Today I am working on yet another fabulous craigslist find. I can’t wait to share it with you, but in the meantime I wanted to repost my desk makeover. Do you remember it? If it’s your first time seeing it, I hope it sparks some DIY creativity. Hop on craigslist and find some treasures too!
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Dear Craigslist, I love you. I’m sorry I forgot about you for a while. Life got busy, and I pushed you to the back burner. It won’t happen again. Pinky Promise. Thank you for not holding a grudge and for helping me find this amazing treasure. Yours forever, Me
Let me start at the beginning. I work at my computer. The desk I had been using was, well, NOT a desk. It was really an 18″ wide nightstand of sorts. It. was. PA-THETIC. You would have felt sorry for me too if you would have seen me blogging my little heart out behind it. I was sick of feeling sorry for myself, so I took matters into my own hands.
I know, I know, a little spendy, but it was SOLID wood. And the legs, OH the legs. When you find details like that on furniture, you simply can’t pass it up. AND I did barter them down from $300. My husband was proud. Well technically at first he was a wee bit mad that I bought the desk without him knowing. Sometimes you have to act fast, and the dreaded “money talk” with husband just gets in the way. So after I explained WHY I needed it, what I was going to do with it, and how I negotiated,….then he was proud. {mostly} 😉
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Add a little creamy white paint…
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and…
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TADA! My new improved workspace.
I took off the old nasty hardware, and found some new gorgeous hardware. It makes ALL the difference.
This old chair was a whopping $5. I found it in beat up condition. And I left it. Because I love it just the way it is.
I love every scratch, ding, and dent.
{Oh! You noticed my cute rug?! Well let me ZOOM in on it for you. No. I didn’t make it. -If you know how to, I want to know!! I bought it here.}
My workspace wouldn’t be complete without a small shrine to the people I love most.
{Did you notice my freebies? The Canvas, Mousepad, and Desk Calendar?}
I truly am so much happier now that I have brought Craigslist back into my life. This desk is so roomy compared to my 18″ workspace.
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Here is another redo I forgot about until today. I don’t have before pictures. But it was ugly. $75 from Deseret Industries.
Once again, I loved the details. The legs, the moudlings, and the crown.
The hunt is on! I’m telling you, YOU can do this. Make Craigslist (or the nearest thrift store) your newest love. Treat it kindly and it will treat you kindly back. Grab some paint, and get some projects done before it gets too cold outside.
{We’re linking up to these fun parties!}
alysha says
I love this. Thank you for reminding me of my love for craigslist. 🙂 I love the white too. Such a pretty workspace!!
Alison says
Where in the world do you find the time? This is amazing!
CAS says
Great transformation! No more feeling sorry for you….LOL! Happy blogging at your new desk!
Susan Ayers says
Ok, I love the desk itself but why paint such beautiful wood?
It isn’t just you.. it seems to be this huge trend going around… and yes I just painted a dresser and working on a chest of drawers… BUT in my defense, mine is PLYWOOD.. not beautiful wood with textures and colors…
Shelley says
I agree that it was beautiful wood. 🙂 I personally don’t care for oak though, and the white accents my home well. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll strip the paint and love the wood. 😉
Kelly Munns says
$75?!?!?! CRIMINAL! i’m so jealous.
SV says
I love the final result but I sure cringed when I saw that you painted that gorgeous wood! I guess nothing is permanent and it IS your home so it should look however you want it to look. I’ll just cry quietly in the corner for that beautiful desk. haha
Shelley says
LOL. 😉 To each their own, right?! 🙂 I’ll let it know you shed some tears for it… 😉
Caley says
Oh my goodness! I love those pieces, especially the desk! I love the white color as well! So fresh and so clean, clean! 😉
Summer says
I recently bought an amazing headboard for my guest room on Craigslist (vintage for $100!)
The current color is Tiffany Blue. Suggestions?? By the way, LOVE the old chair with the polished desk. Gorgeous!
