a sale. I’ll take it! 😉
Love this color!! I need to try this paint. Love the new pulls!! You chose wisely! Love the woodburned message!! You are so correct….farm living is the best!! Another great makeover. Pinning and sharing…. XO From another FarmGirl
Woot! Thank ya, kindly sweet girl. It was fun!
I love this Larissa! You know how much I love color and I just adore the orange red on this and that HARDWARE just pulled it all together!
Hugs,
Karin
It’s just perfect! I love the red with the wood top. Truly love it!
And yes, tools over jewels…my husband thinks he’s pretty lucky to have a wife that prefers tools! 😀
I love the way it turned out! I just did something similar with a table that was headed straight for the furnace. Sometimes the imperfections can make a piece that much more special.
Good for you and I couldn’t agree more, Crystal. For me this was fun, but was annoyed at the price I paid for the damage. It all worked out. Yay!
This is amazing! Love the rustic let it roll feeling you created. This desk won’t last in your shop…at all!
Wow wow wow. I am certain that I would have passed up that desk, but you turn it in to a masterpiece! Love the red.
Your desk turned out really sweet. Perfect for a small nook.
Thank you!
Love the red paint combined with the stained top. Adding the wood burning to the top is a great touch that really adds to the appeal of this piece. You are so imaginative and I love seeing what you do to pieces of furniture that you acquire.
That’s awesome to hear. Thank you, Paula!
Oh my gosh Larissa, you’ve done it again! I LOVE everything about this makeover. The rusty paint color, the time-worn stained top, the feed sack upholstery on the chair, and don’t get me started on that fabulous wood burned graphic! Swooning, drooling, wishing it was mine – red is my favorite color after all.
Go red, go red…!! It is such a fun color, isn’t it, Marie? Thank you so much for making me smile, girl. 😀
I love that you left the crack and i love the ‘red’ you chose!
Thanks for the love, Gwen! 🙂
I love what you do. That desk is amazing. Have a Happy Easter.
Thanks and you too!
Very cool Larissa! You had me in suspense there for a while. I absolutely love what you did with the top and the red certainly adds a nice pop of color.
hahaha….thanks Mary! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Larrisa,
You did a terrific job with this desk. I love the wood burning in the top. I an definitely a see the beauty in what’s different girl too.
Happy Creating,
Karen Marie
Thank you so much, Karen!
I love this desk so much, what beautiful job you did and the chair is perfect too. I’m so glad you didn’t try to make a silk purse out of a sows ear, instead you brought out the true beauty of that old desk. I love what you did to the top of it and that red color, Oh my goodness, it is just gorgeous. You do such beautiful work.
I love how you phrased it! Thanks so much for encouraging me in my work. 😀
I think this is one of my favourites of your furniture makeovers. Everything is just perfect for the farmhouse look! I hope you have a chance to share it this weekend at Friday’s Furniture Fix! ;o)
That’s wonderful to hear – thank you!
Ravishing now in RED for sure. I’m a sucker for red and this desk with the dark stain top combo is all me! What a beauty now.
Love me some red! Thanks, Amy!
Larissa, you stun me every time! Wow. And that chair!!! Pinning and sharing.
Wahoo!! Thanks, Jeanette!
Love the red on the desk & the top is awesome! The red goes perfect with the feed sack chair seat. Another awesome redo!
Thanks, Sherry! I had fun for sure. 🙂
turned out so pretty.where do you get the buring tool used to make the brand on top of the desk? and you always have fabulous FARM” style fabrics.im in love with but im to far from you to buy at your place where can I findthese ? Thank you
Thanks, Cheryl! If you look in the post, the woodburner text is highlighted and will take you to where I got mine on Amazon. 😉 I find the feedsacks at garage sales and flea markets. They’re rare, but I snatch them up when I see them.
I’m so glad you decided to embrace the imperfections in the desk…it totally worked out for the best! This is a gorgeous piece with so much character. You’re inspiring me to break out my wood burning tool too! I have one and have never really used it but I love how your graphic turned out.
Go for it, girl! It’s fun to get funky with furniture and create unique pieces. Thanks for the love!
