‘Tis the season for cabin fever! Here in Ohio the days can mainly consist of gray and dull. However, there is a highlight when it snows and makes everything new. Unfortunately, it can still keep you shut in for longer than you might like. I’ve decided to make a happy place showing you how by using a repurposed desk. Check out this vintage beaut I found…
Oh yeah…it’s totally got the late 80’s, early 90’s vibe going on. haha. I guess that makes me vintage since I was born before this era. And, I daresay I’m rockin’ it y’all. woot!
VINTAGE
I am drawn to the shape and size of this desk. The kidney-shaped top has some funk to it, the legs have some beads running in them waiting for some fun. The washed finish is beautiful, but in rough shape. Someone must have placed candles or something on it to make these circles.
*post sponsored by HomeRight (see full disclosure)
There’s more than just those three, but I’m pointing them out so you can see.
Anyhoo, I wanted to take this desk up to a new level and make it into a console table. It has the potential to add more storage and create my happy place.
DIY TIME
First, I dug into my wood stash and found a piece of ply that I could use as a bottom shelf. The legs are square on the inside edge which makes it conducive to adding wood. Then, JC, my partner in DIY fun, helped me cut it to fit. Meanwhile, I prepped the table for the next steps.
Next, once cut and sanded, I added veneer to finish off the edges properly. You can see how I used this same stuff to repurpose a sewing desk HERE. Just iron it on, trim, and sand.
Then, I needed to add pocket holes so I could have a nice finished look and still attach it securely at the same time. For that, my Kreg Jig is my go-to tool. Subsequently, notice the holes are placed on the underside and attached as shown.
PAINT FUN
Next, in order to make this a cohesive, yet repurposed desk, I want to add some color fun. You know where I’m headed with this…right? tsk.
Finally, time for some of my tools to come out to play. If you’ve not seen this beast in action before, take a peek at my video demo below.
In addition to the shelter, I am also using my handmade DIY Lazy Susan for Furniture. Likewise, you can see the tutorial over HERE.
Funny story… my family helped me assemble the table then went inside because I told them it was time to paint. As a result, I knocked out the painting in 5 minutes and went inside. They said, “You’re done already??” haha. I laughed. YUP.
NEXT STEPS
Per my normal, this was not the last step, though it could have been. Nope, next I want to add a story to this newly assembled table. I grab my sander and have at it. However, some would say why paint if you’re going to sand? Well, how else to I get the yummy, layered look? yasssss…
Next, the next best part was to remove that retro knob and change up the whole feel of my repurposed desk. In order to do that easily and effectively, I use my handy drawer hardware jig. It not only allows you to center a drawer pull, but it also aids in leveling hardware with the twist of a couple knobs.
ONE LAST THING
Not only did I find the desk at the thrift store, but this loot as well. We’ve got some botanical blocks, baskets, a tool, misc, and that wooden thing-a-ma-jig. All of this is going to be part of my happy place. I kid you not…you don’t have to spend big bucks to make your house your home.
Can we have a happy dance for my DIY happy place? {{happy dancin’ goin’ on}} Yahoo! I’m just a tad excited to see this all come together. Can you blame me?
Not only am I smitten with fun color pop the paint gave, but I’m also smitten with the texture my sanding gave it. It tells a story now.
Likewise, my little botanical section brings me joy. I love, love, love gardening and all things plants. They remind me of how our Heavenly Father created us to take care of His creation in the original garden. You have scents, paired with textures, sounds of wildlife (when outdoors), and tastes. Powerful.
A GIFT
We give flowers when we love someone, we give flowers to offer joy in sorrow, we give flowers just because. Recently, a sweet friend of mine, Jeanette, knew what cards I have been dealt lately and we both shop the same grocery on the same day. Coincidentally, in my feed someone said that this store had their hyacinths on sale again for the season. If you know me, I just love them! You can see how I upcycle those jars too HERE.
However, I sent my kids (my awesomely capable kids BTW) to do all the grocery shopping and errands for me this time, their first time. I forgot to tell them to grab me a hyacinth on their way out. Then, Jeanette saw my kids shopping solo and left this beauty and a gift for my family at the checkout. Then, talk about feeding my soul. My kids witnessed God’s goodness through others and came home BEAMING. Thank you, Jeanette…beyond words.