Summer says
Whoops, I should have clarified that I was asking for suggestions for refinishing it. I have never actually refinished any furniture so this is my first project of many, I hope!
Shelley says
Here is a link to step by step tutorial: https://howdoesshe.com/4-steps-bring-new-life-to-old-furniture
Have fun!! And show us pictures!!! I’d love to see that headboard.
Summer says
I had totally forgotten about this post but I”m so glad you gave me the link! I will be working on my headboard this weekend. I will most definitely send pics, it’s such an exquisite piece 😀
Sommer says
Love the desk! And the rug, which I figured was pretty easy to make. It is. Here is a linky.
http://xoelle.com/2009/05/t-shirt-latch-hook-rug-tutorial/
Shelley says
Sommer, you rock. Awesome tutorial for that rug! Thank you! I want one in an 8×10. A little nervous that it will take me years to make…
Chelsea Strong says
On that Urban Outfitters site, it sort of looks like they glued the fabric to a latch hook rug. The rug underneath looks different from the fabric on top. I don’t know… does the fabric on your rug looked glued on? I want to make one too!
Alisa says
It wouldn’t take as long as you think to do the rug in an 8 X 10 size. The bigger problem would be how heavy it would get! I made one for my daughter’s room (you can draw a design with a sharpie on the canvas, then have your fabric colors follow the design) that was a 3 X 4. I only worked on it when I was watching TV, and that wasn’t very often, but it still only took me about a week or two to make it. I used fleece (I think every other hole or every third hole)and the rug was so heavy by the time I finished! I can’t even imagine having one even bigger to move around! Awesome but heavy!
Ashley says
Shelley, I love it. I am inspired. And those cute kiddos, cute chair, rug, love it all.
Jill @ Junky Vagabond says
White, silver, glass knobs…I’m in love! So pretty and I’m happy you’re at a real desk 🙂 Beautiful makeover on the cabinet, and I love the chair as is too! Way to make that executive decision and leave it as is!! 🙂
Amanda says
So did you buy the drawers separate? Didnt see them in the 1st pic. I LOVE it. beautiful job and such a great rug. I am thinking about saving my 800 hours and just buying the thing!
Shelley says
I just took them out before I took the picture. 😉 It only took 4 hours,… you can do it!! 🙂
Amanda says
Oh I meant saving the hours on making the rug! 🙂 Searching for my desk in need of adoption too though 🙂
Erica says
You did a FABulous job!! I love those drawer knobs!
Eva May says
I have to laugh sometimes .. I’m always striping the paint off to get to the natural wood .. I’m an old pooh that likes the natural wood look .. I just cry when I see antique pieces getting painted … Super! OH! NO!! .. BUT!, each to their own .. I do enjoy your website, keep up the great sharing ..
TxGal says
Agree Eva May, I don’t like to see antique pieces get painted either, but these are not “antiques” … they might be loosely termed “vintage” but they are probably both from the 1970’s …
Kerri says
It looks beautiful and I love the white! Great job! I don’t know how you did it in only 4 hours, though – especially with kids around. (You and Sydney have great paint color choices so I’m going to ask you as well, what are the names of the paint colors and where did you get them? Love them!) 🙂
Michelle S. says
I think Potterybarn may dislike you. This is absolutely wonderful and well worth the $175 AND you didn’t even have to pay for shipping. Love it!!!
Kayla says
I love it, it’s adorbs!! Great job!
Virginia says
I love both pieces. Do you know the paint names you used for the desk and the cabinet???
Shelley says
Summer White by Benjamin Moore (for both pieces).
Mary says
Okay, I am inspired but I need a more in-depth tutorial. What is the best way to strip and sand stained wood? What is the best paint to use? How many coats? Etc. I have a cherry queen anne desk with medium honey-toned stain begging to be painted blue or yellow and I have yet to do it. TEACH ME OH CREATIVE ONE!!
Thanks, Mother of 4 little ones. 🙂
TxGal says
You DO need to de-gloss or lightly sand prefinished wood furniture before painting. Existing varnish or old finishes on wood pieces will cause the new paint to come off pretty quickly. The paint needs something to “grab onto” if you want a lasting finish with normal wear.