This is such a lovely desk makeover – you did a stellar job on it. I don’t even like red but this desk just looks so perfect painted as you did. I have never used milk paint before – what are it’s merits when painting old furniture??
hahaha…awesome!! Thanks so much! Milk paint is chemical free, easy to use, and can be used to create a glorious chippy finish or solid coat as well with additive. Hope that helps!
I’m a sucker for red and this makeover knocks it out of the park. Love, love, love the drawer pulls. I’m in the middle of replacing a cane chair seat with an upholstered one. Could you tell me how you attached the seat to the chair?
Nothing like red, right? Thanks! As for the seat, I just used the holes from the caning to screw down the seat. Let me know if you have any additional questions. 😉
Wow wow wow! This might just be up there with my top three favorite makeovers of yours. This is SO cool and perfectly farmhouse! Awesome job! 🙂
That’s fantastic to hear, Stacy! Thank you!
This. Is. Amazing!!!!!! I’m not even a red girl and I LOVE this!!!! Everything! The red, the great top and the wood burning is fantastic. Love your style and that you see the beauty in the broken. ?
Wahoo!! Thanks so much, Sarah!
you always impress me. amazingly fun and perfect.
Thanks so much, Kim!
Red is my favorite color. The graphic totally completes it! Well done 🙂
Tami
Thanks, Tami!
This is gorgeous, Larissa! I love how the damaged top led you in the direction you went…it’s just perfect! XO
Woot! Thank you, Christy!
AWESOME job, Larissa! I totally love the desk and chair makeovers! <3 <3 <3
Thank you, Jen! 🙂
First time here, and what a treat! I grew up on a farm in southern Wisconsin… wouldn’t trade that wonderful childhood for anything. Your desk turned out wonderful!
You sound much like me…wonderful place where I grew up and wish I could give my kids the same. One day! Thanks for stopping over. 🙂
You are absolutely amazing. I love the red and what you did on the top.
Hi Larissa,
I love what you did with this desk! I’m working on a similar desk makeover now myself! I wonder if you could elaborate on the wax finish you mentioned? I love the milk paint, but want to give it that same glossy, poppy finish that you did. Is there a certain wax finish product that you use? I assume you would just apply with a rag? Any advice would be really appreciated! Thanks!
Hi Lauren! Thank you for the kind words, and I love that you’re working on one yourself. I make my own wax and like most waxes, you’ll get soft glow when you polish it after application. I use cheesecloth to apply by putting it into a few layers and letting the wax squeeze out between the fibers of the cloth. This allows for smooth application. Hope that helps! Feel free to email me via the contact button on my page.
Larissa you are so creative and very talented. Love to see your creations and the use of a truly gifted woman! Love the end product.
Loooove it!! Gorgeous!!! Love the color, and the Beautiful “Farmhouse” wood burning, and those drawer pulls are perfect! You never cease to Amaze us with your AWESOME work!! I love how your children share their talents with us as well!!! Keep up the AWESOME work you guys!!!
Wahoo!! Thanks so much, Tracie. This was a challenge, but I loved it.
Fantastic makeover!! I love the red paint. I have a large upstairs bonus room that I use as my sewing/crafting space. I have been looking for old desks to use for storage and my sewing machines (don’t ask how many machines I have – and yes, I use most of them regularly!). I have one desk already, and I’m in a local online auction for another. I hadn’t really thought of painting them, but now I think that would be a great way to give some cohesiveness to the room (using the same bottom color), and yet keep the wood tops. I’ve also heard that the Japanese fill cracks in pottery with gold – as a way to find beauty in imperfection. I’ve seen woodworkers do it with turquoise dust – my mind is going 100 miles an hour now thinking of how to embrace the imperfections in my furniture pieces 🙂
That has to be a wonderful space! 😀 Yes, I’ve watched the Japanese and so many others in their creative endeavors take worn to beauty. Isn’t it fun?
I love this!!! And that color stunning. We just got an old wooden desk for our daughter and I’d love to get this color!!! Where can I order it from?
Hi there, Marina. Thank you for the kind words. The company I purchased the milk paint from is no longer selling it. However, I do love to use Old Barn Milk Paint that works just as well. Find it HERE.