SHARE
In the meantime, if you’d like to make a happy place of your own or just plain love this table, you can find it in my online shop.
Magic Linen Waffle Blanket ~ $130
Likewise, pin and share my repurposed desk (aka. happy place) fun. Inspire others to smile their day away. 🙂
Up next, I’m not about to shut up. See what I’m talkin’ about HERE.
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!
Additionally, more DIY fun like my repurposed desk turned console table:
What a great make-over of that cute little desk. That suits you to a T. Also like how you get everything arranged; including that wooden thing-a-ma-jig (trellis)
That old tool is pretty cool as well.
Thank you for this wonderful giveaway opportunity
It was fun to make it into a table for a sweet spot. I just can’t resist botanicals too. Thanks, Colleen!
Hi Larissa,
What a cute desk! Love the color! If I won the HomeRight sprayer I would definitely use it to paint my dining room table and some bifold doors I have to do soon. That would be awesome!!
Thanks so much, Babette! Just FYI, the giveaway is for a Medium Spray Shelter – I just didn’t want you confused. Hugs!
I love the table and cool use of the thing a majig
haha…gotta love terminology. I’m a word junkies, actually, so this was fun! Thank you.
SO glad you’re feeling well enough to do this, it looks great! Keep it up! 😉
So far so good! Thank you, Carolyn. 😀 I had these done ahead in most instances.
What a great piece for such pretty plants and flowers. I would love to have a HomeRight Spray Shelter to redo some bookcases waiting their turn in my workshop. If I spray inside , everything will be covered, so the tent saves so much work. Done in 5 minutes! Thanks for the giveaway. Hope I win!
Thanks! I hear that. Overspray is not my friend. ahem. This makes it soooo easy!
Another beauty, you are always in my prayers.
Thank you for lifting me up, Amy.
Love how the table turned out! Also excited about the giveaway! I have a whole bunch of stuff I’ve been waiting to paint, but have to do it inside so I’m hoping I win. Thank you!
Yahoo!! I’m excited to hear it, Mariah. Thank you!
I have some chairs I would like to paint!
Oh I have been dreaming of one of these shelters for so long!! Would love to add it to my shop.
I don’t blame you. It’s my overspray savior! 😀
You are so creative. PS-still praying for good health for you.
Thank you on both accounts, Judy.
I LOVE your blog. The desk is so cute! My dining table with chairs and benches is 50 years old, and as much as I treasure the marks left by my kids, it could use a new look. What a perfect job for the sprayer!
aww…yay!! That is awesome to hear, Toni. I know the feeling. I redid mine a few years ago. Loooong overdue.
Pretty blue! How sweet and thoughtful of your friend to get those flowers to you!
What a blessing, right? The sweetest gesture.
You do amazing makeovers!! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Happy dance ovah heeya! Thank you so much, Sally.
Hello Larissa, you gave this desk a much needed and perfect looking story. The blue color is so pretty and I love her new hardware. Also, way to go with the thrifting haul, you created a beautiful vignette here. We are praying for you, and your health sweet friend.
My kids saw me looking at it in the the store and knew I was taking it home. haha. I couldn’t help telling stories of what it reminded me of from the 80’s and 90’s. Cool.
Love the color choice of the table as well as the drawer pull!
I’m hooked on blue and bin pulls. haha! Thanks, Cathy!
Larissa, I have to say, another great redo! I have never done this before, but I am going to interrupt my comment with a question. I am considered a pretty savvy DIYer. However, I CAN’T USE THE DARN KREG JIG!!!!! I ordered the Jr. from Amazon, but I cannot figure out that stupid thing! lol I know this makes me look pretty dumb, but there you have it. Any suggestions? Oh my how I would love that paint sprayer!!!! I pray for your health and welfare every day.
You are too sweet! I don’t have the Jr., but there are many video tutorials on YouTube that walk you through it. This one has high ranks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpx8rdc4-00
The tool is an old meat tenderizer. I have my grandmothers. You would pound meat to tenderize before cooking. Good find. Love the desk.
Yes, I think they’re fun for many things. I have it available in my shop. 😉
Great desk makeover! I love the soft blue you chose.
Thanks! It’s one of my favorite second’s paint.
I have a baby bed for a soon to be little boy that needs a new paint job.
Nice Job!
Thank you, Shelly!