TxGal says
Meant to add, you don’t need to strip wood furniture unless you intend to re-stain it. To repaint, just lightly sand by hand or use a liquid-sand product.
Courtney says
Oh I love this and am about to do the same thing with my daughter’s new vanity/desk that someone generously gave to me. Thanks for posting the tutorial I will be going by that!
nancy says
Hi!
Did you just paint the furniture or did you also first sand it?
Thanks!
Nancy
Shelley says
I didn’t. Probably should have. 😉 It turned out fine though.
trish says
I’m getting ready to paint a china cabinet myself. Looks like the glass on either side of the door is stationary in yours, so how did you manage painting the shelves? That’s an issue I’m facing since the glass and shelves are both stationary in mine, if you have hints I’d love to hear them!
Shelley says
Does it have a back? Can you take it off. That would be easiest. It is tricky for sure. Let me know if you figure anything out. Good Luck!
Nickelle @noVae Clothing says
I LOVE painting & re-doing Furniture!!! Nothing else around the house get’s done for days – BUT it’s so Worth the Extra work when it’s Completed!! Congrats on the bigger space! I think my desk a bit bigger than your old one — but not much! ;o) xo
AndreaR says
I love this! I have a friend in my ward, just like you….she can find amazing deals at thrift stores and turn them into the greatest things. I found a dresser and crib for my youngest child last yr–both from Craigslist. They turned out amazing too. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Connie says
Thanks for reminding me about Craigslist…my microwave just bit the dust 🙂 Venturing there now!!!!
Lara says
your house is so dang cute shell.. i want you to come do mine!
Erin says
where did you get the glass knobs? I am refinishing a dresser and I love those!
Marsha B. says
Here’s a tutorial for a braided t-shirt rug: http://sewingforlife.wordpress.com/tag/braided-t-shirt-rugs/
Here’s a no-sew braided rug tutorial: http://littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2008/11/secrets-of-no-sew-rag-rug.html
Here’s a shag rag rug, like the one you have. The cool thing is, if you have a sheet of fabric about the size of the rug you want, you can cut holes in it and use it like a latch-hook mesh and it will be softer and fully machine washable. I had a tutorial for it, but I can’t find it.
http://www.craftbits.com/project/rag-rug
Taylor says
LOVE IT!!! I LOVE seeing furniture makeovers, they make me want to stalk craigslist like crazy!
Trish @TheOldPostRoad says
Looks great! I just bought a Christmas tree on craigslist, today. Barely wedged it into my car!
-Trish
pgstrat says
You’ve got great taste, Shelley! Your remakes look great!
Amber says
Wow your pieces are BEAUTIFUL! I gave a beautiful dresser off of Craigslist a makeover for my daughters nursery. I would love for you to come by and check it out sometime!
http://jroxdesigns.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/custom-painted-french-provencal-dresser-nursery-tuesday/
Elli says
I love both of these transformations, especially the hutch! Makes me rethink the “ugly” pieces I have passed up. It looks like the screws on the knobs for the center desk drawer are too long, so that the back plates are not flush against the desk. I had the same problem and used a Dremel to cut the screws off so the pulls fit flush and won’t wiggle.
Katy Lunsford says
I { L O V E } this and the chair! and the rug! I am searching now on how to make one! Thanks for sharing!
TxGal says
I winced a little too seeing that pretty desk repainted but it does look good !
Love that china hutch too ! Thanks for the inspiration … I have the same thing in mind for a chest and nightstand !
Krystal says
Can you tell us more about this? I’d care to find out some additional information.
Krystal
Sarena V says
I love your work, and I just love recycling old furniture instead of junking it, my mother was going to junk a end table because the top had come unglued and one of the two doors was falling off, I painted it cream and lilac purple with a ring of fleur de lis on top added a round pillow and maid it into a doggie den, Her Chihuahua and my two love it.