The office desk makeover is officially complete! Well, almost officially – I still need new hardware for the drawers. I can’t believe how this much more substantial desk can really change the whole look of the room – it really helps to fill and define the space!
For those that didn’t read the prior post on this desk, I got it for free from my office. It needed some serious TLC, so we picked up some new trim from Lowe’s and then I painted the entire desk in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen {I ended up doing three coats to fully cover everything}. I then put a coat of her soft wax on the top surface, but only did one coat since I planned to use the glass on top that came with the desk. So far this project has cost us about $40 in materials {but I still need to buy hardware for the drawers.
I’m definitely diggin’ my new views – much better than staring at the previously dark brown wall! I have the front yard, now to my left and the courtyard, now to my right as well as the entryway and one of my favorite chandeliers straight ahead! And, if I look hard enough, I can see what the husband is watching on TV in the living room 😉
It certainly beats the views from my open storage Expedit, which never looked tidy, regardless of how “clean” I kept it. Everything I need can be stored in the drawers. With the ‘L’ shape of the desk, I can also hide my computer tower, printer, our shredder and my trash can and recycle bin. It seriously all fits with room to spare! I also love the hanging drawer feature to store paperwork I want easily at hand.
This desk makeover has me anxious to move on to actually decorating the room! I left these few items on my desk simply to add some color for the photos – none of it will likely remain down the road. I have my eyes open for a deal on the fabric I want to bring into the room and hope to find a cool chandelier for the space as well. Stay tuned!
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Looks really nice. Great job!
Love the new look! So fresh and clean looking! Would love it if you would link this up to Give Me The Goods Monday: 1 Party, 4 Blogs! http://www.rainonatinroof.com/2013/06/give-me-goods-monday-link-party-12.html
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
I’m in love with the new color and details!
I love how the desk turned out. Thank you so much for linking up.
Sarah–Love how it turned out! You did a great job on it!
What a great idea to change the trim! It looks great! And yes, that is a very nice view to have. 🙂
It looks so good! I see some light chalk paint in my desk’s future. Enjoy you new views!
The whole room looks pleasant. I love the color you chose for the desk and the accessories too–love the globes.
Love the desk, what a fabulous makeover. Hugs, Marty
Still lovin this new look so much! Thanks for partying with us at Give Me The Goods Monday!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
It looks lovely. I love the color! Where did you get your white desk chair?
Thanks Laura! I bought the white office chair from Office Max a year or two ago. Not sure if they still have it but I believe it was around $89 or so.
This shade of gray is perfect for such a large piece of furniture. I bet the room feels much lighter now! Great job!
How lucky to have such a great workspace! Your desk is a beauty!
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The desk looks great and the gray is fabulous!
it is my pleasure that i have the unique opportunity to comment on this awesome post. it is a very nice message and i have pretty good understanding of the subject. Thanks a lot, Regards
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I wanted to ask… I am buying the paint online since there is no retailer near me that sells it. I want the exact color that you have in your photos of the desk and hallway piece, but i am confused as the swatch for “french linen” looks a lot more brown. Does it dry differently? Thanks in advance,
I would say it is REALLY close to the color in my photos in real life {both pieces were painted with Annie Sloan’s French Linen}. It is definitely not brown at all and definitely lighter than it appears online {and I even painted over a dark brownish/reddish/mahogany color on the desk and black on the hallway piece}. In real life, I found the Coco color to be the grayish color with the brown undertones – and I feel like my color looks more like the Paris Grey sample in the online paint swatch. I hope this helps! Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions.
Awesome chair desk, looks pretty !
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Can you tell me why you used chalk paint rather than a regular latex on the desk? I just happen to have access to a desk similar to what you started with and have been considering turning my formal living room into a home office. Your entire Project turned out great!
I ended up using chalk paint because it didn’t require that I sand or prime. It may the process go much more quickly and the results were beautiful!
This desk is stunning.
A couple of questions: did you use an Annie Sloan chubby brush to apply the paint, a regular painter’s brush or a roller? Also, you mentioned one coat of wax on the top. Did you also wax the sides? Have you ever used a satin poly instead? Thanks.
Thank you! I actually just used a cheap $.99 chip brush. I did one coat of wax originally on top but followed it up with a coat over the whole piece (otherwise I found the vacuum scuffed it, etc.). It is much more durable with the coat of wax. I’ve used satin poly in the past, but never with a chalk paint so I can’t offer any suggestions there.
I just found your blog and have been reading on all your paint work esp the Buffet. I just bought a buffet table and am interested in using chalk paint to refinish it. Did you buy your chalk paint online and if so would you mind sharing the site? Thank you
Thanks! I have painted two of those buffets with chalk-based paint. One with Annie Sloan chalk paint (which I bought at a local store) and one with Country Chic Paint which I received from them but you can purchase it online at http://www.countrychicpaint.com/shop – or you may have a local store that carries it as well. Hope that helps!
I love you work!! Really refreshes the pieces!
And I just wanted to say – LOVE your home! Great layout of office off of the area!
I am in the market for a new home & now know what I am looking for!
Thank you for posting furniture!
Enjoy your weekend!
Joanie in AZ
Hey! LOVE what you did with this desk! My new office comes with a desk that looks very similar to your original one. I had previously told them I didn’t want it, but now I’m reconsidering! Quick question – did you remove any of the drawers under the desk? I usually like a lot of leg room (I have long legs). If not, do you think it’s possible?
Cheers,
Jenna
Thanks! I actually left all the drawers because I wanted the extra storage. I’m sure you could remove some with a bit of modification. Good luck!
I love your desk and buffet makeovers! I have a similar buffet that I would love to paint in French Linen, but I’m nervous! It is mahogany veneer with a very shiny, hard surface. Do I really not need to prep or sand this at all before using the Annie Sloan chalk paint?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much
I think you’d be okay! Worse case if it doesn’t work right away, you could really lightly sand to make some grit then you should be good!
This looks great! I have the opportunity of getting a similar desk, but due to size, transport is a challenge. Do you know if the top of the desk comes off?
Thanks! When I bought these the top and legs were separate so I’m guessing it would!
DId you use a clear wax or a colored wax? I know that ASCP have different waxes so I was wondering which you used.
I used the clear wax! If you check out this post you can see what happened when I add the dark wax: https://lifeonvirginiastreet.com/2013/11/office-desk-drama-html
Love It ! How any gallons of paint did you have to use to fully the cover the desk ?
I only needed about two quarts. Chalk paint covers much better than regular paint and goes a lot further!
I’m late to this makeover, but I have to say the makeover is amazing! I have a similar situation and I was wondering if 1 can of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen was able to cover the entire with 3 coats?
Thanks!
You did a beautiful job! I would LOVE to try this on my bedroom suit but I’m terrified lol. Although the shape my bedroom suite is currently in, it couldn’t hurt it.