I love it!! It looks great! I think I would tackle making a St. Patrick’s Day pallet painting and then work on some antique furniture we have in the basement. We have a few years, a side table and a lamp.
Sounds like fun, Amber! Thank you for the love.
Wow! Quite a transformation! I’d never have considered putting that lower shelf on the table and it just totally made the whole piece. Beautiful work, Larissa! So enjoy your blog and follow faithfully. Praying for your health to be totally transformed too! With God all things are possible…even me winning a sprayer 🙂 🙂 JK… 🙂
I saw it and couldn’t resist giving it more purpose. Thanks so much for the love!
I just love those bulb jars and can never seem to find them around here. I love what you did!
What an inspiration! Beautiful job! Gail
You’ve made my day, Gail. Thank you!
Love your projects. You have given me several good ideas to upcycle some items I have. Can’t wait to tackle some of them…:D
That’s what I love to hear, Clara. Thank you! You go girl!
Adorable table!
Thank you for the smile, Patti! 😀
The desk is such a refreshing piece! I love the color! I would have a home right spray shelter to work on my side table! I wouldn’t have to worry about my husband asking me what color I painted his garage this time!?
Thanks, Lisa! 😀 haha. Yeah, I have overspray stories that blamed a smurf. ahem.
This is one of my favorites!
Sweet! That is so fun to hear, Sherry. Thank you!
As always, I love how you changed the table and gave it such personality!
It’s just fun for me to recreate something when struck with a vision. Thank you!
Larissa, I was just about to take one of those wooden doo hicky’s to Goodwill because i didn’t know what to do with it. Aha! You saved it. thank you for all your inspiration and I continue to keep you in my prayers. Why do you have a zipper over your mouth? do you have a secret?
Too funny! I’m glad you are keeping it. I’m sharing about that zipper in my next post. 😉
The bulb jars and the pictures of flowers puts me in the mood for Spring! Thanks for sharing another great up-cycle!
Hooray! It sure is coming fast and I’m excited to enjoy the season this year.
I LOVE it all. You did a fabulous job. I really like the wood do hicky, can see so many seasonal transformations with it. Have so many projects, would love to work toward your set up. ?
How sweet of you to say, Paulette. Thank you. I hope you can tell I had fun putting it all together. Funny thing is that I just shopped the stash I’ve been hanging on to waiting for our remodel to be done. Gotta love a stash! 😀
If I won the sprayer I would tackle a trestle table and chairs I bought last spring. Chairs are not fun to paint with brush and roller doesn’t work well…so would really appreciate a sprayer to give them new life. Thank you!
You are most welcome, Mary.
Another work of art!
If I were to win I wouldn’t know where to start. I have a storage shed full of projects just waiting!
Thank you, Michele. Sounds like fun awaits! 😀
Love it !That shelf adds so much functionality and options. What a cute set up, it makes me think spring !!!
I’m all about storage. It’s fun to hear how others enjoy the little things too. Thanks, Charlene.
So sweet of your friend to leave the hyacinth for you at the check out! Their scent is heavenly! The desk turned out very nice, but I thought the thing-a-majig was a baby gate! I had one similar to it over 45 years ago when my kids were toddlers.
Yes, for sure! A blessing in a million ways. I thought it was a baby gate too because my mom had one like it. I don’t think it is because the wood is so thin compared to the one we had. Maybe just a trellis? IDK. I’m having fun with it though! 😀
Love this makeover idea. II am now inspired to look around my house for items that can be repurposed into something more creative.
That’s the spirit, Brigitte!
I have to say it looks great . Maybe redo my cabinets with it here
Thanks! The giveaway is for a shelter that you can use for your cabinets too. 🙂
This is great. Repurposed furniture is my favorite
You are a kindred spirit, Daniel. 😉
I would tackle the vintage chair with my HomeRight Medium Spray Shelter.
Hmm…not exactly sure what I would paint first, but obviously I will paint something white! Lol
I love the color on your table! Looks great! I would love to have a spray shelter to paint a stool that needs paint desperately!
Thank you, Ginny! 😀 Super fun for me to have at this.
Need to repaint our outdoor furniture.
Love the color of your desk. Adore the botanical theme of your happy place, especially in the middle of this snowstorm. ? The sprayer would make painting shutters a breeze. Thanks for bringing a little spring to my day!
haha…Yes! We all need a happy place to make us smile 